My Calendar

Events in April 2020

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
30/03/2020(1 event)
31/03/2020(1 event)
01/04/2020(1 event)
02/04/2020(2 events)

World Autism Awareness Day


02/04/2020

A special day and here's a video about what NOT to say (3:57) to someone living with autism!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY (HERE as a 1:00 video)

Loving God,

bless all who see the world through autism,

and all who celebrate the richness of diversity.

 

Help us, O Lord, to see your image

reflected in all of our differences.

 

May we recognise the unique gifts we each have to offer the world.

We pray this in your Holy Name.  AMEN

 

 

 

03/04/2020(2 events)

Special Day of Prayer for Survivors of Sexual Abuse


03/04/2020

04/04/2020(2 events)

International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action


04/04/2020

05/04/2020(1 event)
06/04/2020(2 events)

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace


06/04/2020

07/04/2020(2 events)

World Health Day


07/04/2020

08/04/2020(1 event)
09/04/2020(1 event)
10/04/2020(1 event)
11/04/2020(1 event)
12/04/2020(2 events)

International Day for Street Children


12/04/2020

What might it be like living on the streets as a young person? Here are some insights from children living on the streets of Bangkok.

Here are some children sharing their experiences through their drawings:

Here's a brief introduction on behalf of a local charity:

A PRAYER FOR TODAY  (available HERE as a video)

Loving God,

we pray for all children who are living on the streets - in the UK and beyond.

We pray for all who work with children - that they use wisdom and courage in noticing and helping the vulnerable.

We pray that governments, local decision makers, uniformed services and other organisations will prioritise their safety - giving them the dignity they deserve as being made in your image.

We pray, too, for those children who are experiencing relationship problems and feel they have nowhere to go;
help them to find support - whether online or in person.

Lord Jesus - you said to let the children come to you.  Help each of us be part of finding a safe place for children where they feel safe, protected, valued and provided for.

We ask this in your holy name. AMEN

International Day of Human Space Flight


12/04/2020

13/04/2020
14/04/2020
15/04/2020(1 event)

Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster


15/04/2020

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Loving God, 

we remember once again the 96 and all those who have suffered, 

and are still suffering as a result of the disaster at Hillsborough.

May they know and feel your love and strength surrounding them!

We thank you for all who have been a part of the journey for truth and justice

for what has been accomplished; and for what has yet to come.

 

We pray for healing of memories, for hope, 

for the grace to forgive – ourselves and others,

and for your peace – rooted in the truth of your love.

 

We ask this in your holy name!  AMEN

16/04/2020
17/04/2020
18/04/2020
19/04/2020
20/04/2020(1 event)

Chinese Language Day


20/04/2020

21/04/2020(1 event)

World Creativity and Innovation Day


21/04/2020

Set up by the UN in 2018, this is a day to be thankful for and reflect on our inherent creativity and ability as a species to innovate!

Here's a thought for the day and prayer. (2:29)

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Loving God,

We give thanks for the gift of creativity we are all blessed with.

Give us open hearts and determined mindsets that we might use this gift

to bring about innovations which will benefit all of humanity

and ensure sustainability for the planet we all call home!

 

We pray this in your holy name. AMEN

22/04/2020(1 event)

International Mother Earth Day


22/04/2020

A brilliant song from way back in 1974! It's well worth pondering the words - just what are Sparks trying to say?

Of course, our relationship with Mother Earth is very much influenced by our connection with Sr Dorothy Stang.
CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO PRAYER from some of our students which is very appropriate for today.

This is a prayer from the Holy Father about the earth and our relationship with our Common Home.

 

23/04/2020(2 events)

Spanish Language Day


23/04/2020

Spanish is one of six official languages of the United Nations - spoken in Spain and all over South Africa (except for Brazil).

 Here's a bit of info:

 

Here's the Hail Mary in Spanish to mark this day!

 

 

 

Traditional date for Feast of St George - patron saint of England


23/04/2020

24/04/2020(1 event)

International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace


24/04/2020

25/04/2020(1 event)

World Malaria Day


25/04/2020

26/04/2020(2 events)

International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day


26/04/2020

World Intellectual Property Day


26/04/2020

27/04/2020
28/04/2020(1 event)

World Day for Safety and Health at Work


28/04/2020

This day is set aside to remind all of us of our responsibilities to do all we can to be safe and healthy at our places of work wherever they are!  We all have a role to play:

  • governments are responsible for providing appropriate laws and services - including inspections to ensure compliance;
  • employers  are responsible for ensuring that the working environment is safe and healthy;
  • workers we are responsible to work safely and to protect ourselves and not to endanger others.

CLICK HERE for a 75 second reflection on our own mission statement commitment to safety!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available here as a 1:00 video)

Loving God,

who, on the 7th day of creation - demonstrated the importance of rest and appreciation of a job well done,

give us wisdom to know when to work and when to rest;

help us be hardworking and industrious;

while being calm and mindful of the physical and mental health of ourselves and others.

Help us to be safe in our work practices and to appreciate our own worth – as well as those we work with.  

And where difficult conversations need to take place – give us words that will result in just and compassionate outcomes.

We pray this in your holy name.  AMEN

29/04/2020(1 event)

International Dance Day


29/04/2020

This is a lovely day to celebrate!  Humans seem to have a universal desire to dance.  It happens across all societies and it was wonderful in 2019 that we had our own flashmob dance in the Peace Garden to mark this event.   Here it is!

Here's another flashmob of joy!

 And here's a wonderful song - I HOPE YOU DANCE:

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available here as a 1:00 video)

Creator God,

we thank you for the beauty of dance.

Help us to leap with your joy,

to stretch with your passion,

to balance with your strength

as we express our thoughts and emotions.

May our dancing always be a spirit-filled,

life-giving expression of our humanity.

 

We pray this in your holy name. AMEN

 

30/04/2020(1 event)
01/05/2020(1 event)

Traditional date for Feast of St. Joseph the Worker


01/05/2020

A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available here as a 1:00 video)

Prayer to St. Joseph - Patron Saint of Workers

Help us to acknowledge and respect the dignity of all workers.

Help us to learn about and to care about those who

are not fairly rewarded,

not treated justly,

who work in unsafe environments.

 

We pray too for those who do not have the security that comes with work.

 

Guide us in our own work and in the work of justice we are all called to participate in.

Give us strength for the day ahead that we might do the best we can.

 

We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

02/05/2020(1 event)

World Tuna Day


02/05/2020

03/05/2020(2 events)

World Day of Prayer for Vocations - 2020


03/05/2020

World Press Freedom Day


03/05/2020

Why should we care about press freedom?  (1:13)

So, how are things around the world? This video (3:2) compares the freedom of the press.  What do you think of where the UK is ranked?

 

 

A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available here as a 1:00 video)

Loving God,

We give thanks for journalists who investigate, inform and celebrate.

 

Strengthen and direct all who write what many read,
and speak where many listen.

May they be courageous in confronting evil and injustice:
and understanding and compassionate of human weakness;
seeking always to convey not just aspects of truth but the whole truth.

May they act with honesty and integrity,

And feel protected and empowered to challenge oppression in all its forms.

 

We ask this in your holy name!

 

St Julie: pray for us, protect us and bless us.