My Calendar
Events in April 2024
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01/04/2024
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02/04/2024(1 event) World Autism Awareness Day 
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
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03/04/2024
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04/04/2024(1 event) International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action |
05/04/2024
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06/04/2024(1 event) International Day of Sport for Development and Peace |
07/04/2024(1 event) World Health Day |
08/04/2024(1 event) Anniversary of the death of St. Julie (1816) |
09/04/2024
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10/04/2024
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11/04/2024
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12/04/2024(2 events) International Day for Street Children 
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; 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 |
13/04/2024
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14/04/2024
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15/04/2024(1 event) Anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster 
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 |
16/04/2024
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17/04/2024
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18/04/2024
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19/04/2024
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20/04/2024(1 event) Chinese Language Day |
21/04/2024(1 event) World Creativity and Innovation Day 
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 |
22/04/2024(1 event) International Mother Earth Day 
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. This is a prayer from the Holy Father about the earth and our relationship with our Common Home.
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23/04/2024(2 events) Shakespeare's birth and death date, English Language Day, World Book and Copyright Day 
Here's a really fun video with lots of Shakespeare quotes in a very short space of time! CLICK HERE for our own version - 24 quotes in 1 minute! CLICK HERE for a 3 minute reflection on and prayer for this day.
Spanish Language Day 
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!
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24/04/2024(1 event) International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace |
25/04/2024(1 event) World Malaria Day |
26/04/2024(2 events) International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day World Intellectual Property Day |
27/04/2024
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28/04/2024(1 event) World Day for Safety and Health at Work 
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:
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 |
29/04/2024(1 event) International Dance Day 
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
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30/04/2024(1 event) International Jazz Day 
Here's a 4:53 reflection on International Jazz Day including an exuberant extract from The Boss and the E-Street Band! |
01/05/2024
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02/05/2024(1 event) World Tuna Day |
03/05/2024(1 event) World Press Freedom Day 
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, May they be courageous in confronting evil and injustice: 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. |
04/05/2024(1 event) World Asthma Day 
Let's start with a 30 second prayer for today - just CLICK HERE.
So what is ASTHMA, what causes it and what can we do about it? (4:17) What if someone has an asthma attack? What should we do?
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available HERE as a one minute video) Loving God,
we hold before you all who are living with asthma - that they will receive appropriate medical support and be able to make the right decisions - day to day - to keep them safe. We pray for all who support them - family, friends and medical practitioners - that they will always find the strength to be compassionate, patient and understanding. We pray for wisdom, tenacity and insight for all who are researching causes, treatments and responses - that they will receive appropriate funding and be inspired in their work. We ask this in your holy name. AMEN |
05/05/2024
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