My Calendar
Events in February 2024
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29/01/2024
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30/01/2024
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31/01/2024
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01/02/2024(1 event) World Hijab Day ![]() On February 1st of every year, World Hijab Day Organization asks global citizens of all faiths and backgrounds to wear the Hijab (head-covering) for a day in solidarity with Muslim women worldwide. The motto for World Hijab Day 2020 is “Unity in Diversity” with the hashtag #EmpoweredInHijab. The overall mission of WHD is to create a more peaceful world where global citizens respect each other. Particularly, WHD focuses on fighting bigotry, discrimination, and prejudice against Muslim women. This is most crucial in these times where Hijab is being banned in some countries while in other countries, Muslim women are being targeted and harassed verbally and physically. A PRAYER FOR TODAY Loving God, we pray for all who choose to wear the hijab as an expression of faith and identity; that they will be shown understanding and respect. We pray, too, for a world where diversity is embraced and peace, justice and equality are the norm.
We pray this in your holy name. AMEN |
02/02/2024(2 events) The Founding of the Sisters of Notre Dame (1804) ![]() The Presentation of the Lord |
03/02/2024
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04/02/2024(2 events) Birthday of Rosa Parks ![]() This is a biographical video (3:16) of Rosa Parks. This a longer video (11:28) which is an excellent resource (part of the BBC Teach series) - well worth spending a few days of Sacred Time exploring this.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (CLICK HERE for a 1:00 video of this prayer) Loving God, We give thanks for the life of Rosa Parks who sat down for justice, so millions of others could stand up in dignity.
We are thankful for her generous spirit and quiet courage that gave hope to so many.
She remains a role model for us, reminding us what one person can do to challenge injustice in a peaceful way.
We do not know what impact our words and actions may have. But may we, like Rosa, take those small steps that can open the way to a better world.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN World Cancer Day ![]() This is a great video (2:15) which gives a motivational overview of cancer. It was produced for World Cancer Day 2019 but remains relevant!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (CLICK HERE for a 45 second video of this prayer) Loving God, we ask you to bless all whose lives are affected by cancer.
Empower them with hope and give them opportunities for love and laughter each and every day.
Give strength to their family and friends who are supporting and caring for them and help their medical professionals to use all their experience, wisdom and compassion.
We ask this in your holy name! AMEN
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05/02/2024
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06/02/2024(1 event) International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation ![]() Today is the International Day for Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). FGM is the partial or total removal of female genitalia or other injury to the female genitalia for non medical reasons. In Africa alone, 100-140 million girls have undergone FGM within the 28 countries that practice FGM and about 3 million are at risk of undergoing the cut each year. Here's a 57 second video just to get us thinking about this issue. CLICK HERE for a video (5:32) of a UNICEF project relating to this.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY Loving God, we hold before you all who are living with the consequences of FGM. We pray for those working to dispel ignorance about this issue and that the truth be known. We pray especially for community leaders - that they take the side of young girls facing the prospect of FGM and that they will lead their communities to greater understanding so that this practice might be eradicated.
We pray this in your Holy Name. AMEN
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07/02/2024
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08/02/2024(1 event) Special Day of Prayer for Victims of Trafficking (St Josephine Bakhita) ![]() The Catholic Church designates February 8 as an annual day of prayer and awareness against human trafficking. February 8 is the feast day of St. Josephine Bakhita, who was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery in Sudan and Italy. Once Josephine was freed, she became a nun and dedicated her life to sharing her testament of deliverance from slavery and comforting the poor and suffering. She was declared a Saint in 2000. On February 8, Catholics all over the world are encouraged to host or attend prayer services to create greater awareness about this phenomenon. Here's a video (3:24) telling her life story.
A PRAYER FOR TODAY St. Josephine Bakhita, you were sold into slavery as a child and endured untold hardship and suffering but you found new hope in Jesus.
We pray that you assist all those who are trapped in a state of slavery; Speak with God on their behalf so that they will be released from their chains of captivity. Those whom some humans enslave, let others with God's strength set free. Provide comfort to survivors of slavery Help all survivors find healing from their wounds.
We pray this in your Holy Name. AMEN |
09/02/2024
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10/02/2024(2 events) Feast day of St. Jose Sanchez del Rio St. José Luis Sanchez del RioJosé Sanchez del Rio was born in the western Mexican state of Michoacan de Ocampo, on March 28th, 1913. For many years, Mexico had been embroiled in a nasty internal conflict between the Catholic Church and the State government. As a result, war erupted between the Catholics and the state in 1926. The war became known as the “Cristero War,” named by faithful Catholics for “Christ the King,” It lasted three years. José emerged as an unlikely hero and eventual martyr of the struggle, sacrificing his life as a witness to his Catholic faith. José begged his mother to allow him to join his brothers as a soldier in supporting the Catholic efforts. She refused but he persisted. Even at his tender age, José possessed a remarkable faith. When his mother relented, the boy performed menial tasks for the Cristeros forces. His dedication to Christ the King never wavered: despite governmental prohibition of the public practice of religion, José attended Mass whenever possible, received Holy Communion and never hesitated to proclaim his faith. During one battle, a Cristero leader, General Guizar Morfín, lost the horse he was riding to enemy fire. Young José offered his own horse to the General to prevent his capture by federal troops but, in the process, was himself apprehended. The anti-Cristeros soldiers imprisoned and violently tortured him. Efforts to free him proved unsuccessful. José prayed the Rosary daily throughout his imprisonment. Upon transfer to another prison, José was told he would be executed for his unbending dedication to his faith. He received the news with the courage of his religious convictions. As his captors beat him mercilessly, he could be heard praying “Long live Christ the King! Long live Our Lady of Guadalupe!” They took his shoes and removed the skin from the bottom of his feet, forcing him to walk to the cemetery, barefoot and bleeding, where soldiers repeatedly stabbed him. He refused to reject his faith in order to spare his own life. José Sánchez del Río was shot twice and his martyred body was thrown into an open grave on February 10th, 1928, one month short of his 15th birthday. On October 16th 2016, Pope Francis canonised José Sánchez del Río a saint. His feast day is February 10th.
Loving God, we give thanks for the faith and courage of St. Jose. When our faith wavers, strengthen us. When times are hard, comfort us. When all seems lost, inspire us. We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN.
St. Julie: pray for us, protect us and bless us.
World Pulses Day ![]() |
11/02/2024(3 events) Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes ![]() This is a nice introduction to what happened in Lourdes (3 mins 51 secs) Our Lady is special to us at St. Julie's not least because Our Lady was special to St. Julie - so much so that she named the congregation of nuns she founded as the Sisters of Notre Dame after her. Notre Dame is French for Our Lady. You're invited this day especially to pray the Hail Mary available here as a video. International Day of Women and Girls in Science ![]() A Prayer for Today (available here as a 1:00 video)
Loving God, we thank you for the discoveries already made by women in science which have contributed so much to our understanding of the universe.
We give thanks for these inspirational women who were strong enough to break through the barriers placed in front of them by society's expectations at the time.
Help us to break through any barriers which might prevent us from being the best we can be.
We ask this in your Holy Name. AMEN
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12/02/2024(1 event) Anniversary of the death of Sr Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN (2005) ![]() A remarkable woman after whom our Dorothy House is named. |
13/02/2024(1 event) World Radio Day ![]() |
14/02/2024(1 event) Valentine's Day ![]() |
15/02/2024
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16/02/2024
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17/02/2024
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18/02/2024
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19/02/2024
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20/02/2024(1 event) World Day of Social Justice |
21/02/2024(1 event) International Mother Language Day |
22/02/2024(1 event) Feast of the Chair of St. Peter ![]() |
23/02/2024
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24/02/2024
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25/02/2024
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26/02/2024
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27/02/2024
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28/02/2024
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29/02/2024
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01/03/2024(2 events) Traditional date for the Feast of St David - patron saint of Wales ![]() Here's a video about St David (2:34).
Loving God, we thank you for the example of St. David, you chose to live a simple life, and helped others whose lives were simple not through choice but circumstances.
Help us to consider our choices that we may live more simply in order to make a big difference to others. We pray this in your Holy Name. AMEN Zero Discrimination Day |
02/03/2024
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03/03/2024(1 event) World Wildlife Day ![]() Here's a wonderful video (1:57) encouraging us to reflect on the wonders of creation.
This video (2:30) is from World Wildlife Day 2019 and it focuses on the oceans! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Loving God, we give thanks for the wonders of creation, especially the creatures with whom we share this planet. Help us to be well informed, compassionate and willing to act on their behalf. We pray this in your Holy Name. AMEN |