My Calendar
Events in April 2024
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World Autism Awareness Day
World Autism Awareness Day
02/04/2024
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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International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
04/04/2024 -
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
06/04/2024 -
World Health Day
World Health Day
07/04/2024 -
International Day for Street Children
International Day for Street Children
12/04/2024
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 FlightInternational Day of Human Space Flight
12/04/2024 -
Chinese Language Day
Chinese Language Day
20/04/2024 -
World Creativity and Innovation Day
World Creativity and Innovation Day
21/04/2024
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
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International Mother Earth Day
International Mother Earth Day
22/04/2024
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.
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Spanish Language Day
Spanish Language Day
23/04/2024
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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International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
International Day of Multilateralism and Diplomacy for Peace
24/04/2024 -
World Malaria Day
World Malaria Day
25/04/2024 -
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day
International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day
26/04/2024World Intellectual Property DayWorld Intellectual Property Day
26/04/2024 -
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
28/04/2024
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
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International Dance Day
International Dance Day
29/04/2024
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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International Jazz Day
International Jazz Day
30/04/2024
Here's a 4:53 reflection on International Jazz Day including an exuberant extract from The Boss and the E-Street Band!