My Calendar
Week of Dec 13th
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National Grief Awareness Week National Grief Awareness Week
02/12/2020 – 08/12/2020
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to.
If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust.
If someone who is grieving approaches you, don't worry - you won't make it worse. The worst has already happened. If they want to talk, just listen.Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful:
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIEDEternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING
Jesus, healer and teacher,
you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus.
Help me make sense of what is happening,
because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost,
some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all.
Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain,
and let treasured memories sustain me.
Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you,
free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
International Civil Aviation Day -
National Grief Awareness Week National Grief Awareness Week
02/12/2020 – 08/12/2020
Grief is something we all experience at some point in our lives. While no two people react in exactly the same way, there is much to learn from hearing about others' experiences and sharing our own when we feel able to.
If you are grieving and want to talk to someone, do approach someone you trust.
If someone who is grieving approaches you, don't worry - you won't make it worse. The worst has already happened. If they want to talk, just listen.Here are some reflections on what it can be like to lose someone.
This is a video which you might find helpful:
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIEDEternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. AMEN
A PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING
Jesus, healer and teacher,
you know what it is like to lose someone you love and you wept for your friend, Lazarus.
Help me make sense of what is happening,
because some days I feel angry, some days I feel lost,
some days I feel helpless, some days I don't feel at all.
Send me comfort and people to walk with me.
Help me through this pain,
and let treasured memories sustain me.
Help me to have faith that my loved one is now with you,
free from pain and worry.
Help others who are grieving this same loss.
I ask this in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
Traditional date for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Traditional date for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
08/12/2020
Here's a video covering this feast day - which is often misunderstood! (3 mins 30 secs)
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International Anti-Corruption Day International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime
09/12/2020 -
Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights
10/12/2020 – 18/12/2020
Hanukkah is a festival of 8 nights and days marking the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Empire of Seleucid way back in 165 BCE.
Here's a brief summary:
And this is a contemporary re-interpretation of the Festival!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Loving God,
we give thanks for the many victories
won by light over darkness
expressed by faiths around the world.
We pray that we might all be part of the ultimate victory
when the darkness of injustice and hate
will be forever dispelled
by the desire for justice and capacity for love
which reside in the hearts of all humanity.
AMEN
Human Rights Day Human Rights Day
10/12/2020
Here's a special message for Human Rights Day 2020 - a year like no other (2:09).
So what are Human Rights (2:08)?
A PRAYER
We pray this day for all who are denied human rights.
We pray for individuals and organisations campaigning for the oppressed.
We pray for oppressors that their hearts be transformed.
Loving God, help us to be beacons of hope,
willing to speak and campaign,
to support and encourage,
to show compassion and resilience,
so that your kingdom of peace and justice be established
in this place, at this time.
Give us wisdom and courage to make the first seemingly small steps and declarations
required to make giant leaps and proclamations.
We ask this in your holy name. AMEN
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Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights
10/12/2020 – 18/12/2020
Hanukkah is a festival of 8 nights and days marking the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Empire of Seleucid way back in 165 BCE.
Here's a brief summary:
And this is a contemporary re-interpretation of the Festival!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Loving God,
we give thanks for the many victories
won by light over darkness
expressed by faiths around the world.
We pray that we might all be part of the ultimate victory
when the darkness of injustice and hate
will be forever dispelled
by the desire for justice and capacity for love
which reside in the hearts of all humanity.
AMEN
International Mountain Day International Mountain Day
11/12/2020
Did you know?
So you can see that mountains are incredibly important! However, there are problems our mountains are facing because of climate change:
A PRAYER FOR TODAY (available here as a 1 minute video.)
Creator God,
we pray for those who live on, and rely on, mountains for their livelihood.
We pray for courageous leaders who will tackle climate change at their national level.
We pledge ourselves to tackle climate change on an individual level by every day decisions that impact the world we share.
We give thanks for those who support us as we climb the mountains in our lives.
Help us to find and stay on the right path
and give us strength to keep going when the going gets tough.
We pray this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN
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Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights
10/12/2020 – 18/12/2020
Hanukkah is a festival of 8 nights and days marking the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Empire of Seleucid way back in 165 BCE.
Here's a brief summary:
And this is a contemporary re-interpretation of the Festival!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Loving God,
we give thanks for the many victories
won by light over darkness
expressed by faiths around the world.
We pray that we might all be part of the ultimate victory
when the darkness of injustice and hate
will be forever dispelled
by the desire for justice and capacity for love
which reside in the hearts of all humanity.
AMEN
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
12/12/2020
Here's a brief introduction to Our Lady of Guadalupe
CLICK HERE FOR a summary which includes our special connection to Our Lady of Guadalupe as a Notre Dame school. (3 mins 19 secs)
A PRAYER
Our Lady of Guadalupe,
O dark Madonna of the Americas,
Come again to bring us
the roses of compassion, justice, and peace.
In the midst of our winter,
bestow your love on all those marginalized in these lands,
and give us your gift to see dignity
in the least of those among us.
Bless all who suffer from injustice.
Shelter them in the warmth of your love
and safeguard them from evil that rages around them.
Turn our eyes and hearts to their needs
and give us courage to act for their good.
We ask this, relying on your compassion and confident of your love.
Amen
(Prayer from Education for Justice)
International Day of Neutrality International Universal Health Coverage Day -
Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights Hanukkah - the Jewish Festival of Lights
10/12/2020 – 18/12/2020
Hanukkah is a festival of 8 nights and days marking the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Empire of Seleucid way back in 165 BCE.
Here's a brief summary:
And this is a contemporary re-interpretation of the Festival!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Loving God,
we give thanks for the many victories
won by light over darkness
expressed by faiths around the world.
We pray that we might all be part of the ultimate victory
when the darkness of injustice and hate
will be forever dispelled
by the desire for justice and capacity for love
which reside in the hearts of all humanity.
AMEN