My Calendar

Events in February 2020

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
27/01/2020
28/01/2020
29/01/2020
30/01/2020
31/01/2020
01/02/2020(1 event)

World Hijab Day


01/02/2020

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 

02/02/2020(1 event)

The Presentation of the Lord


02/02/2020

03/02/2020(1 event)

Children's Mental Health Week


03/02/2020 09/02/2020

04/02/2020(2 events)

Children's Mental Health Week


03/02/2020 09/02/2020

Birthday of Rosa Parks


04/02/2020

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

05/02/2020(1 event)

Children's Mental Health Week


03/02/2020 09/02/2020

06/02/2020(1 event)

Children's Mental Health Week


03/02/2020 09/02/2020

07/02/2020(1 event)

Children's Mental Health Week


03/02/2020 09/02/2020

08/02/2020(2 events)

Children's Mental Health Week


03/02/2020 09/02/2020

Special Day of Prayer for Victims of Trafficking (St Josephine Bakhita)


08/02/2020

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
and let them look to you as an example of hope and faith.

Help all survivors find healing from their wounds.

 

We pray this in your Holy Name.

AMEN

09/02/2020(2 events)

Children's Mental Health Week


03/02/2020 09/02/2020

Racial Justice Sunday - 2020


09/02/2020

10/02/2020(1 event)

Feast day of St. Jose Sanchez del Rio


10/02/2020

St. José Luis Sanchez del Rio

José 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.

 

 

11/02/2020(1 event)

World Day of Prayer for the Sick


11/02/2020

12/02/2020
13/02/2020
14/02/2020
15/02/2020
16/02/2020
17/02/2020
18/02/2020
19/02/2020
20/02/2020
21/02/2020
22/02/2020
23/02/2020
24/02/2020
25/02/2020
26/02/2020(1 event)

Ash Wednesday - Lent begins - 2020


26/02/2020

Ash Wednesday - the first day of Lent - what's it all about?

Here's some of the answer! (As a video - 3:25)

 

27/02/2020(1 event)

Lent


27/02/2020 11/04/2020

28/02/2020(1 event)

Lent


27/02/2020 11/04/2020

29/02/2020(1 event)

Lent


27/02/2020 11/04/2020

01/03/2020(2 events)

Lent


27/02/2020 11/04/2020

Traditional date for the Feast of St David - patron saint of Wales


01/03/2020

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