EASTER 2012 Diocese of Nottingham SCHOOL PRAYER BOOK
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Diocese of Nottingham
SCHOOL PRAYER BOOK
Produced by Séamus O’Looskan of
EASTER 2012
St Paul’s Catholic School Chaplaincy, Leicester,
on behalf of Nottingham Diocesan Vocations Commission.
This prayer book can be downloaded in Publisher
& Powerpoint from www.rucalled.com
NOTES
This prayer book is intended for use in form period time. Blessing 4 (when there has been tension)
May God be with us to keep us peaceful
The booklet can be used as a resource to support busy teachers in the May anger and jealousy give way to kindness
vital task of developing spirituality in young people. May God’s compassion come to us through one another
Leading The Prayer And may God bless us all
The settling and preparation of the class for a brief prayer In the name of the Father
is very important. And of the Son
Ideally the desks should be clear.
The students can be invited to rest their head in their hands or put their
And of the Holy Spirit
AMEN
+
head on their folded arms on the desk.
Ask the students to be quiet and still for a moment before Blessing 5 (when there has been sadness)
starting the prayer. May God be a comfort to us in our sadness
May God’s love lighten our hearts
Structure And teach us to keep trusting in troubled times.
A scripture reading from the day & a prayer
And may God bless us all
In addition there could be added In the name of the Father
a Common Prayer from the page opposite
And of the Son
And of the Holy Spirit
+
AMEN
A blessing to conclude prayer
Feel free to improvise and ask for intentions to be prayed for at the start
Blessing 6 (When things are celebrated)
Acknowledgements
May God bless us in our success and achievements
Readings are from The Lectionary or adapted
May our confidence in your gifts increase
from the Catholic Community Bible
And may fun and friendship grow in our hearts
Form Blessings adapted from Blessings for teachers by
Fr David O’Malley SDB, Savio House, Bollington.
And may God bless us all
In the name of the Father
And of the Son
And of the Holy Spirit
AMEN
+
Blessings for Forms COMMON PRAYERS
Our Father who art in heaven
Blessing 1 (for safety) hallowed be your name Use one of
May God keep each of us safe from all harm today your kingdom come, your will be done these prayers
May we learn more about the goodness hidden in our hearts on earth as it is in heaven.
each morning
And find God through all that happens. Give us this day, our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
And may God bless us all as we forgive those who trespass against us
In the name of the Father and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil. AMEN
And of the Son
And of the Holy Spirit
+
AMEN Hail Mary full of grace
the Lord is with you
blessed are you among women
Blessing 2 (for friendship and peace)
and blest is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
May we find peace today, peace to share with each other
Holy Mary, mother of God
May spiritual friendship grow between us
pray for us sinners, now
And kindness and cheerfulness support us all day.
and at the hour of our death. AMEN
And may God bless us all
Glory be to the Father
In the name of the Father
and to The Son
And of the Son
and to the Holy Spirit
And of the Holy Spirit
AMEN + as it was in the beginning
is now and ever shall be
world without end. AMEN
Blessing 3 (When restless and tired)
May we be patient with ourselves today
SCHOOL PRAYER
And be relaxed when we are under pressure
This is what the Lord asks of you
May we grow in knowledge and be aware of God in every breath.
to act justly, love tenderly,
and walk humbly with your God Prayer for the dead
And may God bless us all Eternal rest grant to them
In the name of the Father
And of the Son + Prayer of St Richard O Lord and let perpetual
light shine upon them.
Day by Day, O dear Lord,
And of the Holy Spirit May they rest in peace.
three things I pray,
AMEN Amen
to see you more clearly,
love you more dearly
and follow you more nearly
Day by day
Third week of Easter
BACKGROUND: The Gospel this weekend from
Luke (24:35-48) has the disciples who have met him on
the road to Emmaus come back and tell the others of
their experience. Then Jesus comes and stands among
them and explains to them how the scriptures have been
fulfilled by his life, death and resurrection
Monday 23rd St George, Patron of England
To all Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let them renounce them-
selves, take up their cross and follow me.” (Gospel of Luke 9:23)
Lord, through the witness of George, our patron, A YEAR OF FAITH
we pray for our nation.
May we work to build a community
of care and concern for all. In his apostolic letter MOTU PROPRIO DATA His Holiness,
May we learn to honour and enjoy our diversity Pope Benedict XVI announced a Year of Faith due to begin on
and differences so as to build a greater unity 11 October 2012, fiftieth anniversary of the opening of
amongst people in our country. Vatican Council II, and to conclude on 24 November 2013,
May our leaders have courage and compassion Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Universal King.
and the vision to inspire us to work
for the common good. Amen
The Holy Father stated in his letter that, "this will be a good
opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of
Tuesday 24th April particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith."
Anniversary of the Solemn Inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI The Diocesan Education website has some great ideas of how
as our Pope in 2005 schools can mark such an important year
Jesus said “I am the bread of life. They who come to me will
never be hungry; they who believe in me will never
thirst.” (Gospel of John 6:35)
Father, pour out your Spirit
on our Holy Father, Pope Benedict.
Give him strength and wisdom to lead the Church.
May he be a light in darkness around
which we gather in hope.
May he faithfully proclaim the Gospel of love
and be assisted by the prayers of Peter and Paul.
Through Christ our Lord
Amen
Wednesday 25th April
Jesus said: “When the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete
truth” (Gospel of John 16:14)
Loving Father, on our journey through life, lead us to choose the right
direction and show us how to respect and value others, even if we do
not agree with them. Amen
Thursday 26th April
Jesus said: “It is written in the prophets; they will all be taught by God, and to
hear the teaching of the Father, and learn from it, is to come to me.” (Gospel
of John 6:45)
We pray and commit ourselves today, Father, to learn more about each
other and the beautiful world that you have created around us. Help all
of our classes today to be places of learning and discovery. Amen
Friday 27th April
“Love must be completely sincere. Hate what is evil, hold on to what is good.”
(St Paul’s Letter to the Romans 12:9)
Lord, help us to do what we can to ensure that all people are able to live
their lives to the fullest and not be held back by poverty, war or disease.
Lord Jesus may we bring your love to those in need. Amen
This SUNDAY IS
Good Shepherd Sunday
the day chosen as the World Day of Prayer
for Vocations to the Priesthood and
Consecrated Life.
The theme chosen this year links with the
preparations for the Olympics & Para-Olympics
Resources for Vocation Promotion can be found
on the following web sites
www.ukvocation www.ukpriest.org
www.rucalled.com
Wednesday 30th May
Fourth week of Easter “The grass withers, the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains for ever.”
(First Letter of St Peter 1:25)
BACKGROUND: Good Shepherd Sunday, the annual May the Spirit unite us as a community of faith, so that we may be a sign
Day of prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood & Consecrated to others of your saving grace, Amen
life, has the Gospel John 10:11-18. Jesus presents himself as
the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his flock.. Thursday 31st May Solemnity of the Visitation of the Blessed
As he prepared to ascend to the Father, Jesus entrusted the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth
role of care and leadership to his apostles. We pray for those Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth, who is pregnant
who are called to roles of leadership in our church and pray too with John, who is to become the Baptist.
that more people will answer that call to serve as priests, As Mary greets her cousin the child in Elizabeth’s
deacons or in religious life. womb leaps for joy!
Monday 30th April Elizabeth gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women
Jesus said: “I have come so that they might have life and have it to the full.” you are most blessed and blessed is the fruit of
(Gospel of John 10: 10) your womb. Why should I be honoured by a visit
Loving Good Shepherd, we pray for those who you have called to from the mother of my Lord? For the moment
continue to shepherd your Church. We pray especially for your greeting reached my ears, the child in the
Pope Benedict XVI, Bishop Malcolm and the priests and deacons of our womb leapt for joy. Yes, blessed is she who
diocese. Strengthen their ministry so that they may witness to your believed that the promise made her by the Lord
saving power at work in the world. Amen would be fulfilled.” (Gospel of Luke 1:42)
Visit our lives, Lord, so that we may have the faith of Mary & Elizabeth,
Tuesday 1st May through their prayers strengthen our belief in your promise and fulfill
Pope Pius XII established this day in 1955 your Kingdom. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
to pray for all who work. Hail Mary...
“Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as if it were
for the Lord…It is Christ the Lord you are serving.” Friday 1st June St Justin
(St Paul’s letter to the Colossians 17:24) Born at the beginning of the Second Century, a great philosopher and
Dear Lord, who learnt to be a carpenter theologian (one who studies the faith) and seeker of truth. He was arrested
at the hands of Joseph, and beheaded by the Emperor for being a Christian..
help us all to work for justice and peace in our world. Pray Lord that following the example of St Justin we may search for truth
We pray that all who are unemployed and so enter into the glory of Christ. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
will find suitable employment “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what can make it
and all people will achieve salty again? It is good for nothing, and can only be trampled underfoot.”
satisfaction in what they do. Amen. (Gospel of Matthew 5:13)
Pray for those who will be confirmed at Sacred Heart & St
Margaret Mary, Parish, Leicester
Wednesday 2nd May
Week after Pentecost Jesus said: “I, the light, have come into the world, so that who believes in me
need not stay in darkness no more.” (Gospel of John 12:47)
Father, teach us to follow Christ your Son more faithfully. By listening to
Readings for 8th Week in Ordinary Time Year II His voice may we become a community more attuned to your call in our
Monday 28th May lives. Amen (From prayer from National Office of Vocation)
“You did not see him, yet you love him and still without
seeing him, you are already filled with a joy so glorious that Thursday 3rd May St Philip & St James Philip was originally a follower
it cannot be described…” of John the Baptist who then became an apostle of Jesus. James, cousin of Je-
(First Letter of St Peter 1:3-9) sus, cared for the church in Jerusalem. He was martyred for his faith in 62 AD.
Lord increase our faith in you, so that our lives may be filled with your “ You are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, with
peace and joy. May the Spirit pour out gifts on each one of us this week Christ Jesus himself as the foundation stone.”
so that your glory may shine through our lives. Through Christ our Lord. (St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 2:19)
Amen Lord our God, you give us joy as we celebrate your apostles Philip and
James. Through their prayers make us more faithful to your teaching and
Tuesday 29th May help us to spread your good news to all we meet this week.
“Free your minds from distractions, control them, and put your trust in nothing
but the grace that will be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Friday 4th May (First Friday) The English Martyrs
(First Letter of Peter:1:14) The Martyrs of England and Wales who we
Pour out on us your Spirit so that we may be on fire with faith in the remember today, gave their lives for the Catholic
same way as the first apostles and help our church to grow in love and Faith during the sixteenth Century. Sadly this was
unity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen a time in our country’s history that people had to
make a choice - loyalty to politics or to their
religion. To be a Catholic was against the law, and
had harsh penalties, often death by hanging. It is
hard for us to realise that we would be arrested for
attending our school!
‘I a prisoner of the Lord, urge you to live a life that
measures up to the standard God set when he
called you. Be always humble, gentle & patient. Show your love by being
tolerant with one another. Do your best to preserve the unity which the spirit
gives by means of the peace that binds you together.’
(St Paul to the Ephesians)
Jesus, light of the World, as we remember the Martyrs of England and
Wales may we dedicate ourselves to seeking unity & truth. May we
always discover the best in one another & work together to build up
your kingdom in our world today. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen
Wednesday 23rd May
Fifth week of Easter Jesus said: “Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so
that they may be one like us.” (Gospel of John 17:11)
BACKGROUND: Our Gospel from the Gospel of Lord, we pray that we may communicate messages of peace and
John 15:1-8 has Jesus refer to himself as the Vine understanding by the way that we act today. May we be committed to
with us as the branches. We pray that with careful truth and work to build a unified school community. Amen
pruning of our life we may live as God wants us to
and our lives may bear much fruit! Thursday 24th May Mary Help of Christians
Don Bosco, patron saint of young people taught
This week is DEAF AWARENESS WEEK all his students and children in his care to call
British Sign Language (BSL) is the first or upon Mary, Help of Christians as often as
preferred language of around 70,000 people in the possible. This title reminds us that Mary is not
UK. About 2 million people in Britain wear hearing just the Mother of Jesus,
aids, maybe another million would benefit from but the Mother of us all.
doing so. Almost all deaf and hard of hearing people O Lord my God, you are very great.
rely on lip reading to some extent. Many combine You are clothed with honour and majesty,
signs from BSL with English in order to wrapped in light as a garment. (Psalm 104)
communicate. For more resources see the website Loving Lord we thank you for the gift of
Mary to be the Mother and Help of us all.
www.cda-uk.com
May we become more like her in doing your
Tuesday 8th May will and be helped by her prayers. Amen
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Anybody who receives my commandments and Today we say the Hail Mary together in honour of our Mother, Mary help of
keeps them will be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved Christians...
by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to him.” Hail Mary, full of Grace the Lord is with you, blessed art thou amongst women
(Gospel of John 14:21-22) and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God pray for
God our Father, in the name of Jesus your Son, give us your Holy Spirit that we us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
may share our faith and love each other. Father, you have given us many gifts
including the gift of sign language. We thank you and ask you to help us to use Friday 25th St Bede
our gifts to spread the Good news of Jesus to all people. Amen born in 673 in County Durham. He entered the local monastery and was famous for
(Prayer of the Catholic Deaf Association.) both his teaching and his holiness. He wrote a famous History of England, providing us
with much detail about what England was like while he was alive.
Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, a peace the
Wednesday 9th May world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, a peace (Gospel of John14:27-28)
the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled Father, may we value the Sacred Scripture
or afraid.” (Gospel of John14:27-28) handed down to us throughout generations.
Lord, help me to communicate your peace to all those around me. Through your word may we grow closer to you
May all whose hearts are troubled or who are afraid this day find and discover more of your ways,
someone to bring them comfort and healing and may I be that someone so that our lives will be a Gospel to those around us.
for those in need in my own community. Amen Amen
Thursday 10th May
Week after the Ascension Jesus said to his disciples: “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.
Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love,
just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have
Monday 21st May St Christopher of Magallanes was told you this so that you may be filled with joy.” (Gospel of John 15:9-11)
one of a group of 22 priests and 3 lay people who were martyred Lord, I want to face life’s difficulties and to take on life’s challenges, with
for their faith. They belonged to the Cristeros movement a willing and generous heart. May I be conscious of your love for me and
during the 1920’s Anti-Catholic Mexican Government’s be aware of the joy in our world. Amen.
attempt to destroy all mention of Christ in that country.
St Christopher secretly ministered to the people but was
imprisoned and killed. As he was dying he was heard to Friday 11th May
forgive those who were responsible and prayed that his blood ‘be shed for the St John Houghton, St Robert Lawrence and the Martyrs
peace of our divided Mexico.” of Nottinghamshire
John said to Jesus, ‘Master we saw a man who is not one of us casting out Anybody who receives my commandments and keeps them will
devils in your name; and because he was not one of us we tried to stop him.’ be one who loves me; and anybody who loves me will be loved
But Jesus said, ‘You must not stop him; no-one who works a miracle in my by my Father, and I shall love him and show myself to
name is likely to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us.” him.” (Gospel of John 14:21-22)
(Gospel of Mark 9:38-40) By the Power of the Holy Spirit, Lord, give us the courage
Keep us close to you Lord this week, so that our lives may reflect your to confess our faith, strengthen our belief and witness to
glory. May our lives be modelled on you our Shepherd & Friend. Amen your presence, through Christ our Lord. Amen
Tuesday 22nd May St Rita of Cascia
born in 1386 she wished to become a nun, but her
parents betrothed her to a rich man and she was married at 18 to an abusive
husband and was the mother of twin sons. Her husband was ambushed and
stabbed to death during a political dispute and her sons swore
vengeance on his killers. Through their mothers prayers she
persuaded them to forgive their father’s killers. After both her
sons had died, she was eventually at 36 years of age, free to
enter the Augustinian Convent. She remained there for the
next 40 years - a life of prayer and work for peace.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If anyone gives you a cup of water
to drink just because you belong to Christ, then I tell you
solemnly, they will certainly not loose their reward.”
(Gospel of Mark 9:41)
God grant me the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen
Thursday 17th May
Sixth Week “I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will
rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy.”
of Easter (Gospel of John 16;19-20)
Father, we know that to belong to your Kingdom is often hard and
challenging, but give us your gifts so that we may be faithful and so
counted at the last as one of your chosen sons and daughters.
Through Christ our Lord
Friday 18th May
“God goes up with shouts of joy, the Lord goes up with trumpet blast. Sing
praise for God, sing praise, sing praise to our King, sing praise.” (Psalm 46:7)
God our Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ.
Monday 14th May St Matthias May we follow him into the new creation, for his ascension is our glory
Matthias was chosen by the disciples to replace Judas Iscariot, to be listed as and hope. Amen (Prayer for the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord.)
one of the twelve apostles.
Jesus said “This is my commandment; love one another as I have loved you. This Sunday is World Communications Sunday.
A man can have no greater love than to lay down his life for his friends… The theme offered by Pope Benedict XVI is “Silence & Word:
you are my friends, because I have made known to you everything I have learnt Path of Evangelisation.” There needs to be a good balance
from my Father.” (Gospel of John 15:12,14) between two ways of communicating silence and words. In
Lord, just as St Matthias was chosen to be a disciple, include us in your silence we often communicate so deeply with gestures, body
chosen ones, so that our lives will be filled with the joy of being your language and facial expressions. We are surrounded by
faithful witnesses. Through Christ our Lord. Amen words and search engines give us answers at the touch of a
button but often leaving us confused and unsure. The Holy
Tuesday 15th May Father says “learning to communicate is learning to listen and
Jesus said: “When the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete to contemplate as well as speak.”
truth” (Gospel of John 16:14)
Loving Father, on our journey through life, lead us to choose the right
direction and show us how to respect and value others, even if we do This weekend we celebrate Jesus’ Ascension
not agree with them. Amen to Heaven which comes on the nearest
Sunday to 40 days after Easter Sunday. This how
Wednesday 16th May the Gospel of Mark describes the event:
“O Praise the Lord, all you nations, acclaim him all you peoples! Strong is his “And so the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to
love for us; he is faithful forever.” (Psalm 116) them, was taken up into heaven; there at the right
Father, we pray for all teachers who work in developing countries. May hand of God he took his place; while they going out
they know the importance of the education they are offering to change preached everywhere, the Lord working with them
our world for the better. Amen and confirming the word by the signs that
Pray for those confirmed at St Mary’s Parish , South Wigston accompanied it.” (Mark 16:15-20)You can also read
