And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward. (Matthew 10:42)

All SaintsCatholic College

Lent 2012

Second Week of Lent

Water and hope

Prayer for this week

Your people yearn for clean waterand lush green crops.May their thirst be quenchedand their joy refreshed.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

Your people thirst for waterand long for change in our world.May they have their fill to drinkand time for all their daily tasks.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

We long for your life-giving waterand pledge to wash away injustice.May your people be filled with hopeand have the chance to flourish.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

Monday 5th March

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

Buy a Fairtrade product this week Thought Before you’ve finished your breakfast, you’ll have relied on half the world.(Martin Luther King)

Lord Jesus,we walk with you in hope,sharing your pain, eager to be united to your glory.Grant us patience and strengthto journey with you this day.And through our witness,help us to relieve the suffering of the Crossthat is still endured today.Amen.

 

Tuesday 6th March   We can not do great things ‘We can not do great things. We can only do little things with great love.’Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta  Half the girls who drop out of primary school in sub-Saharan Africa do so because of poor water and sanitation facilities.  Jesus, our Good Shepherd,walk with us as through this season of Lent.remind us to think of others;inspire us to be generous;encourage us to be truthful;and strengthen us on our journey.

Amen.

Wednesday 7th March

Why does climate change matter? We can already see the effects of global warming. Permafrost thaws, glacier melt, increased drought and rising sea levels are putting pressure on people’s ability to make a living and feed themselves. People have always had to adapt to variations in climate, but these rapid changes will stretch their ability to cope to the limit. The people who will suffer most and who have the fewest resources to cope, are the ones who have done least to cause the problem. It’s simply not fair. Climate change could undo decades of progress in tackling poverty. We cannot stand by and let this happen.

Creator God, this earth is miraculous and beautiful. Forgive our confusion and inaction as we confront the challenges of climate change. In the light of your truth, seen so clearly in the life and teaching of Jesus, help us to re-examine ourselves and our lifestyle choices and see clearly the implications of how we live on all that sustains life on this earth. May we follow your leading in caring for every aspect of this precious world, which you made, and love. Amen

Thursday 8th March ‘Wash, make yourselvesclean. Take your wrong-doingout of my sight. Cease to do evil.Learn to do good, search for justice,help the oppressed, be just to the orphan,plead for the widow. Come now, let us talk this over, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.from Isaiah 1:16-20

 Millennium Development Goal 7 contains the target to halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Globally, we are on track to halve the number of people without clean drinking water, but we’re far from meeting the sanitation goal: over a third of the world’s population lack safe toilets and sewage systems. In Sub-Saharan Africa the picture is worse: we are set to miss the water target by 20 years and the sanitation target by nearly 200 years. And even if the targets are met, 672 million people will still lack clean water and 1.7 billion will be living without safe sanitation.  Is this fair and just? what do you think? Gentle and merciful Lord,we pray for a spiritof forgiveness this day.If we have hurt others,encourage us tomake peace with them.Amen.

Friday 9th March One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him, ‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’Jesus replied, ‘This is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this:You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ From Mark 12:28-34

 How easy is it to love God?

 What about loving your neighbour?

 There will be 10 million litres of water held in the London Olympic pools. and 10,000 temporary toilets installed at the Olympic Park this summer. How lucky are we to be able to use water for fun? Loving God,you teach us to love youand to love our neighbour.So make our hearts grow today,so that we may seethe goodness of others. Amen.

Third week of Lent Water and simplicity

Prayer for this week

Your people long for clean waterto drink, wash in and grow crops.May they receive their fair shareof this gift you give for all.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

Some thirst for change in our worldand others seek only possessions.May we begin to understandthe beauty of simplicity.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

We long for your life-giving waterand pledge to wash away injustice.May we be moved to share what we have and enable all people to flourish.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

Monday 12th March

In most developing countries, public school is not free. The costs of books, uniforms, and teachers’ salaries are borne by the students’ families.

Educated girls and women are less vulnerable to HIV infection, human trafficking and other forms of exploitation, are more likely to marry later, raise fewer children who are more likely to go to school, and make important contributions to family income. God, you are the source of all wisdom and knowledge. Bless the learning process in our classrooms today. Give each teacher a renewed passion for his/her subject and creative ideas for lesson plans. Give them insight to know how to help each student understand and learn. We pray for the day when access to a good education will be the right of every single person in the world. Amen

Tuesday 13th March Without water crops die and without food people die. Water is a gift that we simply take for granted . Today stop and think what your life would be like if water the amount of water we had was rationed? How would you use it? A 5 minute shower uses more water than a person in a slum uses in a whole day. Take a 3-4 minute shower instead of a bath today Heavenly Father, you have called us as followers of your Son Jesus Christ to remember to pray not just for ourselves, but for the world, your world. Today we pray for the poor and hungry and oppressed peoples of the world, that you would intervene, and bring justice and relief. Show us how you would use us to make a difference. Lord, please, in your mercy hear our prayers. Amen

Wednesday 14th March Today we are going to thank God for this beautiful planet that we live on  God by whom our fragile earth is blessed,make us servants of your creation,respecting and protecting all that you have made. Teach us the joy of field and flower,the splendour of forest and tree,the grandeur of ocean and river. Make us yearn for a world where all may flourish.Show us how to walk gently on the earth andhold all in trust for future generations. Amen.

 

Thursday 15th March “Families have to make tough decisions when their harvests fail about how much they can eat, how many meals a day to miss...” Edmund, 45, Zimbabwe  What would you do if you didn’t know where your next meal would come from? How can we respect and protect the wonderful Creation that God has entrusted to our care?  Loving Father, we are all your children.Help us to stand up for what is right for our brothers and sister around the world who have so little and who are treated so unfairly. Amen

Friday 16th March   “The toilets in my school were built by CAFOD in 2010. The ones we had before were overflowing so we couldn’t use them. We had to go to the toilet in the bush near school. Going to the toilet outside is embarrassing. Also, using the bush was causing diseases – there were always flies buzzing around and it smelt bad.” (Thando, 15 - Zimbabwe)   Let’s be thankful today when we go to the toilet here in college that they are clean and give us privacy. Today in our prayers let us also remember our cleaners who look after them for us . Creator God, we hold before you all the people around the world who still do not have access to clean, safe water. Through the help of our gifts, prayers and actions, may their lives change for the better.  Amen.

Fourth Week of Lent Water and solidarity

Daily Prayer for this week

Your people yearn for clean waterand the possibilities it brings.May their fears be wiped awayand their hope restored.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

Your people thirst for clean waterand dream of a better future.May we be moved to join with them,to make this dream a reality.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

We long for life-giving water for alland pledge to wash away injustice.May we stand in solidarity with othersso all your people may flourish.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

Monday 19th March We are starting our week today by thanking God for the people in our lives who look after us. Those who give us the basic things of life as well as the luxuries.  Say thank you today to you Mum and Dad and those people who care for you.  Bless each family here in our college community, God of Wonder,remind them daily that they belong to you.Send your Spirit on each family member,small and large, that they might know yourpresence as they live their trust in you. Amen.

Tuesday 20th March  “Drinking river water gave my children diarrhoea and stomach pains.”Marian, 39, Zimbabwe  For the rest of lent remember all those who have to carry the water they need by simply Turning off the water while you brush your teeth and you‛ll keep this much water from going down the drain.  Heavenly Father, every time I use water today to wash myself, to drink and to live; I want to thank you for this most precious gift. Help me never to waste it.Amen

Wednesday 21st March   Rosena says: “I gave thanks to God when the borehole was drilled.” The borehole has been life changing. It has freed up time as there are no more long walks to the river. Rosena and Angel’s family can also use the water in their tank for drinking and cooking. Rosena says: “We save it for emergencies – drinking water is very special in this village. It is a very valuable thing!”  Every time you turn on a tap today thank God  Let the earth bless the Lord;give him glory and praise for ever.Mountains and hills, bless the Lord;Everything that grows on the earth, bless the Lord.Springs of water, bless the Lord;Seas and rivers, bless the Lord.Sea beasts and everything that lives in water, bless the Lord;Birds of heaven, bless the Lord.Animals wild and tame, all bless the Lord;Children of the earth, bless the Lord.Israel, bless the Lord,give him glory and praise for ever. Daniel 3

Thursday 22nd March  In the world’s poorest countries the average person uses 10 litres of water a day. In Europe we use on average 200 litres. Imagine what it must be like to have to carry all the water that you use today and how tired you would be to do anything else.   We praise and thank You, Lord, for the gift of living water. Guide us to use it wisely, consume it sparingly, and protect its purity, so that , we may truly enjoy water Amen.

Friday 23rd March “My grandmother died of cholera. I go to her grave every day and say a prayer.” Animals also need water to drink. When animals are drinking from the same river that people are forced to use, their droppings can contaminate the water. In Rosena’s village, there was an outbreak of cholera caused by people drinking the dirty water.  Cholera is a life-threatening disease. Many men and women, boys and girls, have died because of cholera and other diseases like dysentery, which are caused by drinking dirty water and living with poor sanitation. Remember that shocking statistic: every 20 seconds a child dies from diseases caused by dirty water and unsafe sanitation. Sanitation means things like toilets and sewage systems that flush away our waste.  Today we pray for all the leaders of the countries in our world who have the power to bring about change.  Heavenly Fathersource of all truth and wisdom, who knows and loves the whole creation,watch over our country.Bless all who govern our country that they will work for justice and fairness for all the peoples of our world. Amen

Fifth Week of Lent Water and dignity

Daily Prayer for this week

Your people yearn for running water,fresh, invigorating and clean.May we give generously of ourselvesto bring about change in our world.

God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

All people are made in your imageand are valued and loved by you.May their dignity be reflected in the chance to live life to the full.

God of life, let waters flowAnd wash away injustice.

We long for life-giving water for alland pledge to wash away injustice.May we uphold the dignity of alland enable your people to flourish.God of life, let waters flowand wash away injustice.

Monday 26th March Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life you gaveand continue to give to all of us.Merciful God, we ask your pardon and forgivenessfor our own failure and the failure of all peopleto respect and foster all forms of life in our universe. Amen  Water Quiz How much of our body is made up of water?a) 10% b) 70% c) 25% How many glasses of water should we drink in a day?a) 2 glasses b) 12 glasses c) 8 glasses how much water does it take to flush the toilet?a) 2 litres b) 10 litres? c) 23 litres 

Tuesday 27th March Beautiful Lord, may we say ‘yes’ to you so that the Spirit in our hearts will once again be set ablaze. Spirit of Wisdom, guide our actions so they tell of God’s love. Spirit of Truth, open our eyes to see the world as it really is. Spirit of Power, enthuse us to work for justice throughout the world. Spirit of Love, inspire us to respect the dignity of each person. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts. Come, Holy Spirit, fill us. Come, Holy Spirit. Come.  Water Quiz What percentage of the Earth's water is fit for human use?a) 3% b) 5% c) 10% How many children die every minute from dirty water?a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 How many people in our world do not have access to clean water?a) 1 in 20 people b) 1 in 12 people c) 1 in 8 people 

Wednesday 28th March  An outside sink – an amenity. An existence – a life. A skateboard – fun! Help us, Lord, to see the value, the inspiration, the joy in other people’s lives even when they don’t echo our own. Creator and guide, we remember all young people in all of their communities. Remind us that it is too easy for us to judge, to decide how others should feel, and enable us to enable others to live their own lives in their own cultures having fun.  Amen  Water Quiz Who said the following words: "I was thirsty and you gave me water to drink"a) Jesus b) Mother Theresa c) Oscar Romero How much of the Earth's surface is water?a) 10% b) 50% c) 75% How much water is a person in a developing country able to survive on each day?a) 40-50 litres b) 20-30 litres c) 5-10 litres 

Thursday 29th March Help me to grow less. Less concerned by my wants Less worried by my future Less blind to others’ suffering So that you may grow more More present in my life Making me More aware of my dignity More trusting in your providence More filled with love for all people God of simplicity and abundance Give me less and more  Amen.  Water Quiz how much of an elephant is made up of water?a) 10% b) 90% c) 70% When did Jesus use water to wash the feet of his disciples?a)The wedding feast at Cana b)The Last Supper c)The Baptism of John How much does a litre of water weigh?a) 1 kilogram b) 2 kilograms c) 3 kilograms 

Friday 30th March  I pray for the ones who help me. I pray that the word of God will spread and live long. I pray for rain and food because there are so many people who have neither. I pray for more justice and peace in this world. Amen  Water Quiz Who has pledged to halve the number of people who do not have safe clean water by the year 2015?a) Pope Benedict XVI b) Angelina Jolie c) The United Nations About how long can a person survive without water?a) 1 day b) 1 week c) 1 month CAFOD's World Gift of a Community Water supply provides the materials and know-how to build wells, water tanks and reservoirs, and to install and lay pumps, water pipes and taps to provide clean safe water to communities. How much does it cost? a) £650 b) £750 c) £850 

A Prayer for Easter

Recreate the worldCreator God,Because of your abundant loveyou chose to bring light and order into the formless void, to create a world of unsurpassed beauty and you saw that it was good.

We ask that you continue to recreate the world with that same attentive love,to bring light into today’s ever increasing chaos and darknesswhere we have failed to be stewards and carers of your creation.

Replenish our heartsso that we too can renew the face of the earth.

Amen