Ben Calf Robe School
Celebrates…

World Catholic Education Day
May 25, 2006



Introduction:

Today we celebrate World Catholic Education Day.
Today we remember all those people around the world who are involved in Catholic education.
Across Canada and in many other countries, there are thousands, even millions of students who attend Catholic schools every day. Each day, thousands of teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, parish personnel and school board members work hard to make sure that God's precious children and youth can attend schools where Jesus' message is proclaimed and lived.

Opening Prayer:

Gracious and Loving God,
On this day, World Catholic Education Day, we take time to thank you for the gift of Catholic Education. We are grateful that we can come together to learn about you and to celebrate our faith. May we show our gratefulness by taking time everyday to praise and thank you.
May each day we spend at Ben Calf Robe School, help us to grow in our love for you and for one another. And may we spread this love beyond the walls of our school so that your good news might be shared through our words and actions with every person that we meet.
We make our prayer in the name of your Son, Jesus, Christ Our Lord
Amen.

Gospel:

Matthew 5: 14 – 16
A Reading from the Holy Gospel of Our Lord according to Matthew
Glory to you Lord Jesus Christ
"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The gospel of the Lord……Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ

Prayers of Petition:

Lord Jesus, everyday you shower our lives with many nurturing gifts; such as faith, hope, strength, courage and especially the gift of your love. For the times that we have not shared these gifts with others, we pray to the Lord
… Lord, hear our prayer

Lord Jesus, you call us to be the light of the word. For the times we have hidden our light from others, we pray to the Lord
… Lord, hear our prayer

That the sick and grieving, the homeless and suffering, might be freed from the darkness of their pain by the light of Christian communities such as ours, we pray to the Lord
…Lord, hear our prayer

Thank you God for our great country Canada where we live in freedom and peace. Help us to bring peace and freedom to the entire world by showing care, respect and forgiveness to everyone we meet. We pray to the Lord.
…Lord, hear our prayer

Thank you God for the gift of Catholic education. We ask that you bless all those people who work hard everyday so that we can attend a Catholic school. May all who minister in the work of Catholic Education might be inspired by the dedication of Jesus in doing the Father's will, we pray to the Lord.
… Lord, hear our prayer

Lord Jesus you call us to bring your good news to all that we meet. There have been times we have failed to share your good news through our words and actions Today, we pray that all of us at Ben Calf Robe – St. Clare School will be open to God's word and will work hard to share your good news with others, we pray to the Lord
… Lord, hear our prayer

Gracious Lord, You sent Your Son, Jesus, Our Lord and brother, as an example of loving service. May we follow His example and be Your gift to one another and to those in need. Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and grant us the strength to live as a loving school community. We make our prayers in the name of Your Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Closing Prayer:

Loving God,
We praise and thank you with even greater joy on this special day. As we go forth from this celebration help us to be thankful for the gift of Catholic education. May we show our thanks in both word and deed by living as people who truly are "the light of the world." We make our prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Closing Hymn:

Inspired By His Love – ECS District Song

Project Ideas for the Day:

- draw pictures of the things you are thankful for in Catholic schools.
- THANK someone today who makes you happy you come to our Catholic school
- Read from the bible
- Say/write a special prayer to tell God what coming to a Catholic school means to you

***These could be displayed outside your classrooms***