Processional Hymn: Gathering Song (on intercom)

Opening Song: Here I Am Lord

Welcome: Mr. McGuinness

Today we come together, for the first time this new school year, to renew our goals for the future and unite as a school family.

As we set out together, on this adventure of learning, working and sharing our lives, we cannot help but reflect on the journey we have already completed and been successful at. Today we look around us, and see many parts of our past; we see people we have known who are back with us, we see the familiar environment of Ben Calf Robe School, and we see reminders of the many memories we already hold dear in our minds and hearts.

Last year we had as our theme:
"Building God's Kingdom Upon Our Rock"
This year, we will continue to build God's Kingdom with our understanding that GOD is the ROCK of the Planet, JESUS is the LIGHT of the World, and WE are the SALT of the Earth.

God is the solid ROCK, the strength, the Creator of all life. We believe and trust in Him. We turn to Him for guidance and direction in our lives.

Jesus is the LIGHT of the World. He guides us away from darkness towards the path meant for us, in life.

We are the SALT of the Earth. SALT comes from the Earth, and the Earth is from God. SALT gives flavor to life and our lives give flavor to GOD and JESUS' hopes and dreams for each of us.

Today, each class will be presented with gifts of these symbols, to focus ourselves and remind each of us of our important goals and dreams, in this year's journey of life and learning and working together.

Let us now begin our school opening celebration and our year together...
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit...AMEN

First Reading: Mrs. Bolton

Responsorial Psalm:
O God Our Rock

Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia

Gospel: Father Jim or Mr. Graves

Homily/Blessing for the New School Year: Father Jim

Song: Song of the Body of Christ
During this hymn, each class will be presented with the symbols of a rock (symbolizing GOD), a candle (symbolizing JESUS) and SALT (symbolizing US), to remind us of our theme of this new school year. We ask the representatives of each class to come forward to accept these gifts, during the singing of the hymn.

Presentation of BCR's INUKSHUK:
This year ALL of Edmonton Catholic Schools were given the commission of building an INUKSHUK for each school in the District.

An INUKSHUK was built and used by the aboriginal people of the North, to give direction and signify where people have been.

As mentioned earlier in our celebration, God the ROCK gives us direction. To remind us of that, we will now present and have blessed, our school's INUKSHUK.

Ben Calf Robe's INUKSHUK was built by Ms. Hall and ART Enrichment students. It will be placed at the front of our school, and serve to help give us DIRECTION, this school year.

Prayers of the Faithful/Intentions:

Let us now give DIRECTION for our PRAYERS.
After each intention our response will be:
Creator, hear our prayers and guide us.

We pray that all of us will work together to help each other.

We pray that all of us will try our best each day, to fulfill the hopes, dreams and wishes for us, from God, Jesus and Mary and all who know and care about us.

We pray that all of us will be successful in accomplishing in our learning and in our living.

We pray that all of us will remember to be RESPECTFUL towards ourselves, each other, and our GOD, in everything we say and do this year.

We pray that all of us will be strong as the ROCK, walk in the LIGHT, and be SALT for the lives of others, this year.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God,
Thank you for bringing us here together this year, to share in the amazing journey of learning, living and working together.

May each day and each moment we share, bring us greater understanding and appreciation for all our many blessings that we are given.

May each of us use our talents to enrich others' lives, our strengths to lighten the burdens in others' lives, and our abilities to develop the weaknesses in others' lives.

May we all learn to be STRONG as the ROCK, to WALK in the LIGHT, and to be the SALT of the EARTH, as we begin our new school year together as the Ben Calf Robe School Family of 2002-2003.

This we ask in God's name...
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit......AMEN

Closing Song: They'll Know We Are Christians