Processional Hymn: Gathering Song (on intercom)

Opening Song: We Are Gathered In the Light of God

Welcome: Mr. McGuinness

Today we gather together, for the first time, to welcome each other back from the summer and begin our new school year, united in the Ben Calf Robe School family.

Some of us are new to this family, and we all welcome you with a promise of friendship. The rest of us have already been members of this special school family for some time, and we give thanks that we are returning to each other, to once again set out together, on this adventure of learning, working and sharing our lives.

Last year we had as our theme:
"God is Our Rock, Jesus is our Light, and WE are the SALT of the Earth"
This year, we will continue building God's Kingdom by looking to MARY, the MOTHER of GOD, to help guide us closer to the CREATOR, whom she loved so dearly.

This year, Edmonton Catholic Schools have named MARY, the MOTHER of GOD, as our Patron Saint. All year we will focus special attention on remembering MARY, culminating with a very special celebration for Mary in MAY.

Ben Calf Robe's dream was for all children of his people, to be educated in faithful teaching. You are all here...making his dream come true.

MARY, MOTHER OF GOD, is our mother too...and like a loving and caring mom...she is always there to help and lead us in the right direction.

Jesus Christ was and always is...our greatest TEACHER...and we strive daily to live as he taught us to do.

The CREATOR always wants to be with us...but we should ask ourselves daily..."Am I choosing to be WITH the CREATOR?" He is there if we want HIM to be!

Mary, Mother of God, will help lead us closer to the Creator. Today, each class will be presented with gifts which will remind us to focus on MARY to help LEAD US closer to the CREATOR. MARY is OUR MOTHER in Heaven...and she will help us to make the right choices, to be kind and caring for others, and to be successful in our work and our learning.

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

First Reading: Mr. Bentz (or Mr. Richardson, if Father Jim is in attendance)

from Luke 6:20 23
Jesus' disciples gathered around him, and he taught them:

God blesses those people who depend only on him.
They belong to the kingdom of heaven!

God blesses those people who grieve.
They will find comfort!

God blesses those people who are humble.
The earth will belong to them!

God blesses those people who want to obey him, more than eat or drink.
They wil be given what they want!

God blesses those people who are merciful.
They will be treated with mercy!

God blesses those people whose hearts are pure.
They will see him!

God blesses those people who make peace.
They will be called his children!

God blesses those people who are treated badly for doing right.
They belong to the Kingdom of heaven.

God will bless you when people insult you, mistreat you, and tell you all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.

Be happy and excited!
You will have a great reward in heaven.
People did these same things to the prophets who lived long ago.

This is the Word of the Lord.
..................Thanks be to God


Responsorial Psalm: Hail Mary Our Mother


Gospel Acclamation: Alleluia

Gospel: Father Jim or Mr. Richardson

This is the Gospel according to St. Luke (1:26 - 35, 37,38, 46-49)
.................. Glory to You Lord Jesus Christ

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

And the angel came to her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

And when she saw him, she was troubled at what he was saying to her. Mary wondered what this could mean.

 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

And Mary said,
         My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath chosen me as His handmaiden: henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things;          and holy is his name. This is the Gospel of the Lord...
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ

Homily/Blessing for the New School Year: Father Jim

Song: Hail Mary Our Mother

***During this hymn, each class will be presented with the gifts of a picture of Mary and a rosary, 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.***

Prayers of the Faithful/Intentions:

Let us now offer our PRAYERS to Mary to bring to the Creator for us...
After each intention our response will be:

Grade 2 -
We pray that all of us will work together to help each other.

Grade 3B -
We pray that all of us will try our best each day, to fulfill everyone's hopes, dreams and wishes for us.

Grade 4A -
We pray that all of us will be successful in accomplishing in our learning and in our living.

Grade 5 -
We pray that all of us will remember to be RESPECTFUL towards ourselves, each other, Mary, and our GOD, in everything we say and do this year.

Grade 6 -
We pray that all of us will share our strengths and talents with others... and when we see weakness, hurting or pain... we will reach out to comfort and support those who need us.

Cree -
We pray that all of us will take what we learn and experience this year, and use it to do Creator's work in the world.

T.A. Rose Sayegh -
We pray that we will have the FAITH and LOVE for the CREATOR that MARY, MOTHER of GOD, has...and we will remember and honour MARY throughout the year.

Closing Prayer: Mr. Bain

Dear God,
Thank you for bringing all of us here together this year, to share in the important 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 we aim for greater closeness to the Creator, with Mary as our GUIDE, and may we unite as a strong and powerful family...ready for all the challenges and successes we are about to achieve together at Ben Calf Robe School in 2003-2004.

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

Closing Song: HOLY GROUND