Our Faith
Our Virtues for this half term are
Faith filled and Hopeful
Our Class Prayers
Daily Bible Reflections
LENT/EASTER – GIVING
EXPLORE
Life, especially family life, or life in school, is full of opportunities for self-giving.
When children are young, parents have to do everything for them and sacrifice their own needs for those of their children. The quality of the parents’ loving care lays the foundation for their children to grow into people capable of giving love to others.
Self-giving is essential if individuals and relationships are to grow and develop.
- Recall a time when you had to give up your own needs in order to help someone else.
- What were the costs?
- What were the rewards of the giving?
REVEAL
Lent is the season when Christians practise both giving and giving-up, to identify with the complete self-offering of Jesus which is remembered in the liturgy of Holy Week and the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Vigil).
The Word of God
In his Gospel, Matthew makes it clear that in loving and caring for other people we are loving and caring for Jesus.
“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick, and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly, I tell you, as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’”
Matthew 25:35-40
RESPOND
- How can you give of yourself to your pupils in a way which encourages them to give to others?
- Is there any situation where you find self-giving difficult?
- What can you do to make it easier to give yourself more whole heartedly in that situation?
A Lenten Prayer and Reflection
Lord, when I am hungry
give me someone to feed;
When I am thirsty
give water for their thirst.
When a burden weighs upon me
lay upon my shoulders
the burden of my fellows.
Lord, when I stand
greatly in need of tenderness,
give me someone who yearns for love. May your will be my bread;
Your grace my strength; Your love my resting place.
Explore: Recognising growth in nature and discover the ways in which things grow.
We have been learning to recognise Lent. A time to grow more like Jesus.
We have been recognising Good Friday
We have been recognising how we can get ready to celebrate Easter
An Easter Reflection
EUCHARIST – RELATING
EXPLORE
Being thoughtful for life, for people and gifts, is a vital part of our relationships with one another. When praise and appreciation are experienced, we are enabled to relate on a deeper level.
- Recall a time when you were thanked. How was the gratitude expressed? How did you feel?
- How are relationships deepened in everyday life?
REVEAL
Word of God
Where two or three are gathered together in my name I am there among them.
(Matthew: 18:20)
Some vocabulary to use when thinking about how we gather:
Eucharist, (Thanksgiving) because it is an action of thanksgiving to God.
The Lord’s Supper, because of its connection with the supper which the Lord took with his disciples on the eve of his Passion.
The Breaking of Bread, because Jesus used this Rite, part of a Jewish meal, when as master of the table he blessed and distributed the bread, above all at the Last Supper. It is by this action that his disciples will recognise him after his Resurrection.
The memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection.
The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Saviour and includes the Church’s offering.
Holy Communion, because by this sacrament we unite ourselves to Christ who makes us sharers in his Body and Blood to form a single body.
Holy Mass, (Missa) because the liturgy concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfil God’s will in their daily lives.
RESPOND
- What can you do at home, school and parish to help all people relate and gather on a deeper level?
Prayer and Reflection
Lord Jesus Christ,
in you we know the love of God.
When we gather together in your name
we experience the marvel of your loving presence
which challenges us to live for one another.
Help us to follow your example
so that we may never become complacent.
Help us to listen to your constant call to us
to continue the work you began,
you who lived and died for us.
Grant this through your Spirit of Love.
Amen.
(Prayer for Unity of Christians)
LOCAL CHURCH – COMMUNITY
EXPLORE
The experience of community is an essential and enjoyable part of life for people of every age and faith. The cycle of a year and the span of a lifetime contain occasions for regular celebrations as well as unexpected surprises, when people want to celebrate with family, friends and communities.
Think back to your childhood. Which celebrations of community life did you most enjoy?
How did you celebrate? Who took part?
Which celebration are you looking forward to in the coming months?
How will you celebrate? Who else will take part?
REVEAL
The Church’s celebrations are community occasions. On Sundays, the parish family gathers together. It is a time to remember how much there is to celebrate; a time to say thank you; a time to know that God’s love is offered and made visible here and now in Jesus and in people. Sacraments are more formal special moments: signs of ‘God-with-us’, who journeys with his people; signs of strength and blessing for life.
Word of God
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying, “Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen the salvation which you have made ready in the sight of the nations; a light of revelation for the Gentiles and glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-32)
Simeon celebrates the coming of Jesus of Nazareth. How do we celebrate his coming to us in Word and Sacrament?
RESPOND
What and how does your school community celebrate?
Prayer and Reflection
Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon who did not die
until he had been privileged to
welcome the Messiah.
In Sacramental Celebrations we meet the Risen Christ.
May he continue to give us life.
Amen.
Discover what a celebration is, the elements of celebration and how people celebrate.
WALT: Recognise that Advent is a time of waiting
for the celebration of Christ’s birth.
The birth of Jesus changed the world for us all, we know that He is always with us and that He will come again in glory.
Come and See: Loving
Our prior learning: We have the experience of celebrating birthdays at home.
Our learning outcomes have been to know and understand...
• What a birthday is; waiting for a birthday – Explore
• Advent: Looking forward to Christmas, the birthday of Jesus – Reveal
Acquire the skills of assimilation, celebration and application of the above – Respond
Our Key Questions in this topic:
Why do we celebrate birthdays?
Why do we receive presents on Jesus' birthday?
Other Faiths- Judaism- Making latkes for Hanukah
Other Faith- Hinduism-Making Rangoli Patterns for Diwali
Baptism
Gweddiwn
