REC Reflections
The 31st of July marks the Feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola.
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A PRAYER OF ST IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA Teach us good Lord to serve you as you deserve: to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not heed the wounds; to work and not seek for rest; to labour and not ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. |
St Ignatius’ distinctive gift was to combine a passionate desire to serve God through following Jesus’ way with prayerful reflection about how to adapt his service to the diverse and changing situations of his age. That required being open to change. In saying that, St Ignatius looked for God in everyday things that happened in life. He saw God in all things and all people. What is important for us is being attuned to ‘God moments’. This may mean a little bit more time being still to allow ourselves to reflect on the good moments from each day rather than just concentrating on what went wrong.
St Ignatius asked his followers to pray the Examen daily. Please see a version of it below:
God, thank you.
I thank you, God, for always being with me, but especially I am grateful that you are with me right now.
God, send your Holy Spirit upon me.
God, let the Holy Spirit enlighten my mind and warm my heart that I may know where and how we have been together this day.
God, let me look at my day.
God, where have I felt your presence, seen your face, heard your word this day?
God, where have I ignored you, run from you, perhaps even rejected you this day?
God, let me be grateful and ask forgiveness.
God, I thank you for the times this day we have been together and worked together.
God, I am sorry for the ways that I have offended you by what I have done or what I did not do.
God, stay close.
God, I ask that you draw me ever closer to you this day and tomorrow.
God, you are the God of my life—thank you.
Amen
Sometimes our prayer can get too dry, abstract, or we simply run out of things to say. The Examen keeps our feet grounded. The above review of the day keeps our prayer in concrete reality.
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STUDENT PRAYER OF THE WEEK Written by Charlie Knight Dear Lord, You have made a world that is very beautiful. All the animals were on earth, but some animals became extinct. Help all people to take care of them. Please help everyone to love the earth and You, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
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READERS AT SUNDAY MASS As part of St Joseph’s Church Sunday mass, we would welcome students to be involved as readers. This would involve them reading the set readings of the week to the congregation, and is great public speaking practise! If your child would be interested in this opportunity, please let me know. A Sunday date that suits your family needs can then be arranged. |
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SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND HOLY COMMUNION As part of getting ready for these very special sacraments, workshops will be scheduled. Further information regarding the sacramental workshops will be announced later in the term. Please let Miss Schneider know if you would like your child to be involved in this. |
Danielle Schneider
Acting Religious Education Coordinator