2. Special Character Week 9, Term 3 2017

Teacher Only Day tomorrow and teachers will be gathering in Alexandra from all Catholic schools across the Diocese to celebrate Mass and attend workshops. A big day but a wonderful opportunity in making connections with each other, across schools and what Catholic Schools are about. 

Faith Facts this week include:-
On September 21st, the Church celebrates the Feast of St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. In 1953 on this feast day, the young Jorge Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, experienced God in his life in a “very special and intimate way. He felt his heart touched by the mercy of God.  In memory of this event Francis chose as his episcopal, and later papal motto, the words , “Miserando atque eligendo” from Saint Bede’s homily on the calling of St Matthew. 

Through history men and women have died for their faith in Christ. Two such men were Andrew Kim Tea-gon and Paul Chong Ha-sang. Along with their companions they were killed in one of the many Christian persecutions in the 19^th Century.

Christianity spread throughout the world but it was and is easy to be Christian, even today, in many parts of the world.

Here is the youtube clip we used in morning prayer last week thanking God for his wonderful creation of the South Island. An Otago University student took time lapse photos during Winter and put together in the remarkable short film. More information can be found on stuff- south-island-like-you've-never-seen-it

Here is a prayer that families can prayer together thanking God for the gift of the wondrous creation of our Earth :-

God of the universe,

We thank You for Your many good gifts -

For the beauty of Creation and its rich and varied fruits,

For clean water and fresh air, for food and shelter, animals and plants.

Forgive us for the times we have taken the earth's resources

for granted

And wasted what You have given us.

Transform our hearts and minds

So that we would learn to care and share,

To touch the earth with gentleness and with love,

Respecting all living things.

We pray for all those who suffer as a result of our waste,

greed and indifference,

And we pray that the day would come when everyone has enough

food and clean water.

Help us to respect the rights of all people and all species 

And help us to willingly share your gifts

Today and always. Amen.

God Bless,  

Nicola Winders