Catholic Life
Prayers and Thoughts for the Week ahead
Week Commencing - 11th December 2023
Thought for the Week Ahead (linked to Collective Worship theme of Joy) - If you are joyful, do not worry about lukewarmness. Joy will shine in your eyes and in your look, in your conversation and in your countenance. You will not be able to hide it because joy overflows. Mother Teresa
Prayer for the Week Ahead (linked to Advent) – Christ, come into our world of darkness. Light up our lives with your coming. Fulfil all our longings with the joy of your birth. Strengthen our resolve to work for change in our world. And to share the hope of your birth that each Advent brings. Amen. Sr Bridgetta Rooney/CAFOD
Week Commencing - 4th December 2023
Thought for the Week Ahead (linked to the Collective Worship theme of Faith during Advent) - Pope Benedict said, "that the faith is not a theory, a philosophy, an idea; it is an encounter. An encounter with Jesus."
Prayer for the Week Ahead (linked to the Collective Worship theme of Faith during Advent) – We pray that we may keep our faith in you as we prepare for Jesus’ coming at Christmas. May we always live in the peace of your love. Amen
Week Commencing - 27th November 2023
Thought for the Week Ahead - The Lord is coming, always coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognise him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord. Henri Nouwen, Catholic Priest and Writer
Prayer for the Week Ahead (linked to the Collective Worship theme of Hope at the start of Advent) – Father, we thank you that in a world of despair, You are our Hope. In a world of darkness, You are our Light. In a world of sorrow, You are our joy. Amen.
Week Commencing - 20th November 2023
Thought for the Week Ahead (linked to the Collective Worship theme of Unity) - Unity requires tenderness and kindness. Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness or despair, but manifestations of the strength and resolution required to achieve unity. Unknown
Prayer for the Week Ahead (linked to the Collective Worship theme of Unity) – We pray for the teachers that they have wisdom. We pray for the children that they show kindness. We pray for all the staff that they have patience. We pray for the parents that they continue to support and guide their children. Lord, educating the next generation is so valuable and we want to be faithful to this responsibility. O Lord, bring unity to all we do. Amen.
Week Commencing - 13th November 2023
Thought for the Week Ahead - We ask the risen Jesus, who turns death into life, to change hatred into love, vengeance into forgiveness, war into peace. Yes, Christ is our peace, and through him to implore peace for all the world. Pope Francis
Prayer for the Week Ahead (for peace in the world) - Dear Lord Jesus Christ, You are the true King of peace. In You alone is found freedom. Please free our world from conflict. Bring unity to troubled nations. Let Your glorious peace reign in every heart. Dispel all darkness and evil. Protect the dignity of every human life. Amen
Week Commencing - 6th November 2023
Our Collective Worship theme for this week is Remembrance and on Friday 10th November at 11:00am
we will hold of Remembrance Day Service with the whole school.
Thought for the Week Ahead - Taken from the Poem 'For the Fallen' written by Laurence Binyon
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Prayer for the Week Ahead - Dear Lord, we remember those whom you have gathered from the storm of war into the peace of your presence; may the same peace calm our fears, bring justice to all peoples and establish harmony among the nations, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Week Commencing - 23rd October
Our Collective Worship theme for this week is Saints
Thought for the Week Ahead - Life is a journey. When we stop, things don't go right. Pope Francis
Prayer for the Week Ahead - We pray, Lord, that everything we do may be prompted by your inspiration, so that every prayer and work of ours may begin from you and be brought by you to completion. Amen Prayer of St Benedict
Week Commencing - 16th October
Thought for the Week Ahead - Almost every successful person begins with two beliefs: the future can be better than the present, and I have the power to make it so. (unknown)
Prayer for the Week Ahead - Dear Lord, we pray for those whose lives are being damaged and destroyed by the war between Israel and Hamas. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims and Christians. We pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace. Amen
Week Commencing - 9th October
Thought for the Week Ahead - Having faith does not mean having no difficulties, but having the strength to face them, knowing we are not alone. Pope Francis
Prayer for the Week Ahead (linked to the Collective Worship theme - Light) - Dear Jesus. Bring your light and restoring presence to the dark places in our lives. Bring your hope to hearts that feel fed up. Bring your love and compassion to those who feel sad. Amen
Week Commencing - 2nd October
Thought for the Week Ahead - It is not enough to say we are Christians. We must live the faith, not only with our words, but with our actions. Pope Francis
Prayer for the Week Ahead - Let us pray for the strength to be generous when we don’t feel like being so. Let us remember that there are many things we can give – time, effort, a kind word. Let us pray that we can always act in the way we would like other people to act towards us. Amen
Week Commencing - 25th September
Linked to the Collective Worship theme - Rain
Thought for the Week Ahead - When Jesus stepped into the waters of the Jordan and was baptized by John the Baptist, he did so not because he was in need of repentance, or conversion: he did it to be among people who need forgiveness, among us sinners, and to take upon himself the burden of our sins. Pope Francis
Prayer for the Week Ahead - God of rain and river, of stream and storm, of sea and silent pools, of waterfall and waterhole, of wells and waves. Hear us as we pray for water fresh and pure for all. And guide us to use your water wisely and well, ensuring that all your creation can share in your bounty. Amen
Week Commencing - 20th September
Thought for the Week Ahead - I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security. – Pope Francis
Prayer for the Week Ahead - We pray for you to comfort those affected by the earthquakes in Morroco and the floods in Libya. For those who have lost loved ones, homes and all they know. Bring solace in their grief, healing in their pain and help in their time of need. Amen
Week Commencing 11th September 2023
Linked to Collective Worship theme - Friendship
Thought for the Week Ahead - Jesus said: Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Prayer for the week Ahead - Dear Jesus, Thank you for our friends. We ask that you will be our friend too. Help us to be good friends to each other, today and every day. Amen
