Daily Prayers
Monday, May 15
Mark 1: Created in the Image of God
"So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27).
Call to Prayer:
Each year, Catholic schools in Canada participate in a week-long celebration to remember and share the gift of Catholic Education. This year, we are called to embrace the theme, ‘Walking Together in Catholic Education’. We begin our celebrations in our schools this week by focusing on what it means to be a Catholic School by promoting the Five Marks of a Catholic School.
The gift of publicly-funded Catholic education in Alberta is a true blessing. As a community, we are called in gratitude, faith and action to ensure that our children and future generations continue to learn and grow in our Catholic schools.
In our Catholic schools, we believe that all members of our school communities are sons and daughters of God, and we seek Him in our lives. By God’s design, we reflect His own mysterious and wondrous nature. Understanding how we are made in God’s image helps us to see the basis for human dignity and the purpose of our life and work.
Let us pray:
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Dear God, we are privileged to be created in Your image and set apart from the rest of creation. You have made us like You from the beginning. We live life to the fullest, whether at work or rest, whether in the world or at home when we imitate You. We receive Your grace to do all things that show forth Your glory. Help us live this day, so Your image may be visible through us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Tuesday, May 16
Mark 2: Catholic Worldview
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Call to Prayer:
We believe that the Catholic faith provides a framework for learning and life in our Catholic schools. A Catholic worldview integrates our Catholic faith with our daily living, shaped by the revelation of a God who creates and sustains everything, declaring it good and giving humanity a special relationship to reflect the Divine image and likeness. Our faith shows a God who desires to heal, forgive and redeem all who are broken by sin. God reveals this most clearly through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the followers of Jesus Christ spread hope throughout the world as we witness the Good News of this story in word and deed.
Let us pray:
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God, thank You for the gift of hope which helps us keep our hearts and minds focused on the goal of eternal life with You in heaven. Through hope, our actions take on a new direction and purpose of building up the Kingdom of God where all people are united as one family. By focusing on our Catholic faith, we can aspire to be models of Christ through our actions of love, forgiveness, compassion, and acceptance formed by our Catholic traditions. May the story of our salvation be known and shared, offering the encouragement that comes from knowing Jesus walks with us. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wednesday, May 17
Mark 3: Faith Permeation
“The Gospel spirit should be evident in a Christian way of thought and life which permeates all facets of the educational climate. Prime responsibility for creating this unique Christian school climate rests with the teachers, as individuals and as a community” (The Religious Dimension of Education in a Catholic School, 25 -26).
Call to Prayer:
Our Catholic school communities are Gospel-centered and have a way of life rooted in Christ. Jesus Christ calls us to bring the Good News to all who enter our doors. Every learning experience in our schools is integrated with faith, and our students learn to be critical thinkers who evaluate facts in light of their faith and values, fostering a love for wisdom and truth. They explore issues of the day guided by the Church’s social teachings. We prepare students to grow in their commitment to the Gospel’s call to be intentional disciples who actively transform the world into a better place for all of God’s peoples. Our Catholicity is everywhere and remains at the core of all we do!
Let us pray:
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Loving God, help us see the world through the lens of our Catholic faith to permeate our words and actions with our Catholic virtues, values and beliefs. Fill us with all the joy, peace, goodness and knowledge that we can teach one another in faith. May the life and ways of Christ permeate our lives so that anything is possible. We believe that when Jesus is first in our lives, we can pray, ask, and receive hope and grace. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Thursday, May 18
Mark 4: Witness
“Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers, and if he does listen to teachers, it is because they are witnesses” (Saint Paul VI).
Call to Prayer:
Today we gather to celebrate World Catholic Education Day. We give thanks to God each day for so many things, but today especially, we give thanks for the privilege of our Catholic Schools.
In our Catholic schools, we believe that our staff and students witness to others a life lived in relationship with Jesus Christ. Pope Francis has said that the Catholic Church gives an authentic witness of God’s love for all men and women only when it fosters the grace of unity and communion. We can accomplish this by living up to the example set by Jesus Christ as a teacher and servant, revealing the Gospel by actions and not just words. Catholic schools with educators sustained by Gospel witness are places of faith where our students find their voice to be witnesses in the world.
Let us pray:
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Loving God, we are signs of Your presence whenever we bear witness in this world to Your grace and glory, Your love and compassion, Your kindness and care, Your justice and peace. We pray that all people yearning to know Christ and the Church may encounter Him through the faithful and be transformed through the power of the Gospel. Inspire us to go out and make disciples by teaching others about the hope that lives in our hearts. Strengthen us to become living witnesses to the saving grace of Your Son, Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Friday, May 19
Mark 5: Community
“The Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 114).
Call to Prayer:
In our Catholic Schools, we believe our students, staff and parents are honored as distinct and unique while being brought together in a spirit of communion. Our Catholic school community belongs to all, and each person can contribute significantly. We create a school environment that reflects the value and dignity of each individual. We strive to fulfill the responsibilities of their role conscientiously and wholeheartedly. We cooperate out of mutual respect as sisters and brothers in Christ. We recognize the power of day-to-day personal encounters as a witness of truth and share the joy and hope of our Catholic faith.
Let us pray:
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Loving God, You are present to us whenever we gather as a faith community. We pray that our schools will be places where everyone feels accepted, safe, and beloved. Help our schools and our local communities be places of faith so that we can help others believe in You. Fill us with Your Spirit so that we may reflect Your light and love to each other and the whole world as one Body of Christ. We ask this of Jesus, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.