September marks the return to term-time and as your children get used to routines, a new class or maybe even school, the new term promises to bring lots of change.
Our September resources have a new look and introduce new ways of praying but in amongst all the change and newness, this month we remember God’s unchanging nature and how extraordinary change can come when we allow God’s love to work in and through us.
This newsletter shares some of the content children will experience in school throughout September and suggests ways for you to engage with them about it. We hope it is a useful resource for your family prayer time.
Loving Jesus
Our previously titled Collective Worship programme has now re-launched as ‘Prayer and Liturgy: Loving Jesus’.
Rooted in the Sunday Mass readings, the Celebration of the Word assemblies will continue to see children encountering media-rich resources, plus diverse and creative times of prayer supported by new resources to facilitate pupil-led prayer.
Our aim is to help all children to know and love Jesus for themselves and through the Prayer and Liturgy programme, you can be assured that your children will continue to engage with special prayer times that explore a rich variety of Catholic prayer traditions and styles.
We hope you’ll notice your child(ren) deepening in head and heart knowledge of Jesus and His great love for them, as we roll out this new programme from the start of the term.
The Rule of Love
The first assembly brings focus to the most important rule – love!
Based on the response of Jesus to the Pharisees criticising the actions of the disciples, children will learn that God’s rules are the most important and that we should focus on our hearts first! Love forms the basis of where we want all our thoughts, words and actions to come from.
Through a story about following rules, children will also be reminded that Jesus’ rule of love means loving others and treating them as we would want to be treated.
With your child, you might like to…
- Make your own ‘Rules of Love’ that will encourage a loving and accepting atmosphere at home. Perhaps your rules will include listening without judging, or saying I love you to each other at bedtime.
- Spend some time asking your child(ren) how they feel about the new school term. Perhaps you could pray together about what’s ahead or make some special plans together to look forward to.
Walk In His Presence
This term will bring children the opportunity to explore journalling as a form of prayer.
This is first introduced in the daily prayers for the week beginning 16th September. In these prayers, children will learn that in every situation, every day, every hour, every minute – Jesus is with them.
Children will spend time inviting Jesus to walk with them and ask His presence to be known to them in different situations in their life.
Through journalling prompts, children will write and draw their prayers to Jesus as a way of speaking to Him each day.
You might like to use this short prayer to invite Jesus’ presence into your family prayer time…
Jesus,
Thank you that you are always with us.
You’re just waiting for us to notice!
Help me remember to walk with you each day.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen