Today is Monday May 31, 2021. Today our church celebrates the FEAST OF THE VISITATION. The visitation is when a pregnant Mary met with Elizabeth her cousin. Elizabeth was long past the age to having children, but when she met Mary, she was able to create a new life that we know would be born to be John the Baptist. John the Baptist would in his adult life baptize and help reveal Christ as the Son of God!
Since we are NOTRE DAME and MARY is our namesake before our prayer this morning, we would like to share with you this short video to remind and or inform us as to why Mary is such an important part of our Catholic faith!
https://youtu.be/j7AQGyqtoK0 (2 Minutes Long)
We pray together beginning with the sign of our faith.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
As we hear the story of the Visitation, we hope that we will hear God’s calling for our own lives.
Our Reading this morning is from the gospel of Luke 1:39-56
Mary Visits Elizabeth
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.”
Mary’s Song of Praise
And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”
And Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.
Help us Mary to be a people of service and love and dedication to our families and God.
We ask you Mary to pray for us every morning here at Notre Dame.
We will continue that request for as long as this school stands and teaches in your name.
May God help us be as true to our faith as Mary was.
We ask for this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR LADY…PRAY FOR US!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
*************************************************************************
JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH!
Today, Tuesday June 1st 2021, and it is HCDSB Rainbow Day across the Board. As we begin our journey of awareness, learning and allyship, all HCDSB staff and students are joining in prayer today to show our #HCDSBPride and support.
“This world would be a whole lot better if we just made an effort to be less horrible to one another.” Elliot Page
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Loving God,
We come together today as your children,
seeking vision and guidance to make our schools inclusive and safe places to learn and grow.
You created us to be one with you in your image and likeness.
You love us and accept us as we are.
Help us to be more like You.
May we welcome all people regardless of faith, colour, race, gender or sexual orientation into our lives and school communities.
Amen.
Our Lady – Pray for us!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
***************************************************************
Today is Wednesday June 2, 2021.
Before we pray this morning, we would like to share the letter from our Director of Education Mr. Pat Daly about the very tragic news coming out of British Colombia this weekend. He wrote on Sunday:
“Like many of you, I was devastated to learn of the remains of 215 children found at the site of a former residential school for Indigenous children in British Columbia.
This horrific revelation comes just days before we prepare to recognize National Indigenous History Month across our schools, and is a painful and sobering reminder of the history we must keep alive in our classrooms – so that we never forget the suffering and devastation that the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have endured throughout a very dark and shameful period of our nation’s history.
We are committed to the work of Truth and Reconciliation in our HCDSB schools. We do this by prioritizing engagement with Indigenous parents and community partners while supporting the delivery of Indigenous education in an inclusive and equitable manner. It is crucial that First Nation, Métis and Inuit histories and perspectives continue to be taught in our Catholic schools so that we can rebuild and reconcile the relationship with Indigenous communities.
We grieve alongside the Indigenous members in our community and across our nation. Every child matters.
As a symbol of our collective grief, we will lower the flags at our Board Office and across all of our schools to half-mast this week.
We pray for the souls of the 215 young lives that were taken from their families and taken from our world. We pray for truth. We pray for reconciliation. We pray for healing.”
Pat Daly, Director of Education, Halton Catholic School Board.
So we pray together for all 215 children and their families and communities.
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done,
on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
And we pray to Notre Dame, that she brings through her Son Jesus, the comfort and compassion that is needed for all the family members who lost a child to the residential schools.
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
***************************************************************
Our thought for today, Thursday June 3rd, 2021 is by Jill A Davis
“Second chances do come your way. Like trains, they arrive and depart regularly. Recognizing the ones that matter is the trick!”
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Good morning God!
I thank You for this day and another chance to start again.
I’m blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.
You have done so much for me, and You continue to bless me.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day.
Help me to clear my mind.
Help me not to hear the negative voices of others so that I can hear You!
Please broaden my mind so that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and complain over things I have no control over.
And when this world closes in on me, let me remember the example of Jesus — to slip away and find a quiet place to reflect and pray.
It is the best response when I’m pushed beyond my limits.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
I ask for this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Our Lady – Pray for us!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
***************************************************************
Our thought for today, Friday June 4th, 2021 is by Tennessee Williams
“I think that hate is a feeling that can only exist where there is no understanding.”
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Good Friday morning God!
We pray that You be with us this weekend.
Keep us strong that we may help someone who is in need.
Keep us uplifted that we may have words of encouragement for others.
We pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way.
We pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood.
We pray for those who don’t know You very well…and maybe that’s me too!
We pray for those who don’t believe, and we thank you that You are in our hearts.
We believe that You change people and that You can change all things.
We pray for all our siblings, our parents, and all our family members.
We pray for peace, love, and joy in our homes.
We pray for our friends, especially those who may need some extra help right now.
May all our needs be met!
We pray that we will deeply know there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You.
Every battle, struggle, and hardship we have, You are there with us.
Always be our defender and our hope.
Amen.
Our Lady – Pray for us!
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.