Prayers for the week 16 – 18 July 2018 As we come to the end of this academic year, our prayers focus on the life and community of Upton Hall. We give thanks for all that has been accomplished this year. We say goodbye and thank-you to our inspirational head teacher, Mrs Young. We look forward to the long summer holidays and the rest and joy that we hope they will bring to us all.

Monday 16 July Lord God We thank you for the work and commitment of Mrs Young who has build Upton Hall School into a centre of educational excellence. For over twenty years, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of generations of Upton pupils. During her headship, the school has grown in every way. There are more pupils, more classrooms housed in state of the art buildings and the school has seen a huge growth in its reputation both locally and nationally. All of this is a result of her hard work and astute leadership. As Mrs Young enters a new phase of her life, we ask God to bless her as we wish her many happy and healthy years of retirement. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord Amen

Tuesday 17 July Lord God We thank you for all that we have enjoyed at Upton this year. The lessons, our teachers, the clubs and the trips out of school: the food in the Dining Room, the beautiful environment and the joy of friendship. We thank you that we have been given the chance to make a difference in the world by fundraising and donating to many good and worthwhile causes. May we never stop trying to find ways to make the world a better place. Help us never to take for granted the many gifts we have been given and the richness of the lives that we live. Bless us all as this school year draws to a close. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Wednesday 18 July Examen Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this academic year and give thanks.​ As you look ahead, with what spirit will you enter the summer holidays? Who will you bring joy to this summer? Ask God to help you. Dear God At the close of another school year, we offer you our deepest thanks for the care and love you have shown to each one of us. We thank you for the dedication and leadership of Mrs Young. We thank you for the gift of our education, for the joy of friendship and the support of our families. Bless and look after us all during this summer holiday. May we return to school in September renewed and refreshed. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord Amen

Afternoon Prayer and Reflection Lord Thank you for the morning, for watching over me and walking with me. May I find joy and understanding this afternoon, in all I do. Grant me the zest and the strength I need to work for you until nightfall. Amen Let us pause for a few moments in silence and remember those family members and friends who need our prayers and support today………… Let us ask Mary, our Mother, to join us in our prayers as we say: 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 We end our reflection with a prayer inspired by our foundress followed by the school prayer: Loving Father, life-giving spirit – Marie Madeleine believed in your power, hoped in your promises and lived for your glory. We ask her to pray for us and be with us as we carry the FCJ spirit into the 21st century. Protect and guide the pupils and staff at Upton and at all FCJ schools in this country and around the world. Amen May the Lord bless us and keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen