We will begin by making the sign of the Cross Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. All: Amen We pause to think of any special intention we want to pray for today. We light our Form Candle for all our prayers today.

Fifth week of Easter BACKGROUND: The Gospel this weekend was from John 13:31-35 where Jesus at the Last Supper gives them a new commandment to love in the same way as he has loved them.

Monday 29 th April St Catherine of Siena Patron of Europe Reader: St Catherine of Siena, Patron of Europe born in 1347 with 22 other brothers and sisters! Not surprisingly she wished to have a life of peace and contemplation and so joined the Third Order of Dominicans when she was 18. In 1378 the Church was split between followers of three people who claimed to have been elected as Pope. Remarkably Catherine was listened to because of her great holiness and the Church was once more united under Pope Urban VI. She died in Rome in 1380.

Reader 2:Jesus said: “Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened, and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29-30) Together:May your Kingdom come for all people of every language and nation—your Kingdom of justice, of peace, of love, and may all the earth be filled with your glory. We make this prayer through Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen (Prayer by Pope Pius VI)

Tuesday 30 th April St Pius V Reader:A Dominican priest who became the Pope. He wished to carry on wearing his white Dominican habit, rather than wearing red as was traditional for the Pope and the Cardinals to do. Since Pius the Pope including Pope Francis has continued to wear white! He died in Rome in Reader 2:Jesus said to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you, a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (Gospel of John14:27-28)

Together we pray Lord, take away our doubts and give us your peace, so that our lives will reflect your peace. May we bring peace to all those in our community who are troubled or anxious. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

Wednesday 1 st May - St joseph the Worker Reader:Pope Pius XII established this day in 1955 to pray for all who work and all who are looking for work.“Whatever your work is, put your heart into it as if it were for the Lord…It is Christ the Lord you are serving.” (St Paul’s letter to the Colossians 17:24) Let us pray together:Dear Lord, who learnt to be a carpenter at the hands of Joseph, help us all to work for justice and peace in our world. We pray that all who are unemployed will find suitable employment and all people will achieve satisfaction in what they do. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday 2 nd May Reader:“If you keep my commandments you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.” (Gospel of John 15:10) Together we pray:Father, through the example of your Son you call us to love one another in the same way as you love us. Help us to show love to all we meet even though it may be hard to do so, give us your Spirit to remain in your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

Friday 3 rd May FIRST FRIDAY St Philip and St James Reader:St Philip & St James Philip was a disciple of John the Baptist, who followed the call to follow Jesus. This James (sometimes called ‘The Less’) was chosen for the Lord to appear to him after the resurrection and is traditionally seen as the writer of the Letter of James. He was a member of the church in Jerusalem and was martyred there in 62 AD Reader 2:“Philip said to Jesus, ‘Lord let us see the Father and we shall be satisfied.’ ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip,’ said Jesus to him, ‘and you still do not know me. To have seen me is to have seen the Father.” (Gospel of John 14:8)

Together let us pray Father, through the prayers of your apostles Philip and James, help us to see you in your Son and so be found worthy to have eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

School Prayer Prayer of Saint Benedict 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 Saint Benedict – Pray for us