1. Prayers for the week 14 - 18 May 2018
Pope Francis’s new letter to us all
In April, Pope Francis issued his fifth major document since beginning his papacy. It is largely a meditation on the bible passage known as the Beatitudes and it explores how they can be lived out here and now. The Pope’s letter is called Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and be Glad); and its subtitle is A call to holiness in today’s world.  So what, according to Francis, does it mean to be holy? Our reflections this week focus on the advice of Pope Francis.
We begin with an examen focussed on the Beatitudes. These are the blessings recounted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount as described in the Gospel of St Matthew.

2. Monday 14 May
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew
Now when he saw the crowds, Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down.
His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn: they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for what is right: they will be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful: they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when others abuse you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.
Reflection
Look again at this passage from Matthew’s Gospel. Dwell on each line as you read it.
Do you recognise yourself in any of the descriptions? Which of the ‘blessed’ are you?
Is there someone else that you recognise? A friend....a member of your family...
What could you do, at home or in school to ‘live out’ one of these blessings to the full?
Which of the beatitudes do you find difficult to understand? How will you find out more?

3. Tuesday 15 May Reflection on Gaudete et Exsultate
Live out your faith in a practical way
Pope Francis always stresses that we must live out our faith in a practical way. This means, that in our lives and in our work, we are urged to labour “with integrity and skill in the service” of our brothers and sisters.
We are encouraged to open our eyes, ears and hearts, to allow ourselves to be unsettled by the words of the Gospel so as to expand our often limited horizons and ways of doing things. This might mean, for instance, challenging our culture of consumerism. Pope Francis says that consumerism “only bloats the heart”. What a great image! Perhaps we can all be encouraged to live more simply.
Walk lightly
Each leaf, each petal, each grain, each person, sings your praises, Creator God.
Each creature on the earth, all the mountains and seas show your glory, Spirit of love.
And yet the hand of greed has plundered your splendour,
has taken and not shared your gift, has lived as the owner of the earth, not as a guest.
And so the ice cracks, the rivers dry, the valleys flood and the snowcaps melt.
God our Father, show us how to walk lightly and to live simply
with respect and love for all that you have made.
Amen

4. Wednesday 16 May Reflection on Gaudete et Exsultate
Progressing in holiness
Pope Francis insists that we will know when we are progressing in holiness when we recognise the face of God not only in those like us and those we like, but in everyone, “especially the least, the most vulnerable, the defenceless and those in need”. He gives the example of coming across a homeless person, someone on the margins – how do we react?
Perhaps we feel they are simply someone else’s problem, an annoyance which disturbs our day. If we see them with the eyes of faith, however, the person on the margins becomes “a human being with a dignity identical to my own…an image of God”.
The world can't wait
Ever-present, ever-loving God, may your gentle spirit surprise us,
shatter our complacency and wake us from our dreams.
We know the time is now.
May your urgent spirit send us out and demand our courage;
may we tell the stories of truth in the face of the story of power.
May world leaders listen to us.
May your comforting spirit turn us towards the discomfort
of knowing, seeing and understanding how justice should appear in the world.
The hour has come to act.
May your holy spirit burn through us and call us
to tell even those who aren’t ready to listen, that the world can’t wait. Amen.

5. Thursday 17 May Reflection on Gaudete et Exsultate Discernment
Francis is a Jesuit Pope and in Gaudete et Exsultate there is a strong emphasis on discernment. The ability to judge well, to discern right from wrong. Each person is expected not just to imitate the saints, but to find their own calling, their own path to holiness. One thing we are called to, however, is prayer.
We are all asked to deepen our relationship with God. We achieve that through listening and being attentive to his voice. And we can pray for others. Far from being a distraction, Francis insists that “intercessory prayer is an expression of our concern for others, since we are able to embrace their lives, their deepest troubles and their loftiest dreams”
Generous God, we thank you for the gifts you have given us, for the abundance of your creation, and the beauty that surrounds us.
We thank you for the people whose lives have touched ours, for the love they show, the burdens they lift and the hopes we share.
Compassionate God, we ask you: to fill us with your love, to place in our hearts a spirit of courage, to move us to reach out to others in need.
Lead us to play our part, so that now and for generations to come, all of your children may share in our hope for a better world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord,
Amen.

6. Friday 18 May
Examen
Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this week and give thanks.​ What lessons can you learn from Gaudete et Exsultate?
Who have you left a good memory with this week?
Look back over your week. Where have you felt joy and what has been difficult and challenged you? In the quiet of your heart, tell God about your experiences.​ Give thanks for who you are.
As you look ahead, with what spirit will you enter next week? How will you make your final preparations for the exams?
Ask God to help you.
Let us say together the prayer for exams on the next slide.

7. Lord, We pray that our minds might be rested, our bodies energised, and our spirits inspired for the exams that we must sit. Grant us peace and assurance, that we might do the best we are able. Be with us and help us to be a good example to each other, offering reassurance and confidence regardless of how we feel. May we be honest and insightful, and able to give a true record of what we have learned. In the end, may any disappointment be born with grace and any joy accompanied with humility. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

8. 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