1. The week beginning 25th February
“Fairtrade is about making sure people get their fair share of the Pie”
-Jerry Greenfield, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s

2. Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers.
It is about supporting the development of thriving farming and worker communities so that they have more control over their futures and protecting the environment in which they live and work.
It is also your opportunity to connect with the people who grow the produce that we all depend on.
When you buy products with the FAIRTRADE mark, you support
farmers and workers as they work to improve their lives and
their communities.
The mark means that the Fairtrade ingredients in the product have been produced by small-scale farmer organisations or plantations that meet Fairtrade social, economic and environmental standards.
Fairtrade works to benefit small-scale farmers and workers, who are amongst the most marginalised groups globally, through trade rather than aid to enable them to maintain their livelihoods and reach their potential.

3. Let us pray that over this fortnight we will be able to help our brothers and sisters in faith around the world.
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.

4. The week beginning 25th February (Tuesday)
“Fairtrade is about making sure people get their fair share of the Pie”
-Jerry Greenfield, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s

5. A living income is a fundamental goal for Fairtrade, and nowhere is the need for a living income clearer than in the cocoa industry. Europe is the world’s biggest importer of cocoa yet 70% of that cocoa is produced in West Africa, and 43% of worldwide output comes from the Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), where one in six of the population is employed in the cocoa sector. However, a shocking 60% of all cocoa farmers live below the
poverty line.
The average living income for a cocoa farmer is £1.90 a day, yet what
they earn from cocoa typically falls far short of that. Incomes are low and uncertain. Without a living income basic human rights like decent food, accommodation and
schooling is not achievable.
That’s why Fairtrade Fortnight 2019 is focusing on the women who grow the cocoa for our chocolate treats with a new She Deserves a Living Income campaign.

6. Let us pray this morning for these women who deserve our love and care;
God of justice, God of the poor, grant us energy, resolve and perspective to challenge the injustice we see before us. In the presence of God, in the light of the world, we commit ourselves to this task:
We will speak out for those who cannot speak, defend the rights of the poor.
We will speak out with fairness and make your views heard, defend the rights of the poor.
We will speak out on behalf of the silenced and voiceless, defend the rights of the poor.
We will defend the rights of the poor. We will speak out, we will speak out.
Amen

7. The week beginning 25th February (Wednesday)
“Fairtrade is about making sure people get their fair share of the Pie”
-Jerry Greenfield, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s

8. St. Isidore was born at Madrid, Spain, in the latter half of the 12th century. For the greater part of his life he was employed as a labourer on a farm outside the city. Many marvellous
happenings accompanied his lifelong work in the fields and continued long after his holy death.
In the morning before going to work, Isidore would usually attend Mass at one of the churches in Madrid. One day, his fellow farm workers complained to their master that Isidore was always late for work in the morning. Upon investigation, so runs the legend, the master found Isidore in prayer whilst an angel was doing the ploughing for him.
On another occasion, his master saw an angel ploughing on either side of him, so that Isidore's work was equal to that of three of his fellow field workers. Isidore is also said to have brought back to life his master's deceased daughter, and to have caused a fountain of fresh water to burst from the dry earth to quench his master's thirst.
St. Isidore was canonised in He is the patron of farmers, and his feast day is May 15th.

9. God, through the intercession of
Let us pray through the intercession of St Isidore by saying;
God, through the intercession of
St. Isidore, the holy farmer, grant that we may overcome all feelings of pride. May we always serve You with that humility which pleases You, through his merits and example.
Amen

10. The week beginning 25th February (Thursday)
“Fairtrade is about making sure people get their fair share of the Pie”
-Jerry Greenfield, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s

11. Reflect on this phrase inspired by Proverbs.
Talk to the person next to you about what this means

12. It might seem that by just buying one Fairtrade product, it won’t make a difference. But if we all bought one item each, that would be a large amount of money which would be going to Fairtrade farmers and producers. Change starts small, before it makes a big difference.
Let us pray,
Lord God, In the fields of the poor Even when abundant fruits ripen, Injustice sweeps them away, And families hunger.
Help us to share The fruits of Your bounty So that all Your family may benefit From Your gracious gifts.
Amen

13. The week beginning 25th February (Friday)
“Fairtrade is about making sure people get their fair share of the Pie”
-Jerry Greenfield, Co-Founder of Ben & Jerry’s

14. Let reflect this morning: What burdens do I have today?
Prayer can be powerful. Praying for Fair Trade allows us to bring trade issues before God, asking that the love and justice of God will transform the rules and practices of trade. We pray that God will assist those suffering because of unfair trade, those developing new ways of trading, and those making choices about what they sell or buy.
In our hardest times, we sometime forget to turn to God in prayer, to let Him hear our thoughts and feelings. It may not be an instant fix to our problems, but God will be there to help us in the way He knows is best.
Let reflect this morning:
What burdens do I have today?
Take a moment to offer them up to the Lord in personal prayer.

15. Upon our community at Finchley Catholic High School,
Let us bring together all our thoughts and feelings and offer them up to God as we say our school Community Prayer:
Father,
Pour out your Spirit
Upon our community at Finchley Catholic High School,
Grant us to work worthily in your sight
As we build up our school within an atmosphere of honesty and trust,
For your honour and glory.
May we pray and work together,
Consecrated in your service,
So that you may bless our endeavour
and aspirations and make our school a better place for all of us who teach, work and learn within.
We ask this through Jesus Christ your Son,
and in unity with the Holy Spirit,
Who lives and reigns with you
Forever and ever.
Amen