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Back-to-School Blessing: A Prayer Service for the Beginning of the School Year
A resource/handout for teachers or catechists. Something fun to do on first day of class, or during the beginning of the new school year.
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Hourly Prayers for Ash Wednesday
Opening Prayer We begin this class as we begin all things: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Scripture Reading Working …
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A Pauline Prayer Service
Leader. Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. With these words Saint Paul greeted the believers of his time, reminding them of the great gift they had been given in Jesus Christ. Almost two thousand …
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Paul's Conversion
Background for the Teacher This session focuses our attention on Paul's conversion experience. Using a hard-boiled egg and a raw egg as focusing symbols, the young people reflect on the meaning of conversion. Then two or three of the participants …
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Paul: A Unique Person
Background for the Teacher Saint Paul has fascinated Christians throughout history. The combination of his Jewish upbringing, his exposure to Greek culture, his fiery personality, and his openness to God's grace uniquely prepared him to spread the Gospel. This session …
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Paul: Legacy of Love
[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:7) Paul preached that the central message of Jesus Christ was love. Without love, no amount of faith or religious piety has any meaning. Paul …
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Paul: The Journey to Rome
If God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31) In Paul's last trip to Jerusalem to say farewell before leaving to preach in Spain, he was arrested by the Romans. As a Roman citizen, Paul exercised his right …
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Paul: Missionary
[Paul] had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles. (Acts of the Apostles 14:27) Known as the apostle to the Gentiles (non-Jews), Paul was a leader in taking the Gospel message beyond Israel. With his trusted companions--Barnabas, John Mark, …
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Paul: Theologian
They were attempting to kill [Paul]. When the believers learned of it . . . they sent him off to Tarsus. (Acts of the Apostles 9:29–30) After his conversion, Paul began to preach, but when it became too dangerous, he …
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Paul: Persecutor of Christians
Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women . . . To prison. (Acts of the Apostles 8:3) Convinced that following the teachings of Jesus was wrong, Paul pursued the early Christians …
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Paul: Religious Zeal
I advanced in Judaism beyond many among my people of the same age, for I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors. (Galatians 1:14) A tent maker by trade, Paul's Jewish name was Saul. But because Paul …
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When Hope Is Needed
Overview This prayer service is intended to bring hope during times of despair, consolation in times of suffering, and light in times of darkness. It may be used during difficult personal, family, or communal times. It is appropriate for various …
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In Times of Crisis
Overview This prayer service provides an opportunity for prayer and communal support during times of crisis. It may be used when an unexpected death occurs, in the aftermath of a natural disaster (such as a hurricane, a fire, a tornado, …
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A Prayer Service For A New Pope
Preparation - Prior to the beginning of prayer, you may select three young people to assist: a presider and two readers. - You will notice that the response to the Litany of the Saints is in both English and Latin. …
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In Memory and Hope: A Prayer Service
Materials Needed incense charcoal brazier or some type of container to hold burning incense candles Music Suggestions "Be Not Afraid," Bob Dufford, Gather Comprehensive (Chicago: GIA Publications, 1994), no. 608. "Grant Us Peace, Lord," Tony Alonso, Fresh As The Morning …
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Peace Creed
Writing a Peace Creed (15 minutes) 1. Tell the young people that as much as we might want peace to become a reality in our world, being a peacemaker takes a lot of hard work. The first steps are to …
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Prayer: How Will You Know?
Reader 1: When do you decide how you will live? What goes into the thoughts that shape your dreams? Reader 2: For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, Reader 1: Do you know, at …
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For Love Is Stronger than Death
(20 minutes) Before the session have the all participants (including the facilitator) bring to the session a personal symbol. This symbol should be an object from among the participant's personal belongings that acts as a reminder of a much loved …
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Prayers for Reflecting on Christ's Passion
Before the Movie: Loving God, You sent your only Son to show us the way. As we recall and meditate on his crucifixion, help us to recognize the gift you place before us. On the cross Christ washed clean our …
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Gethsemane - Prayer Service
(15 minutes) Before the session have your students do the Reflection Exercise: My Least Answerable Questions. If you do not plan on reading the Scripture passage (Mark 14:32-42) yourself, use the break time to ask a young person to read …
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Prayer Service in Memory of Pope Saint John Paul II
Preparation For this prayer service you will need four candles, a presider, and two readers. The Summons to Prayer Presider: At the seventeenth World Youth Day, Pope John Paul II said to the young people: "When the light fades or …
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Back to School: Intentions for the Start of the School Year
Please respond "Lord hear our prayer" Let us pray for all Believers around the world and those who seek Christ, that they may receive blessings and open their hearts to God's word… We pray to the Lord For all experiencing …
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The Important of Process
I usually learn things the hard and long way. I have sponsored many prayer services, service projects and other such activities for teenagers. Prior to the event, I am usually consumed with details. Permission slips, transportation, food, and the schedule …
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Lectio Divina: Praying with the Scriptures
The Scriptures is one of the greatest riches possessed by Christians. Often attributed to Saint Jerome, there is the saying that "ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of God". However, Catholics are often less comfortable and deft with Scripture than Protestant …
