Monday th 11 May Feast of St John

Monday th 11 May Feast of: St John Houghton & the Nottinghamshire Martyrs This week’s theme is: Marian Apparitions We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the Letter of St James: ‘Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. ’ Jam 1: 12

Reflection & Discussion Today we remember the people who from Nottinghamshire who were killed for being Catholics. The first two Catholics to publicly reject King Henry VIII as Head of the Church were John Houghton and Robert Lawrence both were the leaders of communities of friars belong to the Carthusian order (pronounced Cart-tu-zians). Robert Lawrence was leader of the community in Beauvale (just outside of Eastwood in Nottinghamshire) and John Houghton was the leader of the London community, (though before that he had led the community at Beauvale). Henry VIII wanted them to agree to him being the Head of the Church as people respected them and trusted their opinion. They both thought it was wrong and refused as they knew if they accepted it, it would encourage others to do wrong by supporting Henry too. They were executed with their friend Augustine Webber. We should always try and do the right thing, so we inspire others to do the same. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • How do you think they felt being imprisoned for their faith? • Who are they people who inspire you? • When have you tried to set a good example for others?

St John Houghton and St Robert Lawrence are the patron saints of two of the schools in our trust. St John Houghton secondary in Ilkeston and The Priory Primary in Eastwood. They are the closest schools to the where the Martyrs used to live in Beauvale. Happy Feast Day to them! We pray for and thank God for the pupils and staff of the schools today.

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Lord Jesus, Sometimes the easy option is not the right option, Help us always to do what is right and inspire others to do the same. Amen.

Tuesday th 12 May This week’s theme is: Marian Apparitions We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the Gospel according to St John: ‘When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, “Woman, here is your son. ” Then he said to the disciple, “Here is your mother. ” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. ’ Jn 19: 26 -27

Reflection & Discussion As May is the month of Mary, this week we are thinking about times when Jesus’ mother Mary appeared to people and the messages she brought them from God. In 1061 a woman called Richeldis de Faverches had a vision of the Virgin Mary asking her to build a copy of the house of the Holy Family in Nazareth. So she did in her village of Walsingham, it quickly became one of the most important places of pilgrimage in the world. It reminds us that God chose to be part of a human family, to have a home. He who is love, chose to share in a house of love. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • How do you think St John felt welcoming Mary into his home? • What can you do to make your home more loving? • How can we support those who do not have a happy home?

Our Lady of Walsingham Statute The statue has key features: • The 7 rings on the throne represent the 7 sacraments • The Toad stool at the bottom represents evil, crushed underfoot • Jesus is giving a blessing and at the same time his arm is across Mary as a sign of protection (Walsingham was destroyed in the Reformation) • Mary’s hand is pointing to Jesus, Mary always directs us to Jesus.

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Loving God, You wanted to live in a home with a family, Bless our homes and families, Help them to be places of safety, peace and love, Particularly at this difficult time. Amen.

Wednesday th 13 May Feast of: Our Lady of Fatima This week’s theme is: Marian Apparitions We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the Holy Gospel according to St Luke: ‘And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. ”’ Lk 1: 46 -49

Reflection & Discussion Today we remember Our Lady of Fatima is a small town in Portugal and in 1917 Mary appeared here to 3 shepherd children, this is the most recent time Mary appeared. She appeared 6 times to the children on the 13 th of each month between May and October. The first time she appeared was just after Portugal entered the World War 1, she told the children to pray for peace and the war would end. In her following visits she told them prophecies and showed them visions that included there would be a second world war, the attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II, and what hell was like. Her message was to be truly happy, to experience real joy, we need to work for peace. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • Why do you think peace is so hard to achieve? • How would you react if Mary appeared to you? • What can we do to bring peace to our community?

Two of the Children who saw Mary died young during the last Pandemic (the Spanish Flu). They died from the virus, we can ask for their prayers to bring this virus to an end and save those who are sick.

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Mary, Queen of Peace, Refuge of the Sick, We ask you to pray for us, That Jesus will restore our peace, And bring an end to this horrible virus. Amen.

Thursday th 14 May Feast of: St Matthias, Apostle This week’s theme is: Marian Apparitions We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the Acts of the Apostles: ‘The time came to replace Judas, the people proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, ‘Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place. ’ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles. ’ Acts 1: 15 -18, 23 -25

Reflection & Discussion Not much is known about St Matthias it is believed that he preached the Gospel in Ethiopia and when he returned from Ethiopia to Jerusalem he was stoned and then beheaded! St Matthias must have been disappointed when he wasn’t chosen to be part of the original 12. He didn’t dwell on this though! He continued to serve Jesus and trust him, he knew that following Jesus would always lead him to joy. This reminds us that God has the perfect plan for us at the perfect time, we just have to trust him. With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • When was the last time you felt disappointed? • What do you think God wants you to do in life? • How can we share joy with others today?

St Matthias shown with the Holy Spirit and an axe, the symbol of his martyrdom.

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Lord Jesus, Please help us to learn from the life of St Matthias not to be discouraged when things do not go our way, but to always trust that you will always bring us to joy and happiness. Amen.

Friday th 15 May This week’s theme is: Marian Apparitions We begin with the Sign of the Cross.

Scripture From the Gospel according to St Luke: ‘Blessed are you, Mary, who believed the promise made you by the Lord would be fulfilled’ Jn 19: 26 -27

Reflection & Discussion As May is the month of Mary, this week we are thinking about times when Jesus’ mother Mary appeared to people and the messages she brought them from God. Mary first appeared in Lourdes to St Bernadette on 11 th February 1858. Lourdes is probably the most famous place of pilgrimage in the world; 6 million people come from all over the world to this holy place to find peace, healing and safety. People feel closer to God and feel his peace and safety. We do not have to go to the south of France to find peace. We can turn to God today and ask him to give us the peace that Mary lived everyday and was brought to St Bernadette too! With the person beside you pick one or more of these questions to discuss: • Where do you feel most at peace? • What helps you relax and feel calm? • How can we help others find peace and safety?

Messages of Lourdes Our Lady asked St Bernadette to tell people to come to Lourdes on pilgrimage and to the following: • Come in procession – walk together in unity honouring her and worshiping God. • Prayer – to place their trust in God • Penance – that is to try and heal the damage that sin causes through prayer and good actions.

Prayer An opportunity for anyone to say what they would like to pray for today. Our Lady of Lourdes, Millions of pilgrims travel each year to seek your intercession, Your prayers bring them much peace, healing and safety. Pray for us today that we will know the unending peace that comes from your son Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.