Prayers for the week 25 29 March 2019

Prayers for the week 25 -29 March 2019 The Way of The Cross: Stations I - VIII A common Lenten devotion is to pray the Way of the Cross, remembering what Jesus experienced during his final day. You’d think we have little in common with his experience, but nothing is less true. Everybody experiences hardships at some points in their lives and in those moments we can find comfort in the fact that Jesus knew what suffering is too. It is the fundraising week for year 7.

Monday 25 March I: Jesus is condemned Jesus, you stand all alone before Pilate. Nobody speaks up for you. Nobody helps defend you. You devoted your entire life to helping others, listening to the smallest ones, caring for those who were ignored by others. They don't seem to remember that as they prepare to put you to death. Sometimes I feel alone. Sometimes I feel that others don't stand up for me and defend me when I am afraid. Sometimes I don't feel like I am treated fairly, especially if I am scolded or corrected. Help me be grateful for what you did for me. Help me to accept criticism and unfairness as you did, and not complain. Help me pray for those who have hurt me. Amen.

Monday 25 March II: Jesus takes up his Cross Jesus, as you accepted your cross, you knew you would carry it to your death on Calvary. You knew it wouldn't be easy, but you accepted it and carried it just the same. Sometimes I don't like the problems that come my way. Sometimes I try to get others to take care of them or solve them for me. Sometimes I become upset and crabby when I'm asked to do even the smallest thing to help others. Jesus, teach me to be generous. Amen.

Tuesday 26 March III: Jesus falls the first time Jesus, the cross you have been carrying is very heavy. You are becoming weak and almost ready to faint, and you fall down. Nobody seems to want to help you. The soldiers are interested in getting home, so they yell at you and try to get you up and moving again. Sometimes I start to do something, but then get tired of it. I hurry to get finished and sometimes don't do my work well. Sometimes I don't pay attention to what I should be doing. When things get hard for me, sometimes I give up. Dear Jesus, help me to persevere, even when it is difficult. Amen.

Tuesday 26 March IV: Jesus meets his mother Jesus, you feel so alone with all those people yelling and screaming at you. You don't like the words they are saying about you, and you look for a friendly face in the crowd. You see your mother. She can't make the hurting stop, but it helps to see that she is on your side, that she is suffering with you. She does understand care. Sometimes I feel like too many things are going on. Sometimes other kids pick on me and call me names. I need to look around me for a friendly face, and for the help I need to share my troubles with those who truly care about me. I give thanks for the many people who care about me. Amen. .

Wednesday 27 March V: Simon of Cyrene helps to carry the Cross Jesus, the soldiers are becoming impatient. This is taking longer than they wanted it to. They are afraid you won't make it to the hill where you will be crucified. As you grow weaker, they grab a man out of the crowd and make him help carry your cross. He was just watching what was happening, but all of a sudden he is helping you carry your cross. Sometimes I see people who need my help. Sometimes I pretend not to hear when my parents call me. I disappear when I know others could use my help. Open my eyes and ears to see and hear those who need my help and reach out to them. Amen.

Wednesday 27 March VI: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus, suddenly a woman comes out of the crowd. Her name is Veronica. You can see how she cares for you as she takes a cloth and begins to wipe the blood and sweat from your face. She can't do much, but she offers what little help she can. Sometimes I know someone could use a little help and understanding. They may be picked on or teased by others, or just sad or lonely. Sometimes I feel bad that others don't step in to help, but I don't help either. Dear God, help me to be a good companion to those around me, especially those who need help. Amen.

Thursday 28 March VII: Jesus falls the second time This is the second time you have fallen on the road. As the cross grows heavier and heavier it becomes more difficult to get up. But you continue to struggle and try until you're up and walking again. You don't give up. Sometimes things get me down. Others seem to find things easier to do or to learn. Each time I fail, I find it harder to keep trying. Help me when things seem difficult for me. Even when it's hard, help me get up and keep trying as you did. Help me do my best without comparing myself with others. Amen. .

Thursday 28 March Sister Victoire FCJ died peacefully on 15 th March 2019 A faithful companion of Jesus, loving Sister-in-law, Aunt and Great Aunt and dear friend to many. The Requiem mass is today in St. Joseph, in Birkenhead. Afterwards she will be buried at Upton Hall. Many years she spent on the Wirral and she visited Upton Hall sometimes: on the picture she is addressing the new year 7 s in 2017. This school year she attended the Mass in the cathedral and enjoyed the performance of ‘Sister Act’! We give thanks for the wonderful life and service of sister Victoire, for her warmth and great sense of humour. Many times she has supported our school community with her prayers. We now pray for her, that she may rest in peace. We pray for her FCJ sisters, her family and many friends, that they may find comfort in the knowledge that Victoire has touched so many people in her life, which she has lived to the full with fidelity and joy. Amen.

Friday 29 March VIII: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem Jesus, as you carry your cross you see a group of women along the road. As you pass by you see they are sad. You stop to spend a moment with them, to offer them some encouragement. Although you are have been abandoned by your friends and are in pain, you stop and try to help them. Sometimes I think a lot about myself. I think about what I want and would like people to spend their lives pleasing me. Help me think more about others. Help me remembers that others have problems, too. Help me respond to them even when I'm busy or preoccupied with my own problems. Amen.

Friday 29 March Examen Be silent and place yourself in God’s loving presence. Think about the good things that have happened this week and give thanks. 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? Ask God to help you.

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 21 st 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