th The week beginning 11 September Carrying my

th The week beginning 11 September Carrying my Cross ‘Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ’s wounds are thy healings. His agonies thy repose. His conflicts thy conquests. His groans thy songs. His pains thine ease. His shame thy glory. His death thy life. His sufferings thy salvation ‘ – Matthew Henry

“To know the Cross is not merely to know our own sufferings. For the Cross is the sign of salvation, and no man is saved by his own sufferings. To know the Cross is to know that we are saved by the sufferings of Christ; more, it is to know the love of Christ, who underwent suffering and death in order to save us. It is, then, to know Christ. ” - Thomas Merton On Thursday it is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. We remember the importance of the Cross in our faith, it is a symbol of God’s love and sacrifice for us. …………………………………………. . Over this weekend, we have seen many suffer because of the devastating power of Hurricane Irma in the United States and the Caribbean. Let us take a moment to bring them into our hearts and ask that God shows them love in their time of pain and distress, and show them your light through their darkness.

Let us bring together all our thoughts and prayers as we say: 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

th The week beginning 11 September (Tuesday) Carrying My Cross ‘‘Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ’s wounds are thy healings. His agonies thy repose. His conflicts thy conquests. His groans thy songs. His pains thine ease. His shame thy glory. His death thy life. His sufferings thy salvation ‘ – Matthew Henry

‘In a village, there lived a man who was always bewailing his lot. He was a Christian, and found the weight of his cross too heavy to bear. One night, before going to sleep, he begged God to let him change his burden. That night he had a dream; the Lord led him to a warehouse. Go ahead and change it, he said. The man saw crosses of all sizes and shapes, with the names of their owners. He picked an average size cross — but when he saw the name of an old friend written on it, he left it aside. Finally, as God had permitted, he chose the smallest cross he could find. To his surprise, he saw his own name written on it. ’ God never lets us carry more than we can bear. He knows us and he is with us with every step we take. When we feel overwhelmed by all the pressures of life he will be there to reassure us that we can deal with them.

Let us Pray; On those days when life seems too demanding with all of its cares, burdens and concerns. . . Jesus, grant us strength to carry our cross. When we feel the pain of our world and unite in compassion with the Earth's suffering people. . . Jesus, grant us strength to carry our cross. When we struggle with decision-making and the time comes to make good choices about our lives. . . Jesus, grant us strength to carry our cross. When we are asked to go the extra mile, to be generous with our time and our presence. . . Jesus, grant us strength to carry our cross. When we feel weary and worn out, when it seems like all of our energy has been drained away. . . Jesus, grant us strength to carry our cross. Crucified Jesus, help us to take up our cross day by day. Through these crosses we can grow closer to you. Help us to lean on you and to learn from you. Amen

th The week beginning 11 September (Wednesday) Carrying My Cross ‘‘Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ’s wounds are thy healings. His agonies thy repose. His conflicts thy conquests. His groans thy songs. His pains thine ease. His shame thy glory. His death thy life. His sufferings thy salvation” – Matthew Henry

John was born at Fontiveros, in Spain and was the son of a weaver. . As a youth, he liked to do penance as he understood the value of offering up sufferings for the love of Jesus, because of this great love of God, John joined the Lay Carmelite order as a Brother when he was twenty-one. St. John of the Cross was chosen by God to bring a new spirit of eagerness among religious; But his life was full of tests and trials. Although he opened new monasteries where people followed his holy way of life, they found fault with him and thought that some of his ideas were too strict. He was even thrown into prison and made to suffer terribly. At one time, when he had fierce temptations, God seemed to have left him alone and he suffered greatly. Yet when these storms of trouble passed, the Lord rewarded his faithful servant. He gave him deep peace and joy of heart, and John was very close to God. In fact, Mother Mary herself showed John how to escape from his prison cell. John asked God to let him suffer every day for love of Jesus. And to reward him, Jesus showed himself to St. John in a special way. This saint is famous for his spiritual books, which show us how to grow closer to God. He died on December 14, 1591 and John is now known as a Doctor of the Church. St John of the Cross

We ask for the intention of St John of the Cross today as we pray this simple prayer together; O blessed Jesus, give me stillness of my soul in You. Let Your mighty calmness reign in me. Rule me, O King of Gentleness, King of Peace. Amen

th The week beginning 11 September (Thursday) Carrying My Cross ‘‘Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ’s wounds are thy healings. His agonies thy repose. His conflicts thy conquests. His groans thy songs. His pains thine ease. His shame thy glory. His death thy life. His sufferings thy salvation ‘ – Matthew Henry

Read and reflect on what this phrase means to you.

God loved you so much that he sent his only son to die on the cross for you. Let us remember that when we see a crucifix or an image of the cross, we recognise that we are worth so much and that we are truly loved by God. Let us Pray; Lord Jesus, I sign my heart with the sign of the cross, reminding myself of your love for each person. I ask that I may grow in faithfulness as your friend. Amen.

th The week beginning 11 September (Friday) Carrying My Cross ‘‘Come, and see the victories of the cross. Christ’s wounds are thy healings. His agonies thy repose. His conflicts thy conquests. His groans thy songs. His pains thine ease. His shame thy glory. His death thy life. His sufferings thy salvation ‘ – Matthew Henry

Every time we pray, go to Mass and enter into the Oratory, we make the Sign of the Cross. It is a sign of our faith, but often we don’t give it a second thought, we do it so quickly and sometimes with no feeling or importance behind it. It is not just an action to start a prayer, it is a recognition of the sacrifice and love that God has for us. Your challenge, from today onwards, is to take a moment before making the sign of the cross to reflect on the what that action represents. Just a second before the start or end of Mass or a prayer, to remember that it is our outward sign of God’s Love.

Let us pray for our community this morning as we say; 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 endeavor 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.