Weekly Worship Week beginning 23112020 Collective Worship Theme
Weekly Worship Week beginning: 23/11/2020 Collective Worship Theme: Christ at the Centre
Sundays Second Reading A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew “I was naked and you clothed me; sick, and you visited me” Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand the goats on his left. ‘Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me. ” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you? ” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me. ” ‘Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me. ” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help? ” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me. ” ‘And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life. ’
Gospel Reflection This Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King. The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925. The Pope asserted that the most effective defence against the destructive forces of the age is the recognition of the kingship of Christ; and, furthermore, a feast which is celebrated every year by everyone is a far better way of deploying that defence than any number of books written by learned people. First, we do; then we come to understand what it is that we are doing. This Sunday we also celebrated National Youth Sunday and the role of young people in our church. Catholic Schools provide an incredible opportunity to help all young people grow, learn and become the people God made them to be. As we celebrate National Youth Sunday we can think about what we can do in our schools to make them vibrant, active and centred on Christ. Watch this video about a young person who kept their life centred on Christ.
Weekly Prayer
Saint of the week: Saint Catherine of Alexandria Feast Day: 25 November Saint Catherine of Alexandria was martyred around 305 in Alexandria, Egypt. There are no surviving primary sources attesting to her existence, but the fact that her memory, and the stories about her, have been kept alive and handed down in the tradition - certainly confirm her existence, and her life of heroic virtue and holiness. The young saint was born around 287 in Alexandria, Egypt. Christian tradition states she was of noble birth, possibly a princess. As a member of the nobility, she was also educated and was an avid scholar. Around the age of fourteen, she experienced a moving vision of Mary and the infant Jesus, and she decided to become a Christian. Although she was a teenager, she was very intelligent and gifted. When the emperor Maxentius began persecuting Christians, Catherine visited him to denounce his cruelty. Rather than order her execution, Maxentius summoned fifty orators and philosophers to debate her. However, Catherine was moved by the power of the Holy Spirit and spoke eloquently in defence of her faith. Her words were so moving that several of the pagans converted to Christianity and were immediately executed. Catherine was arrested and scourged. Despite the torture, she did not abandon her faith. Word of her arrest and the power of her faith quickly spread and over 200 people visited her. According to some legends, the emperor's own wife, Valeria Maximilla was converted by Catherine. The emperor eventually executed his own wife over her conversion. The emperor angrily ordered her to be executed on a breaking wheel. When Catherine was presented before the wheel, she touched it and a miracle occurred that caused the wheel to shatter. Unable to torture her to death, the emperor simply ordered her beheaded. Around the year 800, a legend spread that her body has been found with her hair still growing and a constant stream of oil coming from her body. Nothing exists to this day of her remains, and her very existence has been called into question. Prayer to Saint Catherine of Alexandria O God, Who didst distinguish Thy holy virgin and martyr Catherine by the gift of great wisdom and virtue, and a victorious combat with the enemies of the Faith; grant us, we beseech Thee, through her intercession, constancy in the Faith and the wisdom of the saints, that we may devote all the powers of our mind and heart to Thy service. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Quote of the week
Ullathorne Way This half terms focus is: Compassion
- Slides: 7