“Almsgiving” – Whole School Prayer Resources

Thank you to the Justice and Peace Team for creating this week’s resources!

Good morning everyone, welcome back, we invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

We are in the third week of Lent and this week our focus turns to the pillar of Almsgiving, the third pillar of Lent.

In our busy school lives, it’s easy to think of almsgiving as just a donation or a Lenten obligation. But at its heart, almsgiving is an act of justice and a radical expression of love. It’s about recogniasing the dignity of our neighbour and sharing the gifts, whether they be time, kindness, or resources that God has first given to us.

As you watch today’s video and we hear from the justice and peace team , let’s reflect on how we can move from ‘giving’ to truly ‘encountering’ those in need within our community and beyond.”

Thank you team! You’ll receive your new CAFOD boxes a little later this week and learn more about our Lenten fundraising in this week’s virtual COTW.

Remember, almsgiving is a form of prayer in action. It challenges us to live more simply so that others may simply live. This week, we invite you to look for one small, intentional way to be a ‘person for others.’ Perhaps it’s a conversation with someone who is lonely, or a quiet act of service that no one else sees.

Let us pray that our hearts remain open and our hands remain ready to serve.

Gracious God,

We thank you for the many gifts you have shared with our school; the books we read, the food we eat, the technology we use, and the talents of every person in this building.

Help us to remember that everything we have is a gift to be shared, not just kept for ourselves. Open our hearts to the practice of almsgiving, teaching us that true wealth is found in what we give away.

Amen.

We finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross…

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

We invite you start our time of prayer today by making the sign of the cross…
In the name of the Father and of Son and of the Holy Spirit Amen

As we move further into our Lenten journey, our Word of the Week is Almsgiving. Often, we think of almsgiving as just ‘giving to charity’ or dropping spare change into a box. But at its heart, it is about justice and recognising the dignity of every human being as a child of God.

Today, we’re going to watch a short reflection that challenges how we look at the people around us. It asks us to consider what happens in the space between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ As you watch, think about who might be sitting in the ‘gaps’ of our own community or our wider world, and how we can bridge that distance.

The video reminds us that almsgiving isn’t just about the money we give; it’s about the love and the presence we offer to others. It’s a way to close the gap between ourselves and our neighbours.

We have a direct chance to put this into practice this week. This Friday is our CAFOD Family Fast Day. To show our solidarity with those who go hungry every day, we are inviting everyone to join us for a simple lunch of soup and a bread roll.

The money you save by choosing a simpler meal will go directly to CAFOD’s work supporting global communities. Let’s make a conscious effort to ‘bridge the gap’ this Friday through our sacrifice and our generosity.

Let us pray….

Lord, open our eyes to see the needs of others, and open our hearts to respond with love. May our small acts of giving this week transform us into a more compassionate community. Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Wednesday notice:

• Justice and Peace meeting – pop down during break or lunch please (help needed for CAFOD soup on Friday).
• Prayer and Liturgy team meeting – sign up to help lead the Stations of the Cross next week – please pop down during break or lunchtime.
  

Celebration of the Word

Today we are going to join together virtually as a community for our celebration of the word which will be led by some of our wonderful 6th formers.

Before you begin this time of worship, please make sure to create a calm and respectful atmosphere in the room. Sit comfortably, dim the lights, bring forward an electric candle or cross if you have one and make sure that there are no other distractions on desks or other things happening around the room.

Let’s begin this time of prayer and welcome this week’s leaders…

Friday form time – Justice and Peace Meeting in B11

Friday lunchtime – This Friday lunchtime, the Chaplaincy Team will be selling soup and bread for £1 at lunchtime by the Atrium and Tech doors. Please come down and show your support!
We’re raising money for CAFOD and supporting their Lenten Fast Day.

Good morning! We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

During Lent, the Church invites us to focus on prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Sometimes we think almsgiving only means money or big donations. But the truth is: Everyone can give something.

Even when we feel we don’t have much, we can always give prayer.
Praying for someone is a real gift — a powerful act of love.

It can mean so much to hear:
“I said a prayer for you today.”
or
“I’ll keep you in my prayers.”

Intercessory prayer – praying for others — is one of the simplest and most beautiful ways we can give during Lent. It costs nothing, but it changes hearts, including our own.

How to Pray for Others

There’s no “perfect” way to pray. God just asks for honesty and love.
Here are some easy ways to try intercessory prayer:

1. Keep a Lenten prayer list

Write the names of people or places you want to pray for. Use your journal or phone.

2. Be specific

Instead of “help my family,” you might pray:
“God, give my brother confidence,” or
“Help my nan feel less lonely.”

3. Pray with empathy

Try to imagine how that person might be feeling.
Let your prayer come from kindness and compassion.

4. Make it a habit

Choose one minute a day this week to pray for someone on your list.
Small moments can make a big difference.

5. Give thanks

Notice when God brings comfort, peace, or strength — even in small ways.

Creative Ways to Pray (and Give) This Week

Your prayer doesn’t have to be spoken. Try expressing your intentions creatively:

• Draw or paint a picture that shows your hope for someone.
• Write a poem or lyric asking God to bring peace or healing.
• Create a collage representing your prayers for others.
• Journal freely — doodle, draw, write… let your heart speak to God.

Think of each drawing, word, or colour as a kind of almsgiving — a gift of time, love, and care.

Now its your turn to journal freely. Spend some time listening to the music and then when you are ready open your prayer journals. Take to time to hear how God is calling you to pray for today then either write or draw your prayers.

If your lost, perhaps you could use some of our weekly prayer intentions for inspiration:

• We pray for all innocent civilians who are caught up in, or affected by, the war and conflict in the Middle East. May God bring them protection, healing, and comfort. We pray for peace, reconciliation, and an end to violence.
  
• We pray for all of the charities who are doing God’s work and providing support to those in need.

• We pray for all of Year 11 who begin their mock exams and silent revision in the hall.

A Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Heavenly Father,
We lift up to You all those who are struggling, sick, lonely, or hurting.
Bring healing to the unwell, strength to those under pressure,
and comfort to anyone who feels lost.

Fill each person we’re praying for with Your peace and Your love.
Help us to be generous this Lent — not just with things,
but with our hearts, our prayers, and our compassion.

Use us to bring light and hope to others.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Amen.

Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Friday form time – Justice and Peace Meeting in B11

Friday lunchtime – This Friday lunchtime, the Chaplaincy Team will be selling soup and bread for £1 at lunchtime by the Atrium and Tech doors. Please come down and show your support!
We’re raising money for CAFOD and supporting their Lenten Fast Day.

Good morning, We invite you to begin by making the Sign of the Cross:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

If you haven’t seen this week’s virtual COTW led by 6th form, make sure to watch it under the COTW tab!

As you will have heard in the COTW, we have launched our Lenten/ Easter fundraising – give a gift for CAFOD! Each week you are going to have at least a day to devote some time to planning and working on your fundraisers. Everyone should have received a CAFOD box and progress poster this week – if you haven’t, please drop Mrs Conlon an email.

If you need to look back on the COTW powerpoint to get started on your fundraising, please download it from below.

Let us spend some time in prayer this morning offering thanks to God for our community, for the work of CAFOD and for all of the people in the world who are in need of some love and care at this time.

Loving God,
We thank You for our school community
and for the work of CAFOD in bringing hope to others.

We pray for all people who need love, care, and support today. Fill them with Your peace and healing.

We pray that we will embrace this opportunity to fundraise and seek to change the lives of our neighbours in need. Help us to be generous and compassionate and not get tired of doing good.

Amen.

Let us finish this time of prayer together, by making the Sign of the Cross.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Have a great Friday and weekend everyone!