St. Kieran's, Poleglass

We had our 1st groups of 2010 last week from St. Kieran's Primary School. It was a lovely beginning to the new decade. The P7s are preparing for Confirmation and so we talked about how the Holy Spirit can work in us if we allow Him.

We made kites to represent the wind, which is one of the symbols of the Holy Spirit.

We also thought of the ways that we show love in the world...

We thought they were a...

Here are some of the lovely prayers that were written for the prayer services:

Dear God,
In this prayer we think about the poor.
If you think about it, they have no home, no clothes and no food.
And I would like you to help me to be helpful to the poor.
And try raise money for clothes.
And food,
thank you.
Amen.

Dear God,
I am asking you to help homeless people.
They are very poor. They live on streets where it is very cold and wet.
I want you to help me to help them.
I want you to help the people that help the homeless people.
Amen.

Dear God,
Help the people who need friends.
The people whoneed friends are lonely and sometimes homeless.
St. Vincent de Paul could help the people who have no friends.
Amen.

Dear God,
Please bless all the people who got hit by the earthquake.
Lord help them to rebuild their lives.
Amen.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this wonderful day which helped us with our confirmation.
Please guide us through our confirmation day
Lord hear us.

And we heard a prayer-poem too, written by one of the pupils for Christmas... (well done!)

I'd fill a box with all my love
and send it to Jesus up above
you died for us
to set us free
so this is a gift from me
I came today
just to say
happy birthday.
Amen.

Normally we end the day with a blessing, but P7s love singing, so they sang the blessing "May the Road Rise to Meet You." No better way to end the day...so may the Road Rise to Meet Us All!

Prayers from St. Mary's

We are reading the good shepherd

because the shepherd looses the sheep

and goes to look for it until he finds it,

and that is what God would do if we started to turn away from him.

He would try and turn us away from sin.

The happiness of this retreat

I couldn't wish for more
it's been peaceful, calm,

and most of all, fun
Thanks for my family,

friends, others

and the world
and my life.

Amen.

Love one another as Jesus loved you.
Our Lord has risen.

Racism is wrong.

Difference is good.

Jesus is the Lord of the world

Eternal is forever

Share with one another, God loves

Us all.

Stay with God forever.

I woke this morning not knowing what to expect

On me this day has had a great effect

The games were amazing the meditation was too

I'm surprised I liked it - what about you?

The day started peaceful it ended the same

I hope I can return here someday again.

Qualities.

Understanding.

Accepting.

Loving.

Interesting.

Thoughtful.

Independent.

Exciting.

Super.

St. Joseph's, take two

Last day of the week and the second batch of St. Joseph's year 14s... another great group of humanoids - enjoyable, interesting, fun and a great bunch of friends.

They drew a picture of two people for their focus, surrounded by their affirmation booklets - a nice piece of work by two of the lads.




(if you look closely, you can see Br. Fintan's legs on the top right hand corner!)

Another pupil chose the story of Nathan confronting David about his faithlessness as a reading about friendship... a unique and insightful choice - the truest friends are the ones who will stick with you, and even say difficult things to you, in difficult times. Here's what she wrote:

A man called David committed adultery. He showed no repentance for what he had done and went on with his life. But this was a sin against God. Nathan, who was a friend of David, came to him and told David in the form of a parable that he was wrong and should repent. David realised the severity of his actions and repented.

Another great day with the folks of St. Josephs.

Br. Fintan, Caren, Pádraig.

St. Joseph's

I'd been told that St. Joseph's were always a school that brought fun, friendship and great characters - Thursday proved that to be right. A great bunch from year 14... We found ourselves all glad at the end of the day to be in our jobs - what a privilege.

They spoke about friendship in their prayer service - and wrote it out for the Focus in the chapel. It's a shame they're in year 14 - it'd be good to have them back.

Pádraig, Margaret, Caren.