Who is God?

In the year 11 retreat, we spend some time thinking about two questions...

Who is God?

and

What are the needs of the world?

Two vital questions!

Below are some of the thoughts of the lads from St. Mary's... everything from questions about how to believe, thoughts about the church, Christological statements and the word that sums it all up... Love!

St. Mary's Year 11

The boys from St. Mary's have been in with us again this week. We were talking about the world we live in and how we're all connected, which means we have a responsibility to each other. The boys wrote some great prayers for their Prayer Service.

Dear God
We pray for those who are discriminated against and for the people who feel they don’t belong in our society. We pray that they may be treated equally and be included in our society. We pray for those who don’t have friends and that we may extend our circle of friends to include these people.
Amen

Dear God
We ask that everyone in our society is accepted for who they are, and that race, religion, appearance, educational ability and background are not a factor in being accepted.
Amen


We also explored our thoughts about God.



Dear God,
Thank you for giving me hope and faith in others.
Keep me from judging others.
Let me be understanding toward them.
Amen

There were lots of questions about what God might look like, or be like.
Mystery was one of the words that came up when we were talking about God.
Lot's of people said they think of Light when they think of God!




Some of the other words the lads associated with God were...




Oh God,
I ask you to help us obtain the target we hunger for.
Let us have love.
Let us have friends.
Thank you, God.
Amen


Dear Lord
We pray for the sick people in the world.
May they get better.
We pray for the less well-off people.
Help them to get through the hard times in life.
Amen


Dear God,
Please help those who feel imprisoned by guilt, fear and sadness in their lives.
Help those who have lost control over their lives and give them hope for the future.
Give confidence to those who are fearful of others and let them feel free.
Amen


Dear God,
Thank you for our families and the place we live in.
Give us the faith and strength to deal with life.
Amen

And what better way to end our day together than this short but magnificent prayer of thanks.
Sometimes less is more!!

Dear God,
I am glad with the day you have given me.
Amen

St. Patrick's, Bearnageeha

Last week we had the boys from St. Patrick's Bearnageeha in the Centre. It was the first time we'd worked with St. Patrick's and we had a great week. We talked a lot about God and about love. We explored the scripture passage 1 Jn 4:16 "God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him."

God loves us all in His own way.
On my own I would think of my life and how good it is.
Deep down I know that I know a lot about Him.

Friendship was everything.
Understanding about God
Now I’m sad because I have to go.

Relaxing and taking it easy.
Everyone enjoyed themselves.
Love and peace resemble God.
Anytime you feel sad, pray!
eXamining your conscience.

We meditated on 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8.

Dear God,
Help me through every day.
Keep me far more than OK.
I love You God,
I might not show it,
But You and I will always know it.
Amen

Dear God,
Please help me to forgive those who have betrayed me or hurt me in any way.

Help me not to hate them forever.
Amen

Dear God,
Keep our loved-ones safe and well and also take good care of the older members of our families. Keep the people who have been taken from us safe.
Amen

Dear God,
Thank You for all my family and friends and for keeping them safe.
I ask you to look after them all through their lives and to keep them on the right track.
Amen

Dear God,
I’m asking You to take care of all the sick people in the world.
I ask You to help them and to give them a better life.
I thank You for making me and my family healthy.
Amen

Dear God,
I am praying for our wellbeing.
Make sure we are safe at all times.
Help us to look after each other.
Amen

Dear God,
Help our families’ and friends’ through thick and thin.
Help them through better and worse.
Bless all our friends and family members who are ill in hospital or are dying.
Thank You God,
Amen

Dear God,
Thank You for all the miracles You have done, transforming peoples’ lives for the better and giving them a better start in life. There is no-one else like You. When we need You, You are always there and for that I am so grateful.
Amen

This retreat has been fun.
In future I would return.

Maybe next year.
Even though I’ve already done it, it would be good to come back again.

And we'd love it if you could come back boys. It was great to work with you!

St. Mary's Year 11

We've been working once again with our neighbours, the lads from St. Mary's. As always the discussion has been great and our daily Prayer Service has been organised by the boys and has been a lovely way to end each day. During this retreat the boys have had the opportunity to do some glass painting (well, painting on acetate to be precise!) Enjoy the photos of their creations.
(More to follow in the coming week.)

A beautiful way to end our day!