De La Salle College Year 14

We've had some lovely retreat days with the Year 14 boys from De La Salle College, Belfast.  As fellow Lasallians it has been our pleasure to host their retreats and hear their opinions on God, Faith, and the society we live in. We explored these themes through discussion, meditation, art (including glass painting,) symbolic thinking, affirmation of friends and prayer.  Have a look at some of the photos below and also read the prayers and reflections that were written by the boys themselves.

Music
Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson:  We chose this because our goal today was to reflect on ourselves.
Hero by X-Factor Finalists:  We chose this song because it helps us reflect on ourselves and find inner strength to become a better person.

Focus
For our focus we made a bible with a candle above it.  This shows that allowing the word of God to have meaning in our lives will lead us into life.

Scripture
Psalm 100
We chose this because it reflects God's love towards us and gives us comfort and faith.

Psalm 23:4
We chose this because no matter what lies ahead to challenge us we will always have God to help us through.

We pray for people suffering as a result of natural disasters around our world.
May they pull through the devastating effects and rebuild their lives.

Lord hear us...

We pray for all those who are ill and for their families during this time.

Lord hear us...

We pray for our class and our teachers.
May we all achieve the grades we need for universities, colleges and whatever we aspire to do with our lives after school.

Lord hear us...



Reflections
Today we reflected on how we view not only ourselves and God, but also the word we live in.  As we grow and learn we may find some of the answers to life's questions.  As we grow in faith and develop our spiritual beliefs we may find it can help us through many of the difficult times in life.

***

I think today helped us to develop our friendships.  It let us express our own views and listen to those of others.  Today made me think about God, although it has given me more questions that answers!! As this is our final yeat in school it was a good opportunity to reflect on our own lives up to now.  

Images of God
God can be seen in the red sky at night

God is looking down on us

God is like the stars of the universe

God is like a blast of colour

Focus

We chose this focus because the colours represent the people and personalities here with the stars representing our individuality.

Music

Your Song by Ellie Goulding - this song symbolises all the love in life and what if? Things aren't perfect but love for each other make it feel that way.

Ugly by Sugababes - this song symbolises the differences in people but everyone is the same.

Scripture

"It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, how much worse for a slave to rule over princes"

We chose this because we shouldn't be slaves of money and materialism.

Dear God

We pray for the terminally ill

that they may find strength

Amen

Dear God

We pray for the sick and less fortunate

that they find comfort

Amen

 

Focus

We decided to make the Celtic symbol for the Trinity - three circles representing the Father ,Son and Spirit all in one design - there is one God.

Music

Where is the Love by Black Eyed Peas - Today's world has totally forgot about peace and love. There is so much hatred and war going on now.

Scripture

Lk8:22-25 Calming of the Storm - the reason I picked this story is because when it comes to God everything is possible and never lack in faith.

Eph1:15-17 Thank God for you

Focus

We have chosen 'Life' and the sun. 'Life' represents everyone and everyone has the choice of how they want to live their life.

The sun helps flowers and plants to grow so therefore it is also part of life.

Music

Castles in the Sky - God's kingdom can be seen as being a big castle in the sky (but we also look for God on earth)

You Raise Me Up - for new beginning - which can make you believe more.

Scripture

Jesus Enters Jersusalem on a colt - We would expect Jesus to ride a horse but instead he rode a colt. This shows that Jesus wanted to bring peace and not war and this is a lesson for all of us. We should bring peace to the divisions in our world like Protestants and Catholics. 

Lk6:37   Don't Judge Others - to show how you should treat others. Don't put yourself first.



2Kings:42   The Feeding of a Hundred - Because I think it's positive and being positive is important along with sharing and love for others.

St. Teresa's Primary School

We had St Teresa's Primary School for two days and it was lovely to have them, We had a chance to talk about what we need to do to be a Christian and how we need to help eachother.

 

Focus

We made a cross as a symbol of Jesus being crucified and  for how much he loves us.

Music
Shine - The reason we chose Shine is because we all need to shine once in a while
You've Got the Love - the reason we chose this song is because it is a lovely song and we have all got love.

Dear God

Please help all those who are sick in our community

Lord hear us

Poster
We chose Helping Hands becasue each of us can help others.

We chose the flame to show that the Holy Spirit is with us.

We had a wonderful group on the second day also

Focus

We made this because the sun is like the Holy Spirit and we are the world and the Holy Spirit shines on us.

Music

Shine by Take That - because we need to let our light shine and help others who need our help.
Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson - because we are going to make a change by being better people.

Dear God

We pray for the families that are homeless

thay you may guide them

Lord hear us

Dear God

We pary for the people who have died

and may they rest in peace

Lord hear us

Dear God

We pray for the sick

that you may give them strength

and help them to get better

Lord hear us

Poster

The reason we picked Let Your Light Shine is because we can shine for others

We picked the candle because it represents our Confirmation and it is an important day for us

We chose to do the letters in different colours because we are unique in our own ways

We hope everyone enjoyed their service of light on the 25th and wish you every blessing and joy on your Confirmation day.

St James' P.S.

We had a very enjoyable day with the young people in P7 from St James' Primary School. We talked about  Confirmation and what we need to do to be a good Christian.

Focus
We wrote Jesus and lit candles because Jesus is the light.

We put kites in the sky because they are special

Dear God

Please help all our families to be safe

Lord hear us

Poster

We chose to wirte Love 1 Another because it helps us to remember we have to work togeether and support neach other over the next year.

We chose the flame to show that our Confirmation is coming up.

Music

Where is the Love - we chose this because when we watch the news it is a good question to ask

You've Got a Friend in Me - we chose this because we need to be friends and help one another

St Kieran's P.S.

We had two great days with the P7 pupils of St Kieran's as part of their preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation. We talked about what it means to be Christian and how we can help each other by working together as a team.

Focus

We made this because, Jesus is God...
We lit the candle because it is part of the Holy Spirit...  

We made this flower because we are part of God's creation

Music
One of the classes played two beautiful tunes on their tin whistles for the prayer service - well done
Hero - we played this song because we can be a hero for eachother
Reach - we played this song because it is important to reach for our goals

Scripture - You are the light of the world - let your light shine

Dear God
Please play for the people who are suffering from starvation and those who are homeless.
Pray for everyone who are sick or dying
Thank you,
Amen

Dear God
Hear my prayer for world peace and help those who are being affected by war,
whose family have died during war or have been badly injured  in war.
Amen

Dear God
Pray for all of the sick in the world and people who are fighting cancer
Amen

RAINBOW STORY - this shows how important it is allow other people to shine and also how important it is to work as a team 

We wish you every blessing for the year ahead

St. Aidan's C.B.P.S.

Our first group of 2011 were the P7 pupils of St. Aidan's. What a lovely way to start the year.  The boys are looking forward to their Confirmation on the 4th March and we had a bit of discussion about what they can do in the meantime to prepare for the occasion.  We talked about some of the big challenges that Christianity asks of us, like forgiveness, which is so difficult at times! 

The boys prepared a beautiful Liturgy and hopefully you will enjoy reading the prayers and the reasons they have for their choice of music and focus, as well as looking at the photos which show how much thought they put into this lovely celebration of their Retreat Day.  Enjoy...

Focus
We wrote the word PEACE, because as Christians we want to live in peace with everyone.

The boys made the PEACE sign out out their paper hands

Music
Castles in the Sky - Ian Van Dal: We chose this because it makes you think about your life. 
You've got the Love - Florence and the Machine: We chose this because it means we can always rely on God's love.

Dear God

Look after me and everyone else in the world.

Help the poor people with all their needs.

Amen

Dear God,

Could you please help people to stop killing each other,

because people are dying for nothing.

I want that to stop because I don't like people dying.

God, you are the best and everyone can trust you,

so I trust you.

Amen

Dear God,

Please bless all those who are sick

and bless all those who are caring for them

Amen

We wish the P7 pupils every blessing for their Confirmation and we hope they will be a light to others in the world.