This week, we pause our Lenten observance to celebrate Catholic Education Week with the archdiocese theme of ‘Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you’ (Is 60: 1) which draws from the motto of the Holy Year, the Year of Jubilee, and the Australian Catholic Youth Festival’s theme – ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
This week also marks two great feasts, Monday - St Patrick and Wednesday - St Joseph.
We celebrate the unique gift of Catholic Education. We give thanks for those many faith-filled religious women and men, who have given their lives in service of our communities, seeking only to be God’s love in action. We also hold gently those whom our system has failed. May we, the people of God, at this time of renewal, seek in our work and as a community to be God’s love in action. Let us pray…
Loving God, help us,
deepen our understanding of
what it means to be the people of God,
where the relationship with you and another one is central to our being.
Guide our feet to walk in the ways of Jesus.
Help our hands create a welcoming and inclusive world.
May Your love inspire us and Your light sustain us.
We ask this in the name of Your Son,
Who is here among us,
Urged by the love of Christ.
Amen.