PRAYERS FOR MARY

N.B. We do not pray to Mary. Rather we ask her to pray with us or for us.

Lord Jesus, May is your mother's month. Mary's month.
That's why it's called May.
I'm glad when people say nice things about my mum.
I want to say nice things about your mum.
She was happy to be your mother,
but she had some sad times because of you.
I'm going to ask Mary to help all mums everywhere.
Mary, pray to God for all mums and especially mine.

Short prayers or a Litany

Jesus, Mary, Joseph
.
Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in mv last agony.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I sleep and rest in peace with you.

Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

Mother of Sorrows, pray for us.

My Mother, my Hope.

May the Virgin Mary bless us her loving children.

Pray for us, 0 Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.

Holy Mother of God, Mary ever Virgin, intercede for us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.

A Child's Prayer to Mary
From the hymn 'Memento rerum conditor'.

Mary, mother whom we bless,
Full of grace and tenderness,
Defend me from the devil's power
And greet me in my dying hour.

God our Father, thank you for the May Day holiday and for the joy of spring and summertime. We thank you that people in many lands can have a day to be joyful in the midst of their busy lives. Let all people know the joy of Jesus in their hearts, bringing them happiness not just for one day but all the time.

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee:
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Marv, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Regina Caeli

Queen of heaven. rejoice. alleluia.
For Christ, your Son and Son of God,
has risen as he said, alleluia.
Pray to God for us, alleluia.

V. Rejoice and be glad, 0 Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray.

God of life,
you have given joy to the world by the resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through the prayers of his mother, the Virgin Mary,
bring us to the happiness of eternal life.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

PUBLICATIONS

There are some organisations that will send publications to your home address free of charge. These include free posters, prayers, leaflets, harvest festival scripts and assembly ideas and scripts etc.
Some also have useful web sites where you can download ideas, information and scripts etc.

The following are definitely worth contacting:

• Christian Aid, PO Box 100, London, UK, SE1 7RT
  email - info@christian-aid.org
  web site - http://www.christian-aid.org.uk
  children's web site - http://www.globalgang.org.uk
• CAFOD - Romero Close, Stockwell Road, London, SW9 9TY
  email - hqcafod@cafod.org.uk
  web site - http://www.cafod.org.uk/r_young.htm
• OXFAM
  web site - Cool Planet, Oxfam's web site for children and teachers, is full of information, activities, and fun. Children can find out about Oxfam, do on-line and off-line activities and explore Oxfam's world. Teachers can access instant lessons, browse through Oxfam's educational catalogue, and find out more about global citizenship.

SORRY PRAYERS 2

These prayers can be used in a Service of Reconciliation, or Confession, or in general assemblies, maybe during Lent.
They can be used as quiet, private reflection, if photocopied and made available during a reconciliation service, or as assembly prayers.

DURING LENT
Father, we are preparing for Easter.
We are going to try especially hard for the next few weeks.
We will try to be more helpful at home and at school.
We will try to give away some of our pocket money to help poor people.
We will try to share our crisps, and sweets more often.
This will not be easy but we will keep on trying, with your help. Amen.

I'M SORRY
Father, I've done something terrible and I'm in disgrace.
This is what I did ... (think)
I am sorry about it.
I know it didn't make you angry with me
and you never stopped loving me even though it was so bad.
But I stopped loving you.
My mum and dad are upset.
I am upset.
I want to put things right again.
Help me. Amen.

CONFESSION PRAYERS
Father, Jesus was loving and kind to everyone in your family.
Please help me to be like him.
Sometimes I spoil the love of your family by being unkind and selfish.
Then I am not loving like Jesus.
I am sorry that I do this.
I will try to change. Amen.

AT HOME
'We are sorry' could be used as a response in the next two prayers.

We are sorry, dear God, for the times we have upset our parents.
For not doing as we are told, we are sorry.
For being cross and rude, we are sorry.
For not helping when we could, we are sorry.
For not putting away our toys tidily, we are sorry.
For being slow to go to bed. and for not getting up when we are called, we are sorry.
Please help us, dear Lord Jesus, to try harder. Amen.

AT SCHOOL
We have not always been good at school, dear God, and we are sorry.
For not doing what our teachers say, we are sorry.
For not always doing our best work, we are sorry.
For not always trying hard, we are sorry.
For being selfish, we are sorry.
For making other children unhappy, we are sorry.
Please help us, dear Lord Jesus, to grow more like you.
Help us to do as we are told. and to be more kind and loving. Amen..

I AM SORRY, GOD
I am sorry, dear God, for the times I have hurt you.
I have not alwavs said my pravers carefully and thoughtfully and I am sorry.
I often forget you, even though you never forget me.
When I am rough and unkind to other people then I am hurting you, dear God, and I am sorry.
Please help me to do what you want me to do, and to grow more loving every day. Amen.

PRAYERS ABOUT LOVE

These can be used as general prayers during assembly, or as Prayers of the Faithful during Mass.
At least some of the Bidding Prayers during a Mass should be on the theme of the Mass. These ones are on the theme of love.
The children can also write their own.
It is difficult, but, if these are used as Bidding Prayers during a Mass, phrases like 'We pray that' and 'We pray for' should be used rather than 'Dear God' etc. If this sounds awkward in a children's Mass, keep to the form below.

1) Lord God, love is something special,
the more we receive, the more we want to give away.
We give love to others, and others give it back.
Please help us to be quick to share our love.
Lord in your goodness...
Hear our prayer.

2) Dear Lord, you live in our hearts.
You help us to love.
You help us to think of kind words to say and good things to do.
You help us to be unselfish, and to love people with whom we find it hard to be friends.
Please fill us with your love.
Lord in your love...
Hear our prayer.

3) Lord, your love is like the sunshine. It fills our lives with happiness.
It makes the whole world glad.
Help all those who are sad today - lonely, sick, hungry and homeless people. Let them learn how your love can brighten their lives.
Lord in your love...
Hear our prayer.

4) Lord Jesus, you grew up in a family.
Thank you for the families to which we belong.
We are glad that our families love us,
Be close to children who have no families,
and give them someone to whom they can belong.
Lord in your goodness...
Hear our prayer.

5) Lord, you are the maker of the universe,
Without you, nothing would exist.
Yet you still want our love.
You still seek the best for us.
You still call us your children.
May we become what you want and live in your love for ever.
Lord in your love...
Hear our prayer.

6) Let us now ask Mary, the most loving of all mothers, to help carry our prayers to heaven. Hail Mary...

TIME ASSEMBLY

Submitted by
Geoff Hardwick

Type
An assembly idea

Assembly title
Here today and gone tomorrow

Brief aim
To get students thinking about one thing that has been constant through time i.e. God through Jesus Christ

Faith group if relevant
Christians or agnostics/atheists

Resources needed
flip chart, pens, examples of artefacts e.g. picture of famous footballer, an old LP record e.g. Now Music 4 etc., etc.,

Time of year, if relevant
Any

Other details
Use flip chart to set up hang man for "Here today and gone tomorrow" having first shown students artefacts - and then talk to them about the importance of something constant over time.
You could finish by using passage from Hebrews on "Jesus Christ same yesterday today and tomorrow".

MAKE IT PERSONAL

God speaks to everybody present in the assembly, through other people. Make it personal.

Readings and hymns can be personalised. After a reading or hymn, ask the children to quote one word or phrase they remember from it. They can choose whether or not to explain why they remember it.

Prayers can be personalised. Compose and use acrostic prayers, using names of children present. Make the message in the prayer relevant.
E.g.
Do not be
Afraid to
Meet others, to try to
Inspire them by
Announcing good
News.

and

All you
Need to
Do is to
Rely on Jesus
Every day,
Allowing him to lead you.

Jesus continues to call people by name today.
Show this, using Luke 6:12-16.