Question 1:
St Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of… (a) Animals and Ecology
Question 2:
St Zita of Lucca is often appealed to help find… (b) Lost Keys
Question 3:
St Veronica is the patron saint of… (c) Photographers
Question 4:
St Matthew the Apostle is the patron saint of…(c) Accountants
Question 5:
St Genesius of Rome is the patron saint of…(b) Comedians
In September in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI (our Pope before Pope Francis) visited St Mary’s University College in London to speak to Catholic schools and colleges all over Britain. This was a huge occasion and he left young people with a powerful message…you are the future saints of the 21st Century!
Pope Benedict said, happiness is something that we all want, but one of the biggest tragedies is that that so many people never find it because they are looking in the wrong places. “The key to happiness is very simple – true happiness is to be found in God.”
“Once you enter into friendship with God, everything in your life begins to change. As you come to know him better, you find you want to reflect something of his infinite goodness in your own life.”
“In your Catholic schools, there is always a bigger picture over and above the individual subjects you study…A good school provides a rounded education for the whole person. And a good Catholic school, over and above this, should help all its students to become saints.”
Volunteer to read today’s scripture:
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to Timothy,
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
When we think of saints we often think of people who lived and died many years ago. But there are modern day saints here on earth now, in our Churches, in our town centres and even in our own school buildings!
Answer the following questions in your heads during some time of silence or as a form:
What do you think is special about belonging to a Catholic School community?
What is different and unique about a Catholic School?
What qualities do you think a saint has in the 21st Century?
Think of someone in your head who you think is a modern day saint in our community and spend a moment praying for them.
Dear Lord,
Help us to serve you in everything we do.
May we find happiness in following in your footsteps and treating others with kindness.
Amen.