I have just been in the Year 6 classroom where I spent time with the students doing a liturgy that focused on the greatest commandment of all: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind," and; "You shall love your neighbour as yourself. LOVE. COVID-19 has definitely highlighted how much we treasure our connections with others and how important it is to nurture those we love in our lives. And how beautiful would our world be if everyone prioritized LOVE over everything else- just like this commandment teaches us?!

Each year the whole world celebrates the hope for a better world through the International Day of Peace which is observed around the world on 21^st September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

In March, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on all warring parties to lay down their weapons and focus on the battle against this unprecedented global pandemic. While the message is intended for armed parties, solidarity and cooperation across borders, sectors and generations are also needed to win this new fight against the worst public health crisis of our time.

For the United Nations, 2020 was already meant to be a year of listening and learning. To mark its 75th anniversary, the UN has invited millions of people worldwide to join UN75, the largest and furthest-reaching global conversation on building the peaceful and prosperous future that we want.

As we struggle to defeat COVID-19, your voice is more important than ever. In these difficult times of physical distancing, this International Day of Peace will be dedicated to fostering dialogue and collecting ideas. The world will be invited to unite and share thoughts on how to weather this storm, heal our planet and change it for the better. Even though we may not be able to stand next to each other, we can still dream together.

The 2020 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Shaping Peace Together.” Celebrate the day by spreading compassion, kindness and hope in the face of the pandemic. Stand together with the UN against attempts to use the virus to promote discrimination or hatred. Join us so that we can shape peace together.

(adapted from https://www.un.org/en/observances/international-day-peace)

And now, I would like you to join me in prayer: St Francis Prayer for Peace.

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love;

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

AMEN

SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM

All those interested in starting the sacramental program in 2021, please click here to go to the application form. Alternatively, application forms are available from the Admin area at our school.

All those in the current sacramental program, please see the email from Sr Jasmine sent on Friday 28^th August 2020.

Many blessings

Christine Farrugia

APRIM St Joseph’s School | Kingswood