From May 5 to May 10, let’s come together as the Ottawa Catholic School Board family to celebrate Catholic Education Week. This year, our theme, “We Are Called to Love,” draws inspiration from the powerful words of 1 John 4:12: “If we love one another, God lives in us.”
Catholic Education Week coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week. Through love and compassion, we continue to support each other’s well-being. God is love, and we are always called to live out this love.
Check out the daily #CathEdWeek challenges and prayers below as we celebrate the many gifts God has given our faith-filled community.
Monday, May 6 | As people of hope / Dans l’espérance
The challenge for Monday is to find and highlight things that inspire hope in your daily encounters, whether they are ordinary or extraordinary. Capture a photo or video of something or someone that reflects this sense of hope – it could be something in nature, the innocence of a child, or acts of kindness and charity. Remember to use the hashtags #ocsbHope and #CathEdWeek when sharing your post.
Prayer
Gracious God,
We are grateful to gather, learn and build community today and every day. During Catholic Education Week, we are called to love as members of your Catholic family. With hope we embrace the wellbeing of every person, always seeking ways to support and uplift one another every day.
Provide the hope we seek in all that we do today. May we know Your greatness in all the people we meet and speak with today. When we see You, our hope is fulfilled.
We make this prayer in the name of Your Son, Jesus.
Amen.
Tuesday, May 7 | As people of faith / Dans la foi
For Tuesday’s challenge, we encourage you to share the many expressions of faith in your community as you collaborate and interact with others. You can share examples of art, music, literature, play, prayer, acts of service, and charity that reflect these outstanding expressions of faith. Capture your expression as people of faith by video or photo. Be sure to share it using the hashtags #ocsbHope and #CathEdWeek.
Prayer
Lord God,
You call us to be in a relationship with You and with others as a people of faith. We grow in understanding, empathy and love for all people with every encounter. Teach us to be great neighbours and friends, even when we do not always get along.
Remind us to respect one another as we work to build your Kingdom around us. We listen for ways to hear you every day. Please share your messages of love, kindness and acceptance. We accept your invitation to welcome everyone into your family as we are called to love.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son.
Amen.
Wednesday, May 8 | As people of mercy / Avec compassion
Sharing mercy with others allows us to focus on the blessings of life. For Wednesday’s challenge, please amplify, highlight, and share some amazing opportunities for works of mercy. Capture your works as people of mercy by video or photo. Be sure to share it using the hashtags #ocsbHope and #CathEdWeek.
Prayer
God Our Father,
Please grant us the wisdom to be more merciful and compassionate. Bless us with the opportunity to encounter those who need our help. We are grateful to experience each moment, whether it is challenging or successful. Allow us to see your face and accept the invitation to see our reflection in those to whom we provide mercy. This brings us closer to you and helps us grow as people of mercy.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son.
Amen.
Thursday, May 9 | As people of justice / Dans la justice
For Thursday’s challenge, we are encouraged to share activities that reflect Catholic Social Justice. Please amplify and share your experience by capturing by video or photo how you practice Catholic Social Justice and live as people of justice. Be sure to share your message using the hashtags #ocsbHope and #CathEdWeek.
Prayer
Loving God,
You teach us to seek justice and protect those in need. We pray for your guidance and support when unfairness and injustice try to overwhelm us. We ask that you continue to shine a light on those in the darkness and bring hope to those in need.
We make this prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son.
Amen.
Friday, May 10 | As people of joy / Dans la joie
Let’s participate in Friday’s challenge by sharing inspiring stories of love and charity. These actions bring joy to ourselves and others. You can capture your participation through photos or videos of you and your community engaging in these acts. Don’t forget to share your message using the hashtags #ocsbHope and #CathEdWeek.
Prayer
Loving God,
As we come to the end of Catholic Education Week, we reflect about all the ways that we have celebrated the gift of Catholic Education as a people of hope, faith, mercy, justice, and joy. We are called to join together with our Catholic family as one people who are called to love.
Guide us today and every day to act with hope, faith, mercy, justice and joy as you have called us to do. May we seek out ways to bring others closer to you by sharing your care for all people through our own actions.
Praise to you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
