Catholic Schools Week is a time of celebration of the bright light that Catholic schools are to the children and communities they serve. This Catholic Schools Week prayer service has a special focus on light and in a particular way the light that shines forth from the students in Catholic schools everywhere.
+ Sign of the Cross
Scripture Reading
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
"You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father." (Matthew 5:13:16)
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, Your light shines brightly in your children. You have inspired us to do good deeds in your name. Bless this school and all who work to make your will known in the world. We ask this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Intercessions
[Have students create their own intentions to be offered during the prayer service]
The response is: Lord, let you light shine before your people.
December 8, 2010, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, was a momentous day for the Church and for the United States of America. It was on that day that Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay issued a decree that authenticated the nineteenth-century apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary to a young woman, Adele Brise, in the farmlands near Champion, Wisconsin. A shrine built there, the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help, is now worthy of belief as a site where Mary really appeared along the level of Guadalupe in Mexico, Lourdes in France, and Fatima in Portugal. Mary’s appearances to Adele Brise are the first Marian apparitions approved by the Church for the United States.
Adele Brise’s story is a remarkable one. At age twenty-four and the oldest of four children of Belgian immigrants, she came with her family to the Green Bay peninsula in 1855. Her father purchased 240 acres of land in the town of Red River for $120 dollars. Adele had intended to join a religious community when she came to America, but her first days in Wisconsin were taken up with the hard work of farming and pioneer life.
Adele’s life changed in early October 1859. While carrying grain to a mill about four miles from her home, Mary appeared to her. A few days later, on October 9, while walking to Sunday Mass in Bay Settlement, about eleven miles from home, Mary appeared to her again. After Mass, Adele told the pastor about what she had seen. He said to her, “Ask in God’s name who it was and what it desired of her.” On the way, home, Mary appeared a third time and Adele asked the question as the pastor had suggested. Mary responded:
"I am the Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners and I wish you to do the same. Gather the children in this wild country and teach them what they should know for salvation. Teach them their catechism, how to sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and how to approach the sacraments."
Adele Brise dedicated the rest of her life to doing what Mary instructed. She gathered the children near her home and taught them the faith. She also traveled to other farms, sometimes as far as fifty miles away, to do the same. She faced challenges of the forest and weather that were often easier to handle than ridicule that came from those who didn’t believe that Mary had appeared to her.
Eventually, a school and chapel were built at the site of the appearances. Most of the students were orphans. Adele, who gathered a lay community known as the Sisters of Good Help around her, often went begging for what she and the school needed. When food was scarce, Adele would pray to Mary for help. Inevitably someone would drop by a sack of flour or some meat to get them through the next days.
A huge fire known as the Peshitgo Fire threatened the area on October 8, 1871 (the same day as the Chicago Fire). People brought animals and their families to the grounds of the chapel. Adele carried a statue of Mary around the perimeter of the grounds. On the outer portion of the perimeter everything burned. The fire did not advance inside the five-acre perimeter near the school and chapel. Many considered this a miracle. The procession is repeated every year on October 8.
Bishop Ricken began looking into Mary’s appearances in 2009, and much of his investigation involved the life of Adele Brise. The bishop said this about her:
"What has struck me about the story of the life of Adel Brise is her lifelong fidelity to what the Blessed Mother asked her to do with her life. She dedicated her life to prayer, especially for the conversion of sinners, and to the catechesis of children. She made great sacrifices and attracted other young women to follow her in fidelity to the Blessed Mother’s call."
Activities
Plan as if you are able to make a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. Ask students to prepare an itinerary of their pilgrimage.
Write a prayer of petition to Our Lady of Good Help.
Create a PowerPoint or slide show of the approved Marian apparitions.
Investigate other Marian apparitions that have been considered but not approved. Write a report on at least one of these.
Icebreaker for Lesson on Discipleship
Make three different kinds of popcorn in three different bowls: one with butter and salt, one with salt only, and one with neither butter not salt. Divide the class into four equal groups. Have three groups sample and describe one kind of popcorn. Have the group with no popcorn tell what it feels like to have none. Relate the discussion to Jesus' life and the life of a disciple, to gradually give up everything to do God's will.
Icebreaker for Lesson on the Trinity
Each student should have a clear glass. Walk around the room filling each glass with water. Pause and call on a volunteer to say what is in the glass ("water"). Next, pour two tablespoons of sugar in each glass and ask someone to say what is in the glass now ("sugar water"). Then pour a small scoop of unsweetened Kool-Aid into each glass. Again, ask what they have ("Kool-Aid"). Point out how the three parts make up one drink. Connect the example to a lesson on the Trinity after everyone drinks their Kool-Aid.
Icebreaker for Lesson on Communion of Saints
Display several photos of former students around the classroom. Tell the current students some things about these former students: what they were like in high school, what they have accomplished in the years since, what you learned about life and faith from them, what legacy they left the school, etc. If possible have one of the former students speak to your class on these topics. Connect the bond the current students and former students share with the bond we all share with the Communion of Saints.
Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was a Catholic convert and seen by many as the foundress of Catholic parochial schools in the United States. Her primary inspiration and attraction to the Catholic Church was the Blessed Sacrament. In honor of her feast day on January 4, consider sharing these prayers with your students and fellow teachers:Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Prayer for StudentsO God, You called Elizabeth Ann Seton to be an instrument of your loving mercy. Despite loss and sorrow, she was an example of hope and love. Inspire us with your Blessed Sacrament to live our life for others. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Teacher. Amen. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Prayer for TeachersHoly Father, You called Elizabeth Ann Seton to educate your children. Inspire us, by her example, to find your will in the present moment. Through her prayers, may we learn to teach others how to love like you. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Teacher. Amen. For a couple of concise bios on Mother Seton see:
Catholic.org: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
SQPN: Elizabeth Ann Seton
