During the academic year 2021-2022, we are presenting these reflections and resources related to ‘All Brothers and Sisters’ which could be used during assembly time or in other moments. The pastoral ministry was needed more than ever since we needed to strengthen the connectedness in our relationships and restore hope, especially in our young generations. Even though these resources were created with an age range in mind, it is left to the professional way of the educators to adapt this material according to the school’s and to the class needs and ethos.
The Present Day
All Brothers and Sisters – an expression that is becoming ever more important and relevant. We are all witnesses to many challenges, both local as well as international. Among the most evident is the pandemic, which struck every aspect of our lives, mainly in the most fragile parts of our personal and social lives.
Opening our eyes to what’s happening
The crises brought about by the pandemic, and climate change is evident and causing suffering in various regions of our world – the world we all call home. The progression of climate change is made worse by the bad decisions of us humans – decisions caused by egoism where one is interested only in their pleasure and what they may stand to gain.
This aspect also introduces us to moral and spiritual crises among the population of Malta and Gozo. Each person’s mentality that they come before everyone else destroys our natural environment, the beauty of the built environment, family life, our economic and democratic systems, relations between people of different races, sexual orientations, religions and philosophies, and every other aspect depends on each other.
Recognising our value
Every person is given the greatest gift of life, with which we recognise our value and continue to develop it with the decisions we take. One can decide that they are all that matters. That way, their relationship with God, others, and creation is used for egotistical gain, or they can decide to recognise the precious gift of life and appreciate other relationships. Life is lived through love and charity towards every member of our brothers and sisters, even if we see them as wildly different from us or even a threat.
Scholastic Theme – All Brothers and Sisters
The theme during the scholastic year (2021-2022) – All Brothers and Sisters – will encourage us to recognise the beauty of the life we have within ourselves that goes beyond financial wealth, popularity, honours and personal gain that one can attain by their actions. We recognise this beauty in each other especially through those who are more vulnerable.
Resources according to the requirements
As SDS, we will develop assistance for reflection about how we experience this in schools. These resources include assemblies, resources for celebrations of liturgy, reflective and hands-on activities through the use of prayer spaces, assistance for meditation practice, as well as opportunities for school projects related to this same theme ‘All Brothers and Sisters’ according to the needs and requirements that develop throughout this year.
As always, we greatly appreciate your ideas and suggestions, and for this, we thank you in advance.
A Reading from the First Letter of John (1 Jn 4: 7-12)
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
The Word of God
R/. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 17, 2-3a.3nc-4-47, 51ab)
R/: I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, and my fortress,
and my deliverer; my God, my strength,
in whom I will trust; my shelter,
and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. R/.
I will call upon the Lord,
who is worthy to be praised:
so shall I be saved from mine enemies. R/.
The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be God my Saviour!
You who gave great victories to your king
And showed kindness to your anointed. R/.
Gospel
A Reading from the Gospel of Mark (Mk 10:13-15)
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
The Gospel of the Lord
R/. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
A Reading for the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (Is 43, 18-19. 21-22. 24-25)
Thus says the Lord: “No need to remember past events, no need to think about what was done before. Look, I am doing something new, now it emerges; can you not see it? Yes, I am making a road in the desert and rivers in wastelands. The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises. But, Jacob, you have not invoked me; no, Israel, you have grown weary of me. You have not bought expensive reed for me or sated me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead by your sins you have treated me like a slave, you have wearied me with your crimes, I, I it is who blot out your acts of revolt for my own sake and shall not call your sins to mind.”
The Word of God
R/. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118 (119)
R/: Joyful are those who obeys God’s law
Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
Gospel
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 5, 38-48)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Gospel of the Lord
R/. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
A Reading for the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (Is 43, 18-19. 21-22. 24-25)
Thus says the Lord: “No need to remember past events, no need to think about what was done before. Look, I am doing something new, now it emerges; can you not see it? Yes, I am making a road in the desert and rivers in wastelands. The people I have shaped for myself will broadcast my praises. But, Jacob, you have not invoked me; no, Israel, you have grown weary of me. You have not bought expensive reed for me or sated me with the fat of your sacrifices. Instead by your sins, you have treated me like a slave, you have wearied me with your crimes, I, I it is who blot out your acts of revolt for my own sake and shall not call your sins to mind.”
The Word of God
R/. Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm Psalm 118 (119)
R/: Joyful are those who obey God’s law
Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!
Gospel
A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt. 5, 38-48)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[a] But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
The Gospel of the Lord
R/. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
1. Let us pray for the Catholic Church, for Francis our Pope, our bishops Charles and Joseph bishops, and for all bishops, priests, and deacons, we pray to the Lord:
Lord Hear Our Prayer
2. Inspire the leaders of the world, to work together and to promote peace and justice, we pray to the Lord:
Lord Hear Our Prayer
3 Bless our school community and help us to serve others in all that we do, and work together to love others as Christ loves us, we pray to the Lord:
Lord Hear Our Prayer
4. Protect the sick, suffering, or in any kind of danger, that they would experience the healing power of Christ’s love, we pray to the Lord:
Lord Hear Our Prayer
5. Lord, we pray that those we love who have gone before us in faith, may know their forgiveness of sins and rest in peace.
Lord Hear Our Prayer
(Let’s spend some time in silence to present to God our personal prayers)
For our own needs and intentions, that we now recall in our hearts [pause], we pray to the Lord: Lord Hear Our Prayer
1. Dear Lord,
At the beginning of this Scholastic Year, we would like to thank you for the many blessings you have given us and for your protection during the pandemic. We pray for a better year; for a safe return to our classrooms; for the health of students, teachers and school staff under pressure to make difficult decisions; and for parents exhausted by the uncertainty and constantly changing plans. Give us the courage, Lord, to trust in your love and mercy.
R/. Lord hear us
2. Dear Lord,
We would like to pray for all students. Give us the courage to accept the new challenges and exciting opportunities which come our way so we can develop our talents to make the world a better place.
R/. Lord hear us
3. Merciful and loving God,
We pray for all those who are suffering hunger, loneliness, , injustice, war or discrimination. Help us, dear Lord, to disperse the darkness by bringing bring love, peace and kindness to the people we meet every day.
R/. Lord hear us
4. Mother Mary,
We ask you to bless all families and to protect them from all harm. Help them to spend quality time together, to find time to listen to each other as well as to pray together.
R/. Mary hear us
(Let’s spend some time in silence to present to God our personal prayers)
1. Dear Lord,
At the beginning of this Scholastic Year, we would like to thank you for the many blessings you have given us and for your protection during the pandemic. We pray for a better year; for a safe return to our classrooms; for the health of students, teachers and school staff under pressure to make difficult decisions; and for parents exhausted by the uncertainty and constantly changing plans. Give us the courage, Lord, to trust in your love and mercy.
R/. Lord hear us
2. Dear Lord,
We would like to pray for all students. Give us the courage to accept the new challenges and exciting opportunities which come our way so we can develop our talents to make the world a better place.
R/. Lord hear us
3. Merciful and loving God,
We pray for all those who are suffering hunger, loneliness, , injustice, war or discrimination. Help us, dear Lord, to disperse the darkness by bringing bring love, peace and kindness to the people we meet every day.
R/. Lord hear us
4. Mother Mary,
We ask you to bless all families and to protect them from all harm. Help them to spend quality time together, to find time to listen to each other as well as to pray together.
R/. Mary hear us
(Let’s spend some time in silence to present to God our personal prayers)
These seven prayer spaces can be used in relation to the year theme. Together as brothers and sisters may we encourage each other to recognise the beauty of life we have within ourselves and those around us.
 All Brothers and SistersThis prayer space helps us to reflect that we are all one family and one community united in Christ. |
 Arms Wide OpenIn this prayer space one thinks of people who deserve a warm welcome and to pray so one puts love and compassion into practice. |
 Lose To GainIn this prayer space one focuses on the things one has to let go to make more space to love others. |
 Birthday PrayersThis prayer space invites one to think of someone special’s birthday and pray for them.
|
 Dirty ApronIn this prayer space one will think about how to serve and help with love in everything. |
 Keep Others SafeIn this prayer space, one reflects on the vulnerable and fragile people who are greatly affected by the pandemic. |
 Hand In HandThis prayer space gives time for on to reflect on those who have been by our sides, holding our hands, because they love, care and support us. |
| From | To | Month | Assembly Themes | |
| 27 | 3 | September | New Start | |
| 4 | 10 | October | All Brothers and Sisters | |
| 11 | 17 | October | Holistically Healthy | |
| 18 | 24 | October | Mission Day | Active Aging |
| 25 | 31 | October | Just Justice | |
| 1 | 7 | November | Midterm | The Saints: those who love God and everyone |
| 8 | 14 | November | Science and Peace | |
| 15 | 21 | November | Remembering All Souls | |
| 22 | 28 | November | Our Talents | |
| 29 | 5 | November | Advent starts | Inclusion Secures Opportunities |
| 6 | 12 | December | St Nicholas | Generosity is Contagious |
| 13 | 19 | December | A quest for a Better Place | |
| 10 | 16 | January | The Value of time | |
| 17 | 23 | January | No Room for Labels | |
| 24 | 30 | January | One Big Family | |
| 31 | 6 | January | Building a Protective Community | |
| 7 | 13 | February | Be Happy | |
| 14 | 20 | February | Simplicity is Beautiful | |
| 21 | 27 | February | Our Sick Brothers and Sisters | |
| 7 | 13 | March | Freedom From… | |
| 14 | 20 | March | Being Selfless | |
| 21 | 27 | March | Connecting the Drops | |
| 28 | 3 | March | Love is All… All is Love | |
| 4 | 10 | April | Choosing between Good and Bad | |
| 25 | 1 | April | Together We Belong | |
| 2 | 8 | May | Our Maltese Continent | |
| 9 | 15 | May | Forgive and Be Forgiven | |
| 16 | 22 | May | In the Beehive | |
| 23 | 29 | May | Ascension of our Lord | In Harmony with Our Planet Earth |
| 30 | 5 | May | Pentecost | Peace Begins with a Smile |
| 6 | 12 | June | The Joy of Creativity | |
| 13 | 19 | June | World Day against Child Labour | Cherishing our Childhood |
Assemblies
The Joy of Creativity
6th to 12th June
Cherishing Our Childhood
13th to 19th June