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During the academic year 2021-2022, we present 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 the class’s 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

1. Dear Lord,

At the beginning of this Scholastic Year, we thank you for the many blessings you have given us and your protection during the pandemic. We pray for a better year, a safe return to our classrooms, and the health of students, teachers, and school staff who are pressured to make difficult decisions and 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 want 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 Sisters

This prayer space helps us to reflect that we are all one family and one community united in Christ.

Arms Wide Open

In 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 Gain

In this prayer space one focuses on the things one has to let go to make more space to love others.

Birthday Prayers

This prayer space invites one to think of someone special’s birthday and pray for them.

 

Dirty Apron

In this prayer space one will think about how to serve and help with love in everything.

Keep Others Safe

In this prayer space, one reflects on the vulnerable and fragile people who are greatly affected by the pandemic.

Hand In Hand

This 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 ToMonth Assembly Themes
273September New Start
410October All Brothers and Sisters
1117 October  Holistically Healthy
1824 October Mission DayActive Aging
2531 October  Just Justice
17NovemberMidtermThe Saints: those who love God and everyone
814 November  Science and Peace
1521 November  Remembering All Souls
2228 November  Our Talents
295 November Advent starts Inclusion Secures Opportunities
612DecemberSt Nicholas Generosity is Contagious
1319 December  A quest for a Better Place
1016January The Value of time
1723January No Room for Labels
2430January One Big Family
316January Building a Protective Community
713February Be Happy
1420 February  Simplicity is Beautiful
2127 February  Our Sick Brothers and Sisters
713March Freedom From…
1420 March  Being Selfless
2127 March  Connecting the Drops
283 March  Love is All… All is Love
410April Choosing between Good and Bad
251April Together We Belong
28May Our Maltese Continent
915 May  Forgive and Be Forgiven
1622 May  In the Beehive
2329 May Ascension of our LordIn Harmony with Our Planet Earth
305 May PentecostPeace Begins with a Smile
612June The Joy of Creativity
1319JuneWorld Day against Child LabourCherishing our Childhood

Assemblies

The Joy of Creativity
6th to 12th June

Cherishing Our Childhood
13th to 19th June

Malti