A Students’ Prayer at the Beginning of School Year

We give you praise, O God,

for everything that is new and beautiful,
for everything which holds promise and brings
us joy.
Bless us as we start this new year
with our friends and teachers
Help us to make the most of every chance we
have to
start afresh.
 A Students’ Prayer at the Beginning of School Year

May we show love to one another and to all.

May the new beginning of this school year
remind us that you give us chances to start over again
and again.
Help us to forgive others as we receive your
forgiveness.
Help us to learn and to work together.
Help us to listen when we should
and to know the best words when we speak
and when it is better not to speak.
 A Students’ Prayer at the Beginning of School Year

We thank you for our friends.

Help us to be good friends this year.
Help us to be patient with ourselves and with
others.
Bless our school and keep us safe.
Be with us as we travel each day.
Help us to be aware of your love
shown to us in the people around us.
 A Students’ Prayer at the Beginning of School Year

Bless all those who care for us in school and at

home.
Help us show our care for them
and to say sorry when we need to.
May the Blessed Mother Mary protect us
And help us to live as well as we can
Giving thanks and glory to God as she did. Amen
Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21
When Jesus heard of the death of John the Baptist, he
withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The
crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their
towns. When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his
heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their
sick. When it was evening, the disciples approached him
and said, “This is a deserted place and it is already late;
dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and
buy food for themselves.” He said to them, “There is no
need for them to go away; give them some food
yourselves.” But they said to him, “Five loaves and two fish
are all we have here.”
Gospel: Matthew 14:13-21
Then he said, “Bring them here to me,” and he
ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking
the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to
heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and
gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to
the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied, and they
picked up the fragments left over– twelve wicker
baskets full. Those who ate were about five thousand
men, not counting women and children.
Gospel Reflection:
• Jesus withdraws to be by himself. His need is for safety and time alone.
This was his need but the people asked more of him. They didn’t ask for
food, they wanted him, his presence and healing. He in turn didn’t want
the crowd to have to go away and suggested a solution to the situation.
• Reflect on a time in your life when you really desired to know the Lord’s
presence with you more than anything else. How did the Lord respond?
How does the Lord continue to nourish you?