Every year our children and young people help decorate St Leonard's for our Easter Masses with their art work. We would like to continue that tradition this year. We are inviting all our young people in the parish to help us decorate our social media/website for Easter. Please send photos of your artwork/creations based on the Easter story to
durhammartyrswebsite@hotmail.com
Here is a meditative story and reflection for children.
God has given us so much, yet we spend most of our time worrying about what we don’t have. Perhaps if we take the time to look around at what we do have and give thanks to God, we will realize that God is already caring for our needs. Worrying just keeps us from appreciating what we already have. And what we already have is more than we need. Spend some time thinking about what we have around us, look out of the window, what do you see?
What did you worry about yesterday?
Did worrying change anything?
How did God help you?
God walks beside us every day. God helped Jesus while he was on earth, and he helps us also. Just look at how God helps us meet our needs already.
What gifts has God given us? Let’s go to Jesus and ask him to help us think of the gifts God the Father has given us.
(Ask a grown up or an older brother or sister to read the story to you if you can or you can reflect on it by yourself.)
Now… Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, and relax.
You are standing in a green field. It is a warm spring day. Look around you, and see the beauty of this place… Notice that the sky is blue. There is just one fluffy, white cloud floating by… Feel the warm sun on your head… Begin to walk through the field. The weeds that brush against your legs tickle, don’t they? And look at all the flowers everywhere-yellow, pink, white and blue, so many beautiful colours…
Listen to the bees buzzing around the flowers. Even the butterflies are attracted to the flowers… You are enjoying all of God’s gifts that surround you. Isn’t God wonderful to create such beauty for us to enjoy?
Listen to the birds singing and calling out to each other. They are resting on the branches of the trees just ahead… Walk over to the trees. A group of men are sitting in the cool shade of a large tree… As you walk closer, you recognize that it is Jesus sitting by the large tree with his disciples. Jesus sees you and calls you by your name. He motions for you to join the group… Isn’t it great to be hear? Jesus smiles at you. He pats the ground next to him and invites you to sit down beside him. It feels good to be wanted by Jesus, doesn’t it?... Jesus points to a nearby tree.
“That little bird has been singing and singing for a while now,” Jesus tells you and smiles. He points to the flowers, the butterflies, and two squirrels chasing each other.
“Isn’t nature beautiful? Oh, how loving our Father is.”…
Jesus laughs, turns to you, and says,
“Let us see how many of our Father’s gifts we can name.”
Spend some quiet time with Jesus (Allow a few minutes of silence.)
Jesus invites you to pray with him.
Father, thank you for the soft grass under our feet, the blue sky above our heads, the bird’s song, and the fragrance of the flower.
Thank you for the laughter of friends, the love of our families, and the company of all your creation. You have given us a world of beauty. Help us to appreciate and take care of all your gifts. (pause)
Amen
It’s time to leave Jesus. Say goodbye… Give Jesus a big smile and thank him. Feel the love and warmth of his smile back to you. Slowly you begin to walk away… Stop, turn and wave good bye once more. Jesus smiles and waves…Open your eyes and come back to where you are.
First of all Keona and Megan would like to say a big thank you to Kitty Trainor for making the beautiful quilt and to Audrey Lane for donating a knitted blanket. The response from both Churches, St Joseph's and St Godric's has been immense and Keona and Megan would like to say a big thank you to all the parishioners for their contribution and kindness. The girls raised an incredible £644.20. All the winners' names can be found below, and you can collect your prize from the girls, who will be at all Masses this weekend.
Raffle - St. Leonard's World Challenge Trip to Peru
List of Winners of the raffle held on 8th/9th February
St. Joseph's
Kitty Trainor’s Quilt Pat Taylor - Yellow 511-515
Audrey’s knitted blanket Margaret Wallace - Green 821-825
Spa set Kitty Trainor - Blue 171 - 175
Celebration mugs John Barratt - Green 666-670
Candle set. Norbert P - Green 801-805
Toiletries set. J Brownsword - Blue 186-190
Royal Jelly Set Marie Hawkins - Yellow 386-390
Rioja Erica Smith - Dark green 326-330
Wine Pat George - Yellow 491- 495
Pamper Set Sheila Hunter - Yellow 501 - 505
Notebook Marjorie - Dark green 286-290
Candle Anne Close - Blue 221-225
Egg cups Tate - Green 681-685
Gin &chocolate Bill Squire - Yellow 406-410
Scarf Anne Ridley - Yellow 461 -465
Scarf MT Flynn - Yellow 456-460
St Godric’s
Laura Ashley body set Kathleen - White 761-76
Set of glasses Joe Hughes - Blue 11-15
Candle Barbara - Blue 56-60
Wine Vincent Nelson - White 921-925
Sanctuary Spa Mr & Mrs Moran - Dark green 101-105
Candle M McGowan - Yellow 286-290
Box of biscuits John Harrison - Dark green 206-210
Candle set Elaine - Dark green 201-205
Picture frame Carre - White 776 - 780
Body Butter Set Sheila Layton - Dark green 151-155
Easter egg Leonard - Blue 51-55
Knitted scarf Joyce Grant - Dark green 56-60
