1. Celebrating the Liturgical Year of the Church in our Classrooms

2. The Church year is different from our calendar year, it is based around the feasts of the Church and is broken up into Liturgical Seasons. Alive-O7 Teachers Manual contains Background for teachers on Liturgical Year. Poster in Alive-O 7, Liturgical Year Activity Sheet Alive-O7 Workbook Page 27

3. ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER

4. Mark the beginning of the school year with Assembly/Prayer Service/Mass. Welcome especially infants, new families, new children joining other classes, Welcome “new Irish” to our schools, new teachers, new special needs assistants, new ancillary staff, new board of management members.

5. Plenty of examples in opening lessons in Alive-O teachers’ manual. Nice prayer time in Alive-O 5 (p.5) Our Lady’s Birthday September 8 th Feast of St. Vincent de Paul September 27 th Alive-O Term 1, lesson 8

6. OCTOBER AUTUMN

7. Feast of St.Therese of Lisieux October 1 st see Alive-O 8 Term 2 Lesson 2 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi October 4 th see Alive-O 6 Term 1 Lesson 4 Blessed Columba Marmion (Dublin) October 3 rd Children Helping Children National Day of Prayer October 10 th 2008 (Always 2 nd Friday of October)

8. Month of the Rosary Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary October 7 th Joyful Mysteries Alive-O 3 Term 3 Lesson 1 Sorrowful Mysteries Alive-O 4 Term 3 Lesson 1 Glorious Mysteries Alive-O 6 Term 1 Lesson 5 Mysteries of Light Alive­-O7 Term 1 Lesson 7 Day of Prayer for Emigrants October 12 th 2008 Mission Sunday October 19 th 2008

9. NOVEMBER

10. Feast of all Saints/ All Souls November 1 st /2 nd Alive-O 1-4 School book of remembrance for those who have died in families, in our school, in our community Opportunity to discuss the patron saint of the school (if relevant) All the Saints of Ireland November 6 th Alive-O 5 Term 1 Lesson 7, Alive-O 8 Term 1 Lesson 13-16

11. St. Brigid Alive-O Term 2 Lesson 3 St. Patrick Alive-O Term 2 Lesson 8, Alive-O2 Term 2 Lesson 7 St. Columba Alive-O3 Term 1 Lesson 6 St. Gobnait Alive-O4 Term 3 Lesson 10 St. Brendan Alive-O5 Term 1 Lesson 7 & Term 3 Lesson 8 St. Canaire Alive-O6 Term 1 Lesson 4 St. Kevin & St. Laurence O’Toole Alive-O7 Term 1 Lesson 8 (Icon & Video/Dvd) Feast of St. Laurence O’Toole November 14 th Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary November 21 st Feast of Christ the King November 23 rd 2008

12. ADVENT

13. First Sunday in Advent Sunday November 30 th 2008 Beginning of the Church New Year Alive-O7 Teachers’ Book (background information) Advent as a time of Preparation for Christmas Alive-O 1-4, term 1 Lesson 12-14, Alive-O5 Term 1 Lesson 9-11, Alive-O7 Term 1 Lesson 12-14 Opportunity for Blessing of Advent Wreath and Crib for school, class. Advent Prayer Service

14. Feast of St. Francis Xavier December 3 rd Feast of St. Nicholas (Galway) December 6 th Feast of Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary December 8 th Feast of St. Lucy December 13 th Feast of St. Flannan (Killaloe) December 18 th The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ December 25 th Feast of St. Stephen first Martyr December 26 th Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph December 28 th

15. JANUARY – NEW YEAR

16. Solemnity of Mary Mother of God & World Day of Peace January 1 st Epiphany of Our Lord January 6 th Feast of St. Munchin January 3 rd (Limerick) Feast of the Baptism of the Lord January 8 th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January) World Day for Migrants and Refugees (January) Education in Faith Sunday (January) Feast of Blessed Margaret Ball January 30 th (Dublin) Feast of Blessed Francis Taylor January 30 th (Dublin & Meath) Feast of St. Aidan January 30 th (Ferns) Feast of St. John Bosco, Patron Saint of the youth January 31 st

17. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

18. Baptism In The Alive-O Programme Alive-O3 Term 3 Lesson 6 Alive-O4 Term 3 Lesson 9 Alive-O 5, 6, 7, 8, also deal with Sacrament of Baptism These lessons provide an opportunity to discuss Holy Water, Baptismal photographs/memories Confirmation classes Renewal of Baptismal Promises (Alive-O 7&8 video/DVD on Confirmation from the Chrism Mass to Confirmation Celebration) (DVD now available)

19. FEBRUARY

20. Feast of St. Brigid February 1 st Alive-O Term 2 Lesson 3 Poster in infants pack and words of song “We sing a song to Brigid” to be found in Alive-O 1,2,5 &6 Presentation of Our Lord & Candlemas February 2 nd Feast of St. Blaise February 3 rd World Day for Consecrated Life (early February) Day of Prayer for Temperance (early February)

21. Feast of St. Mel February 7 th (Ardagh & Clonmacnois) Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes February 11 th World Day of the sick (February 11 th ) Feast of St.Gobnait February 11 th Alive-O4 Term 3 Lesson 10 (Cork) Feast of St. Valentine February 14 th The Chair of St.Peter (Office of Pope) February 22 nd

22. LENT

23. Ash Wednesday Blessing and distribution of Ashes Alive-O 3/4 Term 2 Lesson 4 Alive-O 5/6/7/8/ Term 2 Lesson 5,6,6,7 Lent as a time of preparation for Easter Alive-O 3/4 Term 2 Lesson 4 Alive- O5/6/7/8/ Term 2 Lesson 5,6,6,7 Ash Wednesday Blessing and distribution of Ashes Alive-O 3/4 Term 2 Lesson 4 Alive-O 5/6/7/8/ Term 2 Lesson 5,6,6,7 Lent as a time of preparation for Easter Alive-O 3/4 Term 2 Lesson 4 Alive- O5/6/7/8/ Term 2 Lesson 5,6,6,7

24. Holy Week/The Triduum Alive-O Term 2 Lesson 10 Alive-O3/4 Term 2 Lesson 9 & Term 2 Lesson 10 Alive-O 5/6/7/8/ Term 2 Lesson 10,9,12,8, Stations of the Cross Alive-O5 Term 2 Lesson 10 Alive-O8 Term 2 Lesson 8

25. EASTER

26. Alive-O Term 2 Lesson 10 Alive-O3/4 Term 2 Lesson 9 & Term 2 Lesson 10 Alive-O 5/6/7/8/ Term 3 Lesson 1 (Post Resurrection)

27. Feast of St. Kieran March 5 th (Ossory) Feast of St. John of God March 8 th Patron of nurses, the sick, heart patients, printers and booksellers Feast of St. Senan March 8 th Alive-O6 Feast of St. Aengus March 11 th (Kildare & Leighlin) Feast of St. Patrick March 17 th Alive-O Term 2 Lesson 8 & Alive-O2 Term 2 Lesson 7 Feast of St. Joseph Patron of the Church & Husbands March 19 th Feast of St. Macartan March 24 th (Clogher) Feast of the Annunciation of our Lord March 25 th

28. EASTER SEASON

29. Feast of St. Ceallach (Celsus) April 1 st (Armagh) Anniversary of the death of Pope John Paul April 2 nd (2005) Feast of St. John Baptist de La Salle April 7 th Patron of Teachers Vocation Sunday (Day of Prayer for Vocations) April 13 th 2008 Feast of St. Bernadette Soubirous of Lourdes April 16 th Feast of St. Laserian (Molaise) April 18 th (Kildare & Leighlin) Anniversary of election of Pope Benedict XVI as supreme Pastor of the Church April 19 th (2005) Solemn inauguration April 24 th (2005) Feast of St. Asicus Disciple of St.Patrick, April 27 th (Elphin)

30. Ascension of The Lord (May 11 th 2008) Feast of Pentecost (May 11 th 2008) Alive-O 3/4 Term 3 Lesson 6,9Alive-O 5/6/7/8 Term 3 Lesson 6,6, Term 2 Lesson 7,8, Term 3 Lesson 1

31. FEASTS OF MARY IN ALIVE-O MAY

32. * Annunciation (March 25 th ) Alive-O8 Term 2 Lesson 6 Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8 th ) Alive-O8 Term 2 Lesson 6 Assumption (August 15 th ) Alive-O 6 & 8 Term 1 Lesson 5 & Term 2 Lesson 6 Mary Mother of God (January 1 st ) Alive-O8 Term 2 Lesson 6 Our Lady’s Birthday (September 8 th ) Alive-O8 Term 2 Lesson 6 Our Lady of the Rosary (October 7 th ) Alive-O7 Term 1 Lesson 7

33. Feast of St. Joseph the Worker May 1 st (Patron of all workers) World Communication Day May (4 th May 2008) Feast of St.Conleth May 4 th (Kildare & leighlin, Dublin) Feast of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice May 5 th (Christian Brother Schools) Feast of St. Brendan the Navigator May 16 th (Kerry) Alive-O5 Term 3 Lesson 8 Feast of Our Lady of Fatima May 13 th

34. Feast of St. Carthage May15 th (Waterford &Lismore) Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus May 30 th Feast of St. Joan of Arc May 30 th Feast of Corpus Christi May 25 th 2008 Visitation of the Virgin Mary May 31 st Alive-O3 Term 3 Lesson 1

35. Feast of the Most Holy Trinity (May 8th 2008) (see Rublev Icon Alive-O 8 Term 1) The Trinity in Alive-O Alive-O5 Term 1 Lesson 1 and 7, Term 3 Lesson 1 Alive-O6 Term 3 Lesson 6 Alive-O7 Term 2 Lesson 7-11 Alive-O8 Term 1 Lesson 3,4,5. Celebration of the Sacrament of First Eucharist (May & June)

36. ORDINARY TIME JUNE

37. Feast of St. Kevin of Glendalough June 3 rd Alive-O7 Term 1 Lesson 8 Feast of St. Jarleth June 6 th (Tuam) Feast of St. Columba (Columcille) June 9 th (Donegal) (Patron of Glenstal Abbey) Feast of the The Irish Martyrs June 20 th Birthday of St. John The Baptist June 24 th Alive-O5 Term 1 Lesson 10 Feast of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr, June 28 th Title of Alive-O programme is based on the inspirational writings of St. Irenaeus. “The Glory of God is People Fully Alive” Suggestions for graduation/ farewell ritual for sixth classes Alive-O8 Feast of St. Kevin of Glendalough June 3 rd Alive-O7 Term 1 Lesson 8 Feast of St. Jarleth June 6 th (Tuam) Feast of St. Columba (Columcille) June 9 th (Donegal) (Patron of Glenstal Abbey) Feast of the The Irish Martyrs June 20 th Birthday of St. John The Baptist June 24 th Alive-O5 Term 1 Lesson 10 Feast of St. Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr, June 28 th Title of Alive-O programme is based on the inspirational writings of St. Irenaeus. “The Glory of God is People Fully Alive” Suggestions for graduation/ farewell ritual for sixth classes Alive-O8

38. SeasonColourReason AdventPurple/VioletPenance/Longing ChristmasWhiteGlory OrdinaryGreenHope, Growth, Fruitfulness LentPurple/VioletPenance/Longing EasterWhiteGlory PentecostRedFire of Spirit Feast DaysWhiteGlory Colours of the Liturgical Year Vestments, Banners, Altar Dressing, Flowers

39. www.catholic.orgwww.catholic.org website for information on all our saints www.trocaire.org official overseas development agency of Catholic Church in Ireland www.catholicireland.net up to date liturgical information, saints of the day, pray to God, Religious Education information, Religious Education book reviews etc. www.missionalive.org or www.imu.ie supporting mission awareness and returned missionaries in Ireland www.veritas.ie very useful for ourselves for up to date pricing, available resources etc, as well as opportunity for schools to order online for their school resources. www.vatican.va official Vatican Website in Rome www.missionsocities.ie official agency of the Catholic Church for overseas mission development. www.catholic.org website for information on all our saints www.trocaire.org official overseas development agency of Catholic Church in Ireland www.catholicireland.net up to date liturgical information, saints of the day, pray to God, Religious Education information, Religious Education book reviews etc. www.missionalive.org or www.imu.ie supporting mission awareness and returned missionaries in Ireland www.veritas.ie very useful for ourselves for up to date pricing, available resources etc, as well as opportunity for schools to order online for their school resources. www.vatican.va official Vatican Website in Rome www.missionsocities.ie official agency of the Catholic Church for overseas mission development. www.trocaire.org www.catholicireland.net www.missionalive.orgwww.imu.ie www.veritas.ie www.vatican.va www.missionsocities.ie www.catholic.org www.trocaire.org www.catholicireland.net www.missionalive.orgwww.imu.ie www.veritas.ie www.vatican.va www.missionsocities.ie