October – The Month of the Rosary This month we will reflect on the mysteries of the Rosary. This is a prayer that Catholics use to reflect on key parts of the life of Jesus and make sense of how they can help us act in our own lives. The Rosary is prayed on beads – each bead is for a particular prayer. There are 53 used for the Hail Mary and 6 for the Our Father. Each day we will reflect on a mystery of the Rosary and some days we will say a prayer that is used in the Rosary.

Monday 1st October The first Joyful Mystery – The Annunciation Let us reflect on the moment Mary was asked if she would follow God’s will and become Mother to Jesus. She said yes despite the fact this would mean great hardship for her. Let us try today to be willing to answer the call to follow the Gospel Value of Service and Sacrifice. May we think of others today by holding doors open, using our manners and having a helpful attitude.

Tuesday 2nd October The Second Joyful Mystery – The Visitation Let us remember when Mary visited Elizabeth and Elizabeth’s baby (John the Baptist) leapt in the womb because he was in the presence of Jesus (who was in Mary’s womb) May we rejoice and be happy in the goodness in the people that we meet today

Wednesday 3rd October The Third Joyful Mystery – The Birth of Jesus Let us reflect on Jesus coming into the world. Let us reflect on the Humble birth in the stable. Let us remember all those who are pregnant and about to give birth in poorer communities across the world. Let us follow that example of humility in the stable and try to be humble ourselves and not boastful or concerned with things like our appearance – showing purity, be appreciative and not take things for granted

Thursday 4th October https://youtu.be/qL1iENePUKs The 4th Joyful Mystery – The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple Let us remember when Mary and Joseph brought their baby to present him to God in the Temple. Let us present the best of ourselves today in all that we do. May we be faithful to the values of the school and show integrity by doing the right thing, simply because it is the right thing.

Friday 5th October The 5th Joyful Mystery – The Finding of Jesus Let us remember the time Mary and Joseph thought they had lost Jesus and then searched for him only to find him preaching in the Temple as a child. Let us search hard like Mary and Joseph to see the good in others.

Monday 8th October https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m_iIj7vyE4&t=18s The first Sorrowful Mystery – The Agony in the Garden Let us reflect on Jesus praying alone in the Garden of Olives waiting for the guards to come arrest him. Knowing he would be crucified the next day. Let us comfort those in our own lives who are weighed down with troubles and worries. May we show Compassion towards them.

Tuesday 9th October The 2nd Sorrowful Mystery – The Scourging at the Pillar Let us reflect on how Jesus reacted to being arrested and charged. He would not back down and renounce all the things he had taught and he suffered his torture by the Roman soldiers with dignity. May we stand up for what is right, even if it is not popular and risks others persecuting us.

Wednesday 10th October The third Sorrowful Mystery – The Crowning of Thorns Let us reflect on Jesus being crowned with thorns by the Roman Soldiers. Let us pray for all those who suffer at the hands of others and that we will have the courage to stand up to any injustices we see today.

Thursday 11th October The fourth Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus Carries his cross Let us reflect on Simon of Cyrene who was called to help Jesus carry his cross. May we follow this example and try to help someone today with a problem they face.

Friday 12th October The fifth Sorrowful Mystery – Jesus dies on the cross Let us reflect on Jesus dying on the cross. Even though he could have easily avoided this by renouncing his teachings and taking the easy way out – he didn’t because he wanted to set an example for us that treating others as we want to be treated is a principle worth dying for. Let us pray that we will have bravery and courage today to act out the Gospel Values in school.

Monday 15th October The first Glorious Mystery – The Resurrection of Jesus Today we reflect on Jesus rising from the dead after three days – defeating death. Let us draw hope that in God everything is possible. Let us be hopeful today that if we treat each other with gentleness and humility we will have a happy and prosperous school community.

Tuesday 16th October https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7m_iIj7vyE4&t=18s The second Glorious Mystery – Jesus Ascends into Heaven. Let us reflect on the glorious ascension of Jesus into heaven. Let us take comfort that we are invited to join him. May we follow the simple teaching he gave us – the Golden rule ‘Treat others as we would be treated’

Wednesday 17th October The third Glorious Mystery – The decent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles. Let us reflect on the Apostles who were scared after Jesus’ death and how the Holy Spirit gave them courage to go out of hiding and to preach the Gospel Values May we try our best to use the gift of wisdom today to understand the difference between right and wrong and to make good choices.

Thursday 18th October The fourth Glorious Mystery – The Assumption of Mary into heaven Let us reflect on the belief Catholics have that Mary the mother of Jesus was brought body and soul to heaven, which is what God wants for all of us. May we use our mind and body today to do good for others. To use our intellect, emotions, gifts and talents for good.

Friday 19th October The fifth Glorious Mystery – Mary is crowned Queen of heaven Let us reflect on Mary being crowned queen of heaven and her role as intercessor for us. May we be intercessors today, by being helpful ambassadors for the school

Monday 22nd October The first Luminous Mystery – The Baptism of Jesus Let us reflect on the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This marked the start of his public work preaching the Values of the Gospel which are the values of this school. May we keep in our minds our key church teaching that God has a plan for every person that is filled with hope and happiness. May this inform the way we treat each other.

Tuesday 23rd October The second Luminous Mystery – The Wedding Feast at Cana Let us reflect on the Wedding Feast of Cana. When they ran out of wine Mary asked Jesus to perform a miracle and he listen to his mother and turned the water into wine. Let us remember that we are surrounded in school by people who are willing to help if we are stuck or have a problem. Let that comfort us.

https://youtu.be/qL1iENePUKs Wednesday 24th October The third Luminous Mystery – Jesus preaches the Good News to the people Let us reflect on one of the things Jesus taught – to turn the other cheek – meaning to be peaceful, to avoid anger, to not seek revenge but also not to give up when we face obstacles to doing what is right. May we keep this in mind when if we fall out with our friends or have disagreements.

Thursday 25th October The fourth Luminous Mystery – The Transfiguration Let us reflect on Jesus revealing his divine nature to the apostles. A difficult thing to imagine. May we grow in our appreciation that when we treated everyone with dignity and compassion we transform the world around us into a better place.