Please read all the notes which accompany this PowerPoint for Collective Worship. Please download it from the website and edit it as you wish. If you are delivering this assembly before the 13th October, then refer to Newman as Blessed John Henry Newman. If you are delivering the assembly after this date, then use Saint John Henry Newman. Additional suggestions for the presentation are included in italics. Before the assembly, prepare a focal point for prayer including; a green cloth, cross, candle, a presentation Bible open to 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11, pictures of hearts, chains and an image of Blessed John Henry Newman. A prayer card with the image of Blessed John Henry Newman and the prayer referred to in the PowerPoint is provided. You may wish to print the ‘Go Forth’ picture/prayer for children to take back to their classroom prayer focus. Let us begin our time of prayer today by making the sign of the cross: “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

We Gather Q) Who recognises this man?   Newman or John Henry Newman/ Cardinal Newman/ Blessed John Henry Newman. We are gathered here today as a Catholic Christian community to learn about the very special life of Blessed John Henry Newman. The reason we are thinking about him is because on the 13th October, Pope Francis will be making him a Saint. This is very special time for our country as he will be the first English person to canonised (made a saint) in nearly 50 years.

Let us explore what it means to be a saint. Q) What can you see?   A) Elicit responses of a window, light, stained glass window etc. The pictures on stained glass windows are usually of Bible stories/saints. We said we could see light shining through the window. Just as God created the sun, a saint is somebody that let’s God’s light shine through them by devoting their life to loving God and serving others. This is why we are thinking about Blessed John Henry Newman. The Church officially recognises that he lived a holy life and let God’s light shine through him by the things that he said and did whilst he was alive and because of his life of heroic virtue we can pray to him to ask him to intercede for us.

Who was John Henry Newman? Born 21st February 1801 (Victorian era). Eldest of 6 children (3 boys and 3 girls). Father worked in a London bank. He was brought up in the Church of England. As a child he enjoyed reading the Bible. Explore the facts.

John Newman was vicar of Oriel College, Oxford in 1828 John went to study at Oxford University aged 16. In 1825 he was ordained a priest in the Church of England. As his faith and knowledge grew Newman always searched for the truth about God. In 1845 aged 44 Newman became a Catholic at Littlemore near Oxford. Throughout his life he wrote many important books and letters. Newman was ordained a Catholic priest in Rome in 1847. In 1852 Newman moved to Birmingham and established a community of priests in the Oratory. In 1879 Pope Leo XIII made Newman a Cardinal. In 1890 Cardinal Newman died John Newman was vicar of Oriel College, Oxford in 1828 Explore the facts

Pope Francis will be making Blessed John Henry Newman a Saint on 13th October because of the life he lived. Pope Francis has recognised two miracles that were linked to Blessed John Henry Newman that happened after he had died.   Q: What is a miracle? A: Elicit responses that a miracle is a work of God which can be through prayer (intercession) to a particular saint. The first miracle occurred when Deacon Jack Sullivan was cured of a crippling spinal disease; the doctors could not help him, but the Deacon prayed to Blessed John Henry Newman and he was cured. The second miracle was a pregnant woman Melissa Villalobos who was suffering during her pregnancy. She also prayed to Newman and was healed. You can see in the picture Melissa and her daughter today.

1 Corinthians 12: 4-11 We listen Read a suitable version of this scripture passage-see text below (1 Corinthians 12: 4-11)   Invite everybody to make the sign the cross with their thumb on their forehead, lips and heart. We listen to the Word of God A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them.  There are different ways of serving, but the same Lord is served. There are different abilities to perform service, but the same God gives ability to all for their particular service. The Spirit's presence is shown in some way in each person for the good of all. 8 The Spirit gives one person a message full of wisdom, while to another person the same Spirit gives a message full of knowledge. 9 One and the same Spirit gives faith to one person, while to another person he gives the power to heal. The Spirit gives one person the power to work miracles; to another, the gift of speaking God's message; and to yet another, the ability to tell the difference between gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not. To one person he gives the ability to speak in strange tongues, and to another he gives the ability to explain what is said. But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person. The Word of the Lord 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11

We Respond We hear in the letter to the Corinthians about the gifts from the Holy Spirit. Blessed John Newman said that we all have a definite service that only we can achieve. It is a bit like having a special mission for us all to bring God’s love to everyone we meet. One of the ways we can understand our mission is to spend time with God in prayer. Newman had a special saying ‘Heart speaks unto heart’. This means that when we pray, our heart’s connect to God’s love and we grow closer to Him. We show we love God through our actions. Newman also said that we are like links in a chain, this means that we should all work together to build the Kingdom of God.   Let us be attentive and discerning to our own gifts and talents as we reflect upon the gifts that we have been blessed with. (Play appropriate background music/or time spent in silence). Questions for reflection: What is your gift? Perhaps you are caring, faith-filled, wise. Which gift do you feel you need the Holy spirit to help you develop?... (Pause) How can you use your gift to make God’s world a better place for everyone to live in? How can you be a living saint? How can you do this at home? In School? The clubs/activities that you go to? In your Church?

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We Go Forth Blessed John Henry Newman taught that we are all created for a special purpose. We have thought about our gifts and talents and how we can use these to make the world a better place. Go forth and live out your mission to love God, serve others through prayer and sharing your special gifts. Discuss – Blessed John Henry Newman taught that we are all created for a special purpose. We have thought about our gifts and talents and how we can use these to make the world a better place. Go forth and live out your mission to love God, serve others through prayer and sharing your special gifts.

Friend of sinners and glory of the Saints, We praise your goodness Lord God, Friend of sinners and glory of the Saints, We praise your goodness In the Saintly life of Cardinal John Henry Newman.  He followed the kindly light Out of the shadows of doubt and into the fullness of truth.  At Littlemore he professed his faith And in Birmingham he was a holy priest for your people.  He listened to your word and studied it. He desired that all people would grow in knowledge and love of you.  You have given us this English Saint: May he inspire us once again to become a nation of saints.  May we be true to our conscience And live each day Saint John Henry Newman’s words: To live is to change and to be perfect is to have changed often.  St John Henry Newman: Pray for us. Amen. We pray together… Edit the School /Parish /Mac Patrons list to be relevant to your school community.

St Thomas More Parish, Coventry You could display this image as children leave the hall. It was created by Noreen Thornhill from St. Thomas More Parish, Coventry Noreen Thornhill, St Thomas More Parish, Coventry