2. Welcome to Room 225 Prayer Service

3. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28 Welcome Everyone! As we begin a new school year, we are reminded that each of us, with our strengths and needs, is created in the image of God. Let us always work to value each and every member of our school community every day through action.

4. Opening Prayer Lord of all kindness, we ask your blessing for children who have special needs. We ask for their comfort when difficulties arise. May they experience joy if they ever feel abandoned. May they be blessed with strength to overcome challenges. May they be blessed with friendship to allow them to grow in love. Lord, we pray for all of our children, that they may realize their dreams and live their lives in the fullness of your love and mercy. May the healing touch of mercy be there for our children. Let our hands be your hands, our words be your words and let your mercy flow through all of us. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen

5. Reading A reading from the book of Genesis 1:26-27. Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female. He created them. The Word of the Lord. Response: Thanks be to God

6. Reflection How does this image appreciate our likeness in the Image of God? How can teachers and students show their appreciation for each other in the classroom?

7. Prayer of the Faithful Let us pray for the Church. That we walk together in community to spread love to each other as God intended. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Let us pray for the World. That we are all guided by compassion and justice in our lives and actions. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Let us pray for the school community. That we reflect our Catholic values in attending to each other. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For all our intentions, We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Let us unite all our prayers with the prayer of Jesus, using the words He gave us: Our Father…

8. Closing Prayer God of friendship and love, help us to always treat others With love and respect, for we know that Jesus calls us to love others as we love ourselves. May he walk with us every day and guide us in our relationships. May we always appreciate the wonderful gift of our friends. We ask this through your Son, Jesus. Amen.

9. Resources Opening Prayer adapted from: http://www.ourlanguageourstory.org/staff_development/prayer_services/PrayerforOurSpecialChildren.pdf Prayer of the Faithful adapted from: http://www.ourlanguageourstory.org/staff_development/prayer_services/EveryEducatorSpecialEducator.pdf Closing Prayer: http://www.tcdsb.org/Board/NurturingOurCatholicCommunity/VirtueoftheMonth/Documents/Liturgy%20of%20t he%20Word%20-%20Virtue%20of%20Love.pdf Images in Chronological Order of Appearance: http://cdn.firespring.com/images/b57e75de-7c02-4a1c-bca9-8c3f743256fe.gif http://www.rsablogs.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Community-tree.jpg http://www.clipartbest.com/cliparts/bcy/pKe/bcypKeKcL.jpeg https://www.portlandoregon.gov/shared/cfm/image.cfm?id=449546 http://bradfordschools.net/blog/stoswalds/files/2012/01/reflection.jpg Adapted from: http://api.ning.com/files/FIt*ZFe6wNjbwV0YTP13DK5zrxVvyxmp4qlahiNoqezDJ5Q- v8spF1FcH0j95mPpFpXrQPX1Flj0Bblt4by8nqcrK4jy9WLq/LordHearOurPrayers.gifhttp://api.ning.com/files/FIt*ZFe6wNjbwV0YTP13DK5zrxVvyxmp4qlahiNoqezDJ5Q- v8spF1FcH0j95mPpFpXrQPX1Flj0Bblt4by8nqcrK4jy9WLq/LordHearOurPrayers.gif http://pressingin4him.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/bible-clip-art.gif Music Adapted from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3zcypsjO8o&feature=kp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZhQOvvV45w&feature=kp