The first priority in Archbishop Mark’s Apostolic Priorities for the Archdiocese of Brisbane, documented in With Lamps Ablaze, is Teaching Prayer. He says, “Often we urge people to pray but don’t really teach them how to pray… Now is the time to teach ways of prayer which are mature and all-embracing. Christian prayer begins not with speaking but with listening; and learning to pray is therefore learning to listen – to listen even to the silences of God. If all we do is speak, then in the words of Jesus we “babble like the pagans” (Matt 6:7). But if we speak after listening and in response to God who always has the first word, then we speak according to the mind of the Holy Spirit. That’s what we need to teach and learn. In the Gospel of Mark, we read that Jesus called the twelve apostles to himself, first of all, “that they might be with him” (3:14). This is where the mission starts: being with Jesus, which is what prayer is.”

Join us for our new weekly series, Let’s Pray, where we invite you to pray along with us. Each week we will invite you to pray a new prayer with us – maybe you don’t know what to pray, or want to pray along with someone, or want to practice your faith through prayer. Our Let’s Pray series is for everyone.

As we celebrate Queensland Catholic Education Week, we invite you to join us and Sharon, the Head of Catholic Identity at Brisbane Catholic Education, in prayer for our schools and communities as we celebrate the vibrant mission that drives Catholic schools across Queensland. Let us align our hearts and minds to continue to inspire the youth to embody the values and teachings of Jesus encouraging them to achieve their full potential and create positive impacts in the lives of the broader community. So, let’s pray.

• Catholic Education Week: A Prayer for Our Schools and Community

  Catholic Education Week: A Prayer for Our Schools and Community

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  
  Hello, my name is Sharon O’Keeffe, the head of Catholic identity at Brisbane Catholic Education. As we join together today, let’s align our thoughts and hearts with a shared purpose during this very special Catholic Education Week across Queensland. This is a unique opportunity for us to celebrate the vibrant mission that drives Catholic schools across Queensland.

  So now let’s reflect on how we, as a community, can continue to inspire the youth to embody the values and teachings of Jesus, encouraging them to achieve their full potential. Let’s use this prayer to set our intentions, to strengthen our dedication, and to remind ourselves of the positive impact we aim to have in the lives of our students and the broader community. Let’s begin with open minds and hope filled hearts. And so we join as one Church,

  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

  Creator God,
  in this, the Year of Prayer,
  may Catholic Education Week
  be a genuine time to celebrate and promote
  the distinctive mission and ethos
  of the 312 Catholic schools in Queensland.
  May each of our school communities and offices
  continue to strive to make a difference
  in the lives of those in our schools
  and in the wider community
  by challenging young people,
  and all people,
  to live out the message of Jesus
  and to reach their full potential
  as compassionate, contributing,
  life giving members of society
  who genuinely place the values of Jesus
  at the centre.
  With gratitude,
  we acknowledge the founding religious of our schools
  and colleges
  that today ensures 1 in 5 young Queenslanders,
  are educated to be well-informed,
  highly skilled and constructive members
  of the wider community.
  May we continue to value diversity
  and treat each student and staff member
  with dignity,
  enabling them in turn
  to promote and respect
  the human dignity of all
  as made in your image and likeness.
  In memory of Australia’s
  Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop,
  may we always foster
  in all people engaged in Catholic education,
  a lasting commitment to social justice
  and a critical social consciousness
  that protects all of the Earth’s resources.
  We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ.

  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

  So in this glorious week, may we continue to push boundaries; to keep striving for excellence in education, and to keep nurturing a truly supportive and inclusive environment for all. Remember, our efforts today lay the foundation for a future where each student and staff member can thrive. So let’s keep the legacy of our schools founders and the example of Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop close to our hearts today and always. Thank you for joining us and we hope to see you again.