Pastor’s Corner for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A by Fr. Bruce Botha SJ

During the month of January Pope Francis has asked us to prayer for educators throughout the word. His prayer intention is as follows:

 

“We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition, and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all”

 

There are many educators in our own community, including teachers, lecturers, and catechists. Each plays a vital role in forming the next generation and are deserving of our support, our respect, and our gratitude. No one enters the education profession intending to get rich or famous. I think we become educators because we want to make a difference in the lives of people, or because we are passionate about a particular subject and want to share that with others. Educators are outward looking and tend to be selfless in their dedication. Let us support them with our prayers as pray:

 

Heavenly Father, thank you for all educators.

They serve society through their dedication to the academic, social,

and moral development of children, youth, and young adults.

Give them grace and strength to hope, guide and thrive in their places of work.

Continue to fuel their willingness to serve despite the difficult, challenging,

and frustrating situations they are confronted with daily.

Bless them and strengthen them as they prepare to bestow their knowledge,

kindness and care on the young people entrusted to them.

Give to them the gifts of wisdom, understanding, fortitude, knowledge, piety

and fear of the Lord throughout the New Year.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord.

AMEN

 

 

Fr. Bruce Botha  SJ