Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants: 21 June

Migrants and refugees are part of our community, but they may not always be seen or heard. This Sunday 21 June is a special Day of Prayer to remember our migrant brothers and sisters who are experiencing exploitation.

Pope Francis challenges us to all play our part with courage, patience and perseverance to hear their cry for help.

Where is your brother or sister?

"I have always been distressed at the lot of those who are victims of various kinds of human trafficking. How I wish all of us would hear God's cry, "Where is your brother?" (Gen 4:9) Where is your brother or sister who is enslaved? Let us not pretend to look the other way. There is greater complicity than we think. This issue involves everyone." Pope Francis, 2013, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium.

          

Image credits: 1. Care Insights   2. Catholic News Agency   3. Caritas Internationalis

Psalm 68

R. Lord in your great love, answer me.

It is for you that I suffer taunts,

that shame covers my face,

that I have become a stranger to my brothers,

an alien to my own mother's children.

I burn with zeal for your house

and taunts against you fall on me.

Response

This is my prayer for you,

my prayer for your favour.

In your great love, answer me, O God,

with your help that never fails:

Lord answer, for your love is kind;

in your compassion, turn towards me.

Response

The poor when they see it will be glad

and God-seeking hearts will revive;

for the Lord listens to the needs

and does not spurn servants in their chains.

Let the heavens and the earth give him praise,

the sea and all its living creatures.

Response

Music for Psalm 68 - Michael Herry Here

Music suggestions

Gather us in by Marty Haugen 3:23 dur. Here

There is a longing by Anne Quigley 2:30 dur. Here

 Psalm 34. The Lord hears the cry of the poor by John Foley SJ 3:02 dur.  Here

When I needed a neighbour Funky young persons version 1:49 dur. Here

When I needed a neighbour Flowing version. 2:25 dur. Here

 Make me a channel of your peace Child singing with lyrics. 2:51 dur. Here

Christ be our light by Bernadette Farrell with lyrics 4:00 dur. Here

 

For Prayer of the faithful prepared by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Here.

More on Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants at This Link

Images from Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand resources 2020

 Screen Shot 2020 06 16 at 2.41.40 PM

 

2 February 2024 - Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life

Messages from Pope Francis for World Day for Consecrated Life

11 February - World Day of Prayer for the Sick

Message from Pope Francis for World Day of the Sick 2024 HERE. "It is not good that man should be alone." Healing the sick by healing relationships. 

National Association of Catholic Chaplains resources, including prayer cards, prayer of the faithful, a healing service in a hospital setting, world day of the sick programme

Catholic Health Association of the United States resources, including prayer card, video reflection

13 February - World Marriage Day

Catholic Network of Marriage Educators HERE

14 February - Ash Wednesday

16 Feb - Day of Prayer and Penance for Victims of Abuse and Violence

Suggestions for Prayer of the Faithful

Sample Prayers Litany

3 March - Children's Day (NZ) Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki

Link to National Childrens' Day NZ HERE

13 March - Anniversary of the Election of Pope Francis

Mass for the Pope - NZ Roman Missal pg. 1245

8 April - Day of Prayer for Family life

Celebrated in place of 25 March which falls in Hoy Week this year.

21 April to 27 April - National Vocations Awareness Week

Contact your local diocesan website.

25 April - ANZAC Day - National Day of Remembrance

12 May - World Communications Day

Theme 2024: "Artificial intelligence and wisdom of the heart: for a fully human communication."

12-19 May - Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024

Theme 2024."You shall love the Lord your God and your neighbour as yourself." Luke 10:27

26 May - Laudato si' Week 

Season of Creation Theme 2024: To hope and act with creation.

23 June - Day of Prayer for Refugees and Migrants

14 July - Day of Prayer for Seafarers

The Apostleship of the Sea New Zealand

Mission to Seafarers

A Prayer for Seafarers

28 July - World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly 

15 August - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

 Patronal Feast of Aotearoa New Zealand.

1 September - World Day of Prayer for Care of Creation

This Day of Prayer initiates the Season of Creation 1 September – 4 October.

"To hope and act with creation."   Web link HERE

Pope Francis's Prayer in Union with Creation Here.

8-14 September - Social Justice Week

The theme continues "Imagine peace for all - Choose forgiveness, Know peace."

See Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand website for more. HERE

6 October - Celebration Day for Suzanne Aubert

Celebrated on the first Sunday in October.

Visit suzanneaubert.co.nz for more information.

13 October - Day of Prayer to Support Life 

Support Life Sunday is an opportunity to focus together on how our Catholic tradition celebrates and protects all of life. Theme for 2024 is "Infinite dignity = Infinite Love. Every life matters ... Always!"

 

13-20 October - Week of Prayer for World Peace

Communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the Week both in their own observances and together with people of different faiths.

20 October - World Mission Sunday. 

Theme for 2024 is "Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet."

Poster to download HERE

October Extraordinary Missionary month. Read more

'What is World Mission Sunday?' video from Missio UK

17 November - World Day of the Poor. (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Mass)

"It is my wish that Christian communities will make every effort to create moments of encounter and friendship, solidarity and concrete assistance." Pope Francis