-Prayer Centre ideas -Links to Catholic -Prayer Service -Curriculum connec- Graduate Expectations PAGE 4 Faith Prayer Service tions -Quotes about Pru- -Bulletin board ideas dence Opening Prayer: Gracious God, you are so good to us. You have given us many blessings including the gift -Self examination of -Resources to support of free will. We sometimes forget to see that our decisions and our actions area way to get closer to you. prudence Prudence PAGE 2 Today and for the months of May and June, we will be working on developing the virtue of prudence. God INSIDE: WHAT’S PAGE 3 of unfailing light, we thank you for this day and for our school community. As we gather to hear your guid- ing word, we pray that through the Holy Spirit, our minds and hearts will be open to the goodness you offer each of us today. May Christ shine in our hearts like the sun, and bring us closer to you. We pray in Christ’s name, AMEN

Old Testament Reading—Father John—I would love your suggestions here Northeastern Catholic District School Board

Responsorial Psalm: - Your suggestions? Response: Growing our

Second Reading—Your suggestions?

Gospel Reading—Luke 10:25-37 Faith Optional Activities—any suggestions here? through virtues Universal Prayers: Response: Lord hear our Prayer MAY & JUNE  We pray for the Holy Catholic Church, as it continues to speak out against all that would destroy human dignity and human rights, we pray… The Importance of Prudence: VIRTUE: PRUDENCE  We pray for all those who task it is to lead communities and nations, may their leadership reflect wis- (WISDOM) dom and prudence. We pray… Prudence, the ability to make good decisions or choices is one of the  We pray for those who are poor or oppressed, that, by our prayers and actions, they may experience four cardinal virtues. A prudent person takes the time to think of the freedom, justice and peace. We pray… consequences of their actions. They will stop and ask themselves what DEVELOPING CHAR-  We pray for all of us gathered here today, may we be open to the Holy Spirit when faced with moral di- is the right and most loving thing to do. A prudent person would pray ACTER THROUGH lemmas. We Pray... and think things through, then act in truth and love. In this way prac- PRUDENCE ticing prudence brings us closer to God and our neighbours. Closing Prayer: Loving Father, protect us from all harm and give us health in mind and body. Guide us The goal of this virtue: with the Holy Spirit in all of our decisions both large and small. Help us live our lives inspired by the life of  To help our students make good and your Son, our greatest teacher, Amen. All of us were created to find happiness by living in God’s love. informed decisions This love must be guided with the wisdom of our faith. Prudence  To base our actions on seeking the most is about guiding one another as sons and daughters of God and loving thing to do  To deepen and strengthen our relation- encouraging each other to live the Gospel of Jesus with confi- ship with Christ dence. Prudence is often linked with wisdom. Prudence has three  Taking the time to make informed deci- steps: sions 1. Seeking the proper and most loving thing to do;  Asking yourself “What is the most lov- 2. Judging between actions to find the best choice; ing thing to do?” 3. Confidently acting on the most righteous choice  Considering others when making deci- There are many classroom applications for this virtue. One could look at Cyber safety, neti- sions. Can this decision potentially hurt quette, the use of media in trying to persuade people away from their Catholic beliefs and someone? values. One could also promote social justice by prudent spending (fair trade practices with  Looking to the gospel and Church teach- developing countries). Prudence is the grace to be able to see everything with the eyes of ing to guide our conscience God. It is simply this; to see the world, situations, circumstances, problems and everything  Keeping promises with God’s eyes. Pope Francis, Vatican City—April 9th, 2014.  Reflecting and learning from past mis- Looks like: I think before acting when faced with a moral dilemma. I think of others when takes. Special thank you to our Virtues Revitalization Committee members: Todd Bosak, Mike Buhler, Cristina Corbett, Melanie making decisions. I reflect on past mistakes before acting. I keep my promises. Dixon-Fleury, Brenda Doyle, Jeanette Foy, Brenda Gagne, Sylvie Guevremont, Lori Hurtubise, Lisa Johnston, Laura Kelly, Lil- “Wisely and slow. They stum- Sounds like: I say I am sorry and try to make up for past mistakes iane Lachance, Father John Lemire, Sharon Maisonneuve, Andrew Marks, Karen MacGregor, Gretchen Morgan, Lori-Ann ble that run fast” Shakespeare Parkes, Peggy Sirosky, Pauline Sterling and Glenn Sheculski. Some materials adopted from: Sudbury Catholic District School Feels like: I respect learning and the learning of others and I am open to new ideas Board, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington CDSB and Toronto Catholic District School Board. Curriculum Connections: SCIENCE—plant seeds of wis- PRAYER CENTRE IDEAS Quotes about Prudence dom. HEALTH—Role play with peer FOR PRUDENCE “He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbor, but a man pressure, bullying, discuss the of understanding holds his peace” Proverbs 11:12 importance of cyber safety  Cut out large letters “W.W.J.D? and post them at the classroom prayer centre LANGUAGE—Read one of “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,  Have students brainstorm people who can help them make good choices. Display this list at the prayer Aesop’s Fables and discuss who who gives to all liberally and without reproach, was the wisest of the wise and centre and it will be given to him” James 1:5 why they feel that  Display the Read Alouds that support the virtue of Prudence—have students reflect on which characters MEDIA LITERACY—Explore “In matters of conscience, first thoughts are al- displayed prudence advertisements that lead us away ways best, in matters of prudence, last thoughts from our values and beliefs  Create a Y chart on a bulletin board to demonstrate what prudence looks like, sounds like, feels like are always best” Robert Hall

BUILDING PRUDENCE IN At home: A Prudent Person: “For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth How much better OUR HOMES AND  Model decisions making  Takes time to reflect when comes knowledge and understanding; He stores Links to Catholic to get wisdom SCHOOLS process (listening to other making decisions up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to 5 those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of Graduate Expectations than gold, to As parents and educators we people’s advice, praying and  Asks “what is the right and “ want to make the right choices practicing kindness) kind thing to do? justice, and preserves the way of His saints” choose under- for our children and students.  Discussing with our children  Looks to Jesus for guidance Proverbs 2: 6-13 standing rather When we have important deci- the moral dilemmas they and asks “What Would Jesus sions to make, we seek help from face daily with their friends Do? A Discerning Believer formed in the than silver others. We may sometimes even  Modeling purchases that  Admits past mistakes and Catholic Faith Community Proverbs 16:16 seek the advice of our parish honour others instead of learns from them Resources to support the Virtue of Prudence Develops attitudes and values founded on Catholic priest. When we know in our exploiting (fair trade)  Images of Church and Saints Social Teachings and acts to promote social responsi- ” hearts what is the most kind and At School Ten Things I can Do to Help my The Other Side. Author: bility, human solidarity and common good loving thing to do, we can act  Develop critical literacy Jaqueline Woodson World. Author: Melanie Walsh with confidence and peace. We skills in our students

Bulletin Board Ideas: want nothing less for our stu-  Read scriptures and learn Two of a Kind. Author: 1 The Big Elephant in the Room. What Would Jesus Do?: dents and children. We must from biblical passages Author: Lane Smith Jaqui Robbins -Give students different scenarios encourage children to stop and  Reflect on past decisions, where they practice making wise think about what would Jesus do. looking to Jesus as a model Do Unto Others—A Book About No! Author: David McPhail A self-directed, responsible lifelong learner and prudent decisions. Have stu- Manners. Author: Laurie Keller Examines and reflects on one’s personal values, abili- dents role play or do a written Pink. Author: Nan Gregory ties and aspirations influencing life’s choices and op- response to post. A self-examination of prudence: I Repeat Don’t Cheat. Author: Margery portunities Wise Owls: Cuyler, Arthur Howard Noni Says No. Author: Heather Hartt- 2 -Have students create an owl that Sussman Students could complete this self-examination using the following: is holding a “wise” quotation. The Pink Refrigerator. Author: Tim A Collaborative Contributor Thinking and writing about what Egan Those Shoes. Author: Maribeth Boelts Develops one’s God-given potential and makes it means to be wise will help give Very Well, Well, Needs Work meaningful contributions to society students motivation to do their  I think before acting when faced with a moral dilemma Don’t Laugh at Me. Author: Steve Say Something. Author: Peggy Moss best. Have students make their list  I reflect on past mistakes before acting Seskin Finds meaning, dignity, fulfillment and vocation in of “wise choices” and then attach Martha Walks the Dog. Author: Susan  I keep my promises work which contributes3 to the common good to owl to post One. Author: Kathryn Otishi Meddaugh Wise Choices:  I respect learning and the learning of others and I am open to new ideas -Take photos of students showing  I say I am sorry and try to make up for past mistakes The War. Author: Anais Vaugelade The Sandwich Swap. Author: Her Maj- prudence in their everyday life.  I think of others when making decisions esty Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdul- A Reflective and Creative Thinker Post with quotations from the lah  I make wise and prudent purchases that honour the dignity of human Thinks reflectively and creatively to evaluated situa- Bible that show prudence tions and solve problems Words of Wisdom: beings in developing countries The Scarecrow’s Dance. Author: Jan Students and staff can create a jar Yolen 4

that holds a number of words of wisdom—could be given to Yoon and the Jade Bracelet. Author: graduates or students who are Helen Recorvits A Responsible Citizen entering the class next semester/ Accepts accountability for one’s own actions year How Full is Your Bucket? Author: Witnesses Catholic social teachings by promoting Tom Rath equality, democracy and solidarity for a just, peaceful and compassionate5 society