JUBILEE THEMES , "One of the most important celebrations of our Jubilee Year will be the consecration of the diocese to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which I intend to renew on the feast of Christ the King (26th November 2000)"

Archbishop Desmond Connell

It is the hope of the Archbishop that during this Jubilee Year the image of the heart of Christ should be restored to its place in our homes so that parents and children in every family may have a constant reminder of the love of Christ and come to know him in the joys of closest friendship.

The image of the Sacred Heart has been a traditional feature in most Irish homes. Its origin is outlined in the accompanying prayer service. As an initiative for the Jubilee Year, the Archbishop proposes an alternative image of the Sacred and compassionate Heart of Jesus in the form of a statue of Christ the King fashioned from the prayer of a new monastic order, the Artisanats des Monasteres du Bethleem. A poster reproduction of this statue accompanies this pack. It could be useful as a prayer focus in class. The theme of Christ's love for us is one of many themes explored in Archbishop Connell's pastoral, The Knowledge of Christ, issued for the Great Jubilee Year 2000.

Contemplation Phase:

Go into your heart room now. Jesus is waiting for you. Think that you walk up very close to him. Feel him put his arm around you. Think that you lean your head on his shoulder. Hear Jesus asking you to love him. You are very special to Jesus. There is nothing in the whole world that he wants more than your love. Offer it to him. Tell him that you want your heart to belong to him always. See Jesus look lovingly at you and hear him say "My child, I give you my heart, too". Be very happy because that is Jesus' way of saying, "1 love you". Tell him that you are sorry when his heart aches because some people don't love him. Tell him that you will try to love him even more to make up for the way those people who don't care about him. And if somebody you love doesn't love you, tell Jesus that too. He will try to make it up to you because he doesn't want your heart to ache either. Stay with Jesus a little while longer. You need not talk. People who love each other don't always need to be talking. Sometimes they just sit and hold each other's hands and don't say anything.

Closing Moment: Come out of your heart room now. Begin to breathe softly, in and out. Look at the picture (statue) of Jesus once more. Think that each time you see the picture or statue of the holy heart of Jesus you will say to him, "Jesus, I give you my heart". And remember he said he gives you his heart, too. Think, too, that if you see somebody looking sad or standing alone with nobody to play with, you will be nice to that person so his or her heart won't ache. Closing songs Grant to us O Lord: Workers for the Kingdom p.268 Come to my heart: Workers for the Kingdom p.321

SAINT MARGARET MARY loved God with all her heart. One day Jesus appeared to her and showed her His heart so filled with love for all people. Margaret spent her life telling people of Jesus' love for them.

Oct 17: My Prayer

God of love, keep my heart
filled with your love
and let me show your love to everyone.
Amen.