May Resources- Lots of ideas and activities to honor Mary in the month of May available via the link: www.catecheticalcentre.org.  Additional resources also available on the resources page on the School website. 

Bishop McKeown Virtual Pilgrimage
Bishop McKeown is asking the Diocese to join him in any way as he conducts a virtual pilgrimage of Lough Derg.  
This is a link to his message about it-he is asking people to do this for three reasons-to pray for end to the Coronavirus, to pray for those who have been deeply impacted by it-those suffering, those who have died, families grieving loved ones etc and thirdly to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us as to how we live through this time and after this time. https://www.derrydiocese.org/news/a-day-of-prayer-and-penance

I thought we might ask the children to join with him on Friday by making a May Altar, praying the Rosary or Stations of the Cross at home with their family and giving up something like sweets for the day, a favourite electronic gadget, a T.V. Programme. https://catecheticalcentre.org/primary-school-resources/how-to-pray-the-rosary/  https://catecheticalcentre.org/holy-week-2020/the-stations-of-the-cross-for-children-and-families-during-the-coronavirus/

Drawing Near to God-Drawing a Prayer
Karen Kiefer has developed another wonderful resource based on her book Drawing God. I’ve attached the resources -Draw Near to God-National Day of Prayer (U.S.A)  on 7th May- we can join in and make it an International Drawing God Day!!!  https://www.drawing-god.com/draw-near-to-god

Its good to see that all the boys and girls are keeping busy and learning new things. A huge thank you to all parents who sent in a photo of their child today. The pictures are available to view in the "at home" gallery. If anyone else would like to add a photo send it to stmaryspsmelmount@outlook.com with the child's name and class.

We would like to ask our parents to send in a picture of your child taking part in some home learning activities or anything that they have been doing at home eg life skills – painting, cooking, baking, gardening, fitness etc. Your pictures will appear in a gallery on the school website and may also appear on the school Facebook page.
Please send one picture with the child's name and class to:
stmaryspsmelmount@outlook.com
Thank you!

Would you like to spread a bit of joy and happiness for the residents of Greenfield? In conjunction with the Waterside Theatre we would love it if our children could create a Van Gogh style painting and write a short note to the residents. The finished artwork and accompanying note will be made into a postcard and sent to the residents. This project will be of particular interest to the pupils in Miss Keenan's P6A class who took part in an intergenerational programme with Greenfield residents earlier this year, however all St Mary's children are welcome to take part. Full instructions on how to create your artwork are available to view on the Primary 6 page. Thank You!

Fr Paul Farren has recorded a message for the children at this time. It’s an encouragement for them to stay close to Jesus and talk to him at this time and not to worry: Click here to visit the DDCC website to view the video.

The Irish Catholic Newspaper are going to do an article next week on the Drawing God Stations of the Cross Project and want pictures form children. Well done to Caitlín in P7 who drew this fantastic picture. Parents can send them directly to: tferry@derrydiocese.org

Tomorrow morning Fr Paul Farren, Director of the Catechetical Centre is offering the 10 am Mass tomorrow, for our school communities. This will acknowledge the end of Term 2. Fr Paul will also offer this Mass for past pupils of all schools who are currently on the frontline keeping us safe from the COVID-19 virus.

Fr Paul will highlight the importance of the liturgies over the coming days, encouraging children, young people and families to engage with Holy Week.

The links to Saint Eugene’s Webcam are http://www.steugenescathedral.com/webcam.html or


https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-eugenes-cathedral-derry