Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC Mumbai)

Don Bosco Youth Service (DBYS) , Matunga Mumbai 400 019 avecmatunga@gmail.com / www.avecmumbaidbys.blogspot.com

Building a New Humanity through 12 Diamond Values

Prayer Service on CLARITY - Value of Accountability, Integrity and Honesty. Quote: Clarity affords Focus - Thomas Leonard Theme: Honesty in Word and Sincerity of Action Logo: Clarity of Being / Thought / Purpose / Vision / Conscience. Ritual : Mirror Clarity Scripture: KEEP YOUR CONSCIENCE CLEAR (I Pet.3/16) Prayer song Every move I make - http://youtu.be/mAH7OWKslGc OR Listen, listen let your heart Preferably hold the prayer service in the class room with prior preparation and active involvement / participation of all the students after the lesson on Clarity. Introduction: (Keep a Candle / Lamp lighted throughout the prayer service. Have a devotional / classical music played to create a prayerful atmosphere.) Leader: Let us take an attentive posture and be relaxed, breathing in Gods presence (silent pause..) Diamonds are evaluated and classified by their clarity measured by the amount, type and location of flaws. Clarity enhanced diamond stones improve the overall value of the stones placed in ornaments - rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings. Clarity refers to one's ability to clearly visualize an object or think a concept - understanding in the "mind's eye. Clarity is the property of being crystal clear in thought / purpose / vision / conscience. Clarity of purpose (values/goals/vision/mission) empowers life making it significant. Meditation enhances clarity of vision as one connects to the universal source of our being for daily recharge of energy, insight and guidance. Life is about being positive and focused in what we say and do. Ritual: Mirror looking glass (Display a Mirror on stand) Reader 2: Clarity is a visual perception in the sharpness of vision and image resolution without obscurity. Clarity in water permits light penetration to promote photosynthesis vital to aquatic life. The mirror is a Buddhist symbol for clarity with perspective and purity of consciousness. A Mirror or looking glass is a reflective surface that reproduces a clear image but with the structure reversed. Mirror reflects exactly what it sees and firmly tells the truth in objective detachment. Instruction:

A mirror in a room enhances lighting and virtual space. Curved mirrors focus light and produce magnified / diminished / distorted images. Mirrors are used for grooming, dcor and architecture beside their scientific use in telescopes, lasers, cameras and industrial machinery. Security mirrors used in varied settings as in traffic control, warehouses, offices, distribution facilities, parking lots, driveways, airports etc., serve precise visual needs as they provide accident prevention, surveillance and theft prevention. Most mirrors are designed for visible light with proper illumination; a mirror sees everything it faces with insight and compassion. Mirror continues to reflect even when broken to pieces. In like manner we are called to live in clarity - in wholeness and truth always accountable, transparent and trustworthy even in small things. Reader 2: The soul is the spiritual-life principle of every person. Conscience is the spiritual instinct the inner voice within that discerns what is good and kind from what is harmful. A clear conscience conforms to Gods prescribed way of uprightness in a sense of responsibility and accountability. Scripture says Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ (I Pt 3:16). Integrity is the inner sense of "wholeness" in ones moral character, while honesty is authenticity in lifestyle the key to inner joy. Paul strives "to keep his conscience clear before God and man" (Acts 24/6). Stephen Covey defines Spiritual Quotient (SQ) as conscience. In living a good conscience based on God's standards we act Godly in an ungodly world. Personal Accountability is to own responsibility for ones decisions/actions at all times and is the guiding principle that reflects character, defines leadership and measures life progress. Being sincere in word and action earns the trust and respect of others as narrated below Anecdote Narration: Reader 4: An event is told about Fiorello LaGuardia, mayor of New York City during the dreadful days of the Great Depression and Second World War (WWII). LaGuardia was a dynamic personality who took entire orphanages to baseball games and occasionally read the Sunday funnies to the kids on the radio. On one bitter cold night in January 1935, the mayor LaGuardia turned up as a judge at a night court that served the poorest area of the city. A shabby old woman was brought in charged with stealing a loaf of bread. The old woman told LaGuardia that her son-in-law had deserted her daughter now sick with two starving kids. But the shopkeeper, whose bread was stolen, did not relent. Your Honor" the shopkeeper told the mayor, "She's got to be punished to teach other people here a lesson. LaGuardia sighed, turned to the old woman and said "I've got to punish you madam. The law makes no exceptions - ten dollars or ten days in jail". But even as he addressed, the mayor reached into his pocket and handed the 10$ note saying: "Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and further more I am going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Bailiff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant." The following day the media of New York City reported that $47.50 was handed over to the dazed old lady who stole a loaf of bread to feed her starving family, fifty cents of the amount being contributed by the angry shop keeper, while some seventy petty criminals, persons with traffic violations, NY City policemen, each of whom had paid 50 cents, gave the mayor a standing ovation. Reader 5: (after a brief pause) In a just society, all are entitled to basic human rights to access food, shelter, education, sustainable employment, dignity and a voice. The road to poverty is paved with bad economics. Poverty is not

an accident. Poverty transfers to generations due to unjust economic circumstances that continue to widen the gap between rich and poor. Deprivation / discrimination are at the core of much social injustice in todays world. (Sr. Bernadette Sullivan SFP). In 2002 the U.Nations adopted the Eradication of Poverty as its #1Millennium Development Goal (MDG) by the target date of 2015 to reverse the grinding poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people and Oxfam led Make Poverty History campaign to enforce basic human rights of each person on the planet to health/ education/ shelter / security to end extreme poverty by 2015. Social Justice is everybodys business. The Giving Pledge invites the wealthiest individuals /families in America to commit to give majority of their wealth to caring humanitarian causes or organizations of their choice either during their lifetime or after their death. The Pledge is a moral promise to give generously (and often at great personal sacrifice) to make the world a better place and has recruited 92 billionaires to date including the likes of FB founder Mark Zuckerberg & New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg who resides at his own home, declines the mayors salary to a token payment of 1$ annually for his services and frequently travels to city hall on the subway. Reader 6: Honesty and integrity are vital aspects of the accountability process. We want the child to own up actions/ behavior to eliminate the need to justify by an excuse or blame another source. When a child acknowledges situations and accepts responsibility there is an opportunity to grow. Situation as being late, failing to do assignment, getting a ticket, indiscipline could be chance to communicate their worth and potential. Supportive school and home environment allow for mistakes to be considered as learning opportunities rather than character failures. The school is known by the values it treasures and defends by the vision/mission statement made simple and clear for all, so that every teacher/ student/ parent/ staff align to the ideals the institution stands for. The school assemblies /programmes are occasions to reinforce the dedicated vision. Reflective Time: Leader: Accountability stretches to pursue excellence and is modeled when one admits mistakes, takes initiative, seeks instruction/information, analyzes and examines self to find "how can I improve or do better?" unlike the clichs "I didn't know, "It's not my job," "Nobody told me". What are the few areas of accountability in my life - my actions and choices; attitude and thoughts; behavior and manners; priorities and life style; spending habits with time & money?( Pause...) Am I to give up an addiction to time wasters as play station/ face book/ use of drugs Am I to release a bad habit to tell lies /disobey / harmful gossip /day dream /postpone; Am I to change the mindset to a positive attitude and thoughts towards life of all beings (longer pause..) (Give time to note down a resolve and strategy / share with each other and in the class) The goal of accountability requires constant observation of self in thoughts, words and actions to be congruent. Accountability in little things of life will align us on the valued path to a diamond personality so that dishonesty/deceit can stop with me. (Pause.). Let us ensure a culture of personal accountability and join the choir in praying that we be guided in our every breath and step for in Him we live, move and have our being. Choir: Prayer Song 1 Every move - http://youtu.be/NuMDq--hjZw OR Prayer Song 2:Lsten... ..

Requirements for the Prayer Service: A Teacher and 2/3 students will take full responsibility for prior preparation: 1. Arrange and organize the prayer service, with prior preparation for the requirements. 2. Prepare the Ritual (mirror on a stand), Theme, Quote and the Logo (assign different students). 3. The choir will take responsibility to learn and teach the songs prior to the prayer service. 4. Assign 4 or 5 readers to responsibly render their role; practice earlier to set the prayerful tone of devotion with reflective pauses to let the prayer service flow without flaw. 5. Display prominently The Theme, Quote and the Logo.

6. Give sufficient time for the prayer process to flow - minimum 30 minutes Prayer Song 1:Every move http://youtu.be/NuMDq--hjZw OR http://youtu.be/DUic8eLRzEg Chorus: Na-- na-- na na na na na (3X) 1. Every move I make I make in You You make me move Jesus Every breath I take I breathe in You Every step I take I take in You You are my way Jesus (repeat verse)

2. Waves of mercy, Waves of grace Everywhere I look, I see your face Oh my God, This Love How can it be?

Prayer song 2: Listen, let your heart keep seeking - http://youtu.be/S8zWX_Y4dPQ Listen, let your heart keep seeking; listen to his constant speaking; listen to the Spirit calling you. Listen to his inspiration; listen to his invitation; listen to the Spirit calling you. . VALUE of CLARITY (Value of Accountability, Integrity and Honesty). Objective o To be accountable and trustworthy even in small things. o To live in wholeness and truth always o To cultivate honesty as an antidote to corruption School Environment: o Provide opportune systems for accountability o Facilitate integral development o School as corruption free zone Role of Educator: o Transparency in action o An integral personality o Honest and sincere Rationale: o Being accountable and responsible in small things o There will be one less dishonest person and to believe that corruption can stop with me. Evaluation: o Sense of Accountability and Transparency Truthfulness in Lifestyle Honesty in Word and Sincerity of Action