Faith Assembly

Introduction:
Next months awards center around the virtue of faith. When we think of faith, we inevitably think of God, but faith is not just about religion. Faith explores the many different relationships that we have with others, and the world around us. Faith is the confident belief in the truth, value or trustworthiness of a person, or idea. We have faith in the love of our families and friends. We have faith in the organizations that help guide our world. Most importantly, we have faith in God and His love for us. Knowing this, it becomes our responsibility as Gods children to reflect this faith to those around us- to put our faith into action.

Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa was a young girl when she felt the call of God, and left her home to become a nun. For over 15 years she worked as a teacher in Calcutta, but could not ignore the tens of thousands of suffering people outside of the school. With no money, and little help, she left her position and began to teach and give comfort to the poorest of the poor, namely orphans and the elderly. She had faith that God would provide for her good work because it was His work as well. Soon, many volunteers began to help her and others provided money to help her organization : the Sisters of Charity, with their mission. By the 1990s there were over one million CoWorkers in more than 40 countries. Mother Teresa is an example of how one persons faith can bring comfort and healing to the world.

Mary, the Mother of God

Although she was just a young girl of about 14 years of age, Mary was told by an angel that she was to give birth to Gods son, Jesus. Although she was confused and afraid, Mary had faith in Gods plan for her and said yes to His will. She faced ridicule and even death by accepting this call, but Mary knew that God would take care of her and His son. She gave birth to our Lord Jesus Christ and spent the rest of her life loving and honouring him. Mary is an example of how one persons faith can bring peace and hope to the world.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King was a strong worker for civil rights for members of his race. He worked tirelessly to make sure that all people, regardless of the colour of their skin, were treated equally and fairly. This message made many people angry and as a result he was made fun of, arrested, and had his home bombed. Despite this, he continued with his work and saw his dream become a reality. He had faith that God loves all of His children the same, and wants them all to be respected as His creation. Martin Luther King Jr. is an example of how one persons faith can bring equality and dignity to the world.

Pope John Paul II

Born Karol Wojtyla, the Popes entire family had died by the time he was 20. He decided that he wanted to become a priest, but it was illegal to do so, because of the war. Still, he continued his learning and became a priest when the war was over. His passion and faith in God allowed him to move quickly in the church and he became Pope John Paul II in 1978. During his 27 year pontificate, he worked tirelessly to bring together all peoples from all faiths and visited hundreds of countries to impart his message of unity. Pope John Paul II is an example of how one persons faith can unite and inspire the world.

Craig Kielburger
Craig was just 12 years old when he read an article about child labour in South Asia. He was so upset by what he read that he knew he had to do something to help. He had faith that he could make a difference. He gathered together a small group of his Grade 7 classmates and Free The Children was born. Their message is to free the children from poverty, exploitation, and the idea that they are powerless to affect change. Today, Free The Children is the world's largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in education and development programs in 45 countries. Craig Kielburger is an example of how one persons faith can empower and transform the world.

Conclusion
To show our faith we just have to believe. Believe that it is always better to do good than evil. Believe that we should always help those in need. Believe that the world CAN be a better place, and believe that that CAN happen because of the things we do and say. When we HAVE faith, we acknowledge our love for God, when we SHOW faith, we reflect His love for us to everyone we meet. Faith is so powerful, because it can change the world into the loving, peaceful and just place that God wants it to be.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

31

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left.
34

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,36I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. 37Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you? 40And the king will answer them, Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.