March 2012

 

Our March intention is to pray for Children affected by Child Trafficking and Child Labour.

Child Trafficking

Trafficking is the recruitment, transport and transfer of children through abduction, deception or force, for exploitive purposes. Children may be trafficked for the purposes of sexual exploitation; to be used as child slaves, in sweat shops; or forced into armed conflict as child soldiers.  This is just a short list of child exploitation.  Child Trafficking is increasing with between 1.2 to 2 million children trafficked each year.

“Anyone who welcomes one little child like this” in my name welcomes me.  But anyone who is the downfall of one of these little ones who have faith in me would be better drowned in the depths of the sea with a great millstone round his neck. Matthew 18:5-6.

Here is an interesting video clip that really highlights the problem and is definitely worth looking at.

Prayer for help 
Psalm 40:1-2.

I waited, I waited for Yahweh, then he stooped to me and heard my cry for help. He pulled me up from the seething chasm, from the mud of the mire. He set my feet on rock, and made my footsteps firm.

Child Labour

• Children 5 to 14 years old — about 16 per cent of all children in this age group — is involved in child labour in developing countries.
• In the least developed countries, 30 per cent of all children are engaged in child labour.
• Worldwide, 126 million children work in hazardous conditions, often enduring beatings, humiliation and sexual violence by their employers.
• An estimated 1.2 million children — both boys and girls — are trafficked each year into exploitative work in agriculture, mining, factories, armed conflict or commercial sex work.
• The highest proportion of child labourers is in sub-Saharan Africa, where 26 per cent of children (49 million) are involved in work. 

       Sources: www.unicef.org, www.ilo.org, www.crin.org

This you tube video is definitely worth a viewing, please take time to look at it.

   The Lord has been my hope since my youth 
Psalm 70(71)

O Lord, you have been my hope since my youth.  In you, Lord, I have placed my hope:  I shall never be put to shame.  In your righteousness, free me and rescue me; turn your ear to my pleas and save me.  Be my rock, Lord, be my refuge, a stronghold where I can be safe.  For you are my strength and you are my refuge.  My God, rescue me from the hands of the wicked, from the power of the unjust, the law-breakers.  For you, O Lord are my hope; Lord, my hope from my youth.  From birth I have leant on you, from my mother’s womb you have been my support:  I praise you unceasingly.

A Prayer for Children Suffering from trafficking and Slave Labour.

Dear Jesus,

Today, we bring you all your little ones who are suffering from the evils of trafficking and slave labour. Be strength to them in their distress and comfort them through their tears.  Bandage their wounded hearts and minds with your love. Please place them in the care and protection of your most Sacred Heart.  Guard them against bitterness and hatred and fill the empty spaces with your love and hope. 

Amen. (Maria Cantabria, 2012)



Let us include these intentions in our weekly hour of prayer and let us also thank God for the wonderful gift of our families.

Prayer

Dear God of Joy,

Give me the grace to make my home another Nazareth where peace, love and happiness reign. 

Let me love you through the love that is given to my family.

Let my mission of love begin in my own home, and then spread out to all who are in need of your love and grace. 

Let your love take root first in my heart and then in the hearts of all those with whom I come into contact.

Let my home be a centre of kindness, compassion, and mercy.  Give me the grace to make anyone who comes into contact with me go away better and happier.

Let the love I have given others, even in small ways, come back to me as your grace. 

Let me forgive always and grant that this forgiveness will return to me and flourish.

Let me begin then in the place where I am, with the people I know, and let the lamp of your love always shine in the windows of my heart and home.  Amen.

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta