Remember that Miss Renoldi can be emailed at the following address:

year6@holycrossprimary.thurrock.sch.uk

Saint John the Baptist - Our Class Saint                      Feast Day: June 24th

Prayer to Saint John the Baptist

O God, You raised up St. John the Baptist to prepare a perfect people for Christ.  Fill Your people with the joy of possessing His grace, and direct the minds of all the faithful in the way of peace and salvation.

Grant that as St. John was martyred for truth and justice, so we may energetically profess our Faith in You, and lead others to the Way, the Truth, and Eternal Life.

Amen.

Who was he?

John the Baptist was the first disciple of Jesus Christ. John  was born of elderly parents, St. Elizabeth and St. Zachariah. They were good, patient, law-abiding people, who had given up hope of ever having a child of their own until the angel’s revelation to Zachariah announced to him that they were to have a son who would be called John (meaning “God is gracious”). This child of theirs was to be the one who would “pave the way” for the Messiah. John was this chosen one who would prepare the people, urging them to repent of their sins, baptizing them, and teaching them the meaning of the Scriptures, in readiness for the coming of the Saviour they had been waiting for so longingly for so many years and who was now at hand. John himself needed preparation for this important mission, and for many years before his public ministry he lived an ascetic life of strict self-discipline, solitude, abstinence and prayer.

What were his special qualities?

Humility

John the Baptist shows us that the beginning of discipleship is humbly recognising our sinfulness, our helplessness and our absolute need for a Saviour. John says:

“I must decrease so He can increase.”

“I’m not even worthy to untie the strap of His sandals.”

“Lord, it is I who should be baptized by You.”

Repentance

Repentance flows from Humility. Before we can turn to Jesus, John knew we had to repent, to “make straight the paths of the Lord”, removing the ‘boulders’ or obstacles in the way.  This means to turn away from sin. We need to eliminate from our lives anything that ‘dominates’ us or leads us away from a virtuous life.

Christ-centredness

Christ must be the centre of our lives. John’s entire ministry was to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. John’s words are a lesson for all Christians; we too should point out Christ to others by having a Christ like behaviour, an integrity of life.

Integrity of Life

John shows us the power of conviction, principle and honesty. John didn’t waver even when his life was in danger.He never feared the criticism of others when speaking out the truth; nor did he ever waffle or compromise in the face of very real danger. (Bl. Pope John Paul II said we must tell the truth with love. Sometimes this can be a way to really show we love someone!) We should never fear to live our Faith fully and with integrity.

Tree of Strength

(a poem about resilience by Pooky Knightsmith)

There’s a tree in my garden,
That stands strong and tall,
No matter what happens,
My tree doesn’t fall.

When it is windy
Blowing gales and squalls
My tree bows and bends
But I know it won’t fall.

When rain falls upon it,
So hard it might drown,
My tree welcomes water
And holds out its boughs.

When the sun shines hard,
And plants all turn brown,
My tree’s lengthy roots,
Ensure water is found.

And when it is snowing,
And frost tries to bite,
My tree sheds some leaves
And soon new ones shine bright.

I watch my tree daily
There’s much to admire,
Such strength and resilience
To which I aspire.

All children in St John the Baptist Class should already be able to accurately spell all these words by heart:

Year 3 and 4 Spellings

All children in this class need to be able to spell these words accurately by heart:

Year 5 and 6 Spellings

Life in Saint John the Baptist Class: