Good morning Year 6!
Have you watched the ‘UK blessing’? During this unique and challenging time, over 65 churches, representing millions of Christians in the UK, have come together to sing a blessing over our land.
I find this video very moving and very powerful to see Christians of all ages and races across the country coming together to bless the nation.
Our lesson for today
Through our Baptism and Confirmation, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and are called to be people who spread the Easter message and to be witnesses in our present world. There are many ways of being a witness – by prayer, our words, our life and kind deeds.
Read this story of Father Balashowry, a priest in India.
Fr. Balashowry: Providing refuge.
Fr. Balashowry is the director of the Don Bosco Centre for street children in Hyderabad, India. The centre rescues children from the streets and provides counselling, food, clothing, medicine, education, recreation, and aims at eventually rehabilitating the children to their families. There are currently over 50 boys at the centre. Most of them will have been found by the staff, begging at the train and bus station. Over a third of them are orphans and the rest have run away from broken homes. Fr. Balashowry offers a loving home for them in which they can feel safe and regain hope for their future.
As well as funding the children’s education, the centre has workshops where it provides training in trades like carpentry, tailoring, and engineering. They also have a bakery where a former resident of the shelter now teaches baking to the children. These classes all help to furnish the boys with the skills and motivation to find employment in the future. While the centre aims to rehabilitate children to their families, they are not forced back to their homes. The boys are encouraged to return to their families and spend some time with them, but they are welcome to return to the shelter and continue their studies. The boys need the stability and assurance that they will be supported and helped to finish their education. Fr. Balashowry is there for them until they are ready and able to move on.
The staff at the shelter have to be available at all hours of the day. Sometimes, there might be a knock at the door in the middle of the night, and someone needs to be ready to let the child in and look after them. The centre is open seven days a week and staff are always available. Fr. Balashowry and the staff need to provide care and guidance and show the children that they are loved. When told he was inspirational, Fr. Balashowry humbly responded, “It is God’s work”.
You will find that there are many Christians inspired by the Holy Spirit who witness to the love of God by their care for those in need. They may visit the sick in hospital or at home, provide food and shelter for the homeless. Sometimes, it is the small things that you do in your life, a kind word, a smile, lending a helping hand and perhaps doing something no one notices that is a real witness to the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Answer the following questions on the blog below:
- Q What would you find challenging about his mission?
- Q Why is their work so necessary?
- Q What inspires Fr. Balashowry to think of others first?
In Paul’s letter to the people living in Ephesus he writes:
God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Task:
Create a fact file or presentation or poster about a charity. Include the following information:
- Who founded it and why?
- What was their inspiration?
- How do they help people and why do volunteers give their time to help others?
- What are the aims of the charity?
- Explain what a difference it makes.
Good luck and we look forward to reading your work!
Miss Gorick and Mrs Healy xx
For a printable version of the blog, click here Wednesday-RE
Laetitia’s beautiful artwork 🙂
Have a look at Elly’s ‘Charity Factfile’! Elly-Charity work
Morning Laetitia 🙂 I have just received your beautiful artwork, ‘to be clothed with power from on high’.
I find the image of everyone in God’s hands very powerful. I have attached your picture above-thank you for sending it in!
Letitia your art work is amazing well done .?
I would find getting the homeless people to the shelter challenging because if you try to take them to the shelter they might try to escape or harm you.
Their work is necessary because if you were left on the street and there was no nice people to give money, they could die of hunger or thirst. They also wouldn’t have much education.
I think God inspired him because Jesus always thought of others before he thought of himself for example when he was healing people.
Thank you for your answers Aryan. You have thought carefully and it is lovely to think of stories of Jesus healing people.
The thing I would find challenging is caring for every single child, and being kind to them all of the time.
Their work is necessary to help the generation of children to be able to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
I think Jesus inspired him because he was always kind and peaceful, and often helped the poor.
You’re right Chiara-Jesus often helped the poor. Thank you for your answers!
Good morning,
I would find it hard to find so much time and all the money needed for the care of the boys. The boys also might not trust you or not want to come.
Their work is absolutely necessary as everyone deserves the same amount of care and respect as we are all equal in God’s eyes. Therefore, if we deserve homes and food, then they should too.
I think Fr. Balashowry was inspired by Jesus’ and God’s teachings because thinking of others before yourself and respecting others is exactly what we are taught through the bible.
Good morning Luke 🙂 ‘Everyone is equal in God’s eyes’ is such an important message to remember, thank you.
I would find staying awake 24/7 very difficult.
It helps lots of children who are suffering
God inspires him to think of others first
It must be very rewarding to help all those children!
Good Morning ?
1) What I would find challenging about this mission would be taking care of 50 boys as some could have bad accidents or run away. So in my opinion it would be very difficult to do this!
2)Their work is really necessary because if the children were left on the streets,they could be taken by anyone and anything could have happened to them. This is also necessary because they deserve a future and education so that they can have a good life.
3)I think Jesus inspired Fr. Balashowry to think of others before themselves. In the bible it says:
‘Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.’ (Philippians 2:3-4)
Good Morning Sergio 🙂 I really like that you have made a link to Scripture. Doing things in humility is a lovely message to remember. Thank you.
Just asking. What kind of charity should it be?
Just asking. Can it be any charity?
Hi Charles 🙂 Yes, any charity that interests you.
I would find gathering and making the children feel comfortable in your hands quite difficult as they may feel quite sceptical about me as they wouldn’t know me.
The work is necessary because there are many young people that are unwell and need help.
Fr. Balashowry was inspired by the Holy Spirit and saw he was doing the right thing when helping the children.
Well done Jada 🙂 I agree, It may be tricky for the children to feel confident to trust an outsider who was trying to help them. Thank you for your answers.
Good morning Miss,
Here are my answers:
1) What i would find hard about his mission is to take care of the boys and if a boy needs something in the middle of the night he can’t sleep in and it will be most likely everyday . Also when you collect them from the streets and train station they might not believe you and hurt you thinking that you are a kidnapper.
2) This work that he is doing is necessary because he can imagine being one of the children and he would feel frightened so he gave the kids on the street food, water and way more.
3)God inspires him to care for everyone and think of others before himself.
Good morning Javier 🙂 Thank you for your answers. Trust might be tricky you’re right and I agree that to care for these children 24/7 would be very challenging.
Good morning!
Here are my answers:
It would be challenging to care for every child and do every thing for them.
It is nescesary because everyone deserves a home and a place to sleep and be happy, also for the children who are suffering it would be a good place to go.
God inspires him to think of others first, he is kind and he always helped the poor.
Morning Eliza 🙂 Thank you for your answers. You’re right, everyone deserves a home and a safe place to sleep.
Hello,
i saw the video yesterday on Mrs Coleman’s blog and i also found it very moving and found the singing and the song very nice.
It’s beautiful isn’t it! I have been singing along to it all morning 🙂
Good Morning everyone,
1)I would find it hard to see so many children that are sad and orphans,that have broken homes and ran away from family.It would really make me reflect on how lucky i am as a child these days.I would also probably find it hard to dedicate my life to these children since i would need to always be there for them.But i would know that it is what God asked me to do for him so i have to keep on going for all of these poor children who need my help.
2)I think there work is necessary other wise 50 boys would still be on the streets being hungry,tired and sad.Also anything could happen to them on the streets and they would be really scared if they were left there.Everyone should be treated in the same way so there is no reason why they should be left on the streets with no education not knowing anything for future life.
3)Fr. Balashowry was inspired by God to think of others first as it is what God wants us to do, to help others less fortunate than us.As Balashowry humbly said “It is God’s work”.
P.s Leatitia that piece of art is beautiful you really expressed how you felt when Luke 24:49 said ‘To be clothed with power from on high’.
Hi Jade, I really enjoyed reading your response and it was lovely to see The detail that you have put in your answers. I agree, it would make me reflect and be grateful for what I have in my life. 🙂
Good morning miss!
Here are my answers:
1. What I would find challenging in his work is to make space for every single child, since there are countless children in the streets, and they can’t all fit in one shelter.
2.Their work is necessary to provide shelter to those children because they are only human and they need to live a good life as well as us.
3.God inspired Father Balashowry to do what he does. “It is God’s work.” He clearly believes in the phrase shown, “God’s work,our hands”
Morning :-)Thank you for your answers. I agree that it would be challenging to find space for all the children in need.
I have completed the task. The charity I have chosen is the RSPCA.
What a great charity to pick 🙂
Q1) What would you find challenging about his mission?
I would find challenging to keep everyone happy and healthy as it is a really important responsibility, also it would be hard for me to stay up all night even though it was a priority to the organisation.
Q2) Why is their work so necessary?
I think their work is absolutely necessary because there are many boys and girls out there in India who need some protection and a roof to sleep under. It would also be necessary to keep these children alive because they might have been separated from their families, but they all want to live together again as they did before. You don’t want to be the person who tells the child’s parents that the child is dead.
Q3) What inspires Fr. Balashowry to think of others first?
God inspires him as well as his heart. This really helps Fr. Balashowry to show God’s love and kindness to others.
Hello, I really enjoyed your answer and it was lovely to read that you have thought so carefully. I agree that the immense responsibility would be challenging.
Good afternoon,
Here are my answers:
1.) I would find it challenging to devote all of my time to volunteering, and although I would love the job I think it would be a little bit difficult to always be happy to spend my 24 hours doing something when maybe I would like a break to see my family. Apart from that, if I got a break once and awhile, I would love my job.
2.) There work is necessary because the kids that come to the centre are in desperate need of tlc and that’s what the staff provide for the children. If they didn’t, these kids wouldn’t have the proper skills to excel in life and may go homeless in the future.
3.) Jesus’ work and volunteering inspires many Christians just like Fr. Balashowry. It motivates people to follow their heart and help others less fortunate than themselves.
Hello 🙂 thank you for your answers. It is lovely to remember the importance of following our hearts and helping others who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Hello,
I hope everyone is doing okay! Here are my answers.
1) I think it would be challenging to look after the children as each child needs so much care and it would be hard for one person. It would be difficult not to be stressed, yet the Lord would guide him.
2) The work is absolutely necessary as children can not survive on their own without food, care and shelter.
3) Perhaps Jesus has inspired him and maybe some saints. For example St Vincent helped children to live better lives just as he is doing.
Hello, I hope everyone is doing okay too! I think it’s very important to remember that the Lord is guiding us through life. Thank you
Qu 1: I would try to prevent their past to hold them back and to support them in looking at the future and all the opportunities ahead of them.
Qu 2: What they do is necessary because those children are very vulnerable and they need protection and support. They should be allowed to have joy in their life as we all do. Just by giving a helping hand, it can brighten up someone’s day.
Qu 3: Fr. Balashowry is inspired to think of others first by the Holy Spirit.
Thank you for your answers! You are right, all children have the right to have joy in their life and we should all try to brighten up someone’s day 🙂
I think that the church singing was incredible and that it was very lovely gesture and brought together people who wouldn’t ever have thought about meeting each other.
Here are my answers to your Questions.
1. I think that it would be hard to love each and every one of the children he looks after because he may not necessarily like the children or he may not remember all their names.
2. Their work is important because the children will be adults in the future and wont get a good chance in life if they didn’t have a good childhood and had a bad education.
3. He wanted to carry out God’s work.
Have a nice lunch.
Hi Nina 🙂 It is lovely to hear from you. I agree, it really is a lovely gesture of the church to do that. Other churches across the world have done similar videos!
Thank you for your answers-I agree that it is so important offer all children a chance to get a good education.
Hi Elly 🙂 Thank you for sending over your charity fact file-I really enjoyed reading it and I have attached your work to the blog above! It was lovely to see you in a t shirt that supported the charity also!
Q What would you find challenging about his mission?
I would find seeing so many young people and children abandoned on the streets because they didn’t have a family.
Q Why is their work so necessary?
Their work is necessary because so many children are being abandoned because their families can’t feed them, and they would die quickly, or get an illness, so their work is necessary to keep them alive.
Q What inspires Fr. Balashowry to think of others first?
I think Jesus inspired him because of how Jesus had been like in his life. also mabey a bible passage inspired him like this one:
What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
– Psalms 25:12.
Hi Gabriel, thank you for your answers. I am so pleased that you made a link to scripture 🙂
Hello,
There could always have been a chance that you wouldn’t have enough money and not have any funds.
Some people don’t have the money to buy food let alone a house.
Gods work is what inspires Fr. Balashowry.
Hi Tim 🙂 thank you for your answers, I can see that you have thought about the challenges.
Hello,
1: Fr. Balashawny and his staff are very kind to work all day.
2: It must be challenging to have the money and spare for everyone.
3: This work is necessary because it gives hope to poor people.
4: God inspired Fr. Balashawny to do this.
Thank you for your answers Gaspard 🙂 I can see that you have thought carefully.