QUESTIONS
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- What was the friend’s small act of kindness?
- What do you think the author’s initial meaning of friendship was?
- How did the author’s mobile phone support her friendships?
- Outline the author’s ‘redefined meaning of friendship’ in one or two sentences.
ACTIVITIES
In the present moment: Take a pen and a piece of paper and sit still for a moment. Write down three things you can hear, three things you can see, three things you can feel. Like the author, you might notice a warm breeze, bird song or the sun comfortable and mellow against your skin. You might notice your shirtsleeve against your arm or the pavement steaming after rain. What’s in your present moment, right here, right now?
Remembering: Do you remember your first friend? Maybe they weren’t really your first friend, but the first one you chose for yourself. Where did you meet them? What did you notice about them? Go back to that moment. See if you can remember details about what the friend looked like. Are you still in contact? Have they changed? Maybe you will consider how your friendship has grown and blossomed, or how you have both grown apart. Maybe they moved away or circumstances changed your friendship. What colour or pattern or piece of music would you assign to this friendship? Write a description of your first friend, the first time you met, or a specific memory you share with them.
Extension: Go through the piece and highlight any descriptive language that strikes you. Use these phrases as the inspiration for your description.
Lay down your life: John 15:13 reads ‘Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends’. What does this mean for you? Are there any of your friends that fit this scripture passage? How can you practically apply the wisdom of this scripture in your life to become a better friend? …Maybe it means giving your friend the bigger slice of cake or the better glass to drink from. Maybe it means giving up your lunch hour to help your classmate understand the latest maths lesson.
Prayer to God: Would you like a stronger friendship with God the Father? What about with the Holy Spirit (Jesus did promise to send His Holy Spirit as a friend and comforter to us)? What about with Jesus, who laid His life down for us on the Cross?
Prepare your prayer space: you can do this by entering a chapel or church, sitting before the Tabernacle or the Blessed Sacrament in Adoration. You could light a candle, close your eyes, kneel or sit comfortably in your bedroom, or walk in nature, or sit on your balcony... what ever helps you feel close to God.
Place yourself in the presence of God. This might be by visualising His presence, or simply by asking Him to be with you as you pray.
Thank God for all the blessings you have in your life right now. These might be blessings such as the people in your life, the opportunities you have, the way you woke up with life in you this day, whatever you feel is on your heart to thank God for.
Ask God how you can build a stronger relationship with Him.
Listen to what God puts on your heart. It might not come straight away, but have faith that He will answer your prayer and that He wants a relationship with you too.
Talk to God about anything else that is on your heart or mind.
Finish with a Glory be: 'Glory be to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen'.
For more prayer support look to
https://www.australiancatholics.com.au/article/pope-s-prayer-intention-for-december
What I've learned about friendship: Write a letter to a new Grade Prep student about to start their school life, describing what you've learned about making friends during your school years and offering them some advice and encouragement for making friends among their new peers at school. Once the letters are done, you might like to package them up to be given to next year's Prep students at your school or one nearby.
FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS
Portrait of a friend: Sit opposite your friend. Have a look at their face. What colour are their eyes? How are they wearing their hair? Do they have any birthmarks, scars, moles or freckles you can see? Is there something else you notice like they are in a wheelchair? What shape is their face like? Is it round, square, oval, heart or diamond shaped? (You can print out these shapes on a large piece of paper for students to select from to help their drawing).
Around your drawing, write words that remind you of this friend. These might be words like gentle, kind, giving, funny, strong, willing to help others - what ever makes you think of them.