Weekly Prayers
Monday 4 December 2017.
The word “advent,” from the Latin adventus, means “coming” or “arrival.” The season of Advent is focused on the “coming” of Jesus as Messiah (Christ or King). Our worship, scripture readings, and prayers not only prepare us spiritually for Christmas (his first coming), but also for his eventual Second Coming. This is why the Scripture readings during Advent include both Old Testament passages related to the expected Messiah, and New Testament passages concerning Jesus’ Second Coming as judge of all people.
The word Messiah means ‘annointed one’, one who is called by God to do a special task. Each of us are called by God and today we pray for those being called by God to a life as priest. We pray that our Catholic Community and indeed our school will continue to provide us with priests to bring us the Sacraments and the teaching of our Church.
Our Father…
Tuesday 5 December 2017.
Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan.
Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Hail Mary…
Wednesday 6 December 2017.
St Nicholas is a well known saint yet there are a lot of facts that are still uncertain about his life, including his birth date.
Saint Nicholas is called “Wonder-Worker” because of the number of miracles attributed to him. One example being, as a young man Saint Nicholas is said to have made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land travelling by sea and when a storm arose the sailors thought that they were doomed. Nicholas prayed calmly. The wind and waves died down and they were all spared.
It is for his gift giving that perhaps St Nicholas is best known. He had a habit for secret gift giving, especially to poor children. He would put a coin in a shoe if it was left out for him. Today in countries across Europe children celebrate this day by giving each other gifts.
At this time of year it is important to remember those children who are less fortunate.
Our Father…
Thursday 7 December 2017.
There are five themes of Advent explored during the Advent season. These are waiting; expectation; hope; longing and joy. As we approach the Christmas period these are all emotions that we can identify with and look forward to.
However, it is important that we realise the value of family and friends over material possessions. It is the time that we have to spend with our families during the season of advent that is most precious. The gifts that we gladly give and receive are merely tokens of our affection and appreciation for those we are blessed to share our lives with.
We thank God for all of our families and loved ones, the most precious possessions of all.
Our Father….
Friday 8 December 2017.
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. This is the most important of all the Feasts of Our Lady and this great Feast marks the conception of Mary in the womb of her mother Anna. Specially chosen by God Mary would be born without the stain of Original Sin.
In such a state of Grace Mary was able to dedicate her life perfectly to God and when the Angel Gabriel asked her to be the Mother of God she was freely able to say ‘Let it be done to me according to thy word.’
We ask Mary to pray with us that we will have faith like her and be able to give ourselves over to the word of God.
Hail Mary…..
