Monday 26^th February 2018

This is the Second Week of Lent. The Gospel today is Luke Chapter 6 Verses 36-68 with its theme, Grant pardon and you will be pardoned. Last month, a local priest had had a very busy Sunday morning. He celebrated two Masses and baptised five children. He spoke to lots of parishioners, signed Mass cards, helped to tidy-up the church after the Masses and so on. He warmed up a bowl of soup and looked forward to having a quiet afternoon. It was not to be. A phone call summoned him to drive through the snow to the hospital to see, Mary, an elderly patient.

On the way, he grumbled a little to the Lord wondering why he had spoiled his afternoon. The lady’s daughter and her husband were at the bedside as the priest anointed the patient and made a Spiritual Communion since Mary was not able to consume the Sacred Host. As the priest blessed her, the old lady turned an looked at the priest. The daughter delightedly remarked that it was the first sign of recognition she had shown in days. But the priest said, “I think she is going. I’m going to pray the commendation of the dying.” As he said the Words, “Go forth Christian soul” she gave a little gasp and slipped away from this life.

The daughter was amazed. She had never seen anyone die before. But she was calm and content.

Her mother had just died but she was calm and content. Why do you think that was so? Do you think the priest grumbled a little to the Lord on his way home? If not, why not?

Pray: Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in Peace. Amen.

Let us ask Mary our Mother to help us know the forgiveness and love of God. Hail Mary….

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Monday 19^th February

Jesus, each time I look at the sacred Host,

sanctify my eyes,

that they may close more and more

to all that is merely earthly.

 

Jesus, each time I look at the sacred Host,

send a ray of divine light into my soul,

that I may better know you and myself.

 

Jesus, each time I look at the sacred Host,

send a flame of divine love into my heart

to consume everything in it

that is displeasing to You

and to set it all on fire with Your love.

 

Now and in eternity

may my only desire be to contemplate

the infinite beauty of Your divine countenance

which delights the angels.

Amen

Our Father…

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By Joseph Nassal, CPPS

Compassionate and Holy God,
stir the dust of our lives and help us remember who we are.
Scatter this dust upon the field of our fear
and give us the courage to yield to redemption.
Ignite the ashes of our burned-out dreams and kindle life.
As we carefully place these ashes in the urn of our heart,
we yearn for sparks of new life.

Loving God,
as we paint our faces with these ashes,
You call us to turn away from sin but not from death.
You tempt us to look the face of death in the eye
as we embrace and remember life.

Merciful God,
as we carry the ash tattoo of the cross upon our foreheads,
kindle within us memories of your mercy.
Give us the courage to turn away from sin and return to You,
and so find our way to one another.
It is in this turning that we find our truth.

Amen.

Wednesday 14^th February

On Valentine’s Day we remember St. Valentine, the martyr, who brought couples together in Holy marriage against the laws of the day and who had the strength to stand-up for what he believed. Like St. Valentine we must show strength during the period of Lent.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It marks the start of our preparation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Over the forty days of Lent, our preparation focuses on three areas: fasting, penitence and almsgiving. We pray that through our preparation we are ready to receive the Good News that our Lord, Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again three days later so that we might be saved.

Our Father…

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Monday 5 February

Heavenly father, I am your humble servant,
I come before you today in need of hope.
There are times when I felt helpless,
There are times when I feel weak.
I pray for hope

Help me to walk in your light, and live
my life in faith and glory.
In your name I pray.

Amen

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Monday 29 January

Today is the start of Catholic Education Week 2018 during which we celebrate the faith dimension of our school. The purpose of Catholic Education Week is to highlight the significance of education, not only for young people but for society as a whole.  Students, parents, teachers and others are asked to reflect on their own roles in the education process – at home, in school, in the local parish and in other educational settings.

 

Father,

Thank you for all those men and women who have given their talents to educating our young people. Through the challenges they encounter each day, lead them to an ever deeper appreciation of the sacred duty to which you have called them.

We give thanks for the invaluable work of all those who contribute to the efficient running of our schools support staff, kitchen staff, maintenance staff and chaplains. We thank them for their hard work and dedication and we pray that they may continue to work in support of our schools.

Amen

Tuesday 30 January

The word “compassion” means to “suffer with” someone, with the sense of coming to the person’s aid. It is an emotion in us caused by some evil or dire condition seen in someone else. The Good Samaritan is a memorable example. Jesus himself suffered for our sins.  We remember him in our actions and our thoughts.

Lord, open our eyes

That we may see you in our brothers and sisters. Lord, open our ears that we may hear the cries of the hungry, the cold, the frightened, the oppressed.        Lord, open our hearts

that we may love each other as you love us. Renew in us your spirit.  Lord, free us and make us one.

Amen

Wednesday 31 January

A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen.

Thursday 01 February

Generosity inspires gratitude, and gratitude inspires generosity. God is generous to us and our generosity, as St. Paul tells us, gives proof of our gratitude towards God.

 Lord Jesus, teach me to be generous; 
teach me to serve you as you deserve,
to give and not to count the cost,
to fight and not to heed the wounds,
to toil and not to seek for rest,
to labor and not to seek reward,
except that of knowing that I do your will.

 Amen. 

Friday 02 February

Dear God,

Loving Essence of all there is. Please fill me with your sacred presence.

I ask for your Love and Guidance and for your blessings

As I explore the deep reaches of my heart I ask for your assistance

In releasing that which stands in the way of true love.

My heart is pure; my intentions clear. Please bring to me my most perfect partner.

I seek a partner who enhances me by his/her very being.

who brings more love, joy, peace and prosperity to my life,

Who I can love fully and who can fully receive my love,

Who loves, honours and cherishes me completely, and always.

May my heart be open and my head be clear.

May my life be ready to welcome True love.

May I be embraced in a circle of your love

And uplifted by your grace.

Amen

Monday 22 January 2018.

 Yesterday was the traditional date for the Feast of St Agnes who was martyred at the start of the Fourth Century who sacrificed her life rather than submitting to losing her chastity. On her Feast Day, the Pope blesses several lambs whose wool is then used to make the pallium which is a special cloak or scarf worn by certain Archbishops and is a sign of their position.

Today, we pray for all those who are called by God. We remember those who will follow God at some cost or sacrifice. We pray for our Priests and Bishops that they will continue to be filled with the Holy Spirit as they lead us in faith.

Hail Mary…

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