PRAYER LIFE
The Year Of Paul Pope Benedict XVI has declared June 2008 – June 2009 a Year of St Paul in celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the apostle’s birth. It is reckoned that St Paul was born between 7 – 10 A.D. The Holy Father explained that: The Apostle of the Gentiles, who dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news to all peoples, spent himself for the unity and harmony of all Christians. May he guide us and protect us in this bimillenary celebration, helping us to advance in the humble and sincere search for the full unity of all the members of the mystical body of Christ The Liturgy Office serving the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales has prepared a series of leaflets which offer a brief introduction to the letters of St Paul as heard at Sunday Mass. They are intended both for readers and members of the liturgical assembly to help them appreciate the context of the second reading and encourage a greater familiarity with St Paul’s writings. Go to www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Scripture
Novena Prayers
At the end of weekday Masses and before the blessing The celebrant announces that the parish is taking part in a novena of prayer to our Lady in the days leading up to the feast of our Lady of Perpetual Succour which is on Friday 27th June and that immediately after Mass he will be going to the shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, patron of the Diocese, to lead the novena prayers. He invites people to stay behind and gather there for the few minutes of Novena prayers. After the dismissal the priest goes to the shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. At the shrine: Leader: Sisters and brothers, we have come before the picture of our Mother of Perpetual Succour that she will pray with us to God, in praise, in petition, and in thanksgiving. All: Dear Mother of Perpetual Succour, throughout your life you were open to God’s Holy Spirit: faithful in prayer, willing in obedience and generous in love. Pray for us, that we may be open to God’s word and filled with the Holy Spirit. You were faithful in prayer; pray that we too may follow Christ your son with the same spirit of prayer, with a willing heart, and in love for him who first loved us. The leader then, in his own words, invites all to thank God for all that is good in their lives/ the blessings they have received.. [pause] For the beauty of all that you have made. Lord we thank you For your loving mercy…. Lord we thank you For our salvation… Lord we thank you For the consolation of the Holy Spirit… Lord we thank you For the promise of your glory… Lord we thank you For our family and friends… Lord we thank you For the family of our diocese Lord we thank you For faith… Lord we thank you For Mary, our Mother of Perpetual Succour Lord we thank you And now we turn to Our Lady asking her to pray for us. Dear Mother, the Lord looked on you in your humility and chose you to be the mother of his son; and now all ages call you blessed. God has worked marvels for you. You witnessed the death of your son on the cross but your continuing faith brought you to witness his victory over death, filling your heart with joy and praise. By the example of your life, you showed that God’s mercy is on those who fear him. You sang of the justice of the one who casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly; You told of the promise made to Abraham, Sarah and all their descendants for ever. You are now with the saints, singing the praises of God and praying for us who need your prayers. Pray with us to the Lord, and as our prayers arise before him like incense, he will hear us and answer us, according to his promise. [as an alternative to the above following the Saturday Vigil Mass and Sunday morning Mass the Magnificat could be sung] Let us bring before Our Lady of Perpetual Succour the things in our lives for which we most need her prayers and help [pause] All: Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us. When we feel burdened by sickness and advancing years. Holy Mary… That we may forgive those who hurt us. Holy Mary… That families may increase in love and respect for each other. Holy Mary… That single people may be blessed by God. Holy Mary… That those preparing for marriage may always grow in love. Holy Mary… That the hurt caused by broken relationships may be healed. Holy Mary… That those who mourn may be comforted. Holy Mary… That unjust discrimination will cease. Holy Mary… That the hungry will be fed. Holy Mary… That we strive to live simply so that others may simply live. Holy Mary… That our nations, with God, will make poverty history. Holy Mary… That all who have lost their faith will find it again. Holy Mary… Let us pray: All: Almighty God, our creator, see us your children gathered in prayer, with Mary the mother of your Son. As we ask, let us receive; As we search, may we find; And as we knock, may the door be opened. And may your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen. Leader: May the Lord bless us, keep us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. (add a Marian antiphon following the Vigil and Sunday morning masses)