Partnership Prayer
Risen Christ, from your abundant grace,
pour out afresh your Holy Spirit upon our Diocese.
As we build on the deep foundations of faith
laid by the countless saints of these Northern lands,
by Aidan and Cuthbert, Hilda and Bede
may our Partnerships continue the mission
of building your Kingdom on the earth:
to give living witness to your love,
and to your compassion and hope for our world.
We pray in trustful confidence
that your power working in us
can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.
Who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen
Baptism
Holy Communion
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Confirmation
Holy Orders
Marriage
Pope Francis – Prayer to Mary for Protection during the COVID–19 Pandemic
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide,
so that, as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself,
and bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross,
to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test –
and deliver us from every danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Gospel Reflection – Tuesday 28th April 2020
Gospel Reflection – Monday April 27th 2020
Mass for the 3rd Sunday of Easter (April 26th)
Gospel Reflection – Feast of St. Mark, Saturday 25th April 2020
Christ’s presence both in Word and in Sacrament
Today’s Gospel reading is probably one of the best-known passages of the Bible. It carries a powerful message to people of every age. Many can identify with the two disciples as they walked along the road to Emmaus. In our own journey with the Lord, there are times when our faith can be weak or strong; times when we are full of hope, or feel in need of hope. Jesus walked with the disciples on their journey, as he does in ours. Many times, although he is there, we do not recognise him. That is because he comes to us through the ordinary, everyday experiences of our lives.
However, today’s readings do invite us to reflect on the presence of Christ in the Mass, in the Scripture readings, and in the Eucharist. Christ is truly present in both. It is rarely necessary to recall once again the basic truth, so emphasised by the Church in recent documents, that Christ is present in his Word, since it is he himself who speaks, when the holy scriptures are read in the Church. The Scripture readings bring the old and the new together for us – the meaning they had for their first readers or listeners, and the application that they can be put to today, in our changed and challenging circumstances. This contact with the Bible reading, is no mere intellectual exercise. In it, when approached in faith, Christ is present through his grace, and the Holy Spirit. While we spend time at home, if we have a Missal at hand, we could read and reflect on our Sunday or Weekday readings, and let the Lord speak to us through his Word!
And, needless to say, Christ is present in a very special way in the Eucharist, in the breaking of bread, an action that brings to mind, the multiple meanings the breaking of bread had for Jesus, during his lifetime on earth, and after his resurrection.
Although we are not able to receive the Lord in Holy Communion at present, he still comes to us, and is always with us. However, once this crisis is over, it might make us think more about what we are missing out on. That phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder” comes to mind. At this moment in time, we are a bit like the disciples, hiding away in fear, before Pentecost. When we are finally able to go back to Church and celebrate Mass as a community, let’s fling open our doors, and gather together in the power of his Spirit! I’m sure when this eventually happens, we will be able to recall the words of the disciples in today’s Gospel: “Did not our hearts burn within us”!