Leigh Pastoral Area

Friday, December 12, 2008

Preparing for Sunday Mass

Some lines from the Advent scriptures to mull over…

From the First Reading at Thursday’s Mass:
I, the Lord, your God, I am holding you by the right hand; I tell you, ‘Do not be afraid, I will help you’.
(Isaiah 41: 13)

From Sunday’s Second Reading:
Think before you do anything - hold on to what is good and avoid every form of evil.
(1 Thessalonians 5)

From Sunday’s Psalm (which is, in fact, the Canticle of Mary known as the ‘Magnificat’):
My soul glorifies the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
(Luke 1)

From Sunday’s Entrance Antiphon:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!  The Lord is near.
(Philippians 4: 4-5)

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Please remember in your prayers

All those killed and injured recently in Mumbai, India
All those affected by the violence in the Congo
The people of Afghanistan and Iraq
The people of Zimbabwe, now facing cholera as well as their other troubles

Come, Lord Jesus

Lord Jesus, you are God’s only Son,
my Saviour and Friend.
In my heart I do believe in you.
Please help my little faith.

I know you are here with me now.
You stand at the door of my life,
knocking day after day,
seeking to enter my life more deeply.

I open my life to you.
Please come to me now.
Touch my life with your grace.
Lay your hands upon me and around me.

Please forgive me for anything I have done
which has closed my life to you.
Purify and renew me now.
Grant me the wonder of your love.

Change and strengthen me by the power of your Holy Spirit.
Help me to live as a true man/woman of God,
as a true daughter/son of your Father,
and as a true follower and friend of you,
Jesus, my Lord and my God.

Come, Lord Jesus.
I welcome you into my life. 

Sunday, December 07, 2008

From the Archbishop’s Desk

December 2008

‘Listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.’ We accept those words from the Book of Revelation, as we enter Advent and Christmastide. It is clear what that must mean for us who our Lord’s compassion and concern: be renewed in the longing of Advent and the joy of Christmas for the sake of everyone. Thousands come to this Christmas afraid and anxious; the burden of those wicked advertisements focussed on children that say: ‘Only £19.99,’ suggesting that only parents who do not love will fail to get it for you, will be felt severely. It will be even more dangerous than usual this year if the inversion of how things are meant to be continues: I mean a Feast followed by a Fast that means Christmas is over by about 3.00 pm on the 25 December; sadly that day of new hope and light is one of the busiest days for those wonderful people who serve as Samaritans. It will be a blessing for others and us if there is simplicity in our celebrations: if we seize every opportunity to keep Advent, for example by Advent celebrations of Reconciliation, when personally accepting the call of John the Baptist.

Once more the BBC will broadcast Midnight Mass from our Cathedral. Those coming are asked to be there by 11.00 pm. The Mass will begin at 11.30 pm. The BBC have asked we do not ignore the anxieties of many this year and offer joy when the usual resources presumed necessary for the feast are not there. In the power of the Holy Spirit the Christmas joy is assured.

+ Patrick Kelly
Archbishop of Liverpool

Family Thoughts for Advent 2008

The following family thoughts are parish bulletin fillers produced by the Archdiocese of Armagh Family Ministry Team.

First Sunday of Advent (B) 30th November 2008
God is depicted today as our Father and as a potter shaping the clay. Loving parents who help to fashion the lives of their children offer their children a glimpse of God’s eternal love. Take time today to thank God for all the graces you have received as a family.

Second Sunday of Advent (B) 7th December 2008
Isaiah depicts God as a shepherd who gathers lambs in his arm and holds them against his breast. When parents comfort their children by hugging them and holding against their breast they are communicating not only their own love but also something of God’s tender love for those children. Give your child a hug today.

Third Sunday of Advent (B) 14th December 2008
Parenting is sacred work. Like the servant in today’s reading, parents are involved in binding up hearts that are broken, proclaiming liberty to captives, clothing children, wrapping babies in blankets and affirming children’s dignity. Pray for the guidance of the Spirit in your parenting.

Fourth Sunday of Advent (B) 21st December 2008
Mary listened to what was being asked of her and then responded with great generosity. Take time today to listen to the members of your family. Listen to their needs and for ways you can be of assistance to them in the run up to Christmas.

Tuesday, December 02, 2008

ADVENT HOLY HOUR

Thursday 4th December
7.00 - 8.00 pm
Holy Family, Boothstown

Fr Dave will lead the Holy Hour this week,
which will be followed by tea/coffee.

Monday, December 01, 2008

AN ADVENT PRAYER

Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness,
send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do
seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.
We who are anxious over many things
look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways
long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy
seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness,
yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!”
Amen.

By Henri J.M. Nouwen

PRAYER FOR WORLD AIDS DAY

God of our silent tears,
Good and gracious God,
you are the God of health and wholeness.

Many of us are now suffering with HIV or AIDS.
We come before you and ask you,
if it is your will,
to take this suffering away from us,
restore us to health and lead us to know you
and your powerful healing love in body and spirit.

We ask you to be with those of us
who nurse your sick ones.
We are the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers,
children and friends of those who are suffering.
It is so hard for us to see those whom we love suffer.
You know what it is to suffer.
Help us to minister in loving care,
support and patience
for your people who suffer with HIV and AIDS.
Lead us to do whatever we can to eradicate this
illness from the lives of those who are touched by it,
both directly and indirectly.
Trusting in you and in the strength of your Spirit,
we pray these things in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our brother and our Saviour. 
Amen.

(Adapted from the US Conference of Bishops)

Thursday, November 27, 2008

ADVENT 2008

Blessing of the Advent Wreath

Lord our God,
we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:
he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,
he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
he is the Savior of every nation.

Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

What is Advent?

Advent marks the beginning of the liturgical year. While it expresses the deep longing of all humanity for God, it celebrates the three-fold coming of the Lord:
remembering the events that surrounded the Lord’s coming long ago,
celebrating his coming among us today,
and looking forward to his final coming in glory.

The first part of Advent looks forward to the Lord’s glorious return at the end of time and reflects on his presence among us today.
The second part - from December 17th to 24th - prepares us for the yearly commemoration of Jesus’ coming among us in human flesh.

Each Advent Sunday takes on a particular character as suggested by the Gospel reading.

I             The Lord’s coming in glory at the end of time
II and III     John the Baptist and his message of repentance
IV           Events that immediately preceeded the Lord’s birth

Come, Lord Jesus!

Praying Advent

We often miss Advent’s power because these weeks are full of parties, panic and other preparations for Christmas.  The busyness at this time of year can distract us from having an Advent season that truly prepares us for the celebration of Christmas, with all its meaning. This site, ‘Praying Advent’ offers simple ways to enter into the Advent season, week by week, in the midst of our everyday lives.

Website:  http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Advent

Resource Pack for Homes, Schools & Parishes

HOME IS A HOLY PLACE

A brand new resource for raising awareness of the holiness of our homes is now available. 
Website:  http://www.homeisaholyplace.org.uk

Saturday, November 22, 2008

The Journey of Faith

May the sacred space within each of us
be filled with God’s presence.

“By the pouring over of the Holy Spirit…the soul is saturated with innermost holiness, for people are surrounded by their Saviour”.
(Hildegard de Bingen)

Through darkness and pain,
through light and joy,
in turmoil or at peace,
the tender hand of the unseen God
is guiding you.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Be still and know that I am God (Ps 46)

Quiet prayer is a matter of being:
being in stillness, being in God;
not having to achieve anything
or needing to find words,
but simply being.

I am here, Lord,
hiding nothing from you,
holding back nothing from you.
I simply wait in your presence:
for when I wait for you, I am found by you.

(Adapted from Angela Ashwin)

Thursday, November 20, 2008

SCRIPTURE GROUPS

Leigh Churches Autumn Scripture Group
7.30 - 9.00pm at Sacred Heart, Leigh

A course on the Beatitudes: 
19th November - Living Openly
26th November - Living Purposefully
3rd December - Living Lovingly
10th December - Living Differently.

Scripture for Advent & Christmas
Tuesday 2nd December at 7.30 pm at Holy Family Church
An evening which aims to provide a foretaste of the Scriptures we will be hearing during Advent and at the Feast of Christmas with time to study and also reflect on them. Also there will be the opportunity, for anyone who wishes, to practise reading at the lectern.  This is an invitation for everyone.