All posts by 3 churches

Give some joy

advent

John the Baptist is presented by Jesus as one of the greatest persons ever born. Yet he missed the privilege being born into the age of Christ, a privilege that has been made available to us. We could do well to emulate John in preparing ourselves for Jesus to become really part of our lives.

John was strong. He was a man of integrity. He was not one of the rich and famous. He was no pop star – all sound and no substance. He would never have made a glamorous icon for Hello magazine. Yet many people went out to hear him, to be challenged by him, to have their lives radically changed by his words.

Actually, our Christian vocation is similar to his. We are called to prepare the way for Jesus to come into our own hearts but also to prepare other people’s hearts so that they, too, may “experience the joy of salvation”, that healing, wholeness and holiness we all long for and which alone gives real meaning to our lives. Christmas is a time of gifts – both giving and receiving. Let us make sure that among the gifts we offer to others is some of the Christian joy which we ourselves have received.

From the reflection for today at “Sacred Space”
 livingspace.sacredspace.ie

Reflect

A prayer for today and for the week:

Lord Jesus,
you are Light for the World,
a lamp to our feet,
our guide, guard and protector in dark places. During this time of patient waiting and joyful expectation help us to open our hearts to welcome you;
be with us as we seek to show your infinite love
to all we meet;
and create in us a desire
to bring the light of your love
to those whose lives are filled with darkness, sadness and loneliness.
 Amen

Cracking on for Krakow

advent

Archbishop Stack has recently encouraged us all to be thinking about the next World Youth Day, which takes place in Krakow, Poland in 2016. You probably saw the amazing sights from Rio de Janeiro last year – be part of it in 2016!
It may seem a long way ahead, but time rushes on. Our diocese is determined to send a good number of young people to Krakow, and already preparation is in full swing. The Archbishop has officially launched the Registration for World Youth Day. Now full information can be found on the diocese’s WYD website – www.Cardiff2Krakow.org – where you can pick up the latest information for spiritual and practical preparation for WYD, as well as the registration form that you need to fill in.

I would like to draw the attention of all young people in our 3 Churches to this, and personally inviting you to be part of this great event and adventure. Spaces for the diocesan pilgrimage are limited. I appeal to you or anyone in our parishes or school communities who would like to participate.
I want to see our Churches represented in Krakow, and I’m sure that our parish councils would be prepared to support in any way we can, including financially. So log on, find out and sign up – crack on for Krakow!

Reflect

A prayer for today and for the week:

Lord Jesus,
John prepared a way for you in the wilderness of Judea.
As we journey through the weeks of Advent, show us the wilderness of our own lives.
Move us to respond to John’s call 
– to repent
- to change our ways
- and turn back to you.
Help us make straight our paths
and find the ones which lead to you.
Be with us Lord in this time of watching and waiting And teach us how to open our hearts to welcome you.

Fr Matthew

Doing Advent

advent

Celebrate  – Why not try to join in the celebration of an extra weekday Mass?
Reconcile – Confession is available at the normal times on Saturday (10am at St Brigid’s, 5.30 at St Paul’s, 5.45 at Christ the King). We are once again part of the diocesan “The Light is On” project, so there will also be a priest at St Brigid’s and Christ the King on Wednesday 3rd and 17th at 7.00-7.30pm, and also at most other Catholic churches. On Wednesday 10th December “The Light Is On” will take the form of our 3 Churches Advent Penitential Service 7.00pm at Christ the King.
Call in St Paul’s and St Brigid’s are open most of daylight. Christ the King now open Fridays 6.30-7pm during Junior Youth Club.
Read Take a “Walk with me” booklet to follow during the season. Available in all 3 Churches.
Log on Follow “Made for Glory” – a thought on video for each day of Advent made by young people, including some from our diocese www.youtube.com/user/madeforgloryuk  Every day visit “Sacred Space” an online daily prayer throughout the year at  ww.sacredspace.ie
Reflect We will use this prayer after Communion this Sunday; use it through the week too!

Lord Jesus, 
Open our hearts and minds to the truth, 
that You will return when we least expect it. 
And, as we begin our Advent journey, 
Help us to accept Your challenge
to stay awake, to be alert and 
to be prepared for the unexpected as we wait for Your coming.
Move us to respond to Your plan, for us
and for the world in the small acts of our everyday lives.
Arouse in us a desire to notice opportunities
to be generous 
and to be compassionate towards those we know and those we do not know.
And give us the confidence to joyfully share the message of Your love with others.

Fr Matthew