All posts by 3 churches

Christ the King bidding prayers, 23rd Sunday of the year – 7 September 2014

bidding prayers

P My dear friends, let us now bring our petitions to the God who made us.

Reader: The response is… hear our prayer.

Let us pray for greater understanding and tolerance within the Church; between the churches; and between Christians and Muslims… ..pause … … … … …

In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray that ways may be found to restore peace in our world without open warfare; but that love – God’s love for us and our love for each other, will be stronger than hate… …  pause……………….

In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

Let us pray for our schools in Cardiff and especially for teachers and governors, who bear such responsibility in guiding our children… … … pause … … … … …

In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

This weekend we welcome into the faith Isabella Marie Sidoli, who is being baptised and we pray that she will grow strong in faith and love of our Heavenly Father with the help of her parents and god-parents… … pause … … … … …

In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

As we remember those in our parish who are seriously ill, let us pray also for all those in Africa suffering because of Ebola; and for the brave and faithful people who care for them .. … … pause …

In your mercy, Lord, hear our prayer.

For a few quiet moments, let us talk to God in our own way… …longer pause ….. (no response).

In a world of conflict, we turn to Mary, Queen of peace, as we say Hail Mary….

Priest: Loving Father of us all, trusting in your promise to be with us, we offer our prayers through your Son and Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Never ending prayer

newsletter,

As you read this, I can guarantee that thousands of people across the world are praying for you, for the Church and for the world. They are following what we call “The Prayer of the Church”, also known as the “Divine Office”, or as the “Breviary”, from the book that contains it. So what is the Prayer of the Church?

God’s people must be a people of prayer, and there has always been a tradition of continuous prayer, going back to the Temple of Jerusalem. Our ancient welsh Celtic monasteries always had someone praying in their churches. The Prayer of the Church finds its roots more particularly in the prayer life of the monks and nuns in their monasteries, joining together at regular intervals during the day to pray as a community. This has always been in addition to the individual’s prayer time. Over the centuries this custom spread to all clergy and religions. When I was ordained it was one of our promises – to pray with and for the whole church according to the Divine Office. Since Vatican II the whole Church has been encouraged to join in this very special form of prayer. It is part of the official worship of the Church, and so, along with the Mass and the Sacraments, we call it part of our Catholic “liturgy”, and not just a devotion like the Way of the Cross or even the Rosary. In fact, yet another official name for it is the “Liturgy of the Hours”

The Prayer of the Church, in a four week cycle, is centred around the sequence of the psalms, plus hymns, readings and intercessions, and is uniform right across the whole Church. It is broken into five or seven parts throughout the day – the “hours” – with Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer being the main “hinges” as it were.

Morning and Evening Prayer has been prayed in Christ the King before the appropriate Masses for many years. From time to time I am asked if some of it could be prayed in St Brigid’s also. Therefore, on Monday 15th September I will give a short talk on the Prayer of the Church after morning Mass at St Brigid’s, i.e. at approximately 10.00am. It will be about 30-40 minutes and enable us to decide a way forward. Whichever of our 3 Churches you attend, you will be very welcome to join us.

Fr Matthew

Christ the King bidding prayers, 22nd Sunday of the year – 31 August 2014

bidding prayers

P We come together as members of the Parish, and with confidence we put our petitions before the Lord.

Reader; The response is; Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer

We pray for the church in all its many forms – give it new life and strengthen those who serve you as priests, religious and laity… … … … … … pause … … … … …

Lord, in your mercy– (Hear our prayer)

We pray for the people of Syria, Iraq and the Holy Land; and for all those suffering from war and conflict.  May their leaders be guided to just solutions and may the international community provide wise counsel and support .. … … … …  pause.. Lord, in your mercy– (Hear our prayer)

As the holiday period comes to a close, we pray that politicians, leaders and managers may return to their roles refreshed, and with a renewed commitment to service  … … … … … … pause … … … … …

Lord, in your mercy– (Hear our prayer)

We pray for children and young people, especially those who are disaffected and those who are in care: and we pray for social workers and others trying to meet their needs. .. … … … … …… pause …

Lord, in your mercy– (Hear our prayer)

We pray for those who have died, that through their faith in Christ, they may be welcomed into God’s kingdom. We remember especially Dolores Meehan, sister of Anne Marie Wheeler and Pamela Morley, wife of Terry. .… … … … … … pause … … … … …

Lord, in your mercy– (Hear our prayer)

We ask Mary the mother of our Lord to join her prayers to ours saying,

Hail Mary………….

P. God of love, listen to our petitions and grant them through him who lives in glory with You and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Back from holidays…?

newsletter

Although many of you are already back from this year’s holidays, I am just planning to go for it. While we all know what the holidays are for, I still find it interesting that we have certain days in the year dedicated to some very positive principles in life: love, caring, reverence, gratitude, family, fellowship and spirituality. What a concept the society has made it acceptable for us to take some time off work to remember what is important in life. Take some time for yourselves, your loved ones and your life.

There is a particular reason for me to choose this time of the year for my holidays in my homeland. That is to take part in the harvest festival of Kerala (my homeland) called “Onam” which is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities.
Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam. It is said that Kerala witnessed its golden era in the reign of King Mahabali.

Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days. Popularity and presentation of rich culture of the state during the carnival made Onam the National Festival of Kerala. Elaborate feasts, folk songs, elegant dances, energetic games, elephants, boats and flowers all are a part of this dynamic festival.

The rich cultural heritage of Kerala comes out in its best form and spirit during the ten day long festival. It is indeed a treat to be a part of the grand carnival. People of Kerala make elaborate preparations to celebrate it in the best possible manner.

The most impressive part of Onam celebration is the grand dinner prepared on the main day. It is a nine course meal consisting of 11 to 13 essential dishes. It is served on banana leaves and people sit on a mat laid on the floor to have the meal. You are cordially invited to take part in Onam together with me this year.

(Partially taken from internet)
Fr.Tomy