All posts by 3 churches

Holy Week services

lent

I can’t believe that we are almost at Holy Week, but, yes, next Sunday is Palm Sunday. Here are the times of Holy week services in our 3 Churches.

Palm Sunday (13 April 2014)

All Masses at normal times, to include the Blessing of Palms.
Family Stations of the Cross at Christ the King 3.30pm
Film for Holy Week “The Passion of the Christ” St Brigid’s Hall 7.30pm.

Monday-Tuesday (14,15 April)

Masses at normal times.

Wednesday (16 April)

Chrism Mass at the Cathedral 11.30am. (note change of day)
Parish Masses and “The Light Is On” at usual times.

Thursday (17 April)

Mass of the Lord’s Supper 8.00pm at St Paul’s and at Christ the King at both churches.

Good Friday (18 April)

Morning Prayer 10.00am at Christ the King.
Commemoration of the Passion 3.00pm at Christ the King and at St Brigid’s

Holy Saturday (19 April)

Morning Prayer 10.00am at Christ the King
Watching until Midnight
Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter 8.30pm at St Brigid’s, and 9.00pm at Christ the King.

Easter Sunday (20 April)

All Masses at normal times.

 

Here is a prayer for use at Mass and elsewhere on this the Fifth Sunday of Lent

Lord Jesus,
you love us, you gave your life to save us,
and now you are living at our side
to enlighten us, strengthen us and free us.
When our lives seem dark –
ease our hearts
and place in them that firm and quiet trust
that roots them deeply in your own life, death and resurrection. Let the joy of the Gospel raise us up
and, certain of your infinite love for us,
may your Holy Spirit help us to bring the power of that message into the lives of others.

Amen 

A change of heart

lent

The call of Lent is the call to change, to repent, to let go – a change of heart or “metanoia”. It is a time to prepare for our celebration of the saving events that we call the Paschal Mystery – the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Saviour. At the heart, then of Lent must be a serious reflection on where we are on our Christian journey.
The priest’s prayer of absolution in Reconciliation begins “God the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of his Son, has reconciled the world to himself, and has sent the Holy Spirit for the forgiveness of sins.” The second half continues: “Through the ministry of the Church, may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”.
All of us should try to celebrate this great Sacrament of forgiveness during Lent. This week our 3 Churches Reconciliation or Penitential Service on Wednesday 2 April takes place during the weekly “Light Is On” time, 7-8pm at Christ the King.

Note there just for this one week in Lent, will be no Confessions at St Brigid’s Wednesday evening and Wednesday Mass at Christ the King will be at 9.30am.

Here is a prayer for use at Mass and elsewhere on this the Fourth Sunday of Lent:

Lord Jesus,
you came to open the eyes of the blind.
Open our eyes to all that you seek to show us,
and open our hearts and minds to understand God’s will.
Heal us of our own greyness and melancholy
and everything that gets in the way of the joy of the Gospel.
Kindle anew the light of your love within us
so that we may joyfully live out your message in our everyday lives –
humbly and generously loving our neighbour;
and seeking justice for all God’s people.
Amen

Christ the King bidding prayers, 3rd Sunday of Lent

bidding prayers, Christ the King, lent, ,

CELEBRANT: As a parish community we stand in the sight of God, who knows our every need. Let us ask Him then for those needs.

READER: The response is: Lord graciously hear us.

READER: Let us, with Pope Francis, ask for the grace that the Lord would give to each of us the wisdom to have confidence only in him — not in things, not in human powers; only in him.

…….. (PAUSE)……….. Lord hear us ..…. Lord graciously hear us.

READER: For those world leaders considering what to do about the situation in  Ukraine. May they be guided with wisdom to help achieve justice and peace in the region.

…… (PAUSE)…… Lord hear us ..…. Lord graciously hear us.

READER:  We pray for the church in Colombia where in the last five years 19 priests, a sister and two lay people have been murdered as they spread the message of God’s love. May they take heart in that love that died for us sinners.

 …. (PAUSE)…… Lord hear us..…. Lord graciously hear us.

READER:   For the children of the parish as they receive the sacrament of reconciliation for the first time.  May they experience the love of God in their hearts as they enter in a state of grace.

(PAUSE)…… Lord hear us..…. Lord graciously hear us

READER: We pray for Margaret Ames who died recently. May she rest in peace. Let us also remember her family and friends during this difficult time.

PAUSE)…… Lord  hear us.…. Lord graciously hear us.

READER:  Let us pray for our own needs and those of our family and friends.…. (Long Pause)…. Let us ask the intercession of the Our Lady: Hail Mary, full of grace, etc.

After a short pause the Celebrant will conclude the prayer.

CELEBRANT: Father, You gave water to the Israelites though they doubted You. Hear and grant our prayers therefore through Your Son, Jesus Christ in union with the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever Amen.