Priest: Dear friends, like the leper we know that God can heal us: we intercede for the church, the world and for ourselves.

Reader: Let us pray for the continued strength and safety of Pope Francis as he patiently carries out the mission entrusted to him by the Holy Spirit… Loving father, hear our prayer.

We pray for all the people in the world who long for peace with justice and for freedom from repressive governments and leaders … Loving father, hear our prayer.

Let us thank God for the dedicated people working to care for us all: in hospitals and laboratories, vaccination centres and homes, schools and shops. Let us pray with hope for the worst of the pandemic to pass… Loving father, hear our prayer.

We pray for all those who suffer from leprosy and any kind of skin disease; For all those two, “outside the camp “who feel unwanted or forgotten… loving father, hear our prayer.

We remember with affection father Ray O’Shea, former parish priest of Christ the King, who died a few days ago. Let us pray for the repose of his soul: eternal rest grant into him…

Let us be still for a few moments in the Lords healing presence…

Father Ray had a special affinity with Lourdes as a place of pilgrimage and reconciliation. Let us turn for help to Our Lady of Lourdes as we say: Hail Mary…

Priest: Confident in our Father’s love for us, we bring to Him the concerns in our hearts.

Reader: The response to our prayers is “Hear our prayer”

1. May we open our hearts and minds to listen to Pope Francis and all those who have a prophetic mission in the Church.

Pause

Merciful Father: Hear our prayer.

2. We welcome Maisie Grace Zendaya Nkhata into the Church this weekend. May she grow strong in the love of Christ through the support of her parents and godparents, and of our parish community.

Pause

Merciful Father: Hear our prayer.

3. We give thanks for all those whose lives and work proclaim Your love: help us all to serve the communities in whose life we share.

Pause

Merciful Father: Hear our prayer.

4. We pray for all those who follow Christ in the Priesthood and the Consecrated Life. May they be faithful to their calling of witnessing to You through prayer and service, and may those who hear this call respond generously.

Pause

Merciful Father: Hear our prayer.

5. Today is also the feast of St John Bosco. We pray for all those who, like him, work with young people, and especially at this time, for those supporting them through the pressures and consequences of lockdown.

Pause

Merciful Father: Hear our prayer.

6. We pray that manufacturers find the means to rapidly increase the supplies of vaccines against Covid-19, so that all countries and communities may receive an equal share quickly.

Pause

Merciful Father: Hear our prayer.

            In the silence of our hearts we pray for all our other needs.

            Pause

We ask Mary, our mother, to offer our prayers with her own, us as we say

Hail Mary ….

Priest: Heavenly Father, we ask you to look down on our needy world with compassion, and help nations and individuals to be guided only by your values. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

Priest        We come together in this season of Advent to ask God our Father for our needs and the needs of others.

Reader          The response is;

Lord, graciously hear us

On this third Sunday of Advent we pray for the Church throughout the world that it may continue to proclaim the coming of God’s kingdom and that this message may bring hope to all who hear it …….. pause………….

Lord hear us

We pray for peace in the world. We think particularly of the long standing conflicts in the Middle East and the Holy Land, and the refugees who like the Holy Family, are seeking a safe place to live. .…. Pause………..  

Lord hear us

And nearer to home, we pray for the families of this Parish, and especially for those families for whom Christmas may not be a joyful occasion.  Be with them all in their difficulties and help us to support them.…….. pause………….

Lord hear us

We give thanks for the good news of an effective vaccine against Covid 19 and we pray for all those engaged in making it available to us. … pause……

Lord hear us

Let us take a few moments for silent prayer….. pause……………………………..

We ask Mary, the mother of our Lord to join her prayers to ours as we pray;

Hail Mary…………. 

Priest        Heavenly Father, listen to our petitions and grant them through Jesus Your Son who lives in glory with you and the Holy Spirit forever

PRIEST: Aware of God’s presence with us, we turn to him in prayer for our own needs and the needs of others.

 READER: We pray for the Church, that all her members may bear witness to the saving power of God.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 READER: For all in government, that especially in these difficult times, they may protect the least among us, the most vulnerable and those who are marginalised.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

READER: We pray for outcasts, foreigners and refugees, that they will always find a welcome in our midst.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

READER: We pray for all who are sick or who suffer in any way, that they will be comforted.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

READER: We remember those who have died and gone before us in faith. May they experience in all its fullness the power of Christ’s resurrection.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

PRIEST: Merciful Father, hear the prayers we bring to you. Help us to acknowledge your greatness and to serve you with grateful hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.