9th September 2018 - The Examen: Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude

On this week's programme the SS102fm team discuss the Examen prayer as a way of cultivating an attitude of gratitude and truly living one's life reflectively in the light of God's grace. We have We have our regular saints of the week and Sunday gospel reflection as well as other odds and ends.

The Examen: Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude
This week's reflection on the Examen Prayer is based on an article by Jim Manney of Our Sunday Visitor entitled 'The Examen — the prayer that changes everything St. Ignatius’ Examen teaches us to see God in what we think, do and feel every day' and is available to read in full HERE.

John and Lorraine discuss the importance of cultivating an attitude of gratitude and how the Examen prayer of St. Ignatius Loyala can help us to be thankful for everything that God does for us, because everything we have is a gift from God. The Examen is a beautiful way of slowing down and taking the time each day to discern the ways in which God blesses us throughout the day, to identify and give thanks for what went well in our day and to identify and express sorrow for what went wrong while asking God to help us do better the following day. Lorraine brings us through Jim Manney's version of the Examen and gives an example of how this prayer might be prayed.

You can listen to the full programme podcast HERE.

You can listen to Lorraine and John's discussion on the Examen excerpted HERE

Gospel for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Mark 7:31-37

Returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, right through the Decapolis region. And they brought him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they asked him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, put his fingers into the man’s ears and touched his tongue with spittle. Then looking up to heaven he sighed; and he said to him, ‘Ephphatha’, that is, ‘Be opened.’ And his ears were opened, and the ligament of his tongue was loosened and he spoke clearly. And Jesus ordered them to tell no one about it, but the more he insisted, the more widely they published it. Their admiration was unbounded. ‘He has done all things well,’ they said ‘he makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak.’

Reflections on this week's gospel:

Word on Fire
Centre for Liturgy
Sunday Reflections 
English Dominicans
Dominican Sisters of St. Joseph

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours: Psalter week 3

Saints of the week

10th September - St. Peter Claver
11th September - Bl. Dominic Dillon
12th September - The Most Holy Name of Mary
13th September - St. John Chyrsostom
14th September - The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
15th September - Our Lady of Sorrows

Pope's Prayer Intention - September 2018 - Young People in Africa

Africa is a continent with enormous potential. It's young people are it's future. A future which, if it is accompanied by education and work possibilities, is splendid.

"Africa is a wealthy continent, and its greatest, most valuable resource is its young people.

They should be able to choose between letting themselves be overcome by difficulty or transforming the difficulty into an opportunity.

The most effective way to help them in this choice is to invest in their education.

If young people don't have the possibility of education, what future can they have?

If young people don't have a job, what future awaits them?

Let us pray that young people in Africa may have access to education and work in their own countries"

What is the worth of a human being? What is the value of a single child of God?

Trisagion Hymn

The Trisagion sometimes called by its opening line Agios O Theos, is a standard hymn of the Divine Liturgy in most of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches. The Latin name Tersanctus or Ter Sanctus is sometimes used to refer to this hymn, although this name is also sometimes used to refer to the Sanctus; it is the latter, a different formula, which is used in Western Christianity in the Mass.

In churches which use the Byzantine Rite, the Trisagion is chanted immediately before the Prokeimenon and the Epistle reading. It is also included in a set of prayers named for it, called the Trisagion Prayers, which forms part of numerous services (the Hours, Vespers, Matins, and as part of the opening prayers for most services).

In the Latin Church, the main regular use of the Trisagion is on Good Friday, when it is sung throughout the ceremony of the Adoration of the Cross.

9th July 2017 - Prayer and myprayer.ie

On this weeks programme the SS102fm welcomes back Geraldine Creaton. Geraldine and Lorraine give us a reflection on prayer and introduce us to the new website myprayer.ie. We have our regular reflection on this weeks Sunday gospel as well as notices and other liturgical odds and ends.

You can listen to the podcast of this weeks full programme HERE.

myprayer.ie - Reflections on prayer

Geraldine Creaton and Lorraine have a discussion this week about prayer and also introduce to us the new initiative of Archbishop Eamonn Martin of Armagh called myprayer.ie. 

MyPrayer.ie being a new and creative way of providing a space and opportunity for prayer online urging as many as possible to register and join this initiative conceived in prayer.

The purpose of Myprayer.ie is:

• To give people a safe space to share their prayer with others.
• To make requests for prayer online.
• To pray for the intentions of those who have requested prayer.

• To share how God has answered prayer.

You can listen to the reflection on prayer excerpted from the programme HERE.

In terms of the new initiative on the 24th June, Archbishop Eamon Martin, launched MyPrayer.ie at the Annual Charismatic Conference in the RDS. 

Archbishop Eamon in his talk spoke how he has for some time felt the need for an Apostolate of Prayer for Ireland but hopefully through Myprayer.ie it will become a world-wide apostolate within the universal Church. 

This is in keeping with Pope Francis encouragement to all Christians to go on the digital highways and bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to our brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Archbishop Eamon Martin announces new prayer apostolate at celebration marking 50 Years of Charismatic Renewal

Gospel - Matthew 11:25-30

At that time Jesus exclaimed:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him. 

"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Reflections on this weeks gospel

Word on Fire

Sunday Reflections

English Dominicans

Centre for Liturgy

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 2; 14th week in Ordinary time

Saints of the Week

July 10th - St Cuán of Airbhre

July 11th - St Benedict

July 12th - St John Jones

July 13th - St Henry of Bavaria

July 14th - St Camillus de Lellis

July 15th - St Bonaventure

On the general calendar the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is not celebrated this year as it falls on Sunday 16th July except of course for the Carmelite family around the world. 

Bless the Lord my soul

19th March 2017 - Beginning to explore the Ministry of Public Prayer

On this weeks programme, John and Shane are joined by Noirin Lynch from Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre who joins us to discuss the steps being taken to explore, develop and support the Ministry of Public Prayer in the diocese of Limerick following on from the request expressed during Synod 2016.

We have a short reflection on this weeks Sunday gospel as well as our regular liturgical odds & ends and notices during the programme.

You can listen to this weeks programme podcast HERE.

Extended Notices

On this weeks programme we covered a lot of forthcoming events. To find out more about what was mentioned please check out the weekly newsletter from the Limerick Diocesan Pastoral Centre for further information or contact the LDPC at 061 400133

Beginning to explore the Ministry of Public Prayer

During Synod 2016, one of the questions which arose was what happens as a praying community when we want to gather prayer but due to circumstances no priest is available to take their role as presider of the praying community could we build up lay people to assist in leading at times of prayer.

On this weeks programme Noirin Lynch joins us to discuss how as a diocese we are beginning to explore and think about the Ministry of Public Prayer - the idea of the leadership of public prayer where as praying communities we have a few people in the parish who can help us to lead, to start us off in public prayer where the need may arise. 

The exploration of the Ministry of Public Prayer is looking at the balance between maintaining our sense of community where we gather together but also preserving the understanding of special-ness of the Sunday Eucharistic gathering of the community.

During the discussion we explore the idea of what is the difference between public prayer (e.g. rosary, taize prayer, pilgrimages, chaplets etc which can be quite diverse, based on different spirituality's and ways of prayer) and the Liturgy (the core public official rituals of the Church as a faith community).

As a diocese we want to be in a situation where if the need arises that each parish has a few people who are comfortable to be able to lead public prayer and also Lay led liturgies - Liturgy of the Word (maybe with a Communion service) and/or Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office)

The journey of exploration of this renewed type of ministry is first off recognising that in many ways it is already happening already with people who lead rosaries or assist with prayers during Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament etc and also resourcing and encouraging members of communities in this role. It is also about creating the backup plan for situations where maybe a priest isn't available at short notice and Liturgies are required. 

Part of the exploration is also about recognising the loss and grief of people will have because we may not be able to attend to daily Mass as often in the future - a loss and grief from love of the Mass. In a sense the journey of exploration is asking how we talk about how can we pray in the morning if we can't have Mass? Lets look at the options and how we as a praying community will still gather to pray.

As part of the process, every parish is to have one lay led liturgy on 25th April 2017.

The interview with Noirin can be listened to excerpted from the main programme HERE.

Gospel - John 4:5-42  - The Samaritan Woman at the Well

Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.Jacob's well was there.Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.It was about noon.
A woman of Samaria came to draw water.Jesus said to her,"Give me a drink."His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.The Samaritan woman said to him, "How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?"—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—Jesus answered and said to her,"If you knew the gift of Godand who is saying to you, 'Give me a drink, 'you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."The woman said to him, "Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living water?Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?"Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in hima spring of water welling up to eternal life."The woman said to him,"Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.
"I can see that you are a prophet.Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain; but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem."Jesus said to her,"Believe me, woman, the hour is comingwhen you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews.But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth; and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth."The woman said to him,"I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ; when he comes, he will tell us everything."Jesus said to her,"I am he, the one who is speaking with you."
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him.When the Samaritans came to him,they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days.Many more began to believe in him because of his word, and they said to the woman, "We no longer believe because of your word;for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world."

Reflections on this weeks gospel:

Word on Fire
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans
Sunday Reflections

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - Psalter week 3; 3rd week of Lent

Saints of the Hours

March 20th - St Joseph (Solemnity)
March 21st - St Enda of Aran
March 22nd - St Nicholas Owen
March 23rd - St Turibius de Mogrovejo
March 24th - St MacCartan also Bl Oscar Romero
March 25th - The Annunciation of the Lord (Solemnity)

Experiences of Prayer

Ever wonder why other people seem to have different, 'better' experiences in prayer? Don't stress! God's grace produces variety, so there's more than just roses in his garden. The one thing necessary is to give Him our heart, holding nothing back. The rest is up to Him. 

The following, from a fourth-century homily, is spot on:

'[The children of God] are guided by the Spirit in various ways and led forward by grace working invisibly in the inner peace of their hearts.

Sometimes they are, as it were, in mourning and lamentation for the whole human race. They utter prayers for all mankind and fall back in tears and lamentation. They are on fire with spiritual love for all humanity.

Sometimes they burn, through the Spirit, with such love and exultation that they would embrace all mankind if they could, without discrimination, good and bad alike.

Sometimes they are cast down by humility, down below the least of men, as they consider themselves to be in the lowest, the most abject of conditions.

Sometimes the Spirit keeps them in a state of inextinguishable and unspeakable gladness.

Sometimes they are like some champion who puts on a full suit of royal armour and plunges into battle, combats his enemies fiercely and at length vanquishes them. For in the same way the spiritual champion, wearing the heavenly armour of the Spirit, attacks his enemies and, winning the battle, treads them underfoot.

Sometimes their soul is in the deepest silence, stillness and peace, experiencing nothing but spiritual delight and ineffable power: the best of all possible states.

Sometimes their soul is in a state of understanding and boundless wisdom and attention to the inscrutable Spirit, taught by grace things that neither tongue nor lips can describe.

And sometimes their soul is in a state just like anyone else’s.

Thus grace is poured into them in different ways, and by different paths it leads the soul, renewing it according to God’s will'.

The Examen - Take a moment out of your day..............and just breathe with God

Exam Prayers

Next week the national state exams begin for our Leaving  and Junior certificate students. Please remember our scholars and their families at this stressful time.

Some prayers for those preparing for exams at this time of year:

Exam Prayer 

Lord, I know you are with me and love me.
Give me peace of mind as I prepare for this time of study.
Help me to focus on my books and notes.
Keep me from all distractions so that I will make
the best use of this time that is available to me.
Give me insight that I might understand what I am studying,
and help me to remember it when the time comes.
Above all, I thank you for the ability to be able to study
and for the many gifts and talents you have given me.
Help me always to use them in such a way
that they honour you and do justice to myself.
Amen

Prayer Before an Examination

Dear Lord, as I take this exam, I thank you that my value
Is not based on my performance, but on your great love for me.
Come into my heart so that we can walk through this time together.
Help me, not only with this test, but the many tests of life that are sure to come my way.
As I take this exam, bring back to my mind everything I studied
and be gracious with what I have overlooked.
Help me to remain focussed and clam, confident in the facts and in my ability,
and firm in the knowledge that no matter what happens today you are there with me.
Amen

Prayer is not a magic wand that fulfills your desires, but it is what helps you keep the faith when you don’t understand God’s will, Pope Francis said

Crux - Prayer is no magic wand to fulfill your desires, Pope Francis says
Vatican Radio - Pope Francis: Perseverance in prayer needed, but not "magic wand"

Lord I need you - Matt Maher

Pause a moment with Matt Maher......

Hit the pause button on your busy (and possibly stressful) day and press play to listen "Abide With Me" on ‪#‎WorshipWednesday‬.

Let a moment of reflection and worship reset your heart and mind for the rest of the week.

Regina Caeli during Easter Season

This is one of four Marian antiphons, with following prayers, traditionally said or sung after night prayer, immediately before going to sleep. However throughout Eastertide (that is, from Easter Day through Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter) it is said in place of the Angelus.

Queen of Heaven

V. Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
R. For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
V. Has risen, as he said, alleluia.
R. Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.



Regina caeli

V. Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia.
R. Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia.
V. Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia.
R. Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
V. Gaude et laetare, Virgo Maria, alleluia.
R. Quia surrexit Dominus vere, alleluia.

Oremus. Deus, qui per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi, mundum laetificare dignatus es: praesta, quaesumus; ut per eius Genetricem Virginem Mariam, perpetuae capiamus gaudia vitae. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Synod 2016 - Journeying and praying together in faith. (Repost)

Prayer is a central part of our Diocesan Synod. During the week of the Synod, (April 3rd - 10th); we invite everyone to keep us in your prayers and, where possible, to join us at liturgies being celebrated in parishes, pastoral areas and diocese.

We have offered parishes information on the music for these liturgies so that choir members and others can prepare and fully participate – particularly in the opening and closing liturgies for Synod2016!

Everyone is invited to pray for our Diocesan Synod. All are invited to these special liturgies:

• Opening Mass with Bishop Brendan in St John’s Cathedral. Sunday, April 3rd at 7pm
• Prayers in Parish:   Every parish (via their parish priest) will receive a prayer pack in Easter week with prayer resources for use at daily Masses Monday - Thursday 4/5/6/7th, and for Sunday 10th
• Pastoral Area Prayer Service:  Wednesday, April 6th. (details below)
• Closing Mass with Bishop Brendan in St John’s Cathedral. Sunday, April 10th at 7pm

The Pastoral Area Prayer on Wed April 6th will be led by prayer guides, in local locations. Everyone is welcome and there will be special prayers for delegates and for the diocese.

Prayer Sessions in Pastoral Areas

Cathedral Area (St. John’s, St. Patrick’s, Our Lady Help of Christain’s, Monaleen, St. Michael’s, Donoghmore/Knockea,Holy Family, Our Lady Queen of Peace)
Prayer Session: Venue: St. Brigid’s Parish Church, 7.30pm. Contact: Rose O’Connor (0877429999)
Leader: Geraldine White.
                                       ----------------------------------------------------------

Our Lady’s Area (Newcastlewest, Ardagh/Carrickkerry, Monagea, Mahoonagh, Killeedy, Dromcollogher,/Broadfors, Feenagh/Kilmeedy).
Prayer Session: Venue: Newcastlewest Parish Church, 7pm.
Prayer Leader/Contact: Lorraine Buckley (0872701817).
                                       ------------------------------------------------------------------

Ide Naofa Area (Abbeyfeale, Athea Templeglantine Tournaulla/Mountcollins).
Prayer Session: Venue: Blessed Sacrament Chapel, Abbeyfeale, 7pm. Contact: Pat Higgins (0872034626)
Prayer Leader: Sr. Vera.
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuath Phadraig/Knockpatrick Area (Glin, Loughill/Balllhahill, Askeaton/Ballysteen, Shanagolden/Robertstown/Foynes, Coolcappa/Kilcornan, Cappagh, Kilcornan, Kildimo/ Pallaskenry).
Prayer Session: Venue: Askeaton Parish Church 7.30pm. Contact: Carmel Plant(0876969845).
Prayer Leader: Mary Kiely.
                                     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pobal Mochealloig Area (Ballyagran/Clomanswell, Rockhill/Bruree, Effin/ Garrienderk, Kilmallock/Ballingaddy, Bulgaden/Martinstown, Kilfinane, Ardpatrick, Glenroe/Ballyorgan).
Prayer Session: Venue: Kilmallock Parish Church, 7.30pm. Contact: Sr. Patricia Coughlan (0870550195)
Prayer Leader: Noirin Lynch.
                                      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Curraghchase Area (Rathkeale, Croagh/Kilfinny, Knockaderry/Cloncagh, Ballingarry/Granagh, Adare).
Prayer Session Venue: Cloncagh Parish Church, 7.30pm.
Prayer Leader/Contact: Sr. Margaret O’Sullivan.
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------

Thomond Area (Cratloe, Parteen/Meelick/Coonagh, St. Nicholas, St. Mary’s, St. Munchin’s, Corpus Christi, Christ The King, Our Lady of the Rosary).
Prayer Session: Venue: Christ The King Parish Church, Caherdavin, 7.30pm. Contact: Joan Galligan (0863798988)/ Fr. Coffey (0876540908)
Prayer Leader: Sr. Mary Brigid Dunlea.
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------

Maigue Area (Dromin/Athlacca, Fedamore, Manister, Croom, Banogue, Bruff/Meanus/Grange).
Prayer Session: Venue: Fedamore Church, Time and contact to be confirmed.
Prayer Leader: Sr. Sarah Hogan
                          ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pobal Neasain Area (Patrickswell/Ballybrown, Mungret/Crecora/Raheen, St. Paul’s, St. Joseph’s, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Saviour’s).
Prayer Session: Venue: Mungret Church, 8pm. Contact: Margaret O’Connor (0876339893)
Prayer Leader: Sr. Betty Baker.
                           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abide with Me

In the midst of the madness of this world, in the midst of the tragedies of this week when we enter into the Passion of Christ, we pray our Lord, abide with us!

Prayer and Liturgy for our Diocesan Synod

Prayer is a central part of our Diocesan Synod.  During the week of the Synod, liturgies will be celebrated in parishes, pastoral areas and diocese. We have offered parishes information on the music for these liturgies so that choir members and others can prepare and fully participate – particularly in the opening and closing liturgies for Synod2016!

 

Opening Liturgy:	Celebration of the Eucharist, chief celebrant Bishop Brendan Leahy. Sunday 3rd April 2016 at 19:00 in St Johns Cathedral.
Days of Prayer in Parishes:	Parishes are asked to set aside specific times of public prayer for the success of our diocesan Synod on Monday April 4th and Tuesday April 5th .   This might be a normal time of prayer in the parish – before or after morning Mass, or a special event at a time suitable for all parishioners. A resource pack for this time will be sent out well in advance to parishes. On Wednesday April 6th, there will be a Prayer Service in each Pastoral Area to which all parishioners are invited. This is being planned together with Pastoral Area teams, and PA secretaries have been asked for support in selecting a venue and time for these celebrations. Information will be circulated in advance.
Closing Liturgy:	Celebration of the Eucharist, chief celebrant Bishop Brendan Leahy. Sunday 10th April 2016 at 19:00 in St Johns Cathedral.

 

 All are welcome to all these liturgies
 – we need your prayers and support as we all journey together this year!

More information about the liturgies and especially the music to be used including the Mass of St Ita with sheet music and downloadable audio clips are all available at the Synod website.

To be a contemplative

29th November 2015 - Reflection on Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament - 1st Sunday of Advent (Year C)

It is a wild and wet weekend in west Limerick, a night to take shelter around the fire and close the curtains against the storm of the night. Some how it seems appropriate that Advent begins in darkness and storm, a reminder to us that we live buffeted by the storms of life as we await the coming of the Lord at Christmas, the darkness of the world, of humanity in history we remember the light that broke through with the coming of Emmanuel into the world.

Advent is at our throats! Keep the season, but keep it simple.

On this weeks programme, we take a time out, a prayer moment as John and Lorraine lead us through a reflection this morning. Advent is often lost in the maelstrom that is the rush to Christmas which seems to begin earlier and earlier every year, but on the programme this morning we would like to provide a prayerful start to the holy season of Advent.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

The podcast of this weeks programme is available HERE.

Gospel - Lk 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples:
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,
and on earth nations will be in dismay,
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.
People will die of fright
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of Man
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
But when these signs begin to happen,
stand erect and raise your heads
because your redemption is at hand.

“Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy
from carousing and drunkenness
and the anxieties of daily life,
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.
For that day will assault everyone
who lives on the face of the earth.
Be vigilant at all times
and pray that you have the strength
to escape the tribulations that are imminent
and to stand before the Son of Man.”

 Reflections on this weeks gospel

Word on Fire
Sunday Reflections
Centre for Liturgy
English Dominicans

Liturgical odds & ends

Liturgy of the Hours - week 1, 1st week of Advent

Saints of the Week

November 30th - St Andrew (apostle)
December 1st - Blessed Charles de Foucauld
December 2nd - Blessed Ivan Sleziuk
December 3rd - St Francis Xavier
December 4th - Blessed Adolph Kolping (First Friday)
December 5th - Blessed Philip Rinaldi

Popes Intentions for December

• Universal: That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving.
• Evangelization: That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain hope.

Holy is His Name