Tag: Association of Catholic Priests in Ireland

First Sunday of Advent – 02 Dec – Luke 21:25-33 ~ The coming of the Son of Man

First Sunday of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

God our Savior, you utter a word of promise and hope and hasten the day of justice and freedom, yet we live in a world forgetful of your word, our watchfulness dulled by the cares of life.

Keep us alert. Make us attentive to your word, ready to look on your Son when he comes with power and great glory. Make us holy and blameless, ready to stand secure when the day of his coming shakes the world with terror.

We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus” – Shane & Shane

Come, Thou long expected Jesus, Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel’s strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart

 

 

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit, Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine own sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne
__________

Gospel Reading: Luke 21:25-33 (NLT)

“And there will be strange signs in the sun, moon, and stars. And here on earth the nations will be in turmoil, perplexed by the roaring seas and strange tides. People will be terrified at what they see coming upon the earth, for the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then everyone will see the Son of Man coming on a cloud with power and great glory. So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!”

Then he gave them this illustration: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things taking place, you can know that the Kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Faithful God: In your mercy, receive our prayers, the cries of our hearts, and help us –

+ For believers, that we may be ready when Christ returns in glory…
+ For people of good will, that they may receive your mercy and grace through Christ…
+ For people who are lonely and sad, that we may comfort them as we have been comforted in Christ …
+ For people in need, that we may care for them as we await the return of Christ…
+ For people who suffer, that they may receive hope and healing through Christ…
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they may enjoy peace and rest in eternity…

Faithful God: You are loving and kind to all who put their trust in you. Extend your grace to us now, in this our time of need, we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending” – Lichfield Cathedral Choir

Lo! He comes with clouds descending, Once for favored sinners slain;
Thousand thousand saints attending, Swell the triumph of His train:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God appears on earth to reign.

 

Every eye shall now behold Him, Robed in dreadful majesty;
Those who set at naught and sold Him, Pierced and nailed Him to the tree,
Deeply wailing, deeply wailing, Shall the true Messiah see.

The dear tokens of His passion, Still His dazzling body bears;
Cause of endless exultation To His ransomed worshipers;
With what rapture, with what rapture, Gaze we on those glorious scars!

Yea, amen; let all adore thee, High on thine eternal throne;
Savior, take the power and glory; Claim the kingdoms for thine own:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Thou shalt reign, and thou alone.
__________

Blessing –

May almighty God bless us by the light of Christ’s coming, and enrich our lives with every grace. May He make us steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of our lives. And may He grant us eternal life when our Redeemer comes again in glory.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Christmas Day: 25 Dec – Luke 2:15-20 ~ treasure and think about these things

Christmas Day

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Good and gracious God, on this holy day You gave us Your Son, the Lord of the universe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Savior of all, lying in a manger. On this holy day draw us into the mystery of Your love. Join our voices with the heavenly host, that we may sing Your glory on high. Give us a place among the shepherds, that we may find the One for whom we have waited, Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendour of eternal light, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“O Come let us adore Him” – Hillsong


__________

Reading: Luke 2:15-20 (NLT)

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
__________

Intercessory Prayer

Friends in Christ, let us join together to ask God to fill the whole world with His Light. We pray especially –

+ For all who celebrate the birth of Christ around the world, that He may bring new, refreshing, Light into our lives….
+ For all whose lives are darkened by war and violence, that the peace and goodwill proclaimed by the angels come quickly….
+ For all families and children who are destitute, that we may respond generously with help and hope….
+ For all who are lost and lonely, that we may find them and comfort them with the Good News – “God with them” has come….
+ For all who are sick and dying, that we may bring healing and the Good News of eternal life….
+ For our neighbors and families, that Christ may receive a warm welcome among us….
+ For all who have died in Christ, especially since last Christmas, that the peace and joy of heaven may be theirs…..

Maker of heaven and earth, Your Son is born for us, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God: hear our prayers through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
__________

“Born is the King” – Hillsong


__________

Blessing – Titus 2:11-13

The grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people; therefore let us turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. Live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God – looking forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

4th Sunday of Advent: 24 Dec – Luke 1:26-38 ~ May everything you have said about me come true.

4th Sunday of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Here in our midst, O God of mystery, You disclose the secret hidden for countless ages. For You we wait, for You we listen. Upon hearing Your voice may we, like Mary, embrace Your will and become a dwelling fit for Your Word. Grant this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Gabriel’s Message” – Jars of Clay


__________

Reading: Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
__________

Intercessory Prayer

Gracious God: Your steadfast love endures forever; hear our prayers as we present our needs to You –

+ For all who profess faith in Christ, that with open hearts we may welcome our Savior….
+ For the Jewish people, descendants of King David, that Your promises to them may be fulfilled….
+ For all people of goodwill, that we may grow in kindness and respect for each other….
+ For all who lack faith and courage, that we may be inspired by Mary’s trust in God….
+ For family and friends coming home for Christmas, that we may travel safely and find rest….
+ For all who have suffered grief or illness in 2017, that we may support them in their sorrow….
+ For all who have gone before us in faith, that they may receive a joyous welcome in heaven….

Gracious God, Your steadfast love endures forever: hear us and help us, as we wait expectantly for the glorious return of Christ Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, in whose name we pray. Amen.
__________

“Almost There” – Amy Grant w/ Michael W Smith


__________

Blessing – Romans 16:25-27 (NLT)

Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
__________

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

3rd Sunday of Advent: 17 Dec – John 1:6-8, 19-28 ~ Rejoice! The Lord is coming!

3rd Sunday of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

O God, most high and most near, You send glad tidings to the lowly, You do not hide Your face from the poor; those who dwell in darkness You call into the Light.

Take away our blindness, remove the hardness of our hearts, and form us into a humble people, that, at the advent of Your Son, we may recognize Him in our midst and find joy in His saving presence.

We ask this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Gaudete” – Steeleye Span


__________

Reading: John 1:6-8, 19-28 (NLT)

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light.
_____

This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”

“Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”

“No,” he replied.

“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”

“No.”

“Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”

John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

Then the Pharisees who had been sent asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”

John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.
__________

Intercessory Prayer

Generous God: You supply all our needs, filling the hungry with good things. Hear our prayers –

+ For all the world, that the birth of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, may bring hope….
+ For all who follow Jesus Christ, that they may experience joy at this time of year….
+ For all who are brokenhearted, that they may receive His healing and comfort….
+ For all who are victims of violence, that they may experience compassion and deliverance….
+ For all who are displaced and dispossessed, that they may receive help and hope….
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they may rejoice in Your presence forever….

Generous God: Your loving-kindness and mercy embrace the entire world; hear our prayers as we joyfully await the return of Your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
__________

“Wait for the Lord” – Taize


__________

Blessing – Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
__________

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

2nd Sunday of Advent: 10 Dec – Mark 1:1-8 ~ prepare the way / repent and be baptized

2nd Sunday of Advent

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

With tender comfort and transforming power You come into our midst, O God of mercy and might. Make ready a way in the wilderness, clear a straight path in our hearts, and form us into a repentant people, that the advent of Your Son may find us watchful and eager for the glory He reveals. We ask this through Him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near: Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Prepare Ye The Way” – Michael W. Smith


__________

Reading:Mark 1:1-8 (NLT)

This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written:

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’”

This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.

John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
__________

Intercessory Prayer

Lord God of heaven and earth, we eagerly await the return of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Prepare us to welcome Him, we pray –

+ For a spirit of repentance among all believers….
+ For peace with justice, where it is most lacking….
+ For reconciliation between people who are at war….
+ For our children, that they might never know a day apart from You….
+ For parents, that they may pass on to their children the precious gift of faith….
+ For Christian charities around the world and for all the people they help….
+ For all who have died in Christ, that they may receive their just reward in heaven….

Gracious God, Your help is near for those who trust in You: hear our prayers we ask, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Prepare ye the way of the Lord” – Jeremy Riddle

Prepare ye the way of the Lord | Prepare ye the way of the Lord | Oh, the way of the Lord

Make straight paths for His feet | Clear a way in the street | Prepare your hearts to meet | The One who is coming | Every valley shall be raised | The rough places become plains | His salvation comes today | To those who would receive Him

What His words have foretold | All together we’ll behold | Every knee bending low | On the day of His coming | Now is a time of urgency | You must repent and believe | For the day of reckoning | Comes with His coming

The King is coming | The King is coming | The King is coming
Yahweh | Yahweh | Yahweh
__________

Blessing – 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 (NLT)

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”
__________

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!