May 30/31

Dear Parishioners,

This week we celebrate Pentecost Sunday which brings an end to the Easter cycle.  It is hard to believe the very different world we lived in when it began 90 days ago on Ash Wednesday.  Along with Easter and Christmas, Pentecost is a very special feast in the Church’s year.  It marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles bringing the fullness of grace and the gift of faith. 

Importantly too, Pentecost calls on us all to continue the mission of Jesus.  Today’s Gospel, John 20: 19-23 reminds us that – Jesus said to them “Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”  During this pandemic, we have many opportunities to fulfill Jesus’ work.  So this week, we invite you to consider how you can help to build God’s Kingdom; perhaps

• Supporting each other – in making regular check-in calls
• Offering a prayer for one of our sixth class students who was to be confirmed earlier in the spring
• Assisting our neighbours – in running errands
• Praying for each other – in completing a prayer intention card (available in the Cathedral)
• Giving to the Parish to fund ministries – in returning your weekly envelope or making a contribution online
• Appreciating all that is good in ourselves, others and creation – in thanking a loved one for their kindness

This gift of ‘wonder and awe’ from the Holy Spirit helps us to see the work of God in the ordinary, everyday things.  Now with more time on our hands, we have the ability to value the presence of God in the world of nature, in one another and in prayer.

We hope you take a moment this Bank Holiday weekend to enjoy the Holy Spirit’s gifts.

“May the glory of the Lord last forever!  Lord, send out your Spirit and renew the face of the earth” (today’s Responsorial Psalm 103). 

Fr. Pat Farragher, Adm.

Pope Francis’ Intention

During the month of May 2020, Pope Francis has invited us to pray the Rosary at home during the month of May.  This can be done as part of a group or individually. Pope Francis offers us two Marian prayers to use during the month of May.  These two prayers are as follows.

First Prayer

O Mary,

You shine continuously on our journey

as a sign of salvation and hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,

who, at the foot of the cross,

were united with Jesus’ suffering,

and persevered in your faith.

“Protectress of the Roman people”,

you know our needs,

and we know that you will provide,

so that, as at Cana in Galilee,

joy and celebration may return

after this time of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,

to conform ourselves to the will of the Father

and to do what Jesus tells us.

For he took upon himself our suffering,

and burdened himself with our sorrows

to bring us, through the cross,

to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God;
Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always
from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Second Prayer

“We fly to your protection, O Holy Mother of God”.

In the present tragic situation, when the whole world is prey to suffering and anxiety, we fly to you, Mother of God and our Mother, and seek refuge under your protection.

Virgin Mary, turn your merciful eyes towards us amid this coronavirus pandemic. Comfort those who are distraught and mourn their loved ones who have died, and at times are buried in a way that grieves them deeply. Be close to those who are concerned for their loved ones who are sick and who, in order to prevent the spread of the disease, cannot be close to them. Fill with hope those who are troubled by the uncertainty of the future and the consequences for the economy and employment.

Mother of God and our Mother, pray for us to God, the Father of mercies, that this great suffering may end and that hope and peace may dawn anew. Plead with your divine Son, as you did at Cana, so that the families of the sick and the victims be comforted, and their hearts be opened to confidence and trust.

Protect those doctors, nurses, health workers and volunteers who are on the frontline of this emergency, and are risking their lives to save others. Support their heroic effort and grant them strength, generosity and continued health.

Be close to those who assist the sick night and day, and to priests who, in their pastoral concern and fidelity to the Gospel, are trying to help and support everyone.

Blessed Virgin, illumine the minds of men and women engaged in scientific research, that they may find effective solutions to overcome this virus.

Support national leaders, that with wisdom, solicitude and generosity they may come to the aid of those lacking the basic necessities of life and may devise social and economic solutions inspired by farsightedness and solidarity.

Mary Most Holy, stir our consciences, so that the enormous funds invested in developing and stockpiling arms will instead be spent on promoting effective research on how to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Beloved Mother, help us realise that we are all members of one great family and to recognise the bond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fraternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviate countless situations of poverty and need. Make us strong in faith, persevering in service, constant in prayer.

Mary, Consolation of the afflicted, embrace all your children in distress and pray that God will stretch out his all-powerful hand and free us from this terrible pandemic, so that life can serenely resume its normal course.

To you, who shine on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope, do we entrust ourselves, O Clement, O Loving, O Sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.