Second Sunday of Advent
Hymn: O come O come Emmanuel
Welcome
Lighting of the 2nd Advent Candle
Hymn: Come to me
John the Baptist
St. John the Baptist can teach us four great lessons.
Humility
Repentance
How to be Christ-centred
The power of Integrity
How can I exercise humility in my daily life?
Pause for reflection
What obstacles do I need to remove from my heart in order to love God fully?
Pause for reflection
How do my actions lead others to Christ or do they have the opposite effect?
Pause for reflection
Do you have a St. John the Baptist in your life?
Do you have someone who loves you so much that they will tell you the truth?
Pause for reflection
The word of God Mark:1 2-4, 7-8
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet:
I will send my messenger ahead of you,
will prepare your way -
“a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
straight paths for him.’”
And so, John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.
I baptize you withwater, but he will baptize you withthe Holy Spirit.”
Pause for reflection
Advent Mysteries in a time of Pandemic
1st Mystery: The Annunciation:
Mary waited for what the angel Gabriel had to say and she waited for her cousin Elizabeth to confirm her news. Later, she would wait by the cross. Waiting was part of Mary’s life and it’s part of our lives too.
We remember all who are waiting this Advent, waiting to see their loved ones, waiting for test results, waiting for appointments, waiting to start work again.
2nd Mystery: Proclamation of the Kingdom
Mary waited for news of her Son . . . Waited to hear the news from others telling her Jesus healed the sick, healed the lame, calmed those who were afraid, taught with authority. We remember all whose plans have been affected by the corona virus – waiting to reschedule their weddings, holidays, special occasions.
3rd Mystery: The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Mary trusted the guidance of the Holy Spirit in her own life and knew that same Holy Spirit would guide her when the sword of sorrow pierced her soul. Even in sorrow she trusted in the grace of the Holy Spirit.
We remember all who are in a position of power. May the Holy Spirit guide the politicians, leaders and scientists as they continue to try and find a solution.
4th Mystery: The Crucifixion
Mary knew the pain of separation when her Son was arrested. She knew the pain of sorrow when He was crucified to the cross and she had to depend on another’s generosity to find a place where He could be buried.
We remember families who have been separated from their loved ones in hospital, unable to be with them in their final hours and prevented from having a public funeral.
5Th Mystery: The Coronation of our Lady as Queen of Heaven and Earth.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, Mother of God who is our God too. We entrust to her care all who are suffering from coronavirus, all those who care for the sick in hospital, in care homes, in the community and at home. We remember all front line workers who ensure our lives continue as normally as possible. We ask Mary to carry our prayers to her Son.
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.
Pray for us O Holy Mother of God
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray: O God, Whose only-begotten Son, by His life, death and resurrection, has purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech You, that meditating upon these Mysteries of the Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain, and obtain what they promise, through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Prayer at the end of the Rosary
Loving and tender Father,
we pray that we might attend your call
with a fraction of the generosity of Mary
Even when we know
that we do not know
where the road will end,
what we will confront on the way
and can only guess how we will manage.
Even when we wonder about our life choices
did we say “yes” too quickly, agree too readily?
Should we have asked more questions?
Should we have insisted on more guidance?
Will there be a way back to the uncomplicated life
we left behind us, before we heard your voice?
How will we meet the challenges that come with hearing your voice?
Forgive our questions, loving Father,
teach us to be generous hearted when we hear your call
and to be trustful of your kind purposes,
knowing that, in following you,
we will never journey beyond your shadow.
Pause for silent reflection
Prayer to Venerable Catherine McAuley for a Sick Person
God of love and mercy,
you inspired Catherine McAuley to serve your Son
by responding to the needs of her time.
Moved by her care for the sick, we ask that, through her prayers, you reach out with your healing love and restore ............................ to full health.
We ask this in complete confidence through Jesus Christ your Son, Amen.
Hymn: Suscipe - Catherine McAuley’s Personal Prayer of Consecration
Composed by Sr. Elaine Deasy and sung by Sr. Marie Cox.
My God,
I am yours for time and eternity.
Lord, I am yours forever.
It is you who must teach me
to trust in your providence, loving Lord.
You are a God of love and tenderness
I put my faith in You,
and I ask that you grant me acceptance of your will.
loving Lord.
Take from my heart all painful anxiety.
Let nothing sadden me but sin
and then let my delight be
hoping to see your face, God, my all.
My God, I am yours for time and eternity…..
Final Blessing
May the Lord bless us and keep us
May the Lord’s face shine upon us and be gracious to us.
May the Lord look upon us with kindness and give us peace Amen
Come Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus, come
Hymn: May the peace of God
