Feast of the Ascension

24th May 2020

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord. 

In Matthews Gospel we read the account of the Commissioning of the Disciples.

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Suggested Activity

Create a Prayer Space

Creating a Sacred Space in your home can help focus on the sense of the sacred



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Read the Gospel carefully. 

Read it slowly and then read it twice more.

Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.  When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted.  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

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Suggested Activity

Reflect on the Word of God

Reflection

The Commissioning of the Disciples or as it is also known, “The Great Commissioning”, not only speaks to the eleven disciples on the mountain over two thousand years ago, but it is relevant to us today.  The word ‘disciple’, comes from Latin ‘discere’ which means to learn.  We need to work on our personal relationship with Jesus, in order that we learn about His ways.  Jesus teaches us through His word and His actions.   We must learn the ways of Jesus, to become intentional disciples, so that we too can “go and make disciples”, building up the kingdom of heaven.

Through our baptism we became members of the Christian community.  We come into a personal relationship with God, through His Son Jesus and in the Holy Spirit.  We become Priest, Prophet and King.

As a Priest we must give God right praise, God comes first.

As a Prophet we must speak the divine truth, share the Good News.

As a King, we are sent out on mission to build the kingdom of God, through our words, actions and deeds as members of the Christian community.

How as a Christian in a post Christian society, do you “Go and make disciples”?

What support do you need from the Church in order to fulfil your mission?

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Suggested Activity

Pray the Rosary

Pray the Rosary

Start by praying the Apostles Creed:

I believe in God,

the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.

Our Father …….

Hail Mary X 3

Glory be to the Father …….

The Mysteries of Light

1     The Baptism in the Jordan                                  (Matthew 3:13-17)

2     The Manifestation of Jesus at Cana                   (John 2:1-12) 

3     The Proclamation of the Kingdom                    (Mark 1: 14-15)

4     The Transfiguration                                             (Luke 9: 28-36)

5     The Institution of the Eucharist                         (Luke 22:15-30)

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Pope Francis asks that we end our Rosary with the following two prayers:

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 realize that we are all members of one great family and to recognize 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.

Bringing Parish Home

Killaloe Diocese has created this wonderful resource that gives some advice on how we can ‘Bring Parish Home’ during these uncertain and difficult times.