The Universal Prayer
Sunday 31st January 2016
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Celebrant
My sisters and brothers, as a Church,
the Year of the Consecrated Life
draws to a close next Tuesday, and so we want to
pray particularly for all of our Religious Sisters,
Brothers and Priests.
1. We pray for all who have Consecrated theirs lives to God and the
Church in the Religious Life, that their dedication will continue
to ‘wake up the world’ to the ‘joy of the gospel’ through their
prayer and apostolic works, their charity and mercy.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
2. We pray for the Religious of our own parish (names of individuals
or Orders) who, by God’s grace, make the work of Jesus Christ
present and alive in our midst, that in their dedication they will
always find joy, peace and courage.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
3. We pray for youths and adults in the Church who are searching for
a fuller life, that they will seek in prayer the will of God, and
consider a life Consecrated to God in the Religious Life as a
possible gift.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
4. We pray for those who prevent others from accepting the Gospel or
who persecute believers in Christ, that they will be moved by the
Holy Spirit to respect the conscience of every person and the
universal right to religious freedom.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
5. We pray that love will be the motive of all of our words, thoughts
and actions, so that in families and in neighbourhoods, in places of
education and work, in hospitals and prisons, in Churches,
Mosques, Synagogues and Temples, respect for each person will be
strong.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
6. We pray for Deacon Long Hai Nguyen, who will be ordained a
priest for the Archdiocese of Adelaide next Saturday, that the Holy
Spirit will fill his heart with mercy and pastoral love as his
relationship with Jesus, the Priest, deepens.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
7. We pray for the departed Religious of our parish and Archdiocese,
that they will sing of God’s salvation forever. We remember…
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God.
Celebrant
Almighty God,
since the time when we were in our mother’s womb,
through every stage of our life’s development
you have been our rock, our hope, our strength.
Receive our praise and thanksgiving.
Through Christ our Lord.
The Universal Prayer
Monday 1st February 2016
St Brigid of Ireland
Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
Jesus has shown his power over the forces of evil
and by his word brought calm to a tormented man.
1.
May those whose mental illness
leads them to inflict injuries upon themselves,
find that medical and emotional support
which will alleviate their distress.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
May those who work with severely mentally ill people
be filled with courage and compassion,
and always show respect for those in their care.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
May families which have become bitterly divided through hate
be touched by the mercy of God, and be healed of all bitterness.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
May the World Interfaith Harmony Week, beginning today,
take up the invitation of Pope Francis, so that religious become a
united energy for good, and not a decisive force for war.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
May the people of Ireland rejoice in their co-patron, St Brigid,
whose holiness and teaching was centred upon Jesus Christ.
Let us pray to the Lord.
6.
May the people of Kilburn Parish and Primary School, the parish
school at Evanston, and the Church at Beachport, all dedicated to
St Brigid, be on fire with love for Christ and live lives generous in
mercy.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Father, you have shown us the wonders of your love
through your Son, Jesus Christ. Keep us safe from all
harm and help us grow in grace
through Christ our Lord.
Celebrant:
The Universal Prayer
Tuesday 2nd February 2016
Presentation of the Lord.
\
Jesus Christ is the light to enlighten the pagans
and the glory of his people Israel.
Through him we pray to the Father of Mercies.
1.
May every person, baptised into Christ,
carry in their hearts the light of faith.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God..
2.
May the meeting of the young Joseph and Mary with the
elderly Simeon and Anna, with the infant Jesus at the centre,
enrich the generations of our families, with Jesus at the heart of our
relationships.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God..
3.
May this conclusion of the Year of the Consecrated Life bring rich
blessings upon the Religious Priests and Deacons, Brothers and
Sisters of the Church, so that they witness to the humility and
simplicity of Christ.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God..
4.
May the Religious ….. of our parish receive our respect and
thanksgiving as they witness among us to Christ through their
dedicated lives.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God..
5.
May God grant the grace of vocation to the Consecrated Life
to young women and men, so that with hearts of integrity, they can
witness to his self-dedication by their own generosity of spirit.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Grant this, almighty God..
Celebrant:
Father, when at last you come to call us
into eternal life, let us go in peace.
Through Christ our Lord.
The Universal Prayer
Wednesday 3rd February 2016
St Blaise
Wednesday Fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry he met with
opposition, yet he continued in a spirit of trust and
hope.
1.
May those who teach the Gospel in situations of danger,
especially today in Nigeria, China, Vietnam, Pakistan, Iran and
Syria always be filled with the courage and strength of Jesus.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
May bishops, priests and deacons who see that the Gospel they
preach is rejected or treated with indifference, not lose heart, but
continue to live out their vocation as teachers of the word.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
May each of us carry our daily cross with dignity
since suffering is part of our training, helping us to mature
in the Christian life, producing the fruits of mercy and goodness.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
May this 228th anniversary of the First Christian Service of
Worship in Australia, encourage us to pray and work for the unity
of all Christians.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
May we be protected from diseases of the throat, as we remember
today, St Blaise, patron against such illnesses.
Let us pray to the Lord.
6.
May the people of Armenia, who have suffered so much through
the centuries be blessed with peace as they honour today their
fellow citizen, St Blaise.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Father, let your everlasting kindness
bless all people.
Through Christ our Lord.
The Universal Prayer
Thursday 4th February 2016
Thursday 4th Week in Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
Sisters and brothers, as we recall Jesus gathering the
Twelve around him to assist in the ministry of
preaching and healing. we pray for those who
continue their ministry in the Church.
1.
We pray for our bishops, priests and deacons, that their ministry
may be one of healing, uniting, and teaching the people.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
We pray for all who work with bishops in a collaborative ministry,
that their witness to Christ may be loving and wide reaching.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
We pray for missionaries, that they may not be burdened with
unnecessary material possessions, but with glad hearts reveal the
compassionate, humble and simple face of Christ to the people they
serve.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
We pray for fathers who are dying, that they may
bless their children as did David bless his son Solomon, so that
faith and love is passed from generation to generation.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
We pray in this World Interfaith Harmony Week for a better
understanding and respect for other religions, knowing that the
Spirit of God works in all sorts of way to bring about unity and
peace.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant: Lord our God, you are our ruler, the one who gives strength
in the face of adversity, who sustains us in love.
Through Christ our Lord.
The Universal Prayer
Friday 5th February 2016
St Agatha
Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
Sisters and brothers, the story of the martyrdom of St
John the Baptist shows his courage in stark contrast to
the evil desires of King Herod and Herodias.
1.
We pray for those who manipulate other people
for their own ambition, that they may learn to respect the dignity
of others without fear or favour.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
We pray for those who are treated unjustly or cruelly,
that they may retain their sense of self-worth
and act with dignity throughout their ordeal.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
We pray for those who are in prison, especially those who are
tortured or are being badly treated because of their religious beliefs
or political ideas, that justice may prevail.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
We pray for our ancestors and honour their memory, giving thanks
for all the good they did, just as the writer of Ecclesiasticus
honoured the memory of King David.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
May all who honour St Agatha as patron:
the people of Arthurton, bell-founders and as protection against
volcanic eruption and fires, that each person will be of good faith
and strong hope.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4 We pray for Deacon Long Hai Nguyen who will be ordained a
priest tomorrow for the Archdiocese, that he will receive the grace
of the sacrament with humility, joy and wonder.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Lord, you are our light and our salvation.
Help us at all times and keep us faithful to Jesus
Christ, who is Lord, for ever and ever
The Universal Prayer
Saturday 6th February 2016
St Paul Miki and Companions
Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
Dear friends, the compassion of Jesus for the crowds
continues to inspire the Church
to have a love and concern for all peoples.
1.
That Deacon Long Hai Nguyen, ordained a priest this morning in
the Cathedral will be filled with the Spirit of the Lord, and give
witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ at all times.
Let us pray to the Lord.
2.
That the Church in her members may work for the welfare of all
people of every race, religion and culture by promoting justice with
mercy.
Let us pray to the Lord.
3.
That we, like Jesus, may find that quiet place
where we can be alone with the Father in prayer.
Let us pray to the Lord.
4.
That we may keep on doing good works and sharing what we have
been received with those who are struggling.
Let us pray to the Lord.
5.
That the faith and courage of St Paul Miki and Companions may
be a particular inspiration to the Catholics of Japan, so that they
can give witness to Jesus Christ in the midst of a people who know
so little about him.
Let us pray to the Lord.
6.
That the citizens of New Zealand may be richly blessed today as
they celebrate their national Waitangi Day – a day to honour their
diverse history, cultures and traditions.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Celebrant:
Shepherd King, guide us along the right path, and by
your goodness and kindness bring us to your house.
Through Christ our Lord.