RELIGION AND ART

PAULINE PRAYER OF THE CHURCH:  Readings for today Christ, born of the Father before the ages, splendour of his glory, image of his being, your words holds all creation in being, we ask you to give new life to our world through your Gospel. Christ, you were born into the world at the fullness of time to save mankind and to give freedom to every creature, we ask you to extend the liberty of our sonship in you to all people. Christ, consubstantial Son of the Father, begotten before the dawn of day, and born in Bethlehem in fulfilment of the Scriptures, we ask you to make your Church a notable example of poverty and simplicity. Christ, God and man, Lord of David and Son of David, fulfilment of all prophesies, we pray that Israel may recognise you as its Messiah.

FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY You know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 2 Cor. 8:9 Honour your father and mother, as the Lord, your God has commanded you, that you may have a long life and prosperity in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you.  Deut. 5:16 REFLECTION Lord Jesus pour out special grace on all families on earth, especially husbands and wives. Show them how powerful you would want to work in them to create a better world.  May all families be like the Holy Family                                             of Nazareth.  Jesus, Mary and Joseph make our families like yours.

In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; in these last days, he spoke to us through a Son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe.  Heb. 1:1-2 KNOWLEDGE We have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding; so that you will grow in knowledge of God.  Col. 1: 9 and 10 Readings

Holy Innocents In Ramah is heard the sound of moaning, of bitter weeping. Rachel mourns her children, she refuses to be consoled because her children are no more. Prayer of the Church : The Holy Innocents gave witness not by words but by their life's blood, give us strength to be your witnesses before people, both by words and actions. You knew persecution and exile as a child, protect all children whose lives  are in danger from famine, war, and disasters

Peter and John, said to them in reply, "Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges.  It is impossible for us not to speak about what we have seen and heard".  Acts 4:19-20 Saint John the Evangelist Images of Saint John Prayer of the Church: God our Father, you have revealed the mysteries of your Word through John the apostle.  By prayer and reflection may we come to understand the wisdom he thought. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.

It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at the table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint  to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. The proposal was accepted to the whole community.  Acts. 6:2b-5a Readings Images of Stephen Prayer of the Church: Lord, today we celebrate the entrance of Saint Steven into eternal glory.  He died praying for those who killed him.  Help us to imitate his goodness and to love our enemies. We ask this  through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace  to men of goodwill. May the blessings of the Season by yours. Readings Nativity Images

BBC 9 LESSONS & CAROLS

O Lord, you are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. As the heavens tower over the earth,  so your love towers over your faithful.  As far as the east is from the west, so far have you removed our sins from us. As a father has compassion on his children so you, Lord, have compassion on us. Psalm 103:6-13 Reading

In those days: The LORD spoke to Ahaz, "Ask a sighn of the LORD your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.  "But Ahaz said, "I will not ask, and I will not put the LORD to the test.  And he said "Hear then, O house of David! is it too little for you to weary men, then you weary my God also? Therfor the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name immanuel (God is with us). Readings Hail Thou Star of Ocean Readings

Be my rock, my constant refuge, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my rock, my stronghold. My God, free me from the hand of the wicked. It is you, O Lord, who are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.  On you I learned from my birth, from my mother's womb, you have been my help. I will come with praise of your might. O Lord; I will call to mind your justice, yours, O Lord alone O God, you have taught me from my youth, and I proclaim your wonders still.  Psalm 71 Readings Prayer of the Church:     Lord, our sins bring us unhappiness.   Hear our prayer for courage and strength.   May the coming of your Son bring us the joy of salvation.   We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.  In this days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely.  And this is the name by which he will be called:  'The Lord is our righteousness'..... Readings Prayer: Father of love, you made a new creation through Jesus Christ your Son.   May his coming free us from sin and renew his life within us, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Prayer of the Church

O God, give judgement to the king, to the king's son your justice, that he may judge your people in justice and your poor in right judgement. May the mountains bring forth peace for the people and the hills justices. May he defend the poor of the people and save the children of the needy. In his days shall justice flourish and great peace till the moon is no more.  He shall rule from sea to sea, from river  to the bonds of the earth. May his name endure forever, and his name continue like the sun, Every tribe shall be blessed in him, all  nations shall call him blessed. Psalm 72 Readings The year is gone 

Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say ti again: Rejoice.  Let your graciousness be known everyone. The Lord is near. My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I abandon myself to your will.  Give me patience that                    I too may persevere to the end so that I will inherit your promise. Readings

God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed it light upon us.  So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your saving help.   Psalm 6 Father, thank you for sending Jesus your Son to us a precious gift from you Heavenly Father.  Enlighten me to see the beauty and the wonder of your divine love, and to appreciate Jesus Christ who triumphed and reign as King for ever. Readings Song: My God Accept my Heart

Saint John of the Cross  Holy Spirit, release joy and revival to all who gather today to worship Jesus. Bind us to all the saints from history who celebrate your redemption. Let their Amen and our Amen sound throughout the world. Readings for today

Saint Lucy Prayer: Lord, give us courage through the prayers of Saint Lucy.  As we celebrate her entrance into eternal glory, we ask to share her happiness in the life to come.  Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Let justice descend, O heavens, like dew from above, like gentle rain let the skies drop it down.  Let the earth open and salvation bud forth; let justice also spring up.  Is. 45:8 Readings

The virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. He shall be living on curds and honey by the time he learns to reject the bad and choose the good.   Is. 7:14b-15 Prayer of the Church: All-powerful Father, we await the healing power of Christ your Son.  Let us not be discouraged by our weaknesses as we prepare for his coming.  Keep us steadfast in your love.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Readings for today

I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, shepherding them rightly.  Eze. 34:15-16 Prayer of the Church: Almighty God, help us to look forward to the glory      of the birth of Christ our Saviour: his coming is proclaimed joyfully to the ends of the earth, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Readings for today

Come let us climb the Lord's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.  For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Isa. 2:3 Readings Come to me Pauline Prayer of the Church: Lord, free us from our sins and make us whole.  Hear our prayer, and                                                            prepare us to celebrate the incarnation of your Son, who lives                                                            and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and                         ...

The sceptre shall never depart from Judah, or the mace from between his legs, while tribute is brought to him, and he receives the people's homage. Gen. 49:10 Readings