We thank you, Lord,
for all of the countless blessings
You have won for us,
for all of the graces
You have poured upon us,
for all the love
You have lavished on us
by giving Yourself up to death
and giving us all a share
in Your risen glory.
Grant us, we beseech You, O Lord,
the help of Your grace:
that duly applying ourselves to fasting and prayers,
we may be delivered from enemies of mind and of body.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
Who lives and reigns,
with the Holy Spirit,
One God, world without end.
Amen.
You travel a long way from the United States of America to reach Australia which is accurately described as "Down Under." New Zealand is also "Down Under," a little bit further down to the south and east.
Blessed are You, Lord
You offered Your life for us;
You accepted Your death for us;
You rose again for us.
Blessed are You, Lord,
You left Your peace for us;
You shared Your life with us;
You sent Your Holy Spirit
to befriend us.
We give You thanks, Lord,
For the countless blessing
You have won for us.
Amen
Since the St. Joseph church compound was close to the central bus station, many homeless men came there. Some requested food, while others slept under the verandahs. When winter came and work on construction sites halted, their numbers increased significantly. The parish council became concerned about their welfare. Consequently, a committee was set up to respond to their needs.
Matt was a bachelor farmer. He was consigned to bachelorhood probably because his mother lived way beyond the Biblical three score and ten. He was the youngest of the family. His older siblings emigrated. The family farm slipped into his ownership. Matt would have liked to marry and have a family, but he thought that there would be a crowded house if another woman arrived.
“That my joy may remain in you.” (John 15:11)
There are moments when all of us
can feel a certain emptiness,
can glimpse despair
and sense how dreadful life would be
devoid of meaning or purpose.
Miss Evelyn used to stand on the side of the Long Hill road near the junction. She waited for a lift to Mass each Sunday morning. To get there she had to climb down a steep incline, walk across the unused rail track and clamber a few more yards before she reached the road.
Lord, You have filled me
with Your Spirit of love and goodness.
Lead me out of the darkness of selfishness
that I may be a light
of faith, hope and love
to others in need.
Give me the courage to accept
the painful, ugly realities of life
and become Your advocate
of truth and justice in the world