Bulletin

Dear sisters and brothers,

The third scrutiny is celebrated today that our elect may have ‘their spirit filled with Christ the Redeemer, who is the resurrection and the life’ and they are also presented with the Lord’s Prayer.

Dear sisters and brothers,

Collect O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come.

Dear sisters and brothers,

Collect: O God, author of every mercy and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and almsgiving have shown us a remedy for sin, look graciously on this confession of our lowliness, that we, who are bowed down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by your mercy.

Dear sisters and brothers,

Do you sometimes lose energy and trudge along without much hope or joy? What keeps you hopeful? What have you to look forward to? As a Carmelite I am not in control of my own life-direction.

Dear sisters and brothers,

Collect: Grant, almighty God, through the yearly observances of holy Lent, that we may grow in understanding of the riches hidden in Christ and by worthy conduct pursue their effects. The word Lent arises from the ‘lengthening’ of the days of the northern hemisphere, it evokes Spring and hope for better weather with more sunshine.

Dear sisters and brothers,

Today’s Gospel (Lk 6:39-45) is from Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain. Last week we heard the section concerned with action towards others (‘love your enemies’) today Jesus speaks of the heart as the wellspring of action.

Dear sisters and brothers,

Collect: Grant, we pray, almighty God, that, always pondering spiritual things, we may carry out in both word and deed that which is pleasing to you. The prayer has been utilised in a variety of contexts over a long period of time.

Dear sisters and brothers,

O God, who teach us that you abide in hearts that are just and true, grant that we may be so fashioned by your grace as to become a dwelling pleasing to you.

Dear sisters and brothers,

In our Collect prayer we ask that God in his divine love and kindness will protect us: Keep your family safe with unfailing care, O Lord, so that relying solely on the hope of heavenly grace, we may be defended always by your protection.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

This Sunday it is forty days since Christmas. Today we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, also known as Candelmas.