May the feast of our Mother Mary Immaculate help us to make our whole life a “yes” to God, a “yes” composed of adoration of Him and of daily gestures of love and service. – Pope Francis
Readings for Monday 9 December 2019 (Second Week of Advent)
Gn 3:9-15, 20. Ps 97:1-4, R/ v 1. Eph 1:3-6, 11-12. Lk 1:26-38. www.catholicbishops.ie/readings
The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
We celebrate Mary, who from the first instant of her existence in the womb of her mother Anne, was ‘by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God, and in view of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved free from all stain of original sin’.
Audio: Advent Thought for the Day
Each day during Advent we are bringing you an audio Thought for the Day on a different theme. Today’s Thought for the Day is from Father Michael Drumm, a priest of the Diocese of Elphin. In this piece Father Drumm reflects on Advent as a time of waiting.
Visual Thought for the Day
Today’s thought for the day visual that we invite you to share on social media is from Pope Francis.
The Words of Pope Francis
“Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!”.
Thus begins the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation, Christus vivit (Christ is alive) by Pope Francis published in April. This year’s Advent Calendar is featuring Pope Francis’ words from Christus vivit which he has addressed to young people , and to the entire People of God and published on 2 April 2019. In the document, the Pope explains that he allowed himself to be “inspired by the wealth of reflections and conversations of the Synod” on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment which took place in the Vatican in October 2018.
Today’s excerpt is on the Holy Spirit:
Ask the Holy Spirit each day to help you experience anew the great message. Why not? You have nothing to lose, and he can change your life, fill it with light and lead it along a better path. He takes nothing away from you, but instead helps you to find all that you need, and in the best possible way. Do you need love? You will not find it in dissipation, using other people, or trying to be possessive or domineering. You will find it in a way that will make you genuinely happy. Are you seeking powerful emotions? You will not experience them by accumulating material objects, spending money, chasing desperately after the things of this world. They will come, and in a much more beautiful and meaningful way, if you let yourself be prompted by the Holy Spirit. (CV131)
#LivingAdvent 2019
During Advent are sharing family prayers and suggestions for acts of kindness or charity that all of us are encouraged to undertake during the month of December. The Advent Calendar is also also offering tips on how families can care for our common home by having a more sustainable Christmas.
Advent Random Act of Kindness
Check in on elderly neighbours to see if they need help with Christmas decorating or getting to the shops.
Let’s Be Family – Act of Charity
Donate a toy ot a book to a local collection for children this Christmas.
Living Advent by Caring for Our Common Home
Try to avoid serving people with paper or plastic plates and cups if you are entertaining.
Advent Prayers
Our Prayer Intentions for the Day to Pray Together as a Family
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognise that we are profoundly united
with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.
(Excerpt from A Prayer for Our Earth from Laudato Si)
We pray for prisoners;
that they may be treated with
justice and respect.
Advent Music
Ruth Elaine Schram has beautifully fashioned together Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” with texts of “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus” and “Dona Nobis Pacem.” This is suitable for Advent or Christmas services. Click on the link below to listen:
