Christmas Blessings

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,

and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son,

full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

May our newborn Saviour grant you

the gift of Love,

the blessing of Hope,

and the fullness of His Peace.

Blessed Christmas

Joyeux Noël

Feliz Navidad

Fröhliche Weihnachten

                                                                                    In Christ Jesus,

                                                                                    Karen

                                                                                   

Karen M. Hurley, DSS

k.m.hurley1@gmail.com

Jubilee Year to Contemplate Divine Mercy

Pope Francis dedicated the general audience of December 9, 2015, the first of the Holy Year, to explaining why he convoked a Jubilee of Mercy. “The Church is called upon to offer her special contribution, making visible the signs of God's presence and closeness. And the Jubilee is a propitious time for all, as contemplating Divine Mercy, that exceeds all human limits and shines onto the darkness of sin, we can be surer and more effective witnesses”.

“Celebrating a Jubilee of Mercy means restoring the specifics of Christian faith to the centre of our personal life and of our communities. … This Holy Year is offered to us so that we are able to experience in our life the sweet and gentle touch of God's forgiveness, His presence next to us and His closeness, especially in our moments of greatest need. … This Jubilee is therefore a special moment for the Church to learn to choose solely 'what God likes the most'. … Forgiving His children, having mercy on them, so that they can in turn forgive their brethren, to shine like beacons of God's mercy in the world. … The Jubilee will be a propitious moment for the Church if we learn to choose what God likes the most, without giving in to the temptation to think that there is something else more important or that takes priority. Nothing is more important than choosing what God likes most, His mercy”.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.news.va/en/news/shine-like-beacons-of-gods-mercy-in-the-world

+

Holy Door of Saint Peter's Basilica
by Dnalor 01

“This Extraordinary Year is itself a gift of grace.  To pass through the Holy Door means to rediscover the infinite mercy of the Father who welcomes everyone and goes out personally to encounter each of them.  It is he who seeks us!  It is he who comes to encounter us!  This will be a year in which we grow ever more convinced of God’s mercy….  In passing through the Holy Door, then, may we feel that we ourselves are part of this mystery of love, of tenderness.  Let us set aside all fear and dread, for these do not befit men and women who are loved.  Instead, let us experience the joy of encountering that grace which transforms all things.”

His Holiness Pope Francis

8 December 2015

For the complete Homily, please visit:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2015/documents/papa-francesco_20151208_giubileo-omelia-apertura.html

+

Immaculate Conception

Immaculate Virgin Mary, you were pleasing in the sight of God from the first moment of your conception in the womb of your mother, Saint Anne.

You were chosen to be the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I believe the teaching of Holy Mother Church, that in the first instant of your conception, by the singular grace and privilege of Almighty God, in virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race and your beloved Son, you were preserved from all stain of original sin.  I thank God for this wonderful privilege and grace He bestowed upon you as I honor your Immaculate Conception.

Look graciously upon me as I implore this special favor:  (Mention your request).

Virgin Immaculate, Mother of God and my Mother, please intercede for me as these prayers now rise before God.  Filled with confidence in your goodness and power, I ask you to help me in this journey of life and to preserve me from all that is displeasing to God.  I entrust myself entirely to you, knowing that you will help me to avoid sin and to always live a humble and pure life.  I consecrate myself to you forever, for my firm desire is to love your Divine Son Jesus.  Mary, since those devoted to you have never been known to perish, pray that I too may be saved.

Amen.

Novena Prayer in Honor of the Immaculate Conception

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception