George – Page 16 – St Clares

Bidding Prayers

Universal Prayer – Fourth Sunday Of Lent

Let us make our prayers to the Father, confident that He will give us the strength and the courage to face the present challenges with trust in His loving care for all His children.

Let us pray for the Church all over the world in this Lenten season, that, under the wise leadership of Pope Francis, She may help us to unite our present sufferings with those of Christ, our Saviour and Brother.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for our Government and our civil servants, that they may implement rapidly the financial support they have promised to those whose livelihoods are threatened.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for the victims of the coronavirus, that the dead will be at peace and the sick receive the prompt and effective treatment that they need.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for the doctors, nurses, paramedics and scientists facing the challenge of treating the victims, that they will remain fit and healthy and carry on their vital work with compassion and skill.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

On this Mothering Sunday, let us pray that the Lord will reward all mothers for their essential role in caring and guiding their children and that, in their turn, their children will show their gratitude today and every day.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

Let us pray for every member of our parish community, that, despite being unable to gather together to celebrate the Eucharist, we may all draw close to Christ in our daily prayer and be generous in placing the needs of others before our own.

Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer

In the silence of our hearts, let us make our own prayers for those known to us who are in special need of God’s saving help today.

May Mary, Mother of Christ and Mother of us all, help us to see the world through the eyes of Jesus, her Son: Hail Mary . . .

Father, answer our prayers in the way that is best, for we make them through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Public worship suspended during the coronavirus crisis

During this health emergency the celebration of Mass on Sundays, Holy Days and weekdays will continue to take place, but without a public congregation, and you are encouraged to unite yourself spiritually to the daily offering Mass. This might be helped by participating by the live streaming of the Holy Mass and following its prayers at home and making an act of spiritual communion. Saint Thomas Aquinas described this act of spiritual communion as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Holy Sacrament and a loving embrace as though we had already received Him.”

You can access a livestream of the Mass via the Diocesan website, here: http://www.dioceseofshrewsbury.org/.

Asking the Lord’s blessing on the days ahead

Fr Emeka

A letter from the President and Vice-President on behalf of all the Bishops of Conference

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In response to the Coronavirus pandemic, so many aspects of our lives must change. This includes the ways in which we publicly express our faith. It is very clear that, following official advice and in order to keep each other safe, save lives and support the NHS, at this time we must not gather for public acts of worship in our churches. This will begin from Friday evening, 20th March 2020, until further notice.
Our churches will remain open. They are not closing. They will be a focal point of prayer, where you will find solace and strength. In visiting our churches at this time, we will observe with great care the practices of hygiene and the guidance on social distancing. However, the celebration of Mass, Sunday by Sunday and day by day, will take place without a public congregation.
Knowing that the Mass is being celebrated; joining in spiritually in that celebration; watching the live-streaming of the Mass; following its prayers at home; making an act of spiritual communion: this is how we share in the Sacrifice of Christ in these days. These are the ways in which we will sanctify Sunday, and indeed every day.
We want everyone to understand that in these emergency circumstances, and for as long as they last, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days is removed. This is, without doubt, the teaching of the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2181). This pandemic is the ‘serious reason’ why this obligation does not apply at this time.
You will find more details about the pathway of prayer and sacramental life we are now to take in the accompanying document and on the Bishops’ Conference website (www.cbcew.org.uk). Your own bishop and parish priest will provide further support, encouragement and information about our way of prayer together in the coming weeks.
The second vital aspect of these challenging times is our care for each other. There are so many ways in which we are to do this: being attentive to the needs of our neighbour, especially the elderly and vulnerable; contributing to our local food banks; volunteering for charitable initiatives and organisations; simply keeping in touch by all the means open to us.
During these disturbing and threatening times, the rhythm of the prayer of the Church will continue. Please play your part in it. The effort of daily kindness and mutual support for all will continue and increase. Please play your part in this too. For your commitment to this, we thank you.
The Lord is my shepherd, There is nothing I shall want.’
May God bless us all
Vincent Cardinal Nichols President
Archbishop Malcolm McMahon OP President Vice-President