Gaudete Sunday
The third Sunday of Advent tells us ‘Gaudéte, rejoice!’ because the Lord is near.
Alleluia, alleluia!
The spirit of the Lord has been given to me.
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor.
Alleluia!
Gospel: John 1:6-8,19-28
'There stands among you the one coming after me'
A man came, sent by God.
His name was John.
He came as a witness,
as a witness to speak for the light,
so that everyone might believe through him.
He was not the light,
only a witness to speak for the light.
This is how John appeared as a witness. When the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ he not only declared, but he declared quite openly, ‘I am not the Christ.’ ‘Well then,’ they asked ‘are you Elijah?’ ‘I am not’ he said. ‘Are you the Prophet?’ He answered, ‘No.’ So they said to him, ‘Who are you? We must take back an answer to those who sent us. What have you to say about yourself?’ So John said, ‘I am, as Isaiah prophesied:
a voice that cries in the wilderness:
Make a straight way for the Lord.’
Now these men had been sent by the Pharisees, and they put this further question to him, ‘Why are you baptising if you are not the Christ, and not Elijah, and not the prophet?’ John replied, ‘I baptise with water; but there stands among you – unknown to you – the one who is coming after me; and I am not fit to undo his sandal-strap.’ This happened at Bethany, on the far side of the Jordan, where John was baptising.
Notes from meeting on 12 December 2023:
Picture of the Holy Family, the shepherds are reluctantly leaving, in the distance are three camel approaching, it is the three Wise Men.
The Wise Men arrive and get down from the camels, and go in to worship the little Saviour,
Placing their gifts before Him, they each seem to be in some kind of ecstasy at the site of the Holy Mother and her child. One of the Wise Men seems to see that many people in the future will come to this little Saviour, casting their hearts before Him. The Saviour will in turn relieve them of the chains that bind them and replace them with cords of Hope, Love, Courage and Faithfulness.
"My dear children,
My Son Jesus loves you so much, come open your hearts to Him who is Love personified, and He will fill your hearts with wonder and awe and so you will realise that this really is a Blessed Season, He releases you from your bonds and any iniquity, for in His love for you He cannot deny you, even to the cost of His life. Come bask in the radiance of His Love, the Peace Child says “Come”.
Mary"
John 3 v16-21
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Intercessions
Come, Lord Jesus, come. Give is Joy in our hearts.
Sacred Heart of Jesus have Mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary pray for us.
Pray for our young people that they may be protected from the evil one, that they may find a home in the loving Heart of Jesus.
Pray for healing for Adam, Bob, Rosie, John Joynes, Vanessa, Cathy, Matthew, Gina Hardy, Jeff Shore, Owen McEneaney, Reese, Rosie, Tony, Joan, Jackie, Nathan, Jessica, Alan Guile, David, Derek, Malcolm, Hollie, and Harlan Moon.
Pray for all in our Parishes who are ill in body, mind or spirit.
Pray for Disha for his employment and personal needs.
Pray for Cathleen with mental health issues because of family problems.
Pray for all those we have been asked and have promised to pray for.
Pray for all who are grieving give them strength, consolation and healing.
Pray for our Priests and for vocations to the Priesthood.
Pray for lost souls.
Pray for the conversion of the World.
Lord we continue to pray for Peace in Ukraine and in Israel and Gaza and throughout the World.
Lord we pray for persecuted Christians throughout the World.
Lord we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all peoples and nations.
Pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory may they be granted eternal rest.
Mary, Mother of God, Theotokos, pray for us.
Mary Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Mary, Bride of the Spirit, pray for us.
If anyone has any prophecy, prayers, readings or intercessions I encourage you to please send them to me. Let us share with one another the gifts and inspirations of the Spirit!
Also if there any changes necessary to the intercessions - please let me know
Resources
1.Theotokos Prayer Group:
https://www.facebook.com/Theotokos-Prayer-Group-142398089120415
/http://theotokosprayergroup.blogspot.co.uk/
2. Daily Mass readings can be found at:
https://universalis.com/mass.htm
3. Bishops Conference of England and Wales Website -
https://www.cbcew.org.uk
4. Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle Website:
Home - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle (diocesehn.org.uk)
5. Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England:
http://www.ccr.org.uk/
6. Catholic Charismatic Renewal International
https://www.charis.international/en/home/
7. Celebrate Conference website
https://www.celebratetrust.org/
Events
Next meeting of Theotokos Prayer Group is on 9 January 2024.
Meet at St Mary's Presbytery, Major Street, Stockton on Tees at 7.30PM. All welcome.
Wishing you all a Happy and Holy Christmas and all best wishes for 2024.
Fundraiser.
Until the end of 2023 I am helping fundraise for the Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool, this facility cared for my wife Ann during her last month of illness before she passed away. The Hospice relies on donations to keep running so please be as generous as you are able.
So far I have raised £105 - and walked 160 miles.
See link below.
Stephen.
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