First Sunday of Advent

 

Stay Awake 

Mark 13 v 33-37

 33 Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his slaves in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35 Therefore, keep awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or at dawn, 36 or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake.”

The word 'advent' comes from the Latin 'adventus' meaning 'coming' or 'arrival'.

The focus of this first Sunday of Advent is on Jesus' second coming in Glory rather than on his first coming among us in humility. Are we prepared for the great day of His second coming? Are we awake and ready for Him?

Come Lord Jesus Come

Revelation 22:17
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”

Lord as we reflect on the humility of Your first coming also help us to look with hope confidence and expectation towards Your second coming in glory power and triumph and in the meantime we pray that You would come into our hearts here and now. Come, Lord Jesus, come.

The O Antiphons refer to the seven antiphons that are recited (or chanted) preceding the Magnificat during Vespers of the Liturgy of the Hours. They cover the special period of Advent preparation known as the Octave before Christmas, Dec. 17-23, with Dec. 24 being Christmas Eve and Vespers for that evening being for the Christmas Vigil.

The importance of O Antiphons is twofold: Each one highlights a title for the Messiah: O Sapientia (O Wisdom), O Adonai (O Lord), O Radix Jesse (O Root of Jesse), O Clavis David (O Key of David), O Oriens (O Rising Sun), O Rex Gentium (O King of the Nations), and O Emmanuel. 

Also, each one refers to the prophecy of Isaiah relating to the coming of the Messiah.

We will look at these over the next few weeks of Advent:

O Sapientia:

O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation. 

Isaiah had prophesied, The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord. (Isaiah 11:2-3), and Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom. (Isaiah 28:29).

O Adonai: 

O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free. 

Isaiah had prophesied, But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the lands afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips. (Isaiah 11:4-5); and Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us. (Isaiah 33:22).

Picture

Picture of Blessed Mother kneeling so humbly and serenely with her head bowed, above her outstretched was a hand full of Light and above the hand was The Dove of Peace pouring a gentle breeze through the Light upon around and within Blessed Mother. Our Mother was replying to a conversation and Said “Yes”. As Our Mother stood up it was very evident that she was carrying her Son Jesus in her womb.

“My Dear Children you see that I carry my dear Son in my womb, my children you too can carry Jesus in your hearts each day and just as He grew in my womb so will He grow in your heart and just as He was born into the world, so will he be born again in you.
Say yes my children to your Saviour and He will do all things in you and for you as He did in me. If you have Faith and Trust in Him see how your relationship with Him will grow and your hearts will flourish, You will be able to lay your burdens down before His manger and rejoice even in the midst of all the confusion upon the Earth in these days, and you will be filled with Joy that the Son of God, the Most High is once again born into your hearts.
My dear ones Love conquers all, do say yes to receiving Him your Saviour and you will see great improvements in your prayer lives and your work for Gods Kingdom throughout the World, He who Loves unconditionally will make your concerns His own, remember that His Love outweighs all obstacles for He truly is The Son Of God, The Most High, and worthy of all Praise. Love Him my dear ones as He Loves you.
Mary Mother of Jesus and your Mother too."

Intercessions

Pray for Pete awaiting a colonoscopy; pray for a quick diagnosis and healing. 

Pray for Heather who is struggling with personal problems 

Pray for Maira Shahbaz a Christian girl aged 14 from Pakistan, raped, forced to marry and convert and now facing death threats.

She is seeking asylum. See her story on the ACN website link here: https://acnuk.org/our-campaigns/redwednes.day/redwednesday-2019/sign-the-petition-and-share-our-goal/?

Pray for Steve suffering after effects of Covid.

We were praying for Paul Nugent, he died peacefully with his family around him, May he Rest in Peace.
Please pray for his wife Christine who is recovering from Covid.

Pray for Chantelle suffering with depression.

Pray for Dave who has been diagnosed with colon and liver cancer.

Pray for Peter Henri's younger brother Paul who is in hospital with Covid

Pray for Dr. Maria, who is receiving 4 hourly Nebulisers from the Covid she had back in April, that God will heal her completely.

Pray for Pat who has not only cancer but now found out that her terrible back pain is a disk that’s resting on another disc, and they won’t operate.

Pray for Ann who has mental health problems and is a lapsed Catholic. May Our Blessed Mother pray for graces of conversion for her and improvement in health.

Pray for the repose of Peter's soul and comfort for his mother Marie.

Pray for Marie Bedingfield.

Pray for Sarah and Dan for help in making a decision.

Pray for Anthony who is going through a difficult time. May he find healing and peace.

Please pray for healing for David who has had a breakdown.

Pray for our Government, local authorities and the health services as they try to deal with the new upsurge in the Corona Virus. Pray for a speedy end to the Coronavirus pandemic throughout the world, and for all those who have contracted the virus and for those who have died. Pray for a vaccine.

Pray for Ann Conroy and Jim Noone who died recently and pray for their families.

Pray for John and Kathleen Morgan. John is recovering from an operation on his face for skin cancer and Kathleen is having difficulty walking because of severe arthritis. They are both in their 80s.

Pray for healing for Dave with long term walking difficulties.

Pray for Annabelle who has bi-polar. Thankfully her medication is now keeping things under control.

Pray for the crisis in Yemen, years of war are being compounded by the effects of coronavirus and food and clean water is scarce and medical resources are minimal.

Continue to pray for healing for John who is doing well and starting further chemotherapy treatment for his brain tumour.

Continue to pray for Eileen who was undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer.
Pray for Zoe diagnosed with breast cancer.

Pray for our priests and our parishes.

Pray for the intentions of all members of Theotokos.

Pray for lost souls.

Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the World.


Resources 

1. Theotokos Prayer Group:
https://www.facebook.com/Theotokos-Prayer-Group-142398089120415/http://theotokosprayergroup.blogspot.co.uk/

 2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook with live streaming of Sunday Masses and Holy Week services:
https://www.facebook.com/parishfamilystocktonRC/

3. Daily Mass readings can be found at:
https://universalis.com/mass.htm

4. Bishops Conference of England and Wales Website - keep up to date on the latest situation as regards our Churches and resources for praying the Mass at home:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/No-Mass-A4.pdf

5. Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle Website:
http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php

6. Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England:
http://www.ccr.org.uk/  

7. Catholic Charismatic Renewal International
https://www.charis.international/en/home/

8. Celebrate Conference Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Celebratecommunity/ 

Please let me know if you have anything to share (prayers, readings, pictures , prophecies, inspirations) or any intercessions.
Also please let me have any news on those we are praying for so I can keep the intercession list up to date.
You can also get in touch just to say hello!

Theotokos Prayer Group Update No 31

Eternal Father, whose Son Jesus Christ ascended to the throne of heaven that he might rule over all things as Lord and King: keep the Church in the unity of the Spirit and in the bond of peace, and bring the whole created order to worship at his feet; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, whose kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, one glory. Amen.

Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that they bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be richly rewarded: through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen

A Picture of a dark sky, lit up with twinkling stars. Our Blessed Mother with Our Lord are carefully listening to calls of help from souls on earth. People are requesting forgiveness, and asking for help, they are pleading and saying sorry. Jesus plucks the Earth from the black sky and places it within The Immaculate Heart of His Mother Mary, Her Heart moves out from Her body and entwines with The Most Sacred Heart of Her Son Jesus, and His Mercy flows, So great is His Mercy that many conversions can be seen upon the Earth, many people saying we stand with You O Son Of God, we love You Jesus, we love You Holy Spirit and Father. Thank You for giving us your Son and thank you Blessed Mother for your Prayers. ‎
‎“My Children pray, pray, pray, Souls will be saved through your prayer, your sacrifices and your praise, but mostly by showing your love, for my Son cannot withhold His Great Mercy from those who love Him and stand with Him‎.
‎Mary‎"

Intercessions

Pray for Chantelle suffering with depression.

Pray for Dave who has been diagnosed with colon and liver cancer.

Pray for Peter Henri's younger brother Paul who is in hospital with Covid

Pray for Paul and Christine Nugent, they are in hospital with Covid they are in their 70s and have other conditions.

Pray for Dr. Maria, who is receiving 4 hourly Nebulisers from the Covid she had back in April, that God will heal her completely.

Pray for Pat who has not only cancer but now found out that her terrible back pain is a disk that’s resting on another disc, and they won’t operate.

Pray for Ann who has mental health problems and is a lapsed Catholic. May Our Blessed Mother pray for graces of conversion for her and improvement in health.

Pray for the repose of Peter's soul and comfort for his mother Marie.

Pray for Marie Bedingfield.

Pray for Sarah and Dan for help in making a decision.

Pray for Anthony who is going through a difficult time. May he find healing and peace.

Please pray for healing for David who has had a breakdown.

Pray for our Government, local authorities and the health services as they try to deal with the new upsurge in the Corona Virus. Pray for a speedy end to the Coronavirus pandemic throughout the world, and for all those who have contracted the virus and for those who have died. Pray for a vaccine.

Pray for Ann Conroy and Jim Noone who died recently and pray for their families.

Pray for John and Kathleen Morgan. John is recovering from an operation on his face for skin cancer and Kathleen is having difficulty walking because of severe arthritis. They are both in their 80s.

Pray for healing for Dave with long term walking difficulties.

Pray for Annabelle who has bi-polar. Thankfully her medication is now keeping things under control.

Pray for the crisis in Yemen, years of war are being compounded by the effects of coronavirus and food and clean water is scarce and medical resources are minimal.

Continue to pray for healing for John who is doing well and starting further chemotherapy treatment for his brain tumour.

Continue to pray for Eileen who was undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer.
Pray for Zoe diagnosed with breast cancer.

Pray for our priests and our parishes.

Pray for the intentions of all members of Theotokos.

Pray for lost souls.

Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the World.


Resources 1. Theotokos Prayer Group:
https://www.facebook.com/Theotokos-Prayer-Group-142398089120415/http://theotokosprayergroup.blogspot.co.uk/ 

2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook with live streaming of Sunday Masses and Holy Week services:
https://www.facebook.com/parishfamilystocktonRC/

3. Daily Mass readings can be found at:
https://universalis.com/mass.htm

4. Bishops Conference of England and Wales Website - keep up to date on the latest situation as regards our Churches and resources for praying the Mass at home:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/No-Mass-A4.pdf

5. Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle Website:
http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php 

6. Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England:
http://www.ccr.org.uk/  

7. Catholic Charismatic Renewal International
https://www.charis.international/en/home/

8. Celebrate Conference Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Celebratecommunity/ 

Please let me know if you have anything to share (prayers, readings, pictures , prophecies, inspirations) or any intercessions.
Also please let me have any news on those we are praying for so I can keep the intercession list up to date.
You can also get in touch just to say hello!

Theotokos Prayer Group update No. 30

 

Dear friends,

In November we continue to pray for the dead:

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen."

In recent years, perhaps no Catholic doctrine has been more misunderstood by Catholics themselves than the doctrine of Purgatory. Consequently, we tend to downplay it, even seem a little embarrassed by it, and it is the Holy Souls who suffer because of our discomfort with the doctrine.

Purgatory is not, as many people think, one last trial; all of those who make it to Purgatory will one day be in Heaven. Purgatory is where those who have died in grace, but who have not fully atoned for the temporal punishments resulting from their sins, go to finish their atonement before entering Heaven. A soul in Purgatory may suffer, but he has the assurance that he will ultimately enter Heaven when his punishment is complete. Catholics believe Purgatory is an expression of God's love, His desire to cleanse our souls of all that might keep us from experiencing the fullness of joy in Heaven.

As Christians, we don't travel through this world alone. Our salvation is wrapped up with the salvation of others, and charity requires us to come to their aid. The same is true of the Holy Souls. In their time in Purgatory, they can pray for us, and we should pray for the faithful departed that they may be freed from the punishment for their sins and enter into Heaven.

We should pray for the dead throughout the year, especially on the anniversary of their death, but in this Month of the Holy Souls, we should devote some time every day to prayer for the dead. We should start with those closest to us—our mother and father, for instance—but we should also offer prayers for all the souls, and especially for those most forsaken.

We believe that those Holy Souls for whom we pray will continue to pray for us after they have been released from Purgatory. If we live Christian lives, we too will likely find ourselves in Purgatory someday, and our acts of charity toward the Holy Souls there now will ensure that they remember us before the throne of God when we are most in need of prayers. It's a comforting thought, and one that should encourage us, especially in this month of November, to offer our prayers for the Holy Souls.

Richert, Scott P. "Prayers for November." Learn Religions, Aug. 25, 2020, learnreligions.com/prayers-for-november-4590136.

Intercessions

Pray for Peter Henri's younger brother Paul who is in hospital with Covid

Pray for Paul and Christine Nugent, they are in hospital with Covid they are in their 70s and have other conditions. 

Pray for Dr. Maria, who is receiving 4 hourly Nebulisers from the Covid she had back in April, that God will heal her completely. 

Pray for Pat who has not only cancer but now found out that her terrible back pain is a disk that’s resting on another disc, and they won’t operate.

Pray for Ann who has mental health problems and is a lapsed Catholic. May Our Blessed Mother pray for graces of conversion for her and improvement in health.

Pray for the repose of Peter's soul and comfort for his mother Marie.

Pray for Marie Bedingfield.

Pray for Sarah and Dan for help in making a decision.

Pray for Anthony who is going through a difficult time. May he find healing and peace.

Please pray for healing for David who has had a breakdown.

Pray for our Government, local authorities and the health services as they try to deal with the new upsurge in the Corona Virus. Pray for a speedy end to the Coronavirus pandemic throughout the world, and for all those who have contracted the virus and for those who have died. Pray for a vaccine.

Pray for Ann Conroy and Jim Noone who died recently and pray for their families.

Pray for John and Kathleen Morgan. John is recovering from an operation on his face for skin cancer and Kathleen is having difficulty walking because of severe arthritis. They are both in their 80s.

Pray for healing for Dave with long term walking difficulties.

Pray for Annabelle who has bi-polar. Thankfully her medication is now keeping things under control.

Pray for the crisis in Yemen, years of war are being compounded by the effects of coronavirus and food and clean water is scarce and medical resources are minimal.

Continue to pray for healing for John who is doing well and starting further chemotherapy treatment for his brain tumour.

Continue to pray for Eileen who was undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer.

Pray for Zoe diagnosed with breast cancer.

Pray for our priests and our parishes.

Pray for the intentions of all members of Theotokos.

Pray for lost souls.

Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the World.


Resources 

1. Theotokos Prayer Group:
https://www.facebook.com/Theotokos-Prayer-Group-142398089120415/http://theotokosprayergroup.blogspot.co.uk/ 

2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook with live streaming of Sunday Masses and Holy Week services:
https://www.facebook.com/parishfamilystocktonRC/

3. Daily Mass readings can be found at:
https://universalis.com/mass.htm

4. Bishops Conference of England and Wales Website - keep up to date on the latest situation as regards our Churches and resources for praying the Mass at home:
https://www.cbcew.org.uk/https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/No-Mass-A4.pdf

5. Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle Website:
http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php 

6. Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England:
http://www.ccr.org.uk/  

7. Catholic Charismatic Renewal International
https://www.charis.international/en/home/

8. Celebrate Conference Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Celebratecommunity/ 

Please let me know if you have anything to share (prayers, readings, pictures , prophecies, inspirations) or any intercessions.
Also please let me have any news on those we are praying for so I can keep the intercession list up to date.
You can also get in touch just to say hello!

Remembrance Sunday

 We shall remember them..

We remember those who have lost their lives as a result of war;

Young soldiers, dispatched to far-away places, never to return

And civilians, young and old, caught in the crossfire of conflict.

Loving God, bring healing to families torn apart by war.

Comfort those who mourn for their loved ones.

Lord, hear us,

Lord, graciously hear us.

In the month of November we pray for all the dead and think particularly of all those who have died from Covid throughout the world.

Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord and let perpetual peace shine upon them. 

May they rest in peace. Amen

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

We want you to be quite certain, brothers, about those who have died, to make sure that you do not grieve about them, like the other people who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and that it will be the same for those who have died in Jesus: God will bring them with him. We can tell you this from the Lord’s own teaching, that any of us who are left alive until the Lord’s coming will not have any advantage over those who have died. At the trumpet of God, the voice of the archangel will call out the command and the Lord himself will come down from heaven; those who have died in Christ will be the first to rise, and then those of us who are still alive will be taken up in the clouds, together with them; to meet the Lord in the air. So we shall stay with the Lord for ever. With such thoughts as these you should comfort one another.

Theotokos Prayer Group Update No 29

 

Dear Friends, 

A picture of Jesus, from His Heart He takes out a candle lit lantern and he places it before His Beloved Mother Mary, she in turn takes a taper and herself lights the lamps of all her children one by one and they all return to their homes and each puts their lamp into the window shedding light in the terrible darkness which seems to be all around. The lamps burn brighter and many people see them and are drawn to the Pulsing Light within them, those in whom only darkness could be seen can now quite clearly see the Way to the Light.

“ You my dear children must continue to be The Light Of Christ to others in these darkest of times, open your hearts and receive the Light of Life. Your lives must continue to emulate that of My Son Jesus and like a shining lamp in the window of your heart others will recognise His Light and come close to it. Even though sorrow and pain exist in and around you, this Light will uphold you, heal you, free you and fill you and then people will recognise My Son in you and this will draw others to the Light of My Son and so in turn they too will receive the upholding, healing, freeing filling gift from The Holy Spirit, my dear ones pray with your heart let the Light be seen in you, do not be afraid, I am with you and pray with and for you!”
My Motherly Blessing in Jesus is with you!
Mary".

John 8 v 12

¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Intercessions

All Saints pray for us. 

We pray for all Souls, Eternal Rest grant to them O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon them. Amen

Pray for Ann who has mental health problems and is a lapsed Catholic. May Our Blessed Mother pray for graces of conversion for her and improvement in health.

Pray for the repose of Peter's soul and comfort for his mother Marie.

Pray for Marie Bedingfield.

Pray for Sarah and Dan for help in making a decision.

Pray for Anthony who is going through a difficult time. May he find healing and peace.

Please pray for healing for David who has had a breakdown.

Pray for our Government, local authorities and the health services as they try to deal with the new upsurge in the Corona Virus. Pray for a speedy end to the Coronavirus pandemic throughout the world, and for all those who have contracted the virus and for those who have died. Pray for a vaccine.

Pray for Ann Conroy and Jim Noone who died recently and pray for their families.

Pray for John and Kathleen Morgan. John is recovering from an operation on his face for skin cancer and Kathleen is having difficulty walking because of severe arthritis. They are both in their 80s.

Pray for healing for Dave with long term walking difficulties.

Pray for Annabelle who has bi-polar and is now back at home from Hospital with medication.

Pray for the crisis in Yemen, years of war are being compounded by the effects of coronavirus and food and clean water is scarce and medical resources are minimal.

Continue to pray for healing for John who is doing well and starting further chemotherapy treatment for his brain tumour.

Continue to pray for Eileen who was undergoing chemotherapy for bowel cancer.

Pray for Zoe diagnosed with breast cancer.

Pray for our priests and our parishes.

Pray for the intentions of all members of Theotokos.

Pray for lost souls.

Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and the World.

Resources 

1. Theotokos Prayer Group:

https://www.facebook.com/Theotokos-Prayer-Group-142398089120415/http://theotokosprayergroup.blogspot.co.uk/ 

2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook with live streaming of Sunday Masses and Holy Week services:

https://www.facebook.com/parishfamilystocktonRC/

3. Daily Mass readings can be found at:

https://universalis.com/mass.htm

4. Bishops Conference of England and Wales Website - keep up to date on the latest situation as regards our Churches and resources for praying the Mass at home:

https://www.cbcew.org.uk/https://www.cbcew.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/No-Mass-A4.pdf

5. Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle Website:

http://www.rcdhn.org.uk/index.php 

6. Catholic Charismatic Renewal in England:

http://www.ccr.org.uk/  

7. Catholic Charismatic Renewal International

https://www.charis.international/en/home/

8. Celebrate Conference Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/Celebratecommunity/ 

Please let me know if you have anything to share (prayers, readings, pictures , prophecies, inspirations) or any intercessions.

Also please let me have any news on those we are praying for so I can keep the intercession list up to date.

You can also get in touch just to say hello!