Virgin of Vladimir (+ image by the hand of Stephen Allison 2008)

Sunday 28 November 2021

Theotokos Prayer Group 2021 - Update No 47 - First Sunday of Advent



 

First Sunday of Advent


Gospel – Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves; men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation is near at hand.
  ‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly, like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth. Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’


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?

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.
In the meantime we pray that You would come into our hearts here and now. 
Come, Lord Jesus, come.

We begin in Advent, a season of listening, reflected in the most perfect example of Our Blessed Mother, Mary. Listening was central to the Annunciation. God speaks to Mary; she loves God and she listens to him with an open heart and a willingness to participate in His plan. Later, at the Visitation, Mary cares for and listens to her cousin, Elizabeth. Our Lady shows us what it means to be fully attentive to God and to neighbour.


Picture

A picture of Blessed Mothers Immaculate Heart, it appears bruised and a ring of thorns are piercing her Heart, each thorn disappears and becomes a flower of great beauty and scent.

“My dear children, every blow that my Son Jesus received I felt in my Immaculate Heart, but by far the hardest bruise or thorn is the loss of a soul. 
My Son Jesus bore all for love of His people, offering Himself continually to free souls from the slavery of sin. 
My little ones when you pray in the love of the Father from your heart, Jesus offers Himself once again for lost souls enabling the Holy Spirit to apply graces and in so doing loosens the grasp of my adversary. The Holy Spirit speaks into the heart of the soul and causes deep groaning within and so the souls heart opens to change. Then with the aid of our continual prayers that soul turns to the light and LOVE of God, if they are left unaided with prayer they may fail to take the opportunity that has been gifted to them. 
Pray in love for them for God the Father is Love, pray In humility for them allowing the Holy Spirit work in them. 
Pray for Mercy from my Son and you will see miracles in poor souls and in your family, friends, and those hardened even at the end of their earthly life. Then my own poor Heart will be elated with Maternal Love and all bruises and thorns will be turned into flowers of great thanksgiving and the heavenly scent will pervade all that you do in my Son Jesus’ Name and will rise up like incense to the Father in Heaven which is so pleasing to Him.
Mary"

Intercessions 

O Lord hear our prayers, when we call answer us..

As we await with longing the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, dear brothers and sisters, let us with renewed devotion beseech his mercy, that, as he came into the world to bring the good news to the poor and heal the contrite of heart, so in our own time, also, he may bring salvation to all in need.

That Christ may visit his holy Church and keep watch over her always, let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy.

That under the protection of Christ our times may be peaceful, let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy.

That Christ may banish disease, drive out hunger, and ward off every affliction, let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy.

That Christ may find us watching when he comes, let us pray to the Lord.
R. Lord, have mercy.

Pray for souls in most need of God's Mercy.

Pray for Lana who is in great need. 

John who had treatment for a brain tumour has taken ill again please pray for his healing.

Pray for Felicia who is in great need of a job and also Jane who has to make a big decision.

Continue prayers for Ann's health and treatment.

Pray for my Godson David for inner healing and peace.

Pray for Anthony and Peter that they may find work and a settled life.

Pray for prisoners and their families, for prison staff and visitors and for victims of crime.

Pray for all those with evil intentions that they be given grace to resist and turn away from evil.

Pray for all parents especially those who are struggling to cope with young children.

Pray that the commitments made in the COP26 Climate talks will bear fruit.

Pray for all who suffer as a result of war, violence, oppression, persecution and natural disaster throughout the World.

Pray for the protection and strengthening of our Priests.

Pray for the salvation of all people.

Continue to pray for an end to the pandemic.
Pray for our Government, the health services, local authorities and volunteers as they deal with the Corona Virus.
Pray that vaccines will be readily available to all throughout the World and that wealthy nations will assist the poorer nations.

Pray for peace and justice throughout the World.

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

Pray for the personal needs of all of Theotokos Prayer Group.


Resources
2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook:
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:
Home - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle (diocesehn.org.uk) 
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/ 





Posted by Stephen Allison (Blogmaster) at 15:23 0 comments

Sunday 21 November 2021

Theotokos Prayer Group 2021 - Update No 46 - Christ the King

 


CHRIST THE KING

Revelation 1:5-8
5 Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead and ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
6 who has made us into a kingdom, priests for his God and Father, to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.
7 Behold, he is coming amid the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him. All the peoples of the earth will lament him. Yes. Amen.
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, ” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.”

Picture

A picture of swirling darkness, from the middle an eagle breaks through and soars high into the Heavens.
Jesus says:
“My People, where there is sin My Mercy, My Grace and My Love abound.
I your Jesus like a beggar call you to Me continually, if you knew or could fathom the love I have for each of you, you would run into and never leave My arms. Oh if only that was so, turn to Me your Saviour I will forgive and heal your poor souls for not one person is lost to Me if they repent with true contrition, I continually call you to come closer to Me and when you do My Heart with yours will soar like an eagles. 
I am a King but I come to you as a Beggar such is My overwhelming love for you, My Heart is rent in two and aches to pour out upon you sweet unction and never ending Love. 
Come to Me My People do not tarry, for My Heart cries out to you as a bridegroom long awaiting his bride, let nothing stop you, come assuage this great longing in My Heart, come to Me your Jesus, I love you so, come, come, oh come.”


Exodus 19 v 4
You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.


Prayer for England
O blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother,
look down in mercy upon England thy "Dowry"
and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee.
By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world;
and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more.
Plead for us thy children,
whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the Cross, O sorrowful Mother.
Intercede for our separated brethren,
that with us in the one true fold
they may be united to the supreme Shepherd,
the Vicar of thy Son.
Pray for us all, dear Mother,
that by faith fruitful in good works
we may all deserve to see and praise God,
together with thee, in our heavenly home.

Amen.


Intercessions

O Lord hear our prayers, when we call answer us..

John who had treatment for a brain tumour has taken ill again please pray for his healing.

Pray for Felicia who is in great need of a job and also Jane who has to make a big decision.

Continue prayers for Ann's health and treatment.
 
Pray for my Godson David for inner healing and peace.

Pray for Anthony and Peter that they may find work and a settled life.

Pray for prisoners and their families, for prison staff and visitors and for victims of crime.

Pray for all those with evil intentions that they be given grace to resist and turn away from evil.

Pray for all parents especially those who are struggling to cope with young children.

Pray that the commitments made in the COP26 Climate talks will bear fruit.

Pray for all who suffer as a result of war, violence, oppression, persecution and natural disaster throughout the World.

Pray for the protection and strengthening of our Priests.

Pray for the salvation of all people.

Continue to pray for an end to the pandemic.
Pray for our Government, the health services, local authorities and volunteers as they deal with the Corona Virus.
Pray that vaccines will be readily available to all throughout the World and that wealthy nations will assist the poorer nations.

Pray for peace and justice throughout the World.

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

Pray for the personal needs of all of Theotokos Prayer Group.


Resources

2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook:
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:
Home - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle (diocesehn.org.uk) 
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/ 
Posted by Stephen Allison (Blogmaster) at 15:54 0 comments

Sunday 14 November 2021

Theotokos Prayer Group 2021 - Update No 45



Picture
A picture of Our Blessed Mother presenting a man before Jesus, this man was not a bad man but had not given himself to Jesus very much during his life. Our Blessed Mother knelt with him before Jesus and prayed from Our Blessed Mother’s breast seemed to be an outflow of prayers that hung in the air before Jesus. Jesus bade them both get up and marked the man with the sign of His Cross in His own Blood. Mary was so thankful and brought a white garment for the man. The man was so relieved and his heart was full of sorrow for the times he had not included Jesus in his life, but he was so joyful that he could now say sorry and that he was saved, he went away with Our Blessed Mother to pray in thankfulness to Jesus.

“My little children this man was saved by the blood of my Son and the many prayers that are said by the faithful for poor souls, my Heart magnifies these prayers and Jesus accepts them. My little ones never underestimate the power of prayer said from the heart, my Son cannot resist the love that they are said with. Truly prayer is the weapon to destroy all chains from the adversary. I urge you to keep reciting your prayers said in love to my Son through my Immaculate Heart.
Your Maternal Mother Mary."

James 5 v 13-20
13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, 20 you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.



Diocesan Year of the Eucharist
In this 'Year of the Eucharist' we hope to:
Revitalise and renew our faith through a deepening prayer and devotion of the Eucharist.
Grow as a Diocese in our love and appreciation of the Eucharist.
Deepen our appreciation of the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist through the rites.
Celebrate Eucharist as being at the heart of the life and mission of the Church, gathering people back.
Go out to love and serve the world nourished by the Eucharist.
Various events, invitations, publications and resources will be available this coming year. To receive these directly to your inbox sign up to the mailing list by email and keep an eye on the Diocesan website for the adverts as the year unfolds.

CHARIS* update
*Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service, a new single service for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the world.
The Launch day in the South of the Dioceses for the Diocesan Service of  Communion (DSC) was well attended and it was nice to see a number of you there.
The DSC will feed back from the day in due course and I will keep you informed.
The three main priorities of CHARIS and the DSC are:
•    to deepen and promote the grace of baptism in the Holy Spirit and the exercise of charisms throughout the whole Church
•    to promote the ecumenical dimension of Catholic Charismatic Renewal and foster the commitment to serving the unity of all Christians
•    to promote service of the poor and social action through the Catholic Charismatic Renewal.

Meeting again
With regard to meeting again and having to spoken to a number of people I have concluded that the time is not right yet. 
I will keep in touch with St Mary's Parish Office but don't expect any change to the opening of the Parish Rooms until the New Year.
In the meantime please let us pray for one another and the future of the group. Please let me know if you have anything to share (prayers, readings, pictures , prophecies, inspirations) or any intercessions.


Remembrance Day Prayer

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask that God may give us peace:
for the service men and women
who have died in the violence of war,
each one remembered by and known to God;
may God give peace.
God give peace.
For those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief
and the sadness of our loss;
may God give peace.
God give peace.
For all members of the armed forces
who are in danger this day,
remembering family, friends
and all who pray for their safe return;
may God give peace.
God give peace.

Intercessions

O Lord hear our prayers, when we call answer us..

John who had treatment for a brain tumour has taken ill again please pray for his healing.

Pray for Felicia who is in great need of a job and also Jane who has to make a big decision.

Continue prayers for Ann's health and treatment. 

Pray for my Godson David for inner healing and peace.

Pray for Anthony and Peter that they may find work and a settled life.

Pray for prisoners and their families, for prison staff and visitors and for victims of crime.

Pray for all those with evil intentions that they be given grace to resist and turn away from evil.

Pray for all parents especially those who are struggling to cope with young children.

Pray that the commitments made in the COP26 Climate talks will bear fruit.

Pray for all who suffer as a result of war, violence, oppression, persecution and natural disaster throughout the World.

Pray for the protection and strengthening of our Priests.

Pray for the salvation of all people.

Continue to pray for an end to the pandemic.
Pray for our Government, the health services, local authorities and volunteers as they deal with the Corona Virus.
Pray that vaccines will be readily available to all throughout the World and that wealthy nations will assist the poorer nations.

Pray for peace and justice throughout the World.

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

Pray for the personal needs of all of Theotokos Prayer Group.


Resources
2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook:
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:
Home - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle (diocesehn.org.uk) 
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/ 
Posted by Stephen Allison (Blogmaster) at 16:15 0 comments

Sunday 7 November 2021

Theotokos Prayer Group 2021- Update No. 44

 Dear friends,



1 Corinthians 11 v 23-27

23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
​
Picture
A priest lifting high at the consecration the Eucharist, when looking the priest was no longer the parish priest but Jesus! The people in the Mass were aligning their thoughts words and prayers to Jesus in the Eucharist.

England was in darkness but little flames like pockets of light appeared all over the land and grew to huge flames till England seemed to be on fire. The fire spread to Scotland Wales and all of Ireland, this fire was not a destructive fire it was a fire bringing wholesomeness and a burning love of Jesus. Little arrows of fire seemed to rise up and be airborne and fell down to other places in Europe and beyond.

“My little ones when you lift your hearts together with the raised Eucharist to God the Most High, you are cooperating with the Holy Spirit in the Sublime Sacrifice of my Son Jesus. Bring before my Son your countries, your families, those poor souls that do not know my Son. Lift up also my priest sons and religious and then as worthily as is possible receive Jesus with faith in Holy Communion all the while with thanksgiving in your heart, then the burning love of my Son’s Sacred Heart shall shower down the fire of His love over all petitions and when propitious you will see mighty miracles in your land, homes and the hearts of all, and then together with Heaven we will rejoice in the goodness of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I your Mother will always lead you to my Son because you are sons and daughters of my Maternal Heart!
Mary"


Diocesan Year of the Eucharist
In this 'Year of the Eucharist' we hope to:
Revitalise and renew our faith through a deepening prayer and devotion of the Eucharist.
Grow as a Diocese in our love and appreciation of the Eucharist.
Deepen our appreciation of the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist through the rites.
Celebrate Eucharist as being at the heart of the life and mission of the Church, gathering people back.
Go out to love and serve the world nourished by the Eucharist.
Various events, invitations, publications and resources will be available this coming year. To receive these directly to your inbox sign up to the mailing list by email and keep an eye on the Diocesan website for the adverts as the year unfolds.

CHARIS* update
*Catholic Charismatic Renewal International Service, a new single service for the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the world.
There will be a launch event at Stockton English Martyrs Church on Saturday 13 November. It would be good for as many of us as possible to attend.

See poster below for details:






Intercessions

O Lord hear our prayers, when we call answer us..

Pray for Felicia who is in great need of a job and also Jane who has to make a big decision.

Ann will now be seen in the clinic at the Hospital for her dental problem keep up the prayers for successful treatment.

Pray for my Godson David for inner healing and peace.

Pray for Anthony and Peter that they may find work and a settled life.

Pray for prisoners and their families, for prison staff and visitors and for victims of crime.

Pray for all those with evil intentions that they be given grace to resist and turn away from evil.

Pray for all parents especially those who are struggling to cope with young children.

Prayer for the COP26 climate summit:
Loving God,
We praise your name with all you have created.
You are present in the whole universe,
and in the smallest of creatures.
We acknowledge the responsibilities you have placed upon us
as stewards of your creation.
May the Holy Spirit inspire all political leaders at COP26 as they
seek to embrace the changes needed to foster a more sustainable society.
Instil in them the courage and gentleness to implement fairer solutions
for the poorest and most vulnerable,
and commit their nations to the care of Our Common Home.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ your Son.
Amen

Pray for all who suffer as a result of war, violence, oppression, persecution and natural disaster throughout the World.

Pray for the protection and strengthening of our Priests.

Pray for the salvation of all people.

Continue to pray for an end to the pandemic.
Pray for our Government, the health services, local authorities and volunteers as they deal with the Corona Virus.
Pray that vaccines will be readily available to all throughout the World and that wealthy nations will assist the poorer nations.

Pray for peace and justice throughout the World.

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

Pray for the personal needs of all of Theotokos Prayer Group.


Resources
2. Stockton Parish Family on Facebook:
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:
Home - Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle (diocesehn.org.uk) 
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/ 
10. New Dawn: New Dawn In The Church Walsingham | Prince of Peace Community 

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

God bless


Stephen and Ann
https://www.facebook.com/Theotokos-Prayer-Group-142398089120415/http://theotokosprayergroup.blogspot.co.uk/email: stephen.ann@ntlworld.com
Posted by Stephen Allison (Blogmaster) at 15:29 0 comments
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