GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS AT ALL NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL FOR ALL AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS - WHY NOT JOIN US?

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH IS AT ALL NIGHT PRAYER VIGIL TO ASK ALMIGHTY GOD TO LIFT THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC FROM HIS BELOVED CREATED EARTH. ALMIGHTY GOD, TO WHOM DO WE TURN IF NOT TO THEE? THY CHILDREN SUFFER AND MANY DIE: IN AGES PAST, THOU HAS LIFTED THE CROSS OF PLAGUE AND DEATH WHEN THY CHILDREN TURNED TO THEE IN FASTING AND PRAYER. HEAR OUR PLEA AND LIFT THIS SCOURGE FROM OUR MIDST. WE ASK THIS ON OUR KNEES BEFORE THEE, WITH TEARS IN OUR EYES AND SUPPLICATION IN OUR HEARTS.

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH WILL SHORTLY BE OFFERING THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS FOR ALL AFFECTED BY THE CORONAVIRUS, FOR THOSE SUFFERING, AND FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY FROM THIS DREADFUL DISEASE. WE PRAY, TOO, FOR THOSE WHO CARE FOR THE AFFLICTED. PRAYER IS BEING OFFERED FOR FAMILIES, COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS OF THOSE AFFLICTED BY CORONAVIRUS.

PLEASE JOIN US AS WE TURN TO GOD IN PRAYER AT THIS TIME OF SUFFERING.

https://youtu.be/-1LLxCEa7IU

Latin text Misericórdias Dómini in aetérnum cantábo. Misericórdia Dómini cúncta creáta sunt. Misericórdia Dómini pléna est térra. Misericórdia Dómini quía non súmus consúmpti. Quóniam est Dóminus suávis, et mítis, et pátiens, et múltum miséricors, et múltae misericórdiae ómnibus in vocántibus éum. O quam bónus Dóminus, O quam dúlcis, O quam suávis est Dóminus univérsis, et miseratiónes éjus súper ómnia ópera éjus. Miserére nóstri, Dómine. Fíat misericórdia túa, Dómine, súper nos, quemádmodum sperávimus. In te, Dómine, sperávi, non confúndar in aetérnum. Amen.

English translation The mercies of the Lord I shall sing forever. By the mercy of the Lord all things were made. With the mercy of the Lord the earth is filled. For from the mercy of the Lord we have not been cut off. For the Lord is pleasant, and mild, and patient, and greatly merciful, and many are the mercies to all who call on him. O how good is the Lord! O how sweet! O how pleasant is the Lord to humankind, and his compassion is upon all his works. Have mercy upon us, O Lord. Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we have hoped. In you, O Lord, have I hoped: I shall never be confounded. Amen. With thanks to Youtube

POPE PIUS XII - GUIDE FOR LIVING

"All men are as children before God; all, even the most profound thinkers and the most experienced leaders of peoples.

They judge events with the foreshortened vision of time, which passes and flies past irretrievably. God, on the other hand, sees events from on high, from the unmoved centre of eternity. They have before their eyes the limited view of a few years. God has before Him the all-embracing panorama of the ages. They think of human events in relation to their proximate causes and immediate effects. God sees them in their remote causes and judges them in their remote effects. They stop to single out this or that particular reponsible hand. God sees a whole hidden complicated convergence of responsibilities, because His exalted Providence does not exclude the free choice of evil and good in human selection.

They would have immediate justice, and are scandalised at the ephemeral power of the enemies of God, the sufferings and humiliations of the innocent permitted by God. But our Heavenly Father, Who in the light of His eternity embraces, penetrates and dominates the vicissitudes of time as much as the serene peace of the endless ages; God, Who is the Blessed Trinity, full of compassion for the weaknesses, ignorance and impatience of men, but Who loves men too much for their faults to turn Him from the ways of His wisdom and love, continues, and will continue, to make His sun to rise on the good and the evil, and to send rain on the just and the unjust; to guide their childlike steps with firmness and kindness if only they will let themselves be led by Him and have trust in the power and the wisdom of His love for them.

What does it mean to trust in God?

Trust in God means the abandonment of oneself, with all the forces of the will sustained by grace and love, in spite of all the doubts suggested by appearances to the contrary, to the wisdom, the infinite love of God. It means believing that nothing in this world escapes His Providence, whether in the universal or in the particular order; that nothing great or small happens which is not foreseen, willed or permitted, directed always by Providence to its exalted ends, which in this world are always inspired by love for men." [1]

[1] Pope Pius XII. 1958. Guide for Living, an approved selection of Letters and Addresses of His Holiness Pope Pius XII.  "Why does God allow it?" London: Evans Brothers Limited.  pages 94 to 95

PRAY THE ROSARY WITH POPE FRANCIS. LET US PRAY FOR AN END TO THE CORONAVIRUS

CORONAVIRUS: POPE PRAYS FOR THE DEAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c-xL8lVZw0

POPE FRANCIS HAS ISSUED A CALL FOR THE ROSARY TO BE PRAYED THIS EVENING OF THE 19th MARCH 2020: THE FEAST OF ST JOSEPH. Why not join as we pray the rosary? The Holy Father has asked that the luminous mysteries be prayed. 

The luminous mysteries can be prayed at 

https://therosary.online/ 

Pope Francis prayed for those who have died due to the Coronavirus. Good Shepherd Church prays to the Lord for:

- all who have died from the virus

- all who are ill with the virus

- all who have been left bereaved by the virus

- all who have given their lives to aid those suffering with the virus

For those who are now with the Lord, we pray:

"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them;

may they rest in peace,

Amen."

THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES ARE:

Pope John Paul II's Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, introduced the Luminous Mysteries in October 2002.

Five mysteries, the Mysteries of Light (or the Luminous Mysteries), were added to the Rosary. They focus on the public ministry of Jesus Christ. They are:

The Baptism in the Jordan

"Here, as Christ descends into the waters, the Innocent One who became 'sin' for our sake (cf. 2 Cor 5:21), the heavens open wide and the voice of the Father declares Him the beloved Son (cf. Mt 3:17 and parallels), while the Spirit descends on Him to invest Him with the mission which He is to carry out."

The Wedding at Cana

"The first of the signs, given at Cana (cf. Jn 2:1- 12), when Christ changes water into wine and opens the hearts of the disciples to faith, thanks to the intervention of Mary, the first among believers."

The Proclamation of the Kingdom

"The preaching by which Jesus proclaims the coming of the Kingdom of God, calls to conversion (cf. Mk 1:15) and forgives the sins of all who draw near to Him in humble trust (cf. Mk 2:3-13; Lk 7:47- 48): the inauguration of that ministry of mercy which He continues to exercise until the end of the world, particularly through the Sacrament of Reconciliation which He has entrusted to His Church (cf. Jn 20:22-23)."

The Transfiguration

"The mystery of light par excellence is the Transfiguration, traditionally believed to have taken place on Mount Tabor. The glory of the Godhead shines forth from the Face of Christ as the Father commands the astonished Apostles to 'listen to Him' (cf. Lk 9:35 and parallels) and to prepare to experience with Him the agony of the Passion, so as to come with Him to the joy of the Resurrection and a life transfigured by the Holy Spirit."

The Institution of the Eucharist

"Christ offers His Body and Blood as food under the signs of bread and wine, and testifies 'to the end' His love for humanity (Jn 13:1), for whose salvation He will offer Himself in sacrifice." [1]

Pope Francis is urging Catholics to pray the roary together, Alleged News

https://catholiccourier.com/articles/pope-francis-urging-catholics-to-pray-the-rosary-together

[1] The luminous mysteries of the Rosary

https://www.catholicity.com/prayer/luminous.html

With thanks to youtube, therosary.online, catholicourier.com and catholicity.com

CHRISTMASTIDE CHURCH SERVICE

CHRISTMASTIDE CHURCH SERVICE

If you are unable to attend a Church Service, why not follow the service below in prayer and make spiritual Communion with Our Lord Jesus Christ? Perhaps you have been working in essential services, are caregiver at home or ill in bed. All of your intentions have been held before the Lord.

CHRISTMASTIDE CHURCH SERVICE

Celebrant; 'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Congregation; 'Amen.'

Beginning hymn; O Holy Night
http://www.cross.tv/188671

Lyrics;
 "Oh holy night, the stars are brightly shining, 

It is the night of the dear Savior's birth,
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn,
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices,
O night divine, O night when Christ was born, 
O night divine, O night divine.

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His Name all oppression shall cease. 
Sweet hymns of joy in joyful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!
He knows our need, 
Our weakness is no stranger, 
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend.
Behold your King, before Him lowly bend. "

Celebrant; "Let us pray.
Hear the words of the Angel to Joseph,
'You shall call His Name Jesus,
For He will save His people from His sins.
Let us rejoice in the coming of God's Son,
As we join in prayer this Holy Night."

Invitation to Confession;
Celebrant; "Christ the Light of the World has come,
to dispel the darkness. 
Let us turn to His Light and reflect on our lives.'"

Here follows a few moments of silence. Reach out to God with your heart, and think of any area in your life where you can improve as a person. If there is an area in your life on which you need to work, silently communicate with God and commit to addressing this area.

Celebrant; "God our Father, You sent Your Son; born of a Virgin, born in a stable.
Forgive our failures to receive Him.
Lord have mercy."
Congregation; "Lord, have mercy".

Celebrant; "Jesus our Savior,
Born in poverty, apprentice to carpenter,
Forgive the times we have wanted money more than the ways of God. 
Christ, have mercy".
Congregation; "Christ, have mercy".

Celebrant; "Spirit of Love,
Your servants Mary and Joseph obeyed Your Word and gave us our Saviour.
Forgive us when our hearts are hard".
Congregation; "Lord have mercy".

Celebrant; "May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to life eternal".
Congregation; "Amen". 

Celebrant; "May God Who loved the world so much, 
That He sent His Son to be our Saviour,
Forgive us our sins, and make us holy to serve Him in the world,
through Jesus Christ our Lord".
Congregation; "Amen.".

Congregation;
"Glory to God in the highest, And peace to all of goodwill.
We praise You, we bless you, we adore You, we glorify You.
We give You thanks for Your Great Glory.
Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Begotten Son of the Father.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father.
You Who take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us. You are seated at the Right Hand of The Father, 
Have mercy on us.
For You alone are Holy, You alone are Lord.
You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ.
With the Holy Spirit in the Glory of God the Father. Amen".

Readings;
First Reading from the Prophet Isaiah, 9;6-7
"For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given,
And the government will be upon His Shoulder.
And His Name will be called
Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace,
Of the increase of His government and peace,
There will be no end.
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this".

Responsorial Psalm 
Response; Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
Sing to the LORD, all you lands,
Sing to the LORD, bless His Name.

R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
Announce His Salvation, day after day, 
Tell His glory among the nations, 
Among all peoples, His wondrous deeds. 

R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord.
They shall exult, before the LORD, for He comes;
He comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the earth with justice, 
And the peoples with His constancy.

R. Today is born our Saviour, Christ our Lord. 

Second Reading from Luke 2;7;
 "Mary gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son,
And wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,
And laid Him in a manger."  

Gospel Acclamation:
"Alleluia, Alleluia.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
And we have seen His glory.
Alleluia, Alleluia." 

Celebrant; Gospel; Luke 2;1 - 16
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 
And everyone went to their own town to register. 
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee in Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and town of David. 
He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a Child. While they were there, the time came for the Baby to be born, and she gave birth to her Firstborn, a Son. 
She wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out  in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
An Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the Glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 
But the Angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring great news that will bring great joy to all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; He will be wrapped in cloths, and laid in a manger.' 
Suddenly a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the Angel, praising God and saying,
'"Glory to God in the Highest Heaven, 
And on earth peace to those on whom His Favour rests." 
When the Angels had left them and gone into Heaven, the shepherds said to one another; 
"Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in the manger.'

Celebrant; "This is the gospel of Christ".
Congregation; "Glory to Christ our Saviour".

Word of Encouragement;
Celebrant; "It is easy for us to forget that the final result of our earthly history will be peace forever under the eternal reign of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, the heir to the throne of David. Yet we should always remember this fact. Every cloak rolled in blood will be burned, every spear shaped for war will be hammered into a shape suitable only for peacable pastimes. Christ Himself has promised this. 

The promised Messiah has come into our world at Christmastime. Let us rejoice!

Let us refuse to be drawn into a spiral of violence. Let us decline to glamorise the hurting and suffering of others. We follow the Infant King Who is the Prince of Peace. Let each of us be peaceable in our families, homes and society. Only then will we be able to truly call ourselves followers of Jesus Christ, the Wonderful Counsellor and Son of God come down from heaven to earth.

Let us follow Him in our lives by being persons of peace and of prayer.
You may spend some time in quiet reflection if you so wish.

Prayers of Intercession;
Celebrant; 'Let us pray to Jesus our Saviour.
Christ, born in a stable,
Shepherd of all; search out those Who do not believe in God
and tirelessly help to enkindle the spark of faith in saddened hearts with no hope.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'

Celebrant; 'Christ, for whom the angels sang, 
Bless all infants who have died through abortion over this past year.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'

Celebrant; 'Christ, worshipped by the shepherds, 
we pray for immigrants and for those who have died fleeing conflict.'
Congregation; 'Jesus,, Saviour,
hear our prayer'
.
Celebrant; 'Christ, before whom the wise men knelt,
we pray for all who work against the coming of Your Kingdom, that they may receive miraculous conversion of heart.

Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'
Celebrant; 'Christ, whose radiance filled a lowly manger,
give the glory of your resurrection to all who rest in you.'
Congregation; 'Jesus, Saviour,
hear our prayer.'

Celebrant; 'Jesus, Saviour, child of Mary,
you know us and love us,
you share our lives
and hear our prayer.
Glory to you for ever. Amen.,

Breaking of Bread
Celebrant; 'Almighty God, You made a covenant with Your people, and declared Your purpose of justice and love. 
When all things were ready, You sent Your Son to be Our Saviour.
In words and deeds He proclaimed Your Kingdom, and obeyed Your Will even to death on the cross.
Through His mighty death and resurrection, He overcame sin and death, to set the whole creation free.
We praise You, Father, that on the night before He gave His life, our Lord Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it and gave it to His disciples and said; 'Take, eat; this is My Body which is broken for you. 
Do this in memory of me.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Bread of Life.'
Celebrant; 'After the same manner also He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, 'Take this, all of you, and drink; for this is My Blood; the Blood of the New Covenant which is poured out for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sins. Do This in memory of Me.'
Congregation; 'Lord Jesus, You are the Cup of Life, the wine that is blessed for our salvation.' 

The Lord's Prayer;
'Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed by Thy Name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, 
But deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever, Amen.'

Benediction;
Celebrant; 'May the joy of the Angels,
The eagerness of the shepherds,
The perseverance of the wise men,
The obedience of Joseph and Mary,
And the peace of the Christ-Child
Be yours this Christmas;
And the blessing of Almighty God be yours this Christmas, now and forever,'
Congregation; 'Amen'.

Final Hymn; Silent Night 
http://www.cross.tv/230720

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born

Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR

Pope Pius XI regarding abortion: "God is the Avenger of innocent blood"

Pope Piux XI

Casti Connubii

REGARDING ABORTION

God is the Avenger of Innocent Blood

"67. Those who hold the reins of government should not forget that it is the duty of public authority by appropriate laws and sanctions to defend the lives of the innocent, and this all the more since those whose lives are endangered and assailed cannot defend themselves. Among whom we must mention in the first place infants hidden in the mother 's womb. And if the public magistrates not only do not defend them, but by their laws and ordinances betray them to death at the hands of doctors or of others, let them remember that God is the Judge and Avenger of innocent blood which cried from earth to Heaven." 

Pope Pius XI, Casti Connubii, December 31, 1930

Casti Connubii, Encyclical of Pope Pius XI on Christian Marriage

https://w2.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_19301231_casti-connubii.html