Monday, October 31, 2022

GOOD SHEPHERD HOLDING ALL NIGHT VIGIL

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH HAS BEEN HOLDING AN ALL NIGHT VIGIL OF PRAYER.
Do you have any intentions which require prayer? Why not join with us as we pray this night, Hallowed Evening, in preparation for the Holy Festivals of All Saints and All Souls Day.
Why not light a candle for your loved one?
http://gratefulness.org/light-a-candle/

If you wish to pray a rosary, join with others in prayer at
http://www.comepraytherosary.org/

With thanks to gratefulness.org and comepraytherosary.org

Friday, June 24, 2022

PRAYER CHAPEL FOR THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE OCCULT: WHY NOT PRAY?

There is much heavenly assistance for those involved with occult. Blessed Bartolo Longo converted from the occult to become a member of the Third Order of Saint Dominic. As he was undergoing his conversion experience, he was inspired by Mary's promise; "If you seek salvation, promulgate the rosary. This is Mary's own promise."

Bartolo turned to Jesus Christ, restored a delapidated old church and installed a repaired painting of Our Lady of the Rosary therein. Within hours of its installation miracles began to be reported, and people flocked to the church in droves.

Bartolo has been named "The Apostle of the Rosary."

Why not pray the Prayers of Blessed Bartolo Longo for the specific conversion of someone struggling with the occult? Jesus has told us that if we ask, we will receive. If we knock on the door, it will be opened. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters involved in occultism.

Pray for a conversion

Spend some time in prayer at this Chapel for a conversion.

Pray the Rosary

The Most Holy Rosary is a further powerful protection against the occult, and agent for conversion. If you wish, pray the Rosary. Bartolo's prayers appear below, together with a link to praying online rosary.

Wear the Miraculous Medal, a powerful aid

Please know, too, that the Miraculous Medal has proven powerful in conversion from occultism. Zachary King converted from occultism through the power of the Miraculous Medal.

The Rue du Bac in Paris is where the then novice, Sr Catherine Laboure, was blessed with the apparitions of Mary Immaculate. Mary, Queen of Heaven, came to visit Catherine and asked her to have a holy medal made, which would give great protection and graces.

As Catherine was shown the design for the medal, she heard a voice say, "Have a medal struck upon this model. All those who wear it, when it is blessed, will receive great graces specially if they wear it round the neck.

Those who repeat this prayer with devotion will be in a special manner under the protection of the Mother of God. Graces will be abundantly bestowed upon those who have confidence." The prayer is "O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Prayers of Blessed Bartolo Longo

First Joyful Mystery. The Annunciation.

O Mary, immaculate lily, through the joy you felt when at the Angel's message you became the Mother of God: obtain for me the virtue of purity and of humility, that I may become your worthy son/daughter and the brother/sister of Jesus.

Second Joyful Mystery. The Visitation.

O Mary, Mother of grace and of charity, through the joy you felt when, upon visiting Elizabeth, you brought joy to the home of Zechariah and the Baptist was sanctified at the sound of your voice: visit my soul, let it hear your Motherly voice, and fill it with love of God and love of neighbour.

Third Joyful Mystery. The Birth of Jesus.

O Mary, mirror of humility and of poverty, through the joy you felt when, turned away by the inhabitants of Bethlehem and forced to take refuge in a stable from the cold and darkness, you gave birth to the Divine Redeemer: grant that by accepting scorn and poverty I remain faithful to grace and gain the reward of eternal salvation by means of good works.

Fourth Joyful Mystery. The Presentation.

O Mary, the perfect model of obedience and of sacrifice, you who offered Jesus to the Eternal Father on our behalf: place your Child upon my bosom, that, together with you, I may offer him the sacrifice of my passions and of my whole being.

Fifth Joyful Mystery. The Finding in the Temple.

O Mary, a shining example of patience, through the joy you felt when, after three days of anxiously searching, you found Jesus in the Temple: grant that I too, seeking Jesus with love in every moment of my life in imitation of you, may find him at last in your arms at the hour of my death, never to lose him again.

First Sorrowful Mystery. The Agony in the Garden.

O Grieving Virgin, through the anguish of that saddest of nights in which Jesus in agony in the garden sweat blood at the sight of my sins, and, betrayed, was tied as a criminal: obtain for me the perfect sorrow of my sins and perseverance in prayer, that I may never again betray his most loving Heart.

Second Sorrowful Mystery. The Scourging at the Pillar.

O most grieving Mother, through the pain you felt in knowing that your innocent and holy Son had been publicly stripped and bloodily scourged with biting whips: obtain for me the spirit of true repentance and the virtue of chastity and of the mortification of the senses.

Third Sorrowful Mystery. The Crowning with Thorns.

O Mother of sorrows, through the atrocious torment which pierced your heart when you saw Jesus, the King of glory, then become the King of suffering, crowned with thorns and shame, with a reed in his hands, derided by the crowd: ah!, encircle my intellect and my heart with these very thorns, that I may never offend him again with evil thoughts and sentiments; and obtain for me pureness in my thoughts and the right intentions in my actions.

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery. The Carrying of the Cross.

O grieving Mother, through the martyrdom of your heart, when you met your Son weighed down beneath the heavy cross, staining the road to Calvary with his blood: grant that I, clinging to Jesus' cross, follow behind, daily carrying the cross of my troubles with meekness and with perfect conformity to the will of God.

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery. The Crucifixion and Death of Our Lord.

O Queen of the Martyrs, through the extreme spasm of your heart when you witnessed Jesus dying on the cross in the midst of a thousand torments, forsaken and without comfort: grant that I die to myself, to the world and to sin, and live in the heart of Jesus alone, having abandoned myself in his most holy arms.

First Glorious Mystery. The Resurrection.

O Most Holy Mother of God, through the joy you felt in seeing Jesus risen from the dead and surrounded in glory: obtain for me that I too rise from the death of sin to a life of grace and of faith, and may persevere in it till my very last breath.

Second Glorious Mystery. The Ascension.

O Queen of the Heavens, through the joy you experienced in seeing Jesus rising to Heaven triumphant as King of the Universe and as our Advocate by his Father: obtain his blessing for me also, so that I be changed by him from a sinner into a saint; moreover, by separating me from all earthly affection, through the virtue of hope may he kindle in me the desire of paradise.

Third Glorious Mystery. The Descent of the Holy Spirit.

O Queen of the Universe, through the joy you felt when the Holy Spirit descended on you and on the Apostles: grant that he come into my soul and fill it with his holy gifts and the heavenly fruits of charity, of joy, of patience and of peace.

Fourth Glorious Mystery. The Assumption.

O Queen, Lady of the Angels, through the joy you experienced when you were taken into heaven body and soul: come with Jesus to assist me at the hour of my death, and lead me with you to everlasting happiness.

Fifth Glorious Mystery. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

O Queen of all the Saints, and the honour and delight of humankind, through the joy you felt when the Most Holy Trinity crowned you as Queen of Heaven and Earth: inflame me with your love and with the love of God, that I may love and serve you on earth, and glorify you, O Queen of my heart, in heaven.

Link to online Rosary

http://www.comepraytherosary.org

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Prayer Chapel for Detransitioners Who Regret Gender Transition; WORDS OF COMFORT

PRAYER CHAPEL

Dear Lord, I am here in this Chapel today because since my gender detransition I am - quite simply - struggling. I underwent gender transition which I now regret. I am experiencing difficulties. Tears for changed voice and changed or lost body parts. I have been going through deep emotional pain and trauma, and fear my life has been permanently changed. I often suffer depression.

I made a past choice which I now regret. Worst of all, I cannot turn back time and change the decision I made.

I did not really have full knowledge at the time as to what I was doing. I was younger, struggling, and hoped that gender transition would heal my inner pain.

I really thought it was the right decision, now - as I grow older and understand the consequences of that decision - I experience heartache.

I have since found that gender transition did not prove the answer I had hoped.

Now I realize that in gender detransition, instead of being problem free, I now have new problems - a deep regret.

I hurt so much when I think of how my gender detransition has affected my body and my life.

I hurt when I see someone who does not have compassion for my pain dealing with gender issues and gender detransition.

Dear Lord, please help me.

GOD'S ANSWER TO YOU

"My dearest Child,

Just come into my Arms and be at peace. I am your Heavenly Father, and I know all about you.

I know your struggles, your heartaches, your inner goodness, the difficulties you have so bravely faced.

I know how difficult it was for you to undergo therapies and surgeries.

I am the God Who created male and female. I am also the God Who understands the difficulties many experience with gender in a world which was rendered imperfect after the Fall.

Be assured of My Love. Be assured of My Understanding. Rest within My Peace.

Yes, there have been changes such as voice or bodily appearance as a result of hormonal therapies and surgery. Yet these are but superficial.

Your soul has remained untouched, and is most beautiful in my sight, My dear Child.

Be reassured, your resurrected body will be fully healed once more. So do not weep. All of life is a transition. I understand that.

You did not fully understand the decision you were making before. Now you do. So let us move on together.

Look for good help, for one of my Trustworthy Shepherds, a priest or counsellor - be discerning in your choice - to help you confidentially through your struggles. Further, choose a shepherd who will understand the pain and difficulty of gender transition.

Pain upon looking back at past deeds can do one of two things; firstly, it can strengthen you in your new life.

Or - left unchecked - it can cripple you with regret leading to a depression.

My Son came to show that every day is a new day. Complete renewal can be reborn through My Divine Grace in your human spirit.

Your physical gender attributes are not eternally lost: they will be fully restored to you in heaven.

Now be gentle with yourself. And let me heal your heart, my loving child."

TO HELP YOU

"In order to help you, My dearest child, here is a Prayer Service where My Divine Grace is called down.

During this Holy Service, you and I - together, in this quiet and confidential place, Father and Child - will remember your past transition experiences. We will affirm, cherish and bless your new understanding of the beauty of your gender which does not depend on outer appearance, but on your inner truth.

GRIEVE PAST LOSSES AND EMBRACE THE PRESENT

For this ceremony make a little altar. You can do this with a little table if you wish, or on the floor if you do not have a table. If you have a cloth or piece of material, place it on the table or floor.

Light a candle if you have one; otherwise, just light the love in your heart.

Bless some water by dipping your fingers in the water and asking Me to bless the water with My Grace. Or use holy water you have received from church.

If you have (and if you wish) place some beautiful flowers in a vase or cup on your altar.

If you wish, have a photo or picture of yourself on the altar.

Or place a card on the table with your name.

Together we will affirm your life and beauty, and acknowledge past bodily change.

Pray like this:

"Dear God, I am grieving ... (here speak to God, explaining your griefs."

I bless my grief with this water (make a blessing sign or just shake some holy water).

I ask You to help me with ... (here ask God for help, explaining your needs).

(Here touch the petals of the flowers, offering them in celebration of the beauty of your life).

Please help me heal from past regret, and blossom into joy with a new life of freedom from past sorrow, I realize that I have deepened in wisdom and understanding. I thank you for this.

As your loving child, I ask You to help me find inner peace. "

Now pray to God in your own words. Be at peace. Be comforted.

Ask for the grace of healing of past memories.

Ask Mary, the Beloved Mother of Jesus, to pray for you.

Be at peace.

Blessings.

Saturday, May 7, 2022

PROGRESS IS A VOCATION - CARITAS IN VERITATE: POPE EMERITUS BENEDICT XVI

16. In Populorum Progressio, Paul VI taught that progress, in its origin and essence, is first and foremost a vocation: “in the design of God, every man is called upon to develop and fulfil himself, for every life is a vocation.” This is what gives legitimacy to the Church's involvement in the whole question of development. If development were concerned with merely technical aspects of human life, and not with the meaning of man's pilgrimage through history in company with his fellow human beings, nor with identifying the goal of that journey, then the Church would not be entitled to speak on it. Paul VI, like Leo XIII before him in Rerum Novarum, knew that he was carrying out a duty proper to his office by shedding the light of the Gospel on the social questions of his time.

To regard development as a vocation is to recognize, on the one hand, that it derives from a transcendent call, and on the other hand that it is incapable, on its own, of supplying its ultimate meaning. Not without reason the word “vocation” is also found in another passage of the Encyclical, where we read: “There is no true humanism but that which is open to the Absolute, and is conscious of a vocation which gives human life its true meaning.” This vision of development is at the heart of Populorum Progressio, and it lies behind all Paul VI's reflections on freedom, on truth and on charity in development. It is also the principal reason why that Encyclical is still timely in our day.

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Encyclical Letter, Charity in Truth Caritas in Veritate. 11 Social Teaching of the Church. Paulines Publications Africa. 2009. Page 15

https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20090629_caritas-in-veritate.html

With thanks to vatican.va

Sunday, April 17, 2022

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL WHO VISIT GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH

Happy Easter to all who visit Good Shepherd Church.

May blessings be with you and your loved ones

at this time of peace, joy and goodwill.

How great is our joy! How deep our rejoicing!

Jesus has risen from the dead. The shackles of sin

which bound us have been broken. We have been

given the promise of eternal life.

Alleluia!

Saturday, April 16, 2022

DIVINE MERCY NOVENA DAY 2

We are in the second day of prayer to Divine Mercy:

Let's say the Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory the Father together.

"Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be 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, Amen.

"Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the Fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.

"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

"Today bring to Me THE SOULS OF PRIESTS AND RELIGIOUS, and immerse them in My unfathomable mercy. It was they who gave Me strength to endure My bitter Passion. Through them as through channels My mercy flows out upon mankind."

Most Merciful Jesus, from whom comes all that is good, increase Your grace in men and women consecrated to Your service, that they may perform worthy works of mercy; and that all who see them may glorify the Father of Mercy who is in heaven.

Let's recite the Chaplet of Divine Mercy together

How to Recite the Chaplet

The Chaplet of Mercy is recited using ordinary Rosary beads of five decades. The Chaplet is preceded by two opening prayers from the Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska and followed by a closing prayer.

1. Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

2. Optional Opening Prayers

St. Faustina’s Prayer for Sinners
O Jesus, eternal Truth, our Life, I call upon You and I beg Your mercy for poor sinners. O sweetest Heart of my Lord, full of pity and unfathomable mercy, I plead with You for poor sinners. O Most Sacred Heart, Fount of Mercy from which gush forth rays of inconceivable graces upon the entire human race, I beg of You light for poor sinners. O Jesus, be mindful of Your own bitter Passion and do not permit the loss of souls redeemed at so dear a price of Your most precious Blood. O Jesus, when I consider the great price of Your Blood, I rejoice at its immensity, for one drop alone would have been enough for the salvation of all sinners. Although sin is an abyss of wickedness and ingratitude, the price paid for us can never be equalled. Therefore, let every soul trust in the Passion of the Lord, and place its hope in His mercy. God will not deny His mercy to anyone. Heaven and earth may change, but God's mercy will never be exhausted. Oh, what immense joy burns in my heart when I contemplate Your incomprehensible goodness, O Jesus! I desire to bring all sinners to Your feet that they may glorify Your mercy throughout endless ages (Diary of Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, 72).

You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for souls, and the ocean of mercy opened up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and empty Yourself out upon us.

(Repeat three times)
O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fount of mercy for us, I trust in You!

3. Our Father

Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be 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, Amen.

4. Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death, Amen.

5. The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; He descended into hell; on the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there He will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

6. The Eternal Father

Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your Dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

7. On the 10 Small Beads of Each Decade

For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

8. Repeat for the remaining decades

Saying the "Eternal Father" (6) on the "Our Father" bead and then 10 "For the sake of His sorrowful Passion" (7) on the following "Hail Mary" beads.

9. Conclude with Holy God (Repeat three times)

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.

10. Optional Closing Prayers

Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion — inexhaustible, look kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy itself.

O Greatly Merciful God, Infinite Goodness, today all humankind calls out from the abyss of its misery to Your mercy — to Your compassion, O God; and it is with its mighty voice of misery that we cry out. Gracious God, do not reject the prayer of this earth's exiles! O Lord, Goodness beyond our understanding, Who are acquainted with our misery through and through, and know that by our own power we cannot ascend to You, we implore You: anticipate us with Your grace and keep on increasing Your mercy in us, that we may faithfully do Your holy will all through our life and at death's hour. Let the omnipotence of Your mercy shield us from the darts of our salvation’s enemies, that we may with confidence, as Your children, await Your [Son’s] final coming — that day known to You alone. And we expect to obtain everything promised us by Jesus in spite of all our wretchedness. For Jesus is our Hope: through His merciful Heart, as through an open gate, we pass through to heaven (Diary, 1570).

Let's pray the prayer for peace in Ukraine

Eternal Father, turn Your merciful gaze upon the company of all your people in Ukraine, and upon the souls of priests and religious who labour in your vineyard; and endow them with the strength of Your blessing.

For the love of the Heart of Your Son in which they are enfolded, impart to them Your power and light, that they may be able to guide others in the way of salvation and with one voice sing praise to Your boundless mercy for ages without end.

We pray for an end to the war, and for peace in Ukraine. We pray for all who have lost their lives in the war in Ukraine, and for the repose of the souls of all who have died in conflict from the beginning of time until now. Amen.

Dear friend, thank you for praying with us for peace and an end to war.

With thanks to thedivinemercy.org