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“...all of you have greeted me. One of you whispered to me: ‘don’t forget the poor’. Perhaps this is the most important greeting of all...” Adolfo Nicolás SJ General
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This month we pray: * “Spirit of God, powerful and powerless, breathe into our thinking, our praying, our choosing,” as we discern the leadership of our Province. * the guidance of the Spirit on Sandra and Carmen as they lead us in our discernment. Keep them safe in all their travels. * that as You called Sts Thomas and James to preach Your Word, send heralds to carry the Gospel to the whole world. 3rd St Thomas 25th St James * for the safety and protection of our children during this holiday break. * for the refugees and the poor that good care and love be given to them during this cold weather. * that grateful for Mary Ward’s response to “take the same of the Society,” we may continue to deepen our understanding and living of our Constitutions. 31st St Ignatius
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“Remember that He be the end of all your actions, therein you will find great satisfaction, and think  all things easy and possible”. Mary Ward
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Grateful for all blessings received through the triumph of Christ on the Cross we pray in faith: * that as we enter the season of Spring, we may experience in our hearts and minds a newness of hope and courage.
* for all God’s people, that they may draw strength and inspiration from Mary and remain steadfast in the face of trouble, doubt and insecurity. 8th & 15th * in thanksgiving for the riches of our varied heritages as an international Institute. 24th Heritage Day * for members of the Society of St Vincent de Paul that they may be encouraged and supported in their work for the poor. 27th * that through the intercession of Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael we may be protected in our ministries and in our houses. 29th * for vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life, especially for vocations to our Institute.
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Christian Unity Week
“...United to Mary, who on the day of Pentecost was present in the Cenacle together with the Apostles, we turn to God to have renewed for us today the miracle of Pentecost and, guided by theHoly Spirit, may all Christians re-establish full unity in Christ. Amen.” Pope Benedict XVI
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This month we pray: * that we may rejoice with Jesus on His return to the Father and give thanks for His assurance that He will be with us to the end of time. 2nd Ascension of the Lord * that Christians may strive for full unity so as to be more credible witnesses of the Gospel. 5th - 11th Church Unity Week * that all who hold leadership roles in the church and in society may be renewed and strengthened by the coming of the Holy Spirit. 12th Pentecost * for all young people that they may hold and live out Christian values. 16th Youth Day * that faith in our commitment to our Triune God may be enriched in our daily lives. 19th Trinity Sunday * that priests may be strengthened in their vocation and that we may deepen our love and appreciation of the Eucharist. 26th Body and Blood of Christ
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Beatification of Pope John Paul 11 on 1st May
“...How much the world needs to understand and accept Divine Mercy! Lord, who reveal the Father’s love by Your Death and Resurrection, we believe in You and confidently repeat to You… Jesus, I trust in You, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Amen.” Words of Pope John Paul 11 shortly before his death
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During this blessed Easter season we pray: * in thanksgiving for the beatification of Pope John Paul 11; may this great event bring many blessings on family life which was dear to his heart. 1st Divine Mercy Sunday * that all may respect the dignity of work and that many will be inspired to create job opportunities for the unemployed. 1st St Joseph the Worker / Workers’ Day * that many young people will respond to the call to the priesthood and religious life with great generosity 15th Vocations’ Sunday * in gratitude for the great missionary vision of Frances Teresa Ball; “go set the world on fire with the love of God”. 19th 150th Anniversary of her death * for politicians that they make decisions for the common good of our country. 18th Voting Day * that mothers may recognise the beauty of their role and be inspired by Mary’s response to motherhood. 8th Mothers’ Day / 31st Visitation of Our Lady
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“...O truly necessary sin of Adam, destroyed completely by the Death of Christ! O happy fault that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!” Exsultet
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Glorious Risen Lord, we pray: * that we may be strengthened and renewed through our celebration of God’s love in the Paschal Mystery. * for all who are preparing for Baptism this Easter; may they find enlightenment in their Lenten journey. * that we may bring the joy of Your Risen Presence to all who are walking the way of the Cross through sickness, unemployment, violence or lack of hope. * for families, that their homes may be places where love and respect are promoted. 25th Family Day * that as we celebrate Freedom Day; we, our leaders and all our people will recall and take to heart Mandela’s words at the end of his long road to freedom: “with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger…” 27th Freedom Day * that those who have died may share in the glory of the Resurrection.
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“ ...This Lent, let us renew our acceptance of the Grace that God bestowed upon us at our Baptism, so that it may illuminate and guide all of our actions...”
Pope Benedict XVI
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As we continue our Lenten journey in faith, we bring our needs before the Lord:
* that during this specially graced season of Lent we may grow in our love for God and in our faithful service to His people. 9th Ash Wednesday * that through the prayers of St. Joseph, families and communities may grow in unity. 19th St. Joseph * that there be no discrimination against the poor, immigrants, the elderly, unborn… 21st Human Rights Day * for the grace of being open to all that God calls us to be. Like Mary may we too bring Christ into our world. 25th Annunciation of the Lord * that world leaders may be guided in their efforts to prevent war and promote peace. * for those who have died; that they may be received into the Heavenly Kingdom.
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“...the life of a Christian is lit by a candle, or rather a series of them… At Baptism a candle was lit and we were told to ‘take this burning light and keep your baptismal promises blameless throughout your life’..”
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Jesus, our Light, confidently we pray: * that You, the source of Light, may fill the hearts of all with the light of faith. 2nd. Presentation of Our Lord * for all Religious throughout the world; may we live our lives with joy and gratitude for our vocation. 2nd. Day of Consecrated Life * through Mary, Queen and Patroness of our country, that peace and stability may prevail. 6th. Our Lady of the Flight into Egypt * for all the sick-family, friends, Institute, parish-that they may experience peace and healing. 11th. Our Lady of Lourdes/ World Day of Sick * that Sister Marian may enjoy a pleasant and restful holiday here in South Africa. * for the victims of recent flood disasters in our own country and around the world. * for the grace to allow the ideals of our revised Constitutions to truly touch our lives.
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“Religious freedom is the path to peace”
“...religious freedom is authentically realized when it is experienced as the coherent search for truth and for the truth about the human person…” Pope Benedict’s theme for 2011 World Day of Peace
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Through the prayer of Mary, Mother of God and patroness of our Institute, we pray: * as we remember Venerable Mary Ward “may it please God to give us grace to know the benefits of our calling and to continue in it to God’s great glory”. 1st. Institute Feast / 23rd-30th Mary Ward Days * that all men and women of good will may renew their commitment to building a world where all are free to profess their religion. 1st World Day of Peace * that our celebration of the feast of the Epiphany give us new energy to be heralds of the Good News. * that we and all the baptised, may be strengthened in faith, hope and love. * that migrants and refugees who are forced to leave their homes will be helped to find a place where they may live in peace and safety. 16th World Day of Migrants and Refugees * for God’s blessing on educators and learners and all in other ministries as they enter a new year of opportunities.
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