Dec 31 2020

New Year’s Prayer

 

Give us the kindness to hear with compassion,
     to offer support,
     loving comfort, and care.

Give us the courage to do what is needed,
     the wisdom to choose
     what is right and fair.

Give us the vision to see what is possible.

Give us the faith
     that will help pave the way
     for a present that is hopeful,
     a future that is peaceful—

Give us a heart to bring joy to each day.

Amen.

Dec 27 2020

Feast of the Holy Family

The Feast of the Holy Family is a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church in honor of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and his foster father, Saint Joseph, as a family. We celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family on the last Sunday of the year which this year falls on December 27. The primary purpose of this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families. Today is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Pope Francis: Prayer to the Holy Family for the Synod

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
in you, we contemplate
the splendor of true love,
to you, we turn with trust.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
grant that our families too
may be places of communion and prayer,
authentic schools of the Gospel
and small domestic Churches.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may families never again
experience violence, rejection, and division:
may all who have been hurt or scandalized
find ready comfort and healing.

Holy Family of Nazareth,
may the approaching Synod of Bishops
make us once more mindful
of the sacredness and inviolability of the family,
and its beauty in God’s plan.

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,
graciously hear our prayer.
Amen.

Pope Francis