The Immaculate Heart of Mary (optional memorial) ~ 13 June 2015

"O Mary, conceived without sin, 

pray for us who have recourse to thee."

"Everything in Mary leads us toward her Son, our only Saviour, by whose foreseen merits she was preserved immaculate and full of grace; everything in Mary lifts up our hearts to the praise of the Holy Trinity." ~ Pope Paul VI in encyclical celebrating the centenary of the apparitions at Lourdes.

But Mary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart. 

Luke 2:19

And he went down with them and came to Nazareth 

and was subject to them. 

And his mother kept all these words in her heart. 

Luke 2:51

"I will never leave you; 

my Immaculate Heart will be your refuge, 

and the way that will lead you to God."

~ Our Lady to the Lucia at Fatima, 13 June, 1917 ~

Grant, Lord God, that we, your servants, may rejoice in unfailing health of mind and body, and, through the glorious intercession of Blessed Mary ever-Virgin, may we be set free from present sorrow and come to enjoy eternal happiness. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gospel

Luke 2:41-51

The Boy Jesus in the Temple

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to custom; and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the company they went a day�s journey, and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances; and when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. And when they saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, �Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been looking for you anxiously.� And he said to them, �How is it that you sought me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father�s house?� And they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart.

St. Nicholas, Bishop (Optional Memorial) ~ 6 December

December 6, the feast day of Saint Nicholas. Both Eastern and Western Christians, recognizes this memorial of this advent season saint. Saint Nicholas of Myra, a Turkish bishop, is undoubtedly one of the Western world most popular saints and is remembered in the United States for the unique personality of Saint Claus, the jolly, rotund, white-bearded gentleman who captivates children with promises of gifts on Christmas Eve. He is known for his giving generosity to the poor and is an intercessor for financial problems.He is the patron saint of children, and also invoked by sailors, merchants, bakers, travellers, pilgrims, poor people, unmarried girls and pawnbrokers. He is also known as a patron against imprisonment, against robberies and against robbers. Together with Saint Andrew, he is honoured as the co-patron of Russia.

In a traditional legend tells of a family with three daughters of a poor family. The father could not afford to pay the dowries required for his daughters to marry. If he is unable to get his daughters married then they would be forced into prostitution or slavery to earn money. When Nicholas found out about this family�s plight, he visited the house three times, each time tossing a bag of gold into the house through a window. These three bag of gold became the dowry for each of  the daughter. This legend could have been the reason Saint Nicholas is the patron unmarried girls.

We humbly implore your mercy, 

Lord protect us in all dangers 

through the prayers of the Bishop Saint Nicholas, 

that the way of salvation may lie open before us. 

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, 

who lives and reigns with you in the unity 

of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 

AMEN.

St. Nicholas, glorious Confessor of Christ, 

assist us in thy loving kindness. 

Amen.

Friday, 6 December, 2013
St. Nicholas, Bishop (Optional Memorial)

Reading

Isaiah 29: 17 - 24
17	Is it not yet a very little while until Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest?
18	In that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book, and out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind shall see.
19	The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall exult in the Holy One of Israel.
20	For the ruthless shall come to nought and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off,
21	who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.
22	Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: "Jacob shall no more be ashamed, no more shall his face grow pale.
23	For when he sees his children, the work of my hands, in his midst, they will sanctify my name; they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24	And those who err in spirit will come to understanding, and those who murmur will accept instruction."

Psalm

Psalms 27: 1, 4, 13 - 14
1	The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
4	One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.
13	I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
14	Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; yea, wait for the LORD!

Gospel

Matthew 9: 27 - 31
27	And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, "Have mercy on us, Son of David."
28	When he entered the house, the blind men came to him; and Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."
29	Then he touched their eyes, saying, "According to your faith be it done to you."
30	And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly charged them, "See that no one knows it."
31	But they went away and spread his fame through all that district.

A Prayer to Saint Nicholas

Glorious St. Nicholas, my special patron, from thy throne in glory, where thou dost enjoy the presence of God, turn thine eyes in pity upon me and obtain for me from our Lord the graces and helps that I need in my spiritual and temporal necessities and especially this favour 

(mention your request), 

provided that it be profitable to my salvation). Be mindful, likewise, O glorious and saintly Bishop, of our Sovereign Pontiff, of Holy Church, and of all Christian people. Bring back to the right way of salvation all those who are living steeped in sin and blinded by the darkness of ignorance, error, and heresy. Comfort the afflicted, provide for the needy, strengthen the fearful, defend the oppressed, give health to the infirm; cause all men to experience the effects of thy powerful intercession with the supreme Giver of every good and perfect gift. Amen.