Feeling Welcome Yet?

Ella and James Preece are a Catholic couple living in Kingston Upon Hull in Yorkshire in the UK. This is our blog.

Blogged by James Preece on 17th July 2008

Coming soon, to a parish near me...

Everyone is warmly welcome to attend either one or both of two workshops based on "Celebrating Family - blessed, broken, living love" , a project of the Bishops' Conference for England and Wales. These will be held in the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes, Hessle, on the evenings of Tuesday 14th and Tuesday 21st October.

The first workshop is "Everybody's Welcome" which focusses upon developing friendly, family-sensitive, parish communties.

The second week will explore "Home is a Holy Place" which celebrates a broad understanding of marital and family spirituality, and the holiness of our everyday lives.

Both workshops will be led by Jane Cook.

The last time I sent an email to Jane Cook, Fr John Lumley replied on her behalf and said "It saddens me that after my homily, you did not find the grace to make one positive comment on the content of the homily. Fortunately, your fellow parishioners were more appreciative."

Fortunately?

What terrible calamity might have befallen us if my fellow parishioners had not been more appreciative?

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To the Blessed Virgin Prayer for England

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy "Dowry" and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee.

By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more.

Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross.

O sorrowful Mother! intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son.

Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home.

Amen.

Couple's Prayer

O God, our heavenly Father, protect and bless us. Deepen and strengthen our love for each other day by day.

Grant that by thy mercy, neither of us may ever say one unkind word to the other. Forgive and correct our faults, and make us constantly to forgive one another should one of us unconsciously hurt the other.

Make us and keep us sound and well in body, alert in mind, tender in heart, and devout in spirit. O Lord, grant us each to rise to the other's best. Then, we pray thee, add to our common life such virtues as only thou canst give.

And so, O Father, consecrate our life and love completely to thy worship, and to the service of all about us, especially those whom thou hast appointed us to serve, that we may always stand before thee in happiness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.