Prayers.

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All Praise and all Thanksgiving, Be every moment Thine. Jesus Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus Mary and Joseph, Assist me in my last agony. Jesus Mary and Joseph, May I bring forth my soul in peace with you again. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I implore, that I may ever love you , more and more. Jesus meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Thine. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to Thee. Our Lady Queen of peace, pray for us and for our country. O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All Praise and all Thanksgiving, Be every moment Thine.

Prayers after Communion

Lord Jesus, I love and adore you,
You're a special friend to me.
Welcome Lord Jesus, O welcome!
Thank you for coming to me.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, O thank you
For giving yourself to me,
Make me strong to show your love
Wherever I may be.
I'm ready now, Lord Jesus,
To show how much I care,
I'm ready now to give your love
At home and everywhere.
Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay,
Close by me for ever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all of us children in your loving care,
And bring us to heaven to live with you there.

Morning Prayer of the Little Flower.

O My God, I offer Thee all my actions of this day for the intentions and for the glory of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. I desire to sanctify every beat of my heart, my every thought, my simplest works, by uniting them to Its infinite merits; and I wish to make reparation for my sins by casting them into the furnace of Its merciful Love. O my God, I ask of Thee, for myself and for those who are dear to me, the grace to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will, to accept for love of Thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united in Heaven for all eternity Amen.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, Our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day He rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again 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.

The Lord's Prayer

The Angelus

The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.

And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary.......etc. .....

Behold the handmaid of the Lord,

Be it done unto me according to thy word.

Hail Mary ......etc. ....

And the Word was made flesh.

And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary......etc. .....

Pray for us , O Holy Mother of God.

That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray

Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,

Your grace into our hearts, that we,

to whom the Incarnation of Christ, Your Son,

was made known by the message of an angel,

may, by His Passion and Cross,

be brought to the glory of the Resurrection,

Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Act Of Contrition

O my God, I am very sorry

for having sinned against You

because You are so good;

and with Your help

I will not sin again.

Act of Charity

O my God, I love you

with all my heart

because you are so good, and for Your sake,

I love my neighbour as myself

Prayer for Perseverance
St. Patrick's own words from his "Confessio".

I now entrust my soul to God, who is most faithful and for whom I am an ambassador in my humble station. For God has no favourites and he chose me for this office to become one of his ministers, even if among the least of them.
What return can I make to him for all his goodness to me? What can I say or what can I promise to my Lord since any ability I have comes from him? Suffice it for him to look into my heart and mind; for I am ready and indeed greatly desire it that he should give me his cup to drink, as he gave it to others who loved him. My only prayer to God is that it may never happen that I should leave his people which he won for himself at the end of the earth. I ask God for perseverance, to grant that I remain a faithful witness to him for his own sake until my passing from this life.

If I ever did anything worth doing for my God, whom I love, I beg of him the grace to shed my blood while still with those who are also exiles and captives on his account. Though I should be denied a grave, though my corpse should be utterly torn to pieces and scattered to dogs and wild animals, though the birds of the air should devour it; I would be fully confident in this event that I had saved both body and soul. For on that day we will undoubtedly rise in the brighteness of the sun, that is, in the glory of Christ Jesus our Redeemer, as sons of the living God, joint heirs with Christ and made in his image. From him and through him and for him we will reign. This sun which we see rises daily at his command for our benefit, but it will never reign, nor will its brillance endure. Those who worship it will be severely punished. We, on the other hand, believe in and worship Christ the true sun, who will never perish, nor will anyone who does his will. He will remain for ever as Christ remains for ever, who reigns with God the Father Almighty and the Holy Spirit before time began and now and for all eternity. Amen.

Prayer of Pope John Paul to Mary.

O Mary,
bright dawn of the new world,
Mother of the living,
to you do we entrust the cause of life
Look down, O Mother,
upon the vast numbers
of babies not allowed to be born,
of the poor whose lives are made difficult,
of men and woman
who are victims of brutal violence,
of the elderly and the sick killed
by indifference or out of misguided mercy.
Grant that all who believe in your Son
may proclaim the Gospel of life
with honesty and love
to the people of our time.
Obtain for them the grace
to accept that Gospel
as a gift ever new,
the joy of celebrating it with gratitude
throughout their lives
and the courage to bear witness to it resolutely,
in order to build,
together with all people of good will,
the civilisation of truth and love
to the praise and glory of God,
the Creator and lover of life.(34)

Jubilee 2000 Prayer.

God of all ages, Lord of all time,
we the people of the parish of Ballymote,
together with our sisters and brothers
throughout the world, celebrate with great joy
the Jubilee of your Son's coming among us
two thousand years ago.
We thank you for the years of favour with which
you have blessed your people and we ask your pardon
for our sinfulness.
May we all be reconciled with you and with one another
during this time of grace.
As we enter the third millennium of Christianity
we renew our faith in Jesus Christ, your Son, and our
commitment to his Gospel. May our lives bear witness
to that faith.
When Christ comes again in glory may He find us alive
and active in faith, and so call us to that Kingdom
where, with you and the Holy Spirit, He is God,
to be praised, worshipped and glorified, both now and for ages to come. Amen.

Prayer for Renew

Lord, We are your people,

the sheep of your flock,

Heal us when we are wounded

Comfort us when we are in pain

Touch us when we are lonely

Strengthen us when we are weak

Help us to know the Father's love

Through Jesus the shepherd

And through the Spirit.

Help us to lift up that love,

And show it all over this land.

Help us to build love on justice

And justice on love.

Help us to Believe mightily,

Hope joyfully, Love divinely.

Renew us that we may help

Renew the face of the earth.

Amen

Say daily to our Blessed Lady:

O Holy Virgin Mary with Thy Loving child 'Jesus' Thy Blessing give us this day.

The Memorare

Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary,

That never was it known

That anyone who fled to your protection

implored your help,

or sought your intervention.

Was left unaided.

Inspired with this confidence,

I fly unto you.

O Virgin of Virgins my Mother.

To you I come;

Before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful,

O Mother of the Word Incarnate,

despise not my petitions,

but in your mercy, hear and answer me . Amen.

The Mysteries of the Rosary

Joyful Mysteries The Annunciation The Visitation The Birth of Jesus The Presentation The Finding of Jesus in the Temple.

Sorrowful Mysteries The Agony in the Garden. The Scourging at the Pillar The Crowning with Thorns The Carrying of the Cross The Crucifixion.

Glorious Mysteries The Resurrection The Ascension The Descent of the Holy Spirit The Assumption of Mary The Crowning of Our Lady in Heaven

The Ten Commandments

1) I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before me.

2)Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.

3)Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.

4)Honour thy father and thy mother.

5) Thou shalt not kill.

6) Thou shalt not commit adultery.

7)Thou shalt not steal.

8)Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

9) Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife.

10)Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's goods.

---

The Corporal Works of Mercy 1.To feed the hungry. 2.To give drink to the thirsty. 3. To clothe the naked 4. To shelter the homeless 5. To visit the sick 6. To visit the imprisoned 7.To bury the dead.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy 1.To convert the sinner 2.To instruct the ignorant 3.To counsel the doubtful 4.To comfort the sorrowful 5.To bear wrongs patiently 6.To forgive injuries 7.To pray for the living and the dead.

The Seven Sacraments Baptism Confirmation Eucharist Penance Annointing of the Sick Holy Orders Matrimony

The Seven Deadly Sins Pride Covetousness Lust Anger Gluttony Envy Sloth

The Eight Beatitudes.

1)Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

2)Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.

3)Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

4)Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.

5)Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

6)Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.

7)Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

8)Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Prayers.

(Ordered by Our Holy Father Pope LeoX111.
To be said kneeling after the celebration of Low Mass
in all churches of the world).

Hail Mary,......to be said thrice by the Priest and People

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, hail our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet, Virgin Mary!

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us Pray
O God, our refuge and our strength, look down with favour on thy people who cry to Thee; and through the intercession of the glorious and Immaculate Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of Saint Joseph her Spouse, of Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, in mercy and goodness hear our prayers for the conversion of sinners, and for the liberty and exaltation of our Holy Mother the Church. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen

Blessed Michael the Archangel Defend us in the hour of conflict; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil- May God restrain him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, thrust Satan down to hell, and, with him, the other wicked spirits, who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen

Funeral Masses

Funerals in the Catholic tradition are occasions of prayer for the deceased, not ceremonies of honour or celebrations of their lives. So eulogies have no place and are never appropriate in the Mass liturgy.
A eulogy may be delivered at the graveside after the prayers of the family desire this.

The Laws of the Church about Baptism.

A child should be baptised during the first weeks after birth and a name be given which is not foreign to Christian sentiment. (At least one name of a saint should be given). The sacrament should normally be celebrated on a Sunday.

The Parents and Sponsors are to be suitably instructed on the meaning of and obligations arising from the sacrament. Advance notice must be given to the priest. The baptism may have to be postponed where the parents and sponsors are not adequately prepared and disposed for their role. A child should be baptised in the parish church of the parents.

Sponsors: One sponsor is sufficient, or there may be two, one of each sex. A sponsor should not be less than 16 years old, be a catholic and be confirmed and live a life of faith( be a practising Catholic). The role of the sponsor is to assist the parents in the Christian upbringing of the child.

The child for baptism should be a child of believing and practising parents, who intend to bring up their child in the faith of the church. This 'faith of the church' has to be represented by the personal faith of the parents, godparents and local community. The parents and godparents are reminded of this in the baptism ceremony......"On your part you must make it your constant care to bring this child up in the practice of the faith....if your faith makes you ready to accept this responsibility.....profess your faith in Christ Jesus'. Then all make a profession of faith. Parents are to be the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith, so they are obliged to develop their own faith and understand it in a modern way, to celebrate it constantly and to support other parents in the parish.

Marriage in church is a sacrament and so it is a religious event, and so a spiritual preparation is most important. Church music at weddings must be liturgical and reverent, not secular music. Reverence in church must be maintained at all times without unnecessary talking.
As some people now marrying are not practising Catholics or regular church attendees, it is recommended that for such people the marriage ceremony should be held without Mass, out of respect for the Mass, but with liturgy of the Word and prayers. This is already happening in places.
Readers at church ceremonies should be chosen with care, be well prepared, be clearly heard and the Word of God should be proclaimed slowly and with meaning and respect. Bad reading only takes from the ceremony.

Pastoral Letter of the Western Bishops 1999.

The World is Fragile

Handle it with

FAITH

WHAT IS FAITH?
Faith binds our lives, in joy and sorrow, in suffering and setbacks, to the protection of a God who cannot fail us. This so affects our lives that we cry out this good news by the way of life we live. With this burning faith no one can say: 'I have kept the faith - to myself.'

Pope John Paul II said 'Faith is always demanding, because faith leads us beyond ourselves. It leads us directly to God.... how can we profess faith in God's word and then refuse to let it inspire and direct our thinking, our activity, our decisions and our responsibilities towards on another?'

Faith does not stand in the way of human or personal development. On the contrary, it inspires personal development and initiative; it gives a sense of identity, leads to intimate friendships and integrates persons and society.

It is a way of looking at life. An insight into the meaning that lies under the surface. It gives perspective. Faith opens us to experience the presence of God. It helps us to recognise that this presence is an invitation to be involved with God both by the way we see things and the way we live.

With the coming of Jesus Christ, faith got fleshed out. The life of Christ on earth shows God's extraordinary closeness to us. Christ is proof that God so believes in people that He died for us, in Christ.

God searched for Us.

This also tells us something important about the nature of faith. That it starts with God. It was God who first searched for us when He made His Son 'like us in all things but sin.' What we call Christian faith is really a response to the gift that God has given to us in giving us Jesus Christ.

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES ALL THIS MAKE TO EVERYDAY LIVING.

Life is better when we know that God loves us.

At a human level, look at the difference it makes when we know someone loves us, cares about us and would do anything to bring about our happiness. Such a one is a companion to our dreams and a support in our tears. The closer we get to each other, the more we see life through each other's eyes.

We are never alone.

It is the same with faith in the God revealed by Jesus Christ. Through faith we realise we are not alone and isolated. When we are in our own Gethsemanes and our Calvarys, we find Jesus Christ there ahead of us, waiting and willing to share our suffering. We learn to trust that the values he preached are pathways to happiness.

HOW CAN WE HAVE FAITH IN A GOD OF LOVE, WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH PAIN IN OUR WORLD?

Jesus who died on Calvary shares our pain

There are personal and world tragedies. So much pain. Sometimes ou anguish is so great that we ask angry questions. This is not a denial of faith. It is understandable. At times like this all we can do is wait for calmer moments. For a time when we will realise that the closer we let God get to us, the more certain the day when we are faced with the mystery of God and how impenetrable are his ways. Then we realise that faith is trust, not logic.

IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AS EASY TO HAVE FAITH TODAY AS IT USED TO BE. WHY?

Until recently, society was a scaffold that supported faith. Now, technology seems to be pushing God to the margins. The strong voice of secularism tries to omit God from discussions on the meaning of life. We live faster, work longer, earn more money, play harder. The week has taken a new shape, especially the weekend. Our secular culture wants us to concentrate on our needs of today. It has little place for the importance of our past or long term future. In this new way of living, it is easier to satisfy our shallow needs to the exclusion of our deeper needs. The temptation is to slip into shallow faith. In a culture with fewer supports, this puts faith at risk.

Pope John Paul II says that just as science has undergone a revolution in our day, so too must faith. We have to learn that science and faith are not natural enemies. Each can draw the other into a wider world, a world in which both can flourish. Faith and technology need each other to be what we need to be, what we are called to be.'(Talk to the Director of the Vatican Observatore. 26.10.1989)

EXPERIENCE SHAPES OUR FAITH.

How do we do this?

Faith is very personal and is never easy. We each have different experiences. It is in those experiences that each one's faith is shaped.

THE NEED TO REFLECT

The first thing we need to do is to be reflective. To take the time to let our experiences talk to us. To stand back and be silent before memory. To sift the deep needs from the shallow ones . To listen.

The old monks called this 'meditation'. We can call it prayer. It is more necessary now than ever. A few minutes a day, anywhere, just alone with my thoughts. To leave myself open to the God who approaches me through the wonder of my life and the incarnation of His Son, Jesus Christ. 'Be still and know that I am God.'

Prayer takes many forms. Whatever raises our minds and thoughts to God is prayer. Sometimes it has words. At other times, no words. In all cases, it feeds faith.

IS IT ALL DOWN TO PRAYER?

No, God gave us brains and we must use them to support the faith. There is a great need for adult religious education right now. We won't learn all the answers - only God knows them - but we will understand enough to appreciate that at the heart of all living is the mystery of a God who loves us beyond our understanding.

We also have to listen to what the gospel says about love of the neighbour. Practical love that takes the shape of justice, forgiveness and a pooling of talents for the good of the community. Here in the west of Ireland, especially, we have inherited a great community sense, based on a shared baptism. Our generation must build on that inheritance.

We know many today have difficulties with their faith. Parents worry when they see their children abandon certain practices of faith. Some are disappointed with the Church and feel alienated from it. They complain about poor preaching, lack of involvement in parish affairs. Others have walked away.

We are beginning to face this situation. There are parishes and groups all over the west, meeting and planning how to keep faith vital in a changed world. We don't have to start from scratch. Every parish has still a huge nucleus of faith-filled people. They are a great resource for renewal. What we have to do is find ways of letting this baptismal energy flow into the lives of our communities. If we have faith in God and in each other, we can do it.

+ Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam.

+Thomas Flynn, Bishop of Achonry.

+Thomas Finnegan, Bishop of Killala.

+John Kirby, Bishop of Clonfert.

+James McLoughlin, Bishop of Galway.

+Christopher Jones, Bishop of Elphin.

---

INDEX