St. Oliver Plunketts

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Mass Times

Saturday: 5:30pm
Sunday: 9:00am

about St. Oliver Plunketts

The Nativity of John the Baptist

THE COUPLE THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER.

Fr. Johnny Doherty, C.Ss.R.

 June 24th – 30th 2018

 Nativity of John the Baptist

They were going to call him Zechariah after his father but his mother spoke up. ‘No’ she said ‘he is to be called John’. The birth of John the Baptist was the beginning of a new era in God’s relationship with humanity and with creation. Everything about it heralded this, even to the naming of the baby. Both Elizabeth and Zachariah wanted their child to be called John because that is what God wanted. The name of each one of us is also precious to God. Our responsibility is to live out that love in our lives. Two of the occasions where names are used specifically are in the ceremony of Marriage and in the Baptism of a child. Marriage and family life are the two places where the love of God is most to be lived out by treasuring the people whose names we have spoken with love. And we build our faith community by treasuring every person who has been baptised among us as God treasures them – with love.

 

Morning Prayer, when together

Father, guide and protector of your people,

grant us an unfailing respect for your name in our marriage,

and keep us always faithful to our love for one another.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 

During the day, when apart.

Lord, receive the offering of our married love.

May our praise of you

purify us in mind and heart

and make us always eager to serve you.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

 

Evening/Night Prayer together.

Lord, you call us to the sacrament of marriage.

Renew your life within us

and bring us to the joys of eternal life.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord.

 

Questions for Action for the week.

For your marriage: What fears do you have in your married and family life?  Share these with each other this week.

 

For others: Think of some groups who are helping people who are suffering from natural disaster. How could you help them this week?

 

www.continuousprayer.net

 

 

Couple Prayer – How to use it

 

·       See it as a little weekly programme for living and growing your marriage

 

·       On Friday evening or Saturday, take a half hour or so to talk together about your marriage in the light of the Scripture reflection. This is always taken from the Sunday Mass, so it is also a couple preparation for this celebration of the Eucharist.

 

·       During this half hour spend some time answering the two questions at the bottom of the sheet, firstly by writing your own personal response to them and then, as appropriate, sharing your answers with each other

 

·       From Sunday to Saturday practice the short prayer for your marriage, Morning and Evening when together, and during the day when you are on your own. These prayers are based on the prayers that are special to each Sunday Mass

 

·       If possible, meet occasionally with other married couples to share your reflections and to support one another

 

Consider the following statistics as quoted in For Better & For Ever p.130 by Fr. Robert A. Ruhnke, C.Ss.R.

 

·       The current divorce rate in the U.S. is about 50%

 

·       Of those couples who worship together each Sunday, the divorce rate is 3.3%

 

·       Of those couples who also pray regularly together in their home, the divorce rate is 0.3%

This is well worth thinking about!