St Joseph Belmore in Lower Belmore, New South Wales, Australia | Catholic Church

St Joseph Belmore

Locality: Lower Belmore, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9579 1280

Address: 763 Canterbury Road 2192 Lower Belmore, NSW, Australia

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25.01.2022 With Covid restrictions easing the bishops have been in full swing confirming before the end of the Calendar year. #godscountry

25.01.2022 Novena to St Therese - Day 6 O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, ... of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were to that Queen of Heaven "who smiled on you at the dawn of life." Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment... (State your intention here....) and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen. O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved. Amen. DAY SIX O Little Flower of Jesus, you have shown yourself so powerful in your intercession, so tender and compassionate toward those who honour you and invoke you in suffering and distress, that I kneel at your feet with perfect confidence and beseech you most humbly and earnestly to take me under your protection in my present necessity and obtain for me the favour I ask in this novena...(mention your intention) Vouchsafe to recommend my request to Mary, the merciful Queen of Heaven, that she may plead my cause with you before the throne of Jesus, her divine Son.. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

24.01.2022 ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI AND HIS DEVOTION TO SAN MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL Saint Francis of Assisi was especially devoted to Archangel Michael and often says that Sain...t Michael must be especially honored because his duty is to present souls to God. Saint Francis said that: "Each person should offer God some special compliment or gift in honor of such a great prince" Devotion to this glorious Prince of the heavenly militia was one of the favorites of the Seraphic Father, who invoked him frequently. He fasted for forty days from the Feast of the Assumption (August 15) to the Feast of San Miguel on September 29. For Saint Francis prayer and fasting have a special place in his asceticism. He tells us in his Non Bullied Rule (III, 1): "The Lord says: 'this class of demons cannot come out except by dint of fasting and prayer' (cf. Mk 8,28)". Mount Alvernia is a clear demonstration that Saint Francis, at the end of his days, felt the need for what we call strong moments of prayer and a desert experience (Charles de Foucault). His insertion in God was so strong and deep that he was a man made of prayer. Saint Francis is not content to live Lent thus called Great or of Redemption, called by the Church, which begins on Ash Wednesday until Holy Week in preparation for Easter (RegB III, 6). He created the Lent of Advent or the Incarnation, in preparation for Christmas, which Saint Francis did, and which goes from the Feast of All Saints to the vigil of the Nativity of the Lord. Only these two were obligatory for all his friars, he writes in the Rule (RegB III, 6): And fast from the feast of All Saints until the Lord's Christmas. However, the holy Lent that begins on Epiphany and lasts for forty continuous days, which the Lord consecrated with his holy fast (cf. Mt 4,2). Saint Francis personally did another three, and all of them spent fasting and prayers, separated from the world, to be alone and alone with God, in a continuous process of conversion. Living more deeply the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Lent of the Epiphany or Benedetta (RegNB III, 11; LM IX, 2); With this Lent, Saint Francis understood to make a relationship between the time of Christmas and Easter. As we have already seen, he does not make a separation between Christmas and Easter, since they represent the two poles of the one mystery of salvation. His great devotion to the saints and celestial servants make in him a special Lent, all typical of the Poverello, who has not imposed it and much less advises it to his friars; he seeks it only for himself. Lent in honor of Saint Michael, he devotedly fasted and began on the day of the Assumption (August 15), and ended on the day of the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel (September 29). He used to say that: "each one should offer some praise or special offering to God in honor of such a great prince" (2Cel 197; LM VIII, 10, IX 3, XIII, 1.5.).

23.01.2022 Today is the feast day of Saint Bibiana, the patron saint of hangovers. Saint Bibiana was a virgin and martyr who suffered persecution under Apronianus, Gover...nor of Rome. After Bibiana’s parents were martyred she and her sister, Demetria, were left to suffer in poverty. Demetria died after confessing her faith, but Bibiana was left to endure greater suffering. She was sent to a woman of ill repute who in vain endeavoured to seduce her and have her renounce her faith. When this failed Bibiana was tied to a pillar and beaten with scourges until she died. She is also the patron of single women, epileptics, headaches, insanity, mental illness and torture victims. St Bibiana pray for us See more

22.01.2022 NOVEMBER - 29 FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT O God, by whose Word all things are sanctified, pour forth Your blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive from You abundant graces. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

21.01.2022 HAPPY FEAST DAY O GLORIOUS ARCHANGEL, SAINT MICHAEL ! ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek yo...ur powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer. You know the value on my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people. And since you are God's messenger for the care of his people, I entrust to you this special request ....... (MENTION YOUR REQUEST) ....... I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted. Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen.

20.01.2022 In today’s Gospel, marking the first Sunday in Advent, we are reminded why we must be vigilant in this season leading up to the birth of Christ. We indeed know ...not the When of that day and hour, but we do know the Who that is coming, our Father- Redeemer, and so our Advent is pregnant with expectation, longing, love. If you're unable to attend Mass in person this weekend, due to COVID19 restrictions, I invite you to watch today's Solemn Mass at 10:30am at St Mary’s Cathedral livestreamed here:https://bit.ly/39lNpCA My ongoing prayers are with you all.

20.01.2022 "O Jesus and Mary, let my entire consolation in this world be to love you and to suffer for sinners." ~St. Bernadette Soubirous SACRED HEART OF JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON US IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, PRAY FOR US

18.01.2022 '' The Love of God is the Flower- His Mercy is the Fruit. '' Diary of St. Faustina

17.01.2022 ~ Novena in honor of St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Virgin and Doctor of the Church ~ SEVENTH DAY (Beginning of the Triduum of her feast) ... Dearest Saint Therese of Lisieux, you said that you would spend your time in heaven doing good on earth. Your trust in God was complete. Pray that He may increase my trust in His goodness and mercy as I ask for the following petitions (State your intentions) Pray for me that I, like you, may have great and innocent confidence in the loving promises of our God. Pray that I may live my life in union with God’s plan for me, and one day see the Face of God whom you loved so deeply. Saint Therese, you were faithful to God even unto the moment of your death. Pray for me that I may be faithful to our loving God. May my life bring peace and love to the world through faithful endurance in love for God our savior. Prayer for the Seventh day: Loving God, St. Therese offered to You her weakness. Help me to see in my weakness an opportunity to rely completely on you. I rely on you, Lord. Help me to rely on you more! I accept your will, Lord. Help me to accept your will every day! I try to forgive, Lord. Help me to forgive 70 times 7 times! I am humble, Lord. Give me more humility! I see you, Lord. Help me to see you more! I trust you, Lord. Help me to trust you more! I love you, Lord. Help me to love you more! Pater, Ave, Gloria. #devotionfatima

17.01.2022 Today we celebrate the feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Archangels. Angels appear as messengers of God in Scripture, but only Michael, Gabriel ...and Raphael are named within the Bible. St Michael appears in Daniel's visions as the ''great prince'' who defends Israel against its enemies; and also the Book of Revelation where he leads God's army against the forces of evil. Gabriel's most famous appearance in scripture occurs in the Gospel of Luke, where he appears to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who consents to God's Will to be done onto her and bear the Saviour in her womb. St Raphael appears in the book of Tobit as a guide to Tobias and as the healer in various encounters, particularly healing Tobit from his blindness. The Archangels are depicted in one of the Cathedral's stained glass windows and through their intercession we ask them to continually protect our Church from all evil. Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, the Archangels; Ora Pro Nobis.

17.01.2022 St. Michael the Archangel Novena - Day 8 Join in praying the St. Michael the Archangel Novena St. Michael the Archangel, we honor you as a powerful protector ...of the Church and guardian of our souls. Inspire us with your humility, courage and strength that we may reject sin and perfect our love for our Heavenly Father. In your strength and humility, slay the evil and pride in our hearts so that nothing will keep us from God. St. Michael the Archangel, pray that we may be blessed by God with the zeal to live our lives in accordance with Christ’s teachings. St. Michael the Archangel, you are the prince of angels but in your humility you recognized that God is God and you are but His servant. Unlike satan, you were not overcome with pride but were steadfast in humility. Pray that we will have this same humility. It is in the spirit of that humility that we ask for your intercession for our petitions (state your petitions) Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. #devotionfatima

16.01.2022 Say the Rosary every day, to obtain Peace for the World" Our Lady of Fatima, 1917

15.01.2022 Today is the feast day of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz, the patron saint of the Philippines. A Chinese-Filipino, he became his country's protomartyr after his execution ...in Japan by the Tokugawa Shogunate during its persecution of Japanese Christians in the 17th century. He is also the patron of migrant workers, the poor, separated families and altar servers. Saint Lorenzo, pray for us See more

15.01.2022 HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE PRAY FOR US SINNERS. #catholic #catholicism #romancatholic #catholicfaith #catholics #maria #virginmary #saint #prayforus #rosary #mary #avemaria

15.01.2022 MT 15:29-37 At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. ... Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. Jesus summoned his disciples and said, My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way. The disciples said to him, Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd? Jesus said to them, How many loaves do you have? Seven, they replied, and a few fish. He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left overseven baskets full.

14.01.2022 Catholic Altar: Where the Heaven meets the earth #CatholicTraditionalBeauty

13.01.2022 THE SECRET OF THE ROSARY by ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT WHEN SAINT DOMINIC was preaching the Rosary near Carcassone, an Albigensian was brought to him who was possess...ed by the devil. Saint Dominic exorcised him in the presence of a great crowd of people; it appears that over twelve thousand had come to hear him preach. The devils who were in possession of this wretched man were forced to answer Saint Dominic's questions in spite of themselves. They said that: 1. There were fifteen thousand of them in the body of this poor man, because he had attacked the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary; 2. They went on to testify that by preaching the Rosary he put fear and horror into the very depths of Hell and that he was the man they hated most throughout the whole world, because of the souls which he snatched from them through devotion to the Holy Rosary; 3. They then revealed several other things. Saint Dominic put his Rosary around the Albigensian's neck and asked the devils to tell him who, of all the Saints in Heaven, was the one they feared the most, and who should therefore be the most loved and revered by men. At this they let out such unearthly screams that most of the people fell to the ground, faint from fear. Then, using all their cunning, so as not to answer, the devils wept and wailed in such a pitiful way that many of the people wept also, out of purely natural pity. The devils spoke through the mouth of the Albigensian, pleading in a heartrending voice: "Dominic, Dominic, have mercy on us----we promise you that we will never hurt you. You have always had compassion for sinners and those in distress; have pity on us, for we are in grievous straits. We are suffering so very much already, so why do you delight in heightening our pains? Can't you be satisfied with our suffering without adding to it? Have pity on us! Have pity on us!" Saint Dominic was not one whit moved by the pathos of these wretched spirits and told them that he would not let them alone until they had answered his question. Then they said they would whisper the answer in such a way that only Saint Dominic would be able to hear. The latter firmly insisted upon their answering clearly and out loud. Then the devils kept quiet and refused to say another word, completely disregarding Saint Dominic's orders----so he knelt down and prayed thus to Our Lady: "Oh, all powerful and wonderful Virgin Mary, I implore you by the power of the Most Holy Rosary, order these enemies of the human race to answer me." No sooner had he made this prayer than a glowing flame leaped out of the ears, nostrils and mouth of the Albigensian. Everyone shook with fear, but the fire did not hurt anyone. Then the devils cried: "Dominic, we beseech you, by the passion of Jesus Christ and by the merits of His Holy Mother and of all the Saints, let us leave the body of this man without speaking further----for the Angels will answer your question whenever you wish. After all, are we not liars? So why should you want to believe us? Please don't torture us any more; have pity on us." "Woe unto you wretched spirits, who do not deserve to be heard," Saint Dominic said, and kneeling down he prayed to Our Lady: "Oh most worthy Mother of Wisdom, I am praying for the people assembled here who have already learned how to say the Angelic Salutation properly. Please, I beg of you, force your enemies to proclaim the whole truth and nothing but the truth about this, here and now, before the multitude." Saint Dominic had hardly finished this prayer when he saw the Blessed Virgin near at hand, surrounded by a multitude of Angels. She struck the possessed man with a golden rod that she held and said: "Answer my servant Dominic at once." (Remember, the people neither saw nor heard Our Lady, but only Saint Dominic.) "Now that we are forced to speak we must also tell you this: nobody who perseveres in saying the Rosary will be damned, because she obtains for her servants the grace of true contrition for their sins and by means of this they obtain God's forgiveness and mercy." Then Saint Dominic had them all say the Rosary very slowly and with great devotion, and a wonderful thing happened: at each Hail Mary that he and the people said together a large group of devils issued forth from the wretched man's body under the guise of red-hot coals. When the devils had all been expelled and the heretic was at last entirely free of them, Our Lady (who was still invisible) gave her blessing to the assembled company, and they were filled with joy because of this. A large number of heretics were converted because of this miracle and joined the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. #devotionfatima

12.01.2022 St. Francis Novena - Day 3 Join in praying the St. Francis Novena In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. ... Holy Saint Francis, through your kind intercession we seek holiness above all things. We seek the faith, hope and love that allowed you to joyfully renounce the pleasures of earthly life and to radically follow our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for us that we enjoy the privilege of suffering with and for the poor in the example of Jesus. Help us to be always grateful for all the blessings we have received and the strength to overcome our most pressing concerns, especially (Mention your intentions here, followed by the daily prayer) Holy St. Francis, when you decided to serve in the manner of our Lord Jesus Christ you entrusted your whole life to his Divine Providence. Emboldened by your example, I resolve to entrust the favorable resolution of my situation to God our Father, through your most kind intercession. St. Francis, help us in praying for the grace to truly repent for our sins and actively seek reconciliation with God. May the blessings we obtain through your intercession deepen our faith, and inspire us to store treasures in Heaven, where we hope to spend eternity with the Almighty Father. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without end. Amen St. Francis of Assisi, Pray for us! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

11.01.2022 St. Francis Novena - Day 5 Join in praying the St. Francis Novena In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. ... Holy Saint Francis, through your kind intercession we seek holiness above all things. We seek the faith, hope and love that allowed you to joyfully renounce the pleasures of earthly life and to radically follow our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for us that we enjoy the privilege of suffering with and for the poor in the example of Jesus. Help us to be always grateful for all the blessings we have received and the strength to overcome our most pressing concerns, especially (Mention your intentions here, followed by the daily prayer) Holy St. Francis, when you decided to serve in the manner of our Lord Jesus Christ you entrusted your whole life to his Divine Providence. Emboldened by your example, I resolve to entrust the favorable resolution of my situation to God our Father, through your most kind intercession. St. Francis, help us in praying for the grace to truly repent for our sins and actively seek reconciliation with God. May the blessings we obtain through your intercession deepen our faith, and inspire us to store treasures in Heaven, where we hope to spend eternity with the Almighty Father. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without end. Amen St. Francis of Assisi, Pray for us! In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. #devotionfatima

11.01.2022 TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 -- HOLY GOSPEL Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people: "What is your opinion?... A man had two sons. He came to the first and said, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' He said in reply, 'I will not, ' but afterwards changed his mind and went. The man came to the other son and gave the same order. He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, ‘but did not go. Which of the two did his father's will?" They answered, "The first." Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. When John came to you in the way of righteousness, you did not believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes did. Yet even when you saw that, you did not later change your minds and believe him." Matthew 21:28-32 See more

10.01.2022 September 29 Feastday of St. Michael and the Archangels PRAYER TO SAINTS MICHAEL, GABRIEL AND RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS HEAVENLY FATHER, You have given us archangels ...to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth. SAINT MICHAEL, our protector, I ask you to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones, and protect us from danger. SAINT GABRIEL, you are the messenger for the Good News, I ask you to help me clearly, hear my voice and to teach me the truth. SAINT RAPHAEL, you are the healing angel, I ask you to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to God's throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Help us O Lord to realize more fully the reality of the archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy Angels pray for us. Amen. #devotionfatima

09.01.2022 #devotionfatima

09.01.2022 Congratulations to these 7 Choristers who received First Holy Communion this morning!

09.01.2022 Novena to St Therese - Day 8 O St. Therese of the Child Jesus, who during your short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, ... of love strong as death, and of wholehearted abandonment to God, now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues, cast a glance of pity on me as I leave all things in your hands. Make my troubles your own, speak a word for me to Our Lady Immaculate, whose flower of special love you were to that Queen of Heaven "who smiled on you at the dawn of life." Beg her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment... (State your intention here....) and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Amen. O God, who did inflame with the Spirit of Love, the soul of your servant Therese of the Child Jesus, grant that we also may love you and make you much loved. Amen. DAY EIGHT O glorious St. Therese, who, burning with the desire of increasing the glory of God, invariably attended to the sanctification of your soul by the constant practice of prayer and charity so that, becoming in the Church a model of holiness, you are now in Heaven the protector of all those who have recourse to you in faith, look down upon me who invokes your powerful patronage and join your petition to mine that I be granted the favour I seek in this novena... St. Therese of the Child Jesus, pray for us.

08.01.2022 Immaculate Conception Novena - Day 4 O most pure Virgin Mary conceived without sin, from the very first instant, you were entirely immaculate. O glorious Mary f...ull of grace, you are the mother of my God the Queen of Angels and of men. I humbly venerate you as the chosen mother of my Savior, Jesus Christ. The Prince of Peace and the Lord of Lords chose you for the singular grace and honor of being His beloved mother. By the power of His Cross, He preserved you from all sin. Therefore, by His power and love, I have hope and bold confidence in your prayers for my holiness and salvation. I pray that your prayers will bring me to imitate your holiness and submission to Jesus and the Divine Will. Queen of Heaven, I beg you to beg my Savior to grant me these requests (Mention your intentions) My holy Mother, I know that you were obedient to the will of God. In making this petition, I know that God’s will is more perfect than mine. So, grant that I may receive God’s grace with humility as you did. As my final request, I ask that you pray for me to increase in faith in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in hope in our risen Lord; I ask that you pray for me to increase in love for the risen Jesus! Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen. #devotionfatima

08.01.2022 September 29 is the Feast of ARCHANGELS ST. MICHAEL, ST. RAPHAEL AND ST. GABRIEL --- Novena Prayers to be prayed for 9 consecutive days --- ST. MICHAEL THE ARCH...ANGEL, loyal champion of God and His people, I turn to you with confidence and seek your powerful intercession. For the love of God, Who made you so glorious in grace and power, and for the love of the Mother of Jesus, the Queen of the Angels, be pleased to hear my prayer. You know the value on my soul in the eyes of God. May no stain of evil ever disfigure its beauty. Help me to conquer the evil spirit who tempts me. I desire to imitate your loyalty to God and Holy Mother Church and your great love for God and people. And since you are God's messenger for the care of his people, I entrust to you this special request ....... (MENTION YOUR REQUEST) ....... I earnestly trust that if it is God's holy Will, my petition will be granted. Pray for me, St. Michael, and also for those I love. Protect us in all dangers of body and soul. Help us in our daily needs. Through your powerful intercession, may we live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach heaven where we may praise and love God with you forever. Amen. .............................................................................................. ST. GABRIEL THE ARCHANGEL, I venerate you as the "Angel of the Incarnation," because God has specially appointed you to bear the messages concerning the God-Man to the Blessed Virgin Mary. I venerate you also as the "strength from God," because you are the giver of God's strength, consoler and comforter chosen to strengthen God's faithful and to teach them important truths. I ask for the grace of a special power of the will to strive for holiness of life. Steady my resolutions, renew my courage, comfort and console me in the problems, trials, and sufferings of daily living, as you consoled our Savior in His agony and Mary in her sorrows and Joseph in his trials. I put my confidence in you. St. Gabriel, I ask you especially for this favor ....... (MENTION YOUR REQUEST) ....... Through your earnest love for the Son of God-Made-Man and for His blessed Mother, I beg of you, intercede for me that my request may be granted, if it be God's holy Will. .............................................................................. Holy ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL, standing so close to the throne of God and offering Him our prayers, I venerate you as God's special Friend and Messenger. I choose you as my Patron and wish to love and obey you as young Tobiah did. I consecrate to you my body and soul,all my work, and my whole life. I want you to be my Guide and Counselor in all the dangerous and difficult problems and decisions of my life. Remember, dearest, St. Raphael, that the grace of God preserved you with the good Angels in heaven when the proud ones were cast into hell. I entreat you, therefore, to help me in my struggle against the world, the spirit of impurity, and the devil. Defend me from all dangers and every occasion of sin. Direct me always in the way of peace, safety, and salvation. Offer my prayers to God as you offered those of Tobiah, so that through your intercession I may obtain the graces necessary for the salvation of my soul. I ask you to pray that God grant me this favor if it be His holy Will ....... (MENTION YOUR REQUEST). St. Raphael, help me to love and serve my God faithfully, to die in His grace, and finally to merit to join you in seeing and praising God forever in heaven. Amen.

07.01.2022 PRAYER FOR PRIESTS Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord, keep them, for they are Thine - Thy priests whose lives burn out... before Thy consecrated shrine. Keep them, for they are in the world, though from the world apart; when earthly pleasures tempt, allure - shelter them in Thy heart. Keep them, and comfort them in hours of loneliness and pain, when all their lives of sacrifice for souls seems but in vain. Keep them, and O remember, Lord, they have no one but Thee, yet they have only human hearts, with human frailty. Keep them as spotless as the Host, that daily they caress; their every thoughts and word and deed, Deign, dearest Lord, to bless. Our Father... Hail Mary... Glory Be... (Imprimatur: D. Cardinal Dougherty, Philadelphia.)

07.01.2022 Why do Catholic women wear chapel veils at Mass? The veil is meant to be an external sign of a woman's interior desire to humble herself before God, truly prese...nt in the Blessed Sacrament. As women, we are symbols of the Church - the Bride of Christ - and "the veil is meant to be a visible reminder of the perfect submission of the Church to the loving rule of Christ." For 2000 years, Catholic women have worn some kind of head covering in Church. Though the particular reasons for doing so have varied (for example, modesty in the time of St. Paul), this practice has always focused on the transcendence of the place - the church, the very dwelling of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Having been given this magnificent Gift by Jesus himself, every Catholic church holds something not found anywhere else: the true, living presence of our Bridegroom, hidden under the appearance of bread and wine. "The veil is a visual sermon, ... a public proclamation before the Lord that He IS the Lord and that we love Him and that we are ready to obey him. It's a totally counter-cultural statement proclaiming obedience in the midst of a culture that is totally permeated with this attitude of 'I will not serve.'" The veil is a sign of the great dignity inherent to a woman, who has the potential to receive life within herself... both human life and the supernatural life of God. This is an important message the world needs to hear, now more than ever! https://www.veilsbylily.com/frequently-asked-questions/

07.01.2022 MK 13:33-37 Jesus said to his disciples: Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.... It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore; you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’ See more

07.01.2022 Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit... of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. ___________________________ "Beginning with Mary's unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the holy Mother of God, centering it on the Person of Christ manifested in His mysteries. In countless hymns and antiphons expressing this prayer, two movements usually alternate with one another: the first "magnifies" the Lord for the "great things" He did for His lowly servant and through her for all human beings. The second entrusts the supplications and praises of the children of God to the Mother of Jesus, because she now knows the humanity which, in her, the Son of God espoused." from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2675. See more

06.01.2022 Friends, It is pleasing to see the NSW Government finally commit to implementing new laws to protect the victims of modern slavery, including forced marriage an...d human trafficking. The state government has announced it will begin discussions with the Commonwealth government to achieve greater harmonisation with the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act. This will ideally mean that entities with over $50 million in annual consolidated revenue will be required to produce public statements detailing how they are keeping their supply chains slavery-free. I am grateful to the more than ten thousand people who petitioned the government over recent months, calling for an end to stalling tactics that were delaying the enactment of laws passed by parliament over two years ago. In the Archdiocese of Sydney, I am especially grateful to the members of the Anti-Slavery Taskforce who have shown great leadership on this issue: John McCarthy; Alison Rahill and Jenny Stanger. Our community cannot be indifferent to modern slavery and human trafficking, or our responsibility to eradicate it. Like the Good Samaritan, we must reach out with a supportive hand to those in greatest need. I look forward to these laws coming into effect, and urge the government to ensure this happens before the end of this year.

06.01.2022 such a beautiful image of our Mother

06.01.2022 MONDAY OF THE TWENTY-SIXTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME SEPTEMBER 28, 2020 -- HOLY GOSPEL An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest.... Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side and said to them, Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest. Then John said in reply, Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company. Jesus said to him, Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you. Luke 9:46-50 See more

05.01.2022 The Annual Lourdes Day Mass is taking place this Saturday 5th December at 10:00am. The Lourdes Day Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP for ...the sick and fragile of our community. Organised by the Order of Malta, the Mass highlights the Order's commitment to fulfill their mission to nurture, witness and protect the faith and serve the Lord's sick and poor. Attendance for the Mass is limited with a few spots remaining via the bookings site: https://sydneycatholic.eventsair.com/smcmass/lourdesday ***Bookings are ESSENTIAL to attend the Mass*** If you are unable to attend, the Mass will be livestreamed on our website and YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/gB5cxZ0CfbM #lourdesdaymass

05.01.2022 PRAY NOVENA DAY 1 Our Lady of the Rosary Novena Start: September 28 End: October 6... My dearest Mother Mary, behold me, your child, in prayer at your feet. Accept this Holy Rosary, which I offer you in accordance with your requests at Fatima, as a proof of my tender love for you, for the intentions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in atonement for the offences committed against your Immaculate Heart, and for this special favour which I earnestly request in my Rosary Novena: (Mention your request). I beg you to present my petition to your Divine Son. If you will pray for me, I cannot be refused. I know, dearest Mother, that you want me to seek God’s holy Will concerning my request. If what I ask for should not be granted, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater benefit to my soul. I offer you this spiritual Bouquet of Roses because I love you. I put all my confidence in you, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant my prayer. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. (This novena is to be said along with a daily rosary. )

04.01.2022 September 29 FEAST OF STS. MICHAEL, GABRIEL & RAPHAEL ARCHANGELS The liturgy celebrates the feast of these three archangels who are venerated in the tradition... of the Church. Michael (Who is like God?) was the archangel who fought against Satan and all his evil angels, defending all the friends of God. He is the protector of all humanity from the snares of the devil. Gabriel (Strength of God) announced to Zachariah the forthcoming birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary, the birth of Jesus. His greeting to the Virgin, "Hail, full of grace," is one of the most familiar and frequent prayers of the Christian people. Raphael (Medicine of God) is the archangel who took care of Tobias on his journey. #devotionfatima

03.01.2022 REGINA ANGELORUM - MARY QUEEN OF ANGELS September 29 Feast day of the Arch angels October 2 feast day of Our Guardian Angels "Regina Angelorum! Queen of the A...ngels! What a foretaste of heaven it is to think thus of Mary our mother ceaselessly accompanied by legions of angels!" -- Pope Saint John XXIII "Mary has the authority over the angels and the blessed in heaven. As a reward for her great humility, God gave her the power and mission of assigning to saints the thrones made vacant by the apostate angels who fell away through pride. Such is the will of the almighty God who exalts the humble, that the powers of heaven, earth and hell, willingly or unwillingly, must obey the commands of the humble Virgin Mary. For God has made her queen of heaven and earth, leader of his armies, keeper of his treasure, dispenser of his graces, mediatrix on behalf of men, destroyer of his enemies, and faithful associate in his great works and triumphs." -- Saint Louis Marie de Montfort "O Mary, heart of the whole world, you are greater than the many-eyed cherubim and the six-winged seraphim, and heaven and earth are utterly full of the glory of your holiness." -- Traditional Ethiopian prayer "O Mother of God, you are born aloft in the triumphal cars of the cherubim, with seraphim for your escort and the arrayed army of heaven’s hosts is prostrate before you." -- Traditional Armenian prayer "God made Mary so powerful over the devils that not only can she instantly terrify them with a single glance, but also that the devils prefer to have their pains redoubled rather than to see themselves subject to her power." -- Saint Brigid "God placed Mary far above all the angels and saints and so filled her with every heavenly grace from his own divine treasury so that her innocence and holiness exceeded every creature but God himself." -- Pope Pius IX "The Virgin Mary, being obedient to his word, received from an angel the glad tidings that she would bear God" -- Saint Irenaeus "In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.' 'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?' The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.' 'I am the Lord’s servant,' Mary answered. 'May your word to me be fulfilled.' Then the angel left her. -- The Bible, Luke 1:26-38 "Mention in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then we sent her our angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. She said, 'I seek refuge from you, from the Most Merciful God! So leave me, if you fear God!' He said, 'No, I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a pure, holy son.' She said, 'How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?' He said, 'So (it will be). Your Lord says, 'That is easy for Me, and we will make him a Sign to the people, and a mercy from us. It is a matter already decreed.'" So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place." -- The Qur'an, 19:16-22 "To give worthy praise to the Lord's mercy, we unite ourselves with Your Immaculate Mother, for then our hymn will be more pleasing to You, because She is chosen from among men and angels. Through Her, as through a pure crystal, Your mercy was passed on to us. Through Her, man became pleasing to God; Through Her, streams of grace flowed down upon us." -- Saint Faustina "Think of what the saints have done for their neighbor because they loved God. But what saint's love for God can match Mary's? She loved Him more in the first moment of her existence than all the Saints and angels ever loved Him or will love Him. Our Lady herself revealed to Sister Mary Crucified that the fire of her love was most extreme. If Heaven and earth were placed in it, they would be instantly consumed. And the ardors of the seraphim, compared with it, are like cool breezes. Just as there is not one among all the Blessed who loves God as Mary does, so there is no one, after God, who loves us as much as this most loving Mother does. Furthermore, if we heaped together all the love that mothers have for their children, all the love of husbands and wives, all the love of all the angels and Saints for their clients, it could never equal Mary's love for even a single soul." -- Saint Alphonsus Liguori PRAYER TO MARY QUEEN OF ANGELS "August Queen of Heaven, sovereign queen of Angels, you who at the beginning received from God the power and the mission to crush the head of Satan, we beseech you humbly, send your holy legions so that, on your orders and by your power, they will track down demons, fight them everywhere, curb their audacity and plunge them into the abyss. Who can be compared to God? Oh good and tender Mother, you will always be our love and our hope. Oh divine Mother, send the Holy Angels and Archangels to defend me and to keep the cruel enemy far from me. Holy Angels and Archangels defend us, protect us. Amen." -- Traditional "Our Lady, Queen of Angels" prayer THE NINE CHOIRS OF ANGELS Seraphim These are the highest order or choir of angels. They are the angels who are attendants or guardians before God's throne. They praise God, calling, "Holy Holy Holy is the Lord of Hosts". the only Bible reference is Isaiah 6:1-7. One of them touched Isaiah's lips with a live coal from the altar, cleansing him from sin. Seraphim have six wings, two cover their faces, two cover their feet, and two are for flying. Cherubim Cherubim rank after the seraphim and are the second highest in the nine hierarchies or choirs of angels. The Old Testament does not reveal any evidence that the Jews considered them as intercessors or helpers of God. They were closely linked in God's glory. They are manlike in appearance and double-winged and were guardians of God's glory. They symbolized then, God's power and mobility. In the New Testament, they are alluded to as celestial attendants in the Apocalypse (Rv 4-6). Catholic tradition describes them as angels who have an intimate knowledge of God and continually praise Him. Thrones Thrones are the Angels of pure Humility, Peace and Submisssion. They reside in the area of the cosmos where material form begins to take shape. The lower Choir of Angels need the Thrones to access God. Dominions Dominions are Angels of Leadership. They regulate the duties of the angels, making known the commands of God. Virtues Virtues are known as the Spirits of Motion and control the elements. They are sometimes referred to as "the shining ones." They govern all nature. They have control over seasons, stars, moon; even the sun is subject to their command. They are also in charge of miracles and provide courage, grace, and valor. Powers Powers are Warrior Angels against evil defending the cosmos and humans. They are known as potentates. They fight against evil spirits who attempt to wreak chaos through human beings. The chief is said to be either Samael or Camael, both angels of darkness. Archangels Archangels are generally taken to mean "chief or leading angel" ( Jude 9; 1 Thes 4:16), they are the most frequently mentioned throughout the Bible. They may be of this or other hierarchies as St. Michael Archangel, who is a princely Seraph. The Archangels have a unique role as God's messenger to the people at critical times in history and salvation (Tb 12:6, 15; Jn 5:4; Rv 12:7-9) as in The Annunciation and Apocalypse. A feast day celebrating the Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael is celebrated throughout the Church Sep 29. A special part of the Byzantine Liturgy invokes the "Cherubic Hymn" which celebrates these archangels and the guardian angels particularly. Of special significance is St. Michael as he has been invoked as patron and protector by the Church from the time of the Apostles. The Eastern Rite and many others place him over all the angels, as Prince of the Seraphim. He is described as the "chief of princes" and as the leader of the forces of heaven in their triumph over Satan and his followers. The angel Gabriel first appeared in the Old Testament in the prophesies of Daniel, he announced the prophecy of 70 weeks (Dn 9:21-27). He appeared to Zechariah to announce the birth of St. John the Baptist (Lk 1:11). It was also Gabriel which proclaimed the Annunciation of Mary to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour. (Lk 1:26) The angel Raphael first appeared in the book of Tobit (Tobias)Tb 3:25, 5:5-28, 6-12). He announces "I am the Angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand before the throne of God." (Tb 12:15) Principalities In the New Testament Principalities refers to one type of spiritual (metaphysical) being which are now quite hostile to God and human beings. (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Col 1:16; 2:10, 15) Along with the principalities are the powers (Rom 8:38; 1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 1 Pt 3:22; 2 Thes 1:7); and cosmological powers (1 Cor 15:24; Eph 1:21; 3:10; Col 2:15);Dominions (Eph 1:21; Col 1:16) and thrones (Col1:16). The clarity of the New Testament witness helps see that these beings were created through Christ and for Him (Col 1:16). Given their hostility to God and humans due to sin, Christ's ultimate rule over them (ibid) expresses the reign of the Lord over all in the cosmos. This is the Lordship of Christ, which reveals God's tremendous salvation in conquering sin and death at the cross, and now takes place in the Church. (Eph 3:10) Guardian Angels These angels are closest to the material world and human begins. They deliver the prayers to God and God's answers and other messages to humans. Angels have the capacity to access any and all other Angels at any time. They are the most caring and social to assist those who ask for help. photo : The Queen of Angels by William Adolphe Bouguereau #reginaangelorum #maryqueenofangels #wrrtotustuusfiat

02.01.2022 Today is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus heeds us to remember that positive change, through His grace, is always possible

01.01.2022 DAY THREE: DAUGHTER & INSTRUMENT OF GOD Daily Opening Prayer You are all beautiful, Mary, and the original stain is not in you.... You are the glory of Jerusalem, you are the joy of Israel, you give honor to our people. You are the advocate of sinners. O Mary, Virgin most prudent, Mother most merciful, pray for us, intercede for us, with the Lord Jesus Christ. O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that, as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the death of your Son, which you foresaw, so, through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. A Reading from the Writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe She is therefore a creature of God, the property of God, the semblance of God, the image of God, the daughter of God, in the most perfect way possible for a mere human being. She is God’s instrument. In full awareness, she lets herself be guided by God. She conforms to His will. She desires only what He wants; operates in accordance with His will and in the most perfect way possible, without the slightest blemish, without any deviation of her will from His. [She is God’s instrument] in the perfect use of her faculties and privileges she was granted, in order to carry out always and in all things, solely and exclusively God’s Will, out of love toward God One and Triune. Such love toward God reaches such heights that it produces divine fruits of love. Her union of love with God reaches such point that she becomes the Mother of God. The Father entrusts her own Son to her, the Son descends into her womb, while the Holy Spirit, from the body of her, shapes the most holy body of Jesus. (KW 1320) Prayer Intention For all persecuted Christians throughout the world and for the victims of war, hatred and violence. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you, and for all those who do not have recourse to you, especially the enemies of Holy Church and all those recommended to you. Grace for Today Willingness to embrace my call to be a child of God and an instrument of his love as Our Lady was. Daily Closing Prayer Immaculate Virgin! Your spotless spiritual beauty is for us a living source of confidence and hope. To have you as Mother, Holy Virgin, reassures us on the path of life as a pledge of eternal salvation. Because of this, O Mary, we have recourse to you with confidence. Help us to build a world where human life is always cherished and defended, every form of violence banished, the peace of all tenaciously sought. Immaculate Virgin! grant that we may celebrate and adore with renewed faith and ardent love the holy mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ. At your school, O Woman of the Eucharist, teach us to remember the marvels that God never ceases to work in human hearts. With motherly tenderness, Virgin Mary, guide our steps always on the path of good. Amen! Pope St. John Paul II

01.01.2022 Today is the feast day of the archangels, Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael. The liturgy celebrates the feast of these three archangels who are ven...erated in the tradition of the Church. Saint Michael is our protector, I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger for the Good News, I ask him to help me clearly, hear your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel, I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to your throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Saint Michael, Saint Gabriel and Saint Raphael pray for us #michael #gabriel #raphael #archangel #catholiclife #catholics #catholic #sydneycatholics #catholicarchdioceseofsy See more

01.01.2022 Inviting you all to join the 9 days Novena Prayers to our Blessed Mother, The OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY. ... ( novena starts on September 29 ) ... "PRAYER is a sur...ge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy" ~~ St. Therese of Lisieux ~~ .......................................................................... --- Prayer of St. Augustine of Hippo to The BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ..... HOLY MARY, HELP THE MISERABLE, STRENGTHEN THE DISCOURAGED, COMFORT THE SORROWFUL, PRAY FOR YOUR PEOPLE. May all who venerate You feel now Your help and protection. Be ready to help us when we pray, and bring back to us the answers to our prayers. Make it Your continual concern to pray for the people of God, for You were blessed by God and were made worthy to bear the Redeemer of the world, who lives and reigns forever. Amen.