Novena to Holy Spirit: Peace

 Novena to Holy Spirit: Peace

The 2nd day in our novena (nine days of prayer) we pray especially for the young people in our parish and this year our deanery who will be confirmed at the Cathedral on the Feast of Pentecost, Sunday 19th May.  

Each day we will share a bible passage linked to one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, a hymn or short reflection.

John 20: 21-22 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit". 

Today we remember Jesus' greeting after the resurrection Peace be with you.  This extract is just before the account of St Thomas who then made his great declaration of faith 'My Lord and My God'.  

Being called

During our confirmation preparation our young people had the chance to speak with Fr Steve about his vocation. We all have a vocation, whether that is as a priest, religious, married or single person.  We are all called to follow and so a question for all not only our confirmandi is to take time to think about how we are living out our vocation and to consider if we are being called to use our gifts and talents in some other way.  

Fr Steve talking to confirmandi about his vocation
and answering their questions

We share a video of some religious Poor Clare sisters singing My Peace I give to you.  

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in them the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created,

and you shall renew the face of the earth.

Praying for Peace

There are many places in our world in need of peace.  Thinking of Fr Matthew's home country and the troubles in Sudan, we pray for peace in Sudan.  For more information see CAFOD page for Sudan Crises 

Listen to us, Lord, hear our prayers as we cry out to you. Comfort and sustain your people. Open the paths of peace, Lord.

At this time of conflict in Sudan, we pray for those who have been forced to flee their homes
and search for safety. Open the paths of peace, Lord.

We pray for those who face hunger and disease, who have lost friends and family, who endure in this time of crisis. Open the paths of peace, Lord.

We pray for those who are working tirelessly to support our sisters and brothers as famine looms and violence persists. Open the paths of peace, Lord.

Guide us to stand alongside one another and through our prayers and actions, keep the people of Sudan always in our hearts. Amen.