Third Sunday before Advent

Today’s the Third Sunday before Advent, and this week our community will continue to hold those who ask for our prayers and those who have no one to pray for them in prayer.

We pray for the bishops, clergy, and laity of the Church of Ireland, and for the other churches in our land.

We pray for the religious communities in our land, especially our Benedictine and Cistercian brothers and sisters.

We pray for all in authority including:
(in NI) HM The King, The Prime Minister, the Secretary of State for NI, our local MP, and our local MLAs.
(in Republic of Ireland) The President of Ireland, An Taoiseach, An Tanáiste, and our local TDs and councillors.

We pray for our local schools and all in education.

We pray for our local hospitals, for the sick, and those who care for them.

We pray for those who have asked for our prayers.

We pray for those who are bereaved.

We give thanks for prayers answered.

We pray for our benefactors and friends.

We pray for the faithful recently departed and for those whose anniversaries fall at this time.

God, you called Malachy to be a re-builder and restorer of the Irish Church: Look upon your Church in this land today, correct what is amiss and supply what is lacking; that we may more and more bring forth fruit to your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.