In today’s Gospel, we read how much God loves us, that he sent his only Son into the world to save us from sin, so that we might have eternal life with God.  We are told that Jesus is the light of the World, but those who choose to live in darkness and in sin, do not like the light.   God is inviting us to be children of the light and to turn away from sin. 

Today is also Mothering Sunday.  Let us remember all mothers today, both with us and in heaven.

 We begin our prayer by blessing ourselves;

+ In the name of the Father,

and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit. 

Amen

John 3:14-21 New International Version

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.  This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.  But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

The Gospel of the Lord

Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Activity

Fill in the missing words from today’s Gospel, you must choose the correct word to finish each sentence.

1.      For God so ----- the world that he gave his one and only Son.

(made, loved, coloured)

2.      ----- has come into the world.

(Light, Flowers, Rain)

3.      Everyone who does evil ----- the light.

(hides, tricks, hates)

4.      But whoever lives by the ----- comes into the light.

(lies, truth, rudeness)

Activity

Today is Mother’s Day.  To show love for mothers, I invite you to make a Mother’s Day card for your mother, grandmother, godmother, aunties or guardians.

You will need

• an A4 paper or card (any colour you like)

• a pencil

• colouring pencils.

Fold your paper in half and then in half again to make it look like a card.

Here are some ideas you might light to include in your card;

You can draw a picture of you and your mother on the front cover or love hearts or flowers.

You can also write a message saying “Happy Mother’s Day” and finish by saying, “Lots of Love from (write your own name here)

Let Us Pray

1. Today let us pray for Mother Church, we remember in a special way Pope Francis, Archbishop Eamon, Bishop Michael, Cardinal Sean, All Priests and Deacons and Religious brothers and sisters

Lord hear us.

Lord graciously hear us.

2. God our loving Father, today let us pray for all mothers that they will feel your loving presence in their lives as they look after their children and families with such care and love.

Lord hear us.

Lord graciously hear us.

3. God our loving Father, today let us also remember all mothers who have gone to their heavenly rest and are sharing new life in your heavenly kingdom.

Lord hear us.

Lord graciously hear us.

4. God our loving Father, we pray that as we continue on our Lenten journey that we will always be guided by light and truth of your Holy Spirit.

Lord hear us.

Lord graciously hear us.

5. God our loving Father, we pray that as we continue on our Lenten journey that

we will always be guided by light and truth of your Holy Spirit.

6. Now pray for your own special intentions…….

Lord hear us.

Lord graciously hear us.

We offer all these prays to God through Mary our Mother as we pray,

“Hail Mary full of Grace…….”.

 Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I Love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my Soul. Since I cannot, at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen.

Bringing Parish Home

Killaloe Diocese has created this wonderful resource that
gives some advice on how we can ‘Bring Parish Home’ during these uncertain and difficult times.