Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Readings

Available from the USCCB here.

First Reading 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

Second Reading Romans 16:25-27

Gospel Luke 1:26-38

Prayers of the Faithful

• For the Church throughout the world: may it grow in fidelity and attentiveness to God’s will, adopting the prayer of Mary: “Thy will be done,” we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
• That with the humility and integrity of Mary, our nation’s leaders model compassion, discernment and patience while tending to others needs, we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
• That all expecting mothers, especially those whose pregnancy is filled with crisis and high risk, know God’s presence to them through the support of others, we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
• That all who are sick physically and emotionally and their caregivers know that God’s abundant grace will bring them continued courage and strength, we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
• That our community, both here and at home, know that God will intercede for us believing that “With God all things are possible,” we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come!
• That Patrick Anglin; June & Kenneth Palm; Earl Larson; Mike Kalb; Garry (Whitey) Pape; Mary Jean & William Dunne; Frank & Laurie Neenan; Barb Setter; Mary & Herman Meyer; and all who have died will know the fullness of joy and peace in the company of Mary and God’s angels and saints, we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, come!

Spiritual Communion Prayer

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.

A Prayer for During the Pandemic

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We turn to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.