Third Sunday of Lent

Dear Lord and Father of mankind,
Forgive our foolish ways!
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!

Second Sunday of Lent

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God's kingdom. Lord, have mercy.

You come in Word and Sacrament to strengthen us in holiness.
Christ, have mercy.

You will come in glory with salvation for your people.
Lord, have mercy.

 

First Sunday of Lent

Lord Jesus, you are our refuge and protection in the darkness of distress. Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you know the burdens of your people.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, Jesus, you show us the way to trust in you.
Lord, have mercy.

Bishop Smith's message for Lent 2010

Forty days of Lent begin with Ash Wednesday this week and Bishop Smith is encouraging parishes to support the annual Trócaire appeal. “Reaching out to our brothers and sisters in need is a visible expression of faith”, the Bishop explains.

Bishop Smith hopes that the forty days of Lent can be a time for reflecting on our spiritual lives. “The Sunday Gospels during Lent this year were written by Saint Luke, who highlights the sensitivity and compassion of Christ” says the Bishop. “There is a great gentleness in Jesus, who is totally in the business of lifting the burden of sin, not adding to it. Lent gives us an opportunity to humbly recognise our failings and to experience the gentleness of God.”

A new website for the Cathedral www.mullingarparish.ie will also go live on Ash Wednesday.

Meanwhile Bishop Smith travelled to the Vatican for meetings this week. Prayers were offered in many parishes last Sunday for a fruitful outcome to the meetings.