First Sunday of Advent

12-01-2024Pastor's CornerFr. Bob Deehan

As we begin the season of Advent this weekend, I invite you to reflect upon what the Holy Family experienced in the time leading up to the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and its significance in our present day – using this prayer.

Prayer for the Homeless

O God of endless mercy, in your divine place to save us, your only Son became a person like us in all things but sin.

When time came for his birth into this world, his mother Mary could not find a place for this miracle to take place. Through your grace, Mary and Joseph came upon a spot where Jesus could safely enter into the full scope of human activity and begin to show us how to live. The homelessness of the Holy Family in that moment became a shining light to all who would follow them! It is your desire that all would have a safe and secure place to lay their heads.

May we always be attentive to the needs of those who have no place to call home. May we open our hearts to help these modern-day holy families so that all parents and children will be safe and secure in their own abodes.

When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his home with us. We now pray that all people on earth will have a home where Jesus may enter and bless it with his presence. May he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, comfort us in our sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, may all people of the world enjoy the dignity of a home, which is, before all else, a dwelling place of God’s love, which radiates throughout the world.

Written by Fr. Bernard Olszewski

God bless you!