Pray for Ukraine and Russia.

Our Bishop Anthony is urging the People of God in the Diocese of Broken Bay to join their prayers with Catholics around the world to pray for the swift end to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Bishop Anthony

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has made available the following prayer for use at this time:

Prayer for Peace and Justice in Ukraine
God of peace and justice,
who change the hardened heart
and break the power of violence,
we entrust the people of Ukraine to you.
Protect them in this time of mortal peril;
let them know not death but life,
not slavery but freedom.
You are Father of all;
we are brothers and sisters.
Give us the strength
to live that truth in love,
choosing peace, not war.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Join an online Zoom to pray for Ukraine and Russia.

Click on the image below

You are welcome to join a new online prayer for peace led by St Agatha’s parishioners on Sunday evenings from 8:30pm continuing till further notice.

The faithful are urged to join their prayers with those of Pope Francis, when he consecrates Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary this Friday, 25 March on the solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The act of consecration places the warring countries under the protection of Mary, the Mother of Christ, trusting in the power of her intercession. Such an act looks towards God, the source of all peace, and seeks God’s peace through Mary.

This renewal of the consecration that took place in Fatima more than 100 years ago, will occur on 25 March at 5pm Rome time, Saturday at 3am in Sydney. In union with the Pope in Rome and Bishop Anthony, St Agatha’s will celebrate Mass at 3am this Saturday, 26 March. All are invited to attend and pray for peace and the freedom of people to live in peace.

Sites and Apps to help your general prayers.

Most of these would be appropriate for families, with the Pray As You Go app being audio and so a good little activity, and the videos from, for example, the USCCB being good to watch together.

Apps:

https://pray-as-you-go.org/

http://maristassociationapp.org.au/

Universalis – https://universalis.com/

Websites (all involve praying with the Scriptures):

https://www.sacredspace.ie/daily-prayer

http://dailyscripture.net

https://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer

https://www.carmelites.org.au/lectiodivina (daily lectio divina reflections on the scriptures)

http://www.usccb.org/bible/reflections/ (daily video reflections on the scriptures)

https://dailygospel.org/AM/gospel (scripture reflections from Church Fathers)