Prayer & Devotions
THE DIVINE OFFICE
The Office of Morning Prayer is celebrated 15 minutes before all weekday Masses. Each church has 25 copies of the Shorter Morning & Evening Prayer for use by parishioners.
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT DURING THE WEEK
In our parish the power of prayer is recognised as the most important element of our life as a community. During the week two separate hour-long opportunities for Adoration are available:
- Mondays: At the Memorial Church of St Tarcisius from 10.00 to 11.00 AM following the 9.30 Service of the Word & Holy Communion
- Wednesdays: At the Church of Christ the King from 7.30 till 8.30 PM
What is Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament?
This is quiet time spent before the Blessed Sacrament (the Eucharist) which is exposed in a monstrance (a metal ‘showing’ frame) which is placed on the altar.
What do I do during this quiet time?
You can spend time firstly by thanking Jesus for all the blessings you have received. You
can pray for your family and place their needs with Jesus. You can pray for your friends and
the needs of the whole world. You may wish to share a problem you have with Jesus.
You can pray the Rosary or Divine Mercy, but above all you can just sit, look and listen – yes Jesus does speak to us but we must have listening ears to hear him – when you visit a friend you do not talk all the time you also listen to them. It is no different when you visit Jesus in his home - you talk and listen, you pray and listen.
How long do I have to spend at Adoration?
It would be great to spend a whole hour with Jesus – time just flies by and he is wonderful
company. If you have only got ten minutes then pop in to say hello. Maybe build up your
visits, ten minutes, 20 then 40 then 60 minutes it is one of the best ways to build a relationship with Jesus – you can’t get to know someone unless you spend time with them.
One thing is for sure it will be the most fruitful hour you will spend during your week. If you visit Jesus at Adoration each week he will bless you beyond your wildest dreams.
DIVINE MERCY PRAYERS
Tradition has it that Jesus told Saint Maria Faustina to venerate the hour of His death 3:00 PM every day. It is the hour "in which you can obtain everything for yourself and for others for the asking." Pray the Chaplet during the 3:00 PM hour if you can, or choose another time. Pray it every day if you can, or pray it on one or more days of each week, for unity of bishops with the Holy Father.
"I pray unceasingly that God will have 'mercy on us and the whole world.'"
—John Paul II, June 1997
The observance of Divine Mercy Prayers is maintained in the parish by a loyal band of parishioners though all are welcome to participate in this devotion. Prayers are said each:
- Monday after the 9.20AM Liturgy of the Word & Holy Communion at Christ the King
- Friday after 9.30am Mass at St Tarcisiuus.
A Divine Mercy Holy Hour with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is observed from 3-4pm on the last Sunday of the month. The venue is rotated round the three churches. During the Holy Hour Confessions are heard. The hour usually concludes with Benediction.
MOTHER'S PRAYERS
A group of mums meet for prayers after then 9.20AM Thursday morning Mass (or Service of the Word) at Christ the King each week. Similar prayers are said at 1030am every Saturday at St Tarcisius (in the the house at 277 London Road).
ROSARY
The rosary is generally said following the Mass on Saturday mornings.
THE ANGELUS
The Angelus is recited on those days when Mass is celebrated at or near midday.