GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - EPHESIANS 4:7

EPHESIANS 4:7

But grace was given to each one of us

according to the measure of Christ's gift.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - PSALM 18:29

PSALM 18:29

Lord, you give light to my lamp.

O my God, 

You brighten my darkness.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - ROMANS 12:2

ROMANS 12:2

Don’t let yourselves be shaped by the world where you live, but rather be transformed through the renewal of your mind. You must discern the will of God: what is good, what pleases, what is perfect.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - ROMANS 8:17

ROMANS 8:17

If we are children, we are heirs, too. 

Ours will be the inheritance of God 

and we will share it with Christ; 

for if we now suffer with Him, 

we will also share Glory with Him.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - 1 KINGS 17:5a & ACTS 10:15b

1 KINGS 17:5a 

 So Elijah obeyed the Word of God

++++++++++++++++

ACTS 10:15b

“What God has made clean, 

you must not call unclean.”

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - PSALM 17:15

PSALM 17:15

Hold firm my steps upon Your path,

that my feet may not stumble.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - ISAIAH 6:8

ISAIAH 6:8

Then I heard the voice of the Lord, 

“Whom shall I send? 

And who will go for us?” 

I answered, “Here I am. 

Send me!” 

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - JOHN 16:12

JOHN 16:23

Truly, I say to you, 

whatever you ask the Father in my Name, 

He will give you

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - Psalm 62:1

PSALM 62:1

My soul finds rest in God alone;

from Him comes my salvation.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - Amos 5:14

AMOS 5:14

Seek good 

and shun evil, 

that you may live. 

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - JOHN 17:10

JOHN 17:10

"Father, Indeed all I have is Yours 

and all You have is Mine – 

and now they are My glory."

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - JOHN 10:27-30

JOHN 10:27-30

My sheep hear my voice and I know them; 

they follow me and I give them eternal life. 

They shall never perish 

and no one will ever steal them from me. 

What the Father has given me 

is above everything else 

and no one can snatch it from the Father’s hand. 

I and the Father are one.”

Eucharistic Celebration for Parents and their Children Preparing for First Holy Communion

As is the practice every catechetical year in the parish of St. Therese, Salmiya, a special Eucharistic celebration was held on 24 and 25 November 2014 for the parents and children who will be receiving First Holy Communion in 2015. The theme of the celebration was the Holy Eucharist. A total of about 213 young children along with their parents attended on both days. The purpose of holding such sessions each year is to offer a brief catechesis to both parents and children on the meaning of the various parts of the Holy Mass and the importance of the Holy Eucharist which is the source and summit of the Christian life.

Fr. Franco Pereira sdb the celebrant of the Holy Eucharist on both days, is also the Catechetical Director for the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. Father began by welcoming the parents and the children to this special Eucharistic celebration and stressed on the importance of parents being effective role models for their children and urging them to play an active role in preparing their children to receive this Sacrament of Sacraments. Father explained each part of the Holy Mass simply and effectively beginning from the moment we enter the church and sign ourselves with holy water to the final blessing. He walked us through each part of the celebration stopping at key moments to offer insight and explanation as to why we do what we do during the Holy Mass. He also spoke about the two options we have to receive Jesus in Holy Communion – on the tongue and on the palm and the right way to receive. 

The Liturgy of the Holy Mass, Father said, involves our whole being and most especially our senses of sight, hearing, touch and taste. He spoke about the two tables – the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist. The homily was based on the two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus and was taken from the Gospel of Luke 24:13-35. Using this text Father explained how our encounter with Jesus at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist must mirror the experience of these two disciples who began their journey despondently but returned home excited, renewed, rejuvenated and became joyful witnesses of the risen Lord. 

At the end of the session I asked some of the children to share their thoughts on the Eucharistic Celebration; one young boy said that he attends Holy Mass often but this was different because Father explained everything very well. I also spoke to a couple of parents. One mother said it reminded her of her childhood days and another said that she was pleased to receive practical advice in preparing her child to receive First Holy Communion. 

Father spoke simply, powerfully and effectively explaining and beauty and the power of this Sacrament so both children and parents could understand the necessity of proper preparation in order to receive our Eucharistic Lord worthily. Everyone present went home richer for this unique experience that our parish makes available to the families of children preparing to receive Jesus for the first time in Holy Communion.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - PSALM 73:23

PSALM 73:23

Yet I am always with You;

You hold my right hand,

You guide me on the way You chose

and Your Glory brings me along.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - MARK 11:24

MARK 11:24

Therefore I tell you, 

whatever you ask for in prayer, 

believe that you have received it, 

and it will be yours.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

1 THESSALONIANS5:16-18

Rejoice always,  

pray without ceasing 

 and give thanks to God 

at every moment. 

This is the will of God, 

your vocation as Christians

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - SIRACH 48:11

SIRACH 48:11

Happy are those who will see You 

and those who die in love, 

for we too shall live.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - SONG OF SONGS 4:12

SONG OF SONGS 4:12

You are a garden enclosed,

my sister, my bride;

a spring enclosed, a sealed fountain.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - ISAIAH 41:13

ISAIAH 41:13

For I, the Lord, your God, 

take hold of your right hand 

and say to you: 

“Fear not, I am your assistance.”

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - PHILIPPIANS 4:6

PHILIPPIANS 4:6

Be anxious for nothing, 

but in everything by prayer 

and supplication with thanksgiving 

let your requests 

be made known 

to God.

Fr. Malachi Martin

Fr. Malachi MartinDo not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - PSALM 119:128-133

PSALM 119:128-133

Because my steps are guided by your precepts, 

I hate all false ways.
Wonderful are Your decrees; 

my soul cannot but keep them.
As Your words unfold, light is shed, 

and the simple-hearted un­derstand.

I gasp in ardent yearning 

for Your commandments that I love. 

Turn to me then and be gracious 

as to those who love Your Name.
You promised to direct my steps; 

free my path from evil.

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY - PSALM 128:3-5

PSALM 128:3-5

Your wife, like a vine,

will bear fruits in your home;

your children, like olive shoots

will stand around your table.

Such are the blessings bestowed

upon the man who fears the Lord.

May the Lord bless you from Zion.

May you see Jerusalem prosperous

all the days of your life.