Prayer Space

Pope Benedict XVI's WYD09 Message 

The full text of the Pope's message letter can be found in pdf format below, or online at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/youth/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20090222_youth_en.html

Bishop Michael's Leten Pastoral Letter

Each Lent, the Bishop writes a Pastoral Letter to the diocese.  The full text of his 2009 letter can be found in pdf format below.

Prayer for Australia

Pope Benedict XVI on The Word of God 

'My dear young friends, meditate often on the word of God, and allow the Holy Spirit to be your teacher.  You will then discover that God's way of thinking is not the same as that of humankind's.  You will find yourselves led to contemplate the real God and to read the events of history through his eyes.  You will savour in the fullness the joy that is born of truth... The loving presence of God, through his word, is the lamp that dispels the darkness of fear and lights up the path even when times are difficult.'

Pope Benedict XVI, 9 April 2006, "Message to the Youth of the World on the Occasion of the Twenty-first World Youth Day')

Mary Help of Christians

Mary Help of Christiansthrough your total openness to God's Word you brought Jesus to birth in our humanity. As Mother of the Church, and our mother, you continue to present Christ to our world today.                             

Our Townsville Diocese has been entrusted to your care. With faith in your intercessionwe pray for an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit in every heart andin every corner of our diocese. 

May our leaders and teachers in the faith minister with wisdom and compassion.May our families be communities of love and prayerfulness.May our schools nurture in the hearts of our young people anopenness to God's Word and God's call. May our parish communities witness to fidelity and justicewith hearts open to embrace the stranger, the poor and the weak.

May we each, like you, ponder God's Word in our heartthat Jesus may come to birth anew in our lives.  Amen. 

Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us!

Young Christian Students Creed

As Young Christian Students we believe in God.  We believe that God created the universe and that we, as part of God's creation, are invited to help complete God's plan.

We believe that the earth has been entrusted to us, to care for, to nurture and to respect.  People, as God's creation, have a dignity and worth beyond measure, and deserve to be treated with respect and understanding.

We believe that the Holy Spirit empowers us to live active lives following the example of Jesus Christ.  We do this through communicating our thoughts, opinions and emotions and accepting and loving each other unconditionally.

We believe that our schools should promote these values through encouraging students to form and question their own opinions and beliefs, and treating each student as a worthwhile individual who has unique needs and talents.  Our schools should educate for life.

And we believe that Jesus calls us to live through actions, not just words.  Amen.

Young Christian Workers Prayer

Christ Jesus,

Help us and all young people

to think like you,

to work with you,

to pray through you,

to live in you,

to give you our strength and our time.

May your kindgdom come

in our workplaces, schools, universities,

and in all our homes.

Amen

Adapted from the YCW Prayer.

Links to Prayer Online

Daily Prayer Online -  This site offers guided prayer reflection, daily Gospel reflection, daily readings in mp3 format, daily classroom prayer, a thought for the day, and offers an opportunity to post your own prayer intentions and/or read the prayer intentions of others.

mp3Pray.com -  This Australian webisite offers prayers on mp3 format so that you can follow along while the prayer is being read from your computer.  Prayers include the Rosary, Divine Mercy, Act of Contrition, Angelus and more. It also has a link to live Adoration, and webcasts of the daily mass and the Sunday mass.

Universalis -   A source of weekday and Sunday readings from the Jerusalem Bible. This site offers the chance to particpate in the Church's universal prayer and gives the liturgy of the day, the previous day, and the week ahead.  It also contains links to the various 'Hours' for the day and to the daily Mass readings.

Life Teen -  Life Teen is a USA based Catholic Movement.  This site offers a source of daily devotionals providing resources and faith experiences to help young people to grow in their faith and become closer to Christ.  By the way, you don't have to be a 'teen' to find this useful...

Interview with God - This site offers guided meditations on a diverse range of topics.  If you don't know where to start, try the reflections on "The Lord's Prayer', 'The Beatitudes', 'Psalm 23', and 'The Love Verses'.

Catholic Ireland - A website that helps lead young people to pray using the Word of God.  Upon entering the site, you will be guided in morning or night prayer to pray for people whilst reflecting on the Gospael reading of the day.