“ “I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.” ( Gospel of John) 2010

At the Big Assembly, Bishop Malcolm announced to the Holy Father that we would be celebrating, ‘A Year for Catholic Education.’ We celebrate the wonderful sense of faith and community that characterises our schools. And we celebrate with you, our faith, our love, and our hope for the future.

In our own Diocese we will be having our own ‘Big Assembly’ and other celebrations but we would like to begin by praying together in our schools, our parishes & homes the very beautiful prayer known as the ‘Angelus.’

The ‘Angelus’ is prayed by people all over the world especially at 12 o’clock lunchtime. The Pope prays this prayer every Sunday with the crowds who gather in Rome.

Just as Mary said, “yes” to God’s plan for her, we can ask ourselves: What is God asking of us? How can we be of service to other people?

Pope Benedict asked us: “What are the qualities you see in others that you would most like to have yourself? What kind of person would you really like to be?” Let us pray The Angelus:

The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word. Hail Mary... And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us. Hail Mary... Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we ask Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.

The Angelus Prayer Starting during Advent and for this Year of Catholic Education we will be praying the Angelus Prayer every day at lunchtime along with other schools, parishes and communities in our Diocese. Starting during Advent and for this Year of Catholic Education we will be praying the Angelus Prayer every day at lunchtime along with other schools, parishes and communities in our Diocese. Listen for the Angelus bell which is our call to prayer. Listen for the Angelus bell which is our call to prayer.