A
message from Father Duncan on Saturday 21 March 2020
Dear
Parishioners
Today,
on Our Lady's Day, l celebrate Holy Mass privately for the Parish and for
Veronica Stevenson and Christopher McManus for their anniversaries. The
Pope offered a prayer to the Virgin Mary last week. The choice to celebrate
last Wednesday's Mass at the Divine Love Sanctuary holds significant historical
value. Pope Pius XII went to pray there before the statue of Our Lady in
June 1944. He pleaded for the salvation of the city of Rome as Nazi troops
withdrew from Italy during World War II. Now, over seventy-five years later,
Pope Francis has asked the Virgin Mary to watch over the world in this current
moment of crisis - O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign
of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross, you participated in Jesus' pain, with steadfast
faith. You, Refuge of Sinners and Comfort of the Afflicted, know what we
need. We are certain that you will provide, so that, as you did at Cana
of Galilee, joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial. Help
us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father's will and
to do what Jesus tells us - He who took our sufferings upon Himself and
bore our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. Do not despise
our pleas - we who are put to the test - and deliver us from every danger,
O glorious and Blessed Virgin. Amen.