Novena Prayer Group Weekly Individual and Small Group Opportunity
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Novena Prayer Group Weekly Individual and Small Group Opportunity Friday, July 31st Greetings Health and Transition Services and Community Residential Program Associates. I hope this message finds you well. We are writing with today’s weekly Novena Prayer program July 31st, 2020. Once again here’s what you need to participate; A Smart TV, a phone, tablet or computer with YouTube access A calm, connected presence to share 30 minutes A quiet space The following pages contain all you need to proceed. The link to YouTube songs are included. Simply enjoy reading the reflections & Gospel while pausing to watch and listen to the music where noted. In between readings and songs, people can pause for a moment of reflection and conversation with one another. Your weekly comments and suggestions are always appreciated. Please send them to us at [email protected] or [email protected] Take a calm, full breath, slowly relax as you breathe out, and begin… Kind regards, Andrew Terhoch, Spiritual Health Practitioner Wilson Cortes, Spiritual Health Associate This document is available in alternative formats. For assistance please contact (204) 256-4301. Page | 1 Friday, July 31, 2020 (If you wish to use a Smart TV or tablet to view the songs, Enter the following URL in the browser app bit.ly/STAnovena) Welcome to everyone to this week’s Friday Novena Prayer Group. We will begin with an opening song titled “We Remember” By Marty Haugen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFZ1NiXzJew Reading a Gospel is a lesson of peace, love, compassion, truth, understanding, and positive activism. These are all things that transform our lives. And now for today’s Gospel reading for Friday, July 31st – (one staff member at the unit together with an individual they support will read together); Matthew 13:54-58 Jesus came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get his wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And took offence at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honour except in their own Country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief. This is the Gospel of the Lord Response: PRAISE TO YOU, O LORD JESUS CHRIST We will now pause to reflect on the Gospel reading. We will now enjoy another song titled “Wonderful Words of Life.” Composed by Philip Paul Bliss. The song reminds us to hear God’s words over and over again. When we do, their beauty will be seen in that they are sweeter than honey, and their value is that they teach us faith and duty. We can have guidance through life, the hope of heaven, and salvation in Christ only by believing and obeying the “Wonderful Words of Life.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVh--AlfkH4 We all know that daily reflection on our activities and life can have a positive impact. Keeping some time for reflecting on what the scriptures mean will vastly enhance our spiritual well-being. Let’s reflect on today’s Gospel: This document is available in alternative formats. For assistance please contact (204) 256-4301. Page | 2 We can easily ignore or despise what is familiar. How was it for Jesus when his own people ‘took offence at him’ just because they knew him? Speak with Jesus about this, recalling what happens for yourself when people are rude to you. Jesus was rejected by his own people who were astonished by his wisdom and power. They couldn’t accept this ordinary man, one of their own, whose family attended their synagogue, as their teacher. Though he spoke the truth they chose not to listen. Ask Jesus for the grace to realise that every time you meet him in your prayer you are meeting God. Allow his disturbing freshness to captivate you. We pray for wisdom and enlightenment so that we may listen to and reflect on the teachings of Jesus with renewed insight and wisdom, seeing their relevance to our walk of faith with him. Now before we close our gathering, let give every person a chance to share a word or a sentence or two about their own life experience with a group. You might choose to share something you’ve understand about the reading or about the reflection or some life experience which is most important to you. “Instructions: Everyone should be invited to share their own reflection and or message from today’s gospel. Each individual should be asked if they have anything to share and given the opportunity to communicate in a person-centered way. Afterwards, everyone is thanked for coming together in sharing. “We have had a wonderful time together, and we want to thank you for filing this place with joy and peace. As we close this meeting, we ask you Lord, to walk with us everywhere we go. Help us to keep your word in our hearts that we may not sin against you. Through Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen. Closing Hymn: “Angel among us.” By Alabama https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_4Xfj2LRSA This document is available in alternative formats. For assistance please contact (204) 256-4301. Page | 3 .