Cathedral Church of St Marie, Sheffield Everyone Welcome

Cycle A – 31st August to 6th September 2008

Today’s readings show different ways of loving God. Jeremiah is almost grudging. His words today seem more like a moan than a declaration of love and he suffered greatly because of the unpopular prophecies he spoke.
Paul’s letter warns the Romans to change their ways and live according to their new faith by turning away from the ways of the world. This call to change is fundamental in really living God’s love.

Cycle A – 22nd June to 28th June 2008

We are to fear and love God above all things. So often, we Christians are in situations where we are called to speak words from the Lord’s teachings to our government, our church, our family or our friends. Yet we are often afraid to do so because of possible rejection and persecution or simply the fear of being made to feel foolish. So often we keep our mouths shut and hide in the safety of silence because we shy away from tensions. We do not have the courage to be truthful.

Cycle A – 15th June to 21st June 2008

Jesus spends a lot of his time with crowds. In the end it will be a crowd that causes his downfall; carried away by the passion of the moment, they are capable of anything.

Cycle A – 25thMay to 31st May 2008

Today’s feast, the Body and Blood of Christ, celebrates this gift of the Eucharist. It gives us the opportunity to think about what happens when we celebrate the Eucharist and to remember what makes it so special. It is easy to take the liturgy and sacrament for granted: they become familiar and perhaps even uninspiring. But by allowing this familiarity to make us numb to the amazing gift of the Eucharist, we can also take Christ’s sacrifice for granted.

Cycle A – 4th to 10th May 2008

Communications Sunday Prayer

O God, whose word is truth
and in whose light we see light,
guide those who tell the story of our times
through word and image.
Make them seekers after truth
and advocates of human dignity.
Grant discernment to all who rely on their labours,
and, as we confront the pain and promise of this world,
awaken in us a sense of wonder at your presence
and of longing for your peace.

Cycle A – 27th April to 3rd May 2008

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR ZIMBABWE

A desperate cry from the hearts of Zimbabwe screams across the world.
It calls upon all Christians of every denomination in every nation to focus their prayers on the critical situation in Zimbabwe, a nation in dire distress and teetering on the brink of human disaster - violence, the concealing and juggling of election results, deceit, oppression and corruption - and to pray for righteousness, joy, peace, compassion, honesty, justice, democracy and freedom from fear and want to prevail.

Divine Mercy Sunday
Cycle A - 30th March to 5th April 2008

Cycle A – 9th March to 15th March 2008

You will notice as we enter the final days of Lent and approach Easter that much of the religious imagery in church has been veiled. The custom of veiling crosses and images during the final stages of Lent is an ancient one, but has changed over the centuries.

Laetare Sunday
Cycle A – 2nd March to 8th March 2008

Often we are so familiar with the prayers of the Mass that we can automatically and with ease make our profession of faith. The words, Lord, Son of God, and other titles, readily fall from our lips but are they born out of a real knowledge of Jesus or are they more formulaic? The man born blind has no previous knowledge of Jesus or his true identity, but meeting Jesus changes his life and his outlook on life and its purpose. His belief in Jesus and his acceptance of Jesus as Lord mean that he will never be the same again.

Cycle A – 17th February to 23rd February 2008