Universal Prayer

Sunday 30th 2023

Fourth Sunday of Easter
Good Shepherd Sunday
World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Religious Life

Celebrant: Sisters and brothers, Jesus is revealed as the Gate of the

sheepfold through whom we enter and find him to be
the guardian of our souls.

1. For Pope Francis, celebrating the Eucharist today in Budapest,

Hungary, that he may shepherd the whole Church into unity
with Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, our hope for the future.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

2. For those in the academic and cultural world meeting with Pope
Francis today in Hungary, that their work of scholarship and creativity
will enrich others, in that land and throughout the world.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

3. For King Charles III and Queen Camila, that they many prepare
spiritually for their coronations next Saturday and be servants of the
people after the example of Jesus, King and Shepherd of souls.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

4. For the Church across the world on this Vocations Sunday,

that Jesus will call men and women to service in priesthood, diaconate
and consecrated life, for the glory of God and the care of people.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

5. For parishes, families and schools, that they may be places where
vocations are cultivated to priesthood, diaconate, consecrated life,
Christian marriage and the single life, where Christ is loved and
served with generosity.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
 6. For those places where war, violence and religious persecution
are so destructive, remembering today the people of Myanmar
as the Churches of Australia pray in solidarity with them for peace,
religious freedom and deliverance from corruption.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

7. For our bishops, priests, deacons and religious who have died in their
service of the people of the Archdiocese, along with Archbishop
Leonard Faulkner as we mark the fifth anniversary of his death next
Friday, that they will pass through Jesus, the Gate of the Sheepfold,
and have life to the full.
We also remember ….
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

Celebrant: Jesus,
true Gate which leads us into the safety
of your sheepfold,
Jesus, our Shepherd who laid down your life for us,
Jesus, loving Guardian who forgives, renews and gives
peace, be present to us and grace us with holiness,
you who live and reign for ever and ever.

The Universal Prayer

Monday 1st May 2023
 St Joseph the Worker
Monday Fourth Week of Easter
Readings proper to the Memorial

Celebrant: My friends, as we honour St Joseph the Worker

we bring to God the needs of workers everywhere.

1. That the Church may find in the example of St Joseph

great inspiration, so that all may be faithful to Jesus,
whom he taught to be a worker with his hands.
Christ, here us.

2. That all workers may be blessed today on the feast of their patron, St
Joseph, so that their rights may be preserved,
their conditions kept safe, and their environment be friendly.
Christ, hear us.

3. That those who are burdened with unemployment or under-employment,

may be given the opportunity to find security
for themselves and their families.
Christ, hear us.

4. That our government will be particularly supportive of those who struggle

on Job Seeker Allowance, Single Parent Pension and those burdened with
increasing rents and power bills, as it prepares to hand down the Budget
tomorrow.
Christ, hear us.

5. That the students from Josephite Schools in South Australia, may learn
how to find in St Joseph a true friend and protector.
Christ, hear us.

5. That the people of Lobethal who honour St Joseph the Worker as patron,
along with the Sisters of St Joseph, may be blessed this day.
Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Eternal God, you sent your Son Jesus to be a worker under
the protection and leadership of St Joseph,
teach us through them the dignity of human labour
and the joy of helping others.
Through Christ our Lord.
Universal Prayer
Tuesday 2nd May 2023
 St Athanasius
Tuesday Fourth Week of Easter

Celebrant: My friends, we continue to reflect upon Jesus

as our Good Shepherd, the source of eternal life.

1. That there might be in the Church a real missionary spirit

so that Jesus is proclaimed to the nations with great love.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

2. That all who carry the name ‘Christian’ may pray and work for
for the unity of the Church, and be generous in their service of others.
Christ, hear us.

3. That we may be fervent in our prayers for vocations to the priesthood,

so that the Gospel may be preached and the Eucharist continue to be
celebrated for the life of the Church.
Christ, hear us.

4. That as we mark World Tuna Day, we pray for those who work in the
Tuna industry in South Australia, for sustainable fishing everywhere,
and for the availability of fish for everyone at affordable prices.
Christ, hear us.

5. That St Athanasius, Patriarch of Alexandria and wise teacher from

his early 30s, may inspire our Catholic young adults to devote time to a
serious study of theology for the good of the whole Church.
Christ, hear us.

6. That Fr Selva and the Good Shepherd community at Clearview will

follow Jesus with a lively faith and compassionate love.
Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Eternal God, the world and all her people belong to you.
Grace each person with your love
and show to them the compassionate face of your Son,
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns, for ever and ever.
Universal Prayer
Wednesday 3rd May 2023
Saints Philip and James, apostles
Readings proper to this Feast
Celebrant: Sisters and brothers,
we honour the apostles Philip and James.

1. We pray for Archbishop Jose A. CABANTAN, successor of the Apostles,

that he may have the heart and zeal of an apostle.
Christ, hear us.

2. We pray for the people of Uruguay which honours Saints Philip and
James as patrons, that they may advance in holiness with respect for one
another.
Christ, hear us.

3. We pray for the people of Macclesfield who honour St James the Less as
patron, that they may contribute well to the life of their parish.
Christ, hear us.

4. We pray for new priests, deacons and religious who will have an
apostolic spirit, totally dedicated to the Risen Jesus and to the people.
Lord, hear us.

5. We pray on this World Press Freedom Day with its theme, “Shaping a
World of Rights”, that reporters and writers will be dedicated to the truth,
affirming the rights which belong to all people, and for the safety of
reporters and photographers who work in dangerous situations.
Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Lord our God,

let your truth and love remain with us all,
so that we can live our Christian life to the full.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Universal Prayer
Thursday 4th May 2023
Thursday Fourth Week of Easter
Celebrant: Sisters and brothers,
Jesus teaches us the true spirit of service.

1 We pray for every Christian, that in giving witness to Christ

they may not dominate others, but rather live with the humility
of faithful servants.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

2. We pray for people of Jewish faith whom God bound to himself

in a holy Covenant, that they may be faithful to the One God,
and love their neighbour as they have been commanded.
Christ, hear us

3. We pray for the grace to see Christ present in the poor, needy
and sick of our world, so that we are moved to relieve human suffering
and loneliness.
Christ, hear us.

4. We pray that the Holy Spirit will awaken in the hearts of young adults
a desire to serve the Church as priests, deacons and religious, especially
in the ministries of health care, service to the sick, to the frail aged and
those who live with disabilities.
Christ, hear us.

5 We pray for priests and religious, that where ever they live or work they
will have that spirit of cooperation and co-responsibility which we see in
the ministry of St Paul and his friends.
Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Lord our God,

let your truth and love remain with us all,
so that we can live our Christian life to the full.
Through Christ our Lord.

Universal Prayer
Friday 5th May 2023
(Blessed Ignatius Rice)
 Friday Fourth Week of Easter
Celebrant: Jesus’ words from the Last Supper,
which formed our Gospel today,
have bought great consolation to many
when read at funerals.
1 May those who are mourning the death of a family member, friend,
or colleague at this time, trust in the word of Jesus who promised to return
and take us to the Father’s house.
Christ, hear us.

2 May those who are troubled in spirit or live with mental illness
and with anxiety about the coronavirus pandemic, find Christ’s peace and
consolation through the kindness of family, friends and medical
professionals.
Christ, hear us.

3 May the bishops of Australia, beginning their Plenary Meeting today

work too implement the decisions of the Plenary Council and witness to
Christ crucified and risen with the same enthusiasm, courage and clarity
as did St Paul in Antioch.
Christ, hear us.

4 That the Christian Brothers, who honour their founder today, Blessed
Ignatius Rice, may grow in holiness and that the students and staff of
Colleges which continue in his spirit will grow in maturity and faith.
Christ, hear us.

5 That we will remember with gratitude Archbishop Leonard Faulkner, who

died on this day 5 years ago, and continue to be inspired by his pastoral
care of people as he lived generously his motto: ‘as one who serves.’
Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Lord God, you have placed all creation under the authority
of your Son Jesus Christ. Keep us faithful to his example of
justice and mercy for he lives and reigns, for ever and ever.

Universal Prayer
Saturday 6th May 2023
(St Dominic Savio)
 Coronation of King Charles III
Saturday Fourth Week of Easter

Celebrant: Dear friends, on this day King Charles III and Queen Camila
will be anointed and crowned, and so we pray for them,
their realms and the Commonwealth of Nations.
1. That King Charles, anointed and crowned today, will receive the grace
of a Christian monarch, and by serving Jesus Christ, the Universal
King,
he will be a wise and compassionate king.
Christ, hear us.

2. That King Charles and Queen Camila and all the nations of the Realm
and Commonwealth of Nations, will be intent on justice and peace,
service and generosity in all that they do.
Christ, hear us.

3. That the Church will have the visionary spirit of Paul and Barnabas
who made the choice to preach Christ to the nations as the light of
salvation.
Christ, hear us.

4. That the disciples of Jesus today will be filled with that same joy of
the Holy Spirit as were the Christians in Antioch.
Christ, hear us.

5. That St Dominic Savio will be a kind patron of those placed under his
care: children choir members, children in trouble with the police, and
people falsely accused.
Christ, hear us.

Celebrant: Jesus Christ, King and Eternal High Priest,

intercede with the Father,
that grace may abound among all people,
salvation be assured
and peace be secured.
You who live and reign forever and ever.