Little Ducklings Parent & Toddler Group.

Lourdes Activities via the Lourdes website:
For the latest information on pilgrimages to Lourdes please go to the Lourdes page on this website.
Daily at 2.00 pm the Rosary is said at the Grotto in English -
https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/tv-lourdes/
Light a Candle at Lourdes - https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/cierge-en-ligne/
Send a petition to Lourdes - https://www.lourdes-france.org/en/intention-priere/
Please type or copy & paste the links into your browser bar.

Bingo.

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Prayers & Reflections.

Reflection - Life is Fleeting.
The hill flowers fade , but will bloom again next year. But we never get back our youth. Life is a fragile gift which we enjoy briefly; our life is like the warming of oneself in the Sun. We live in a flash of light, before we know it, evening comes and night falls. But the very fleetingness of life makes it all the more precious. Lord may your gentle and sure light guide us on the unfolding road, so that we may walk with confidence towards the light that never fades and the life that never ends.   
Flor McCarthy SDB

Blessing.
The Lord, bless us and watch over us: the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us; the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.

The Bible.
Others are bothered by the part of the Bible they can’t understand. I’m bothered about the parts I can understand.’  
(Mark Twain)

Prayer of trust.
Preserve me God I take refuge in you.
My happiness lies in you alone.
You are my portion and my cup. you yourself are my prize. I keep you ever in my sight., even at night you direct my heart. With you my at my right hand, I shall stand firm. And so my heart rejoices, my soul is glad. For you will not leave my soul among the dead, nor let your beloved know decay. You will show me the path of life. the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand happiness for ever.
(From Psalm 15.)

Morning Prayer
Dear God, when I stand at the beginning of a new day, bless me with vision to see the best of things to come ,wisdom to make good decisions and most of all, faith that you are walking with me every step of the way. Amen

Prayer to the Holy Spirit.
O Divine Spirit, sent by the Father in the name of Jesus, Give aid and infallible guidance to your Church, Renew in our own days, your miracles as of a second Pentecost.
Pope John XX111.

Reflection
Helen Keller, who went blind and deaf at nineteen months, said: ‘One day I asked a friend of mine who had just returned from a long walk in the woods what she had seen. She replied, ‘‘Nothing in particular.’’  ‘How was this possible?’ I asked myself when I who cannot hear or see, find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate shape and design of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly over the rough bark of a pine tree. Occasionally, I place my hand quietly on a small tree, and if I am lucky, feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song. 
‘The greatest Calamity that can befall people, is not that they should be born blind, but they should have eyes, yet fail to see'.

Reflection - Count your Blessings
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the millions who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of starvation, you are ahead of 500million people in the world.
If you have food in the fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, or your wallet and spare change in your pocket, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

Prayer.
Lord you have made us for yourself, therefore our hearts are restless until they rest in you.
( St Augustine )

Prayer.
O God, Bring healing to our lives, that we may protect the world and not prey on it, that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Pope Francis

Reflection.
Whoever has a heart full of love always has something to give.
(Saint Pope John XXIII.)

Reflection. 
To be grateful is to recognise the Love of God in everything He has given us, and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of his love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from him. Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to a new wonder and to the praise of the goodness of God.  For the grateful person knows that God is good , not by hearsay but by experience. And that is what makes all the difference.
(Thomas Merton)

Reflection 
Let us come alive to the splendour that is all around us and see the beauty in ordinary things. 
(Thomas Merton)

Reflection
Father in heaven you have made us for yourself, our hearts are restless until they rest in you. Fulfil this longing throughJesus, the bread of life, so that we may witness to him who alone satisfies the hungers of the human family. By the power of your Holy Spirit lead us to the heavenly table where we may feast on the vision of your glory forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer
Prayer is to the spiritual life what the beating of the pulse and the drawing of breath are to the life of the body.
John Henry Newman

Reflection 
‘‘Be Sure that you first preach by the way you live. If you do not, people will notice that you say one thing, but live otherwise, and your words will bring only cynical laughter and a derisive shake of the head.’’
(St Charles Borromeo) 

Reflection.
Be who you are & be that well.
St Francis De Sales

Prayer.
When the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, may God in his mercy give us a holy rest and peace at last. 

Reflection   Working for Christ
To do the work of Christ is really quite simple. It means to be faithful in  little things, for to be faithful in little things is a big thing. It means to do one’s task, no matter how humble, not only thoroughly but joyfully. It means to make oneself available, yet never to seek the limelight. It means to make oneself useful, without seeking to push oneself. It means to carry one’s own burden, without as far as possible, becoming a burden on others. In a word it means to be at one’s post, helpful and faithful, loyal and constant. Lord , make me an instrument for the building of your kingdom.
(Flor McCarthy,SDB)

Prayer.
Nothing is more powerful than prayer, indeed nothing is comparable to it.
(St John Chrysostom.)

Reflection.
You do not need to know precisely what his happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.
(Thomas Merton)

Reflection. 
Disturb us, O Lord when we are to well pleased with ourselves.
When our dreams have come true because we dreamed too little; when we have arrived safely because we have sailed too close to the shore.
Stir us, O Lord to dare more boldly, to venture more seas, where storms will show your mastery, where in losing sight of land we shall find the stars.
In the name of him who pushed back the horizons of our hopes and invited the brave to follow him.
Amen.
(Author unknown)

Preaching.
"Whoever wants to preach must be the first to let the word of God move them deeply and become incarnate in their daily lives.
(Evangelli Gaudium)

Time Apart.
Lord in my busy days of noise and action, remind me of my need for time alone and for peace and quiet and silence within.
Be with me now Lord, as I pause for a few moments in quietness.

Prayer For The Summer
Father creator of all, thank you for summer. Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank you for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy your creation. Thank you for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to you this summer. Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of your presence and light my path with your words of council. As I enjoy your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for you.
Amen.

A Reflection - Faith Tested
My faith is tested many times everyday, and more times than I’d like to confess, I’m unable to keep the banner of faith aloft. If a promise is not kept, or if a secret is betrayed, or if I experience long lasting pain, I begin to doubt God and God’s love.
I fall into the chasm of disbelief and I cry out in despair. But then the spirit lifts me up again and once more I am secured in faith. I don’t know how that happens, save when I cry out earnestly I am answered immediately and am returned to faithfulness. I am once again filled with the spirit and firmly planted on solid ground.
(Maya Angelu.)

Inner Peace
Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.

(St Francis de Sales)

Trust in God.
‘‘My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going, I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. But I know that you will lead me by the right road even if I am not sure where to find it.’’
( Thomas Merton)

Prayer
O Christ Jesus, when all is darkness and we feel our weakness and helplessness, give us the sense of your presence, Your love, and Your strength. Help us to have perfect trust in Your protecting love and strengthening power, so that nothing may frighten or worry us, for, living close to you, we shall see Your hand, Your purpose, Your will through all things.
( St Ignatius of Loyola)

Prayer / Blessing.
Good and gracious God, I know you have blessed me beyond measure through all my days. Give me confidence in your care as I strive to fulfil the obligations I face today, those I can now anticipate and those that will come unexpectedly. May I recognize your presence in the people I meet and the opportunities I face. Amen.

Love & Justice.
"Hold fast to love & justice".
Hosea 12:6

Be Not Afraid.
Let His power of truth and love enlighten every aspect of your existence.
Amen.

Kindness.
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
(Socrates)

Make Every Day Count.
Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can, for you may never be able to experience it again.

Beatitudes of Life.
Blessed are the faithful: they are safe anchors in a world of broken moorings.
Blessed are the just: they are to society what leaven is to bread.
Blessed are the generous: they keep alive our faith in the essential goodness of people.
Blessed are the caring: they shine like beacons in a world darkened by indifference.
Blessed are the genuine: they glow like gems in a world of falseness.
Blessed are those who are not afraid of sacrifice: on the day of the harvest they will sing with joy.
And blessed are those who refuse to look back: they will be found worthy of the Kingdom of God.

Into your Hands.
Dearest Jesus, I give myself to you today knowing that your will is my happiness and that you can bring this about in ways that I may not be able to understand. Help me this day not to be burdened with the problems I have but to place them in your hands and be free.

Today.
There are only two days in the year when nothing can be done.
One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow.
So today is the right day to love, believe, do and most importantly live.

Prayer of Petition.
I asked for help that I might do great things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for but everything I hoped for.
Almost despite myselfmy unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed.
(Anon)

Life.
Life is like the ocean, it can be calm and still or rough and rigid, but in the end it is always - beautiful.

Saint Augustine.
God is nearer to us than we are to ourselves.

Judgement.
In the twilight of life, God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success but rather on how much we have loved.
(St. John of the Cross)

Prayer.
Nothing is more powerful than prayer, indeed nothing is comparable to it.
(St. John of the Cross)

Thanksgiving.
Jesus I thank you for the gift of my life and for every moment I live. I thank you for my parents, my family, my relatives and my friends.

Blessing.
Good and gracious God, I know you have blessed me beyond measure through all my days. Give me confidence in your care as I strive to fulfil the obligations I face today, those I can now anticipate and those that will come unexpectedly. May I recognize your presence in the people I meet and the opportunities I face.
Amen

Reflection - Remembering.
Jesus said to his apostles: "Do this in memory of me". We all love to be remembered. This was true of Jesus. But if we want to be remembered we have a duty also to remember. Memory is a powerful thing. Wrongly used it brings death; rightly used it brings life and is a form of immortality. It keeps the past alive. those we remember never die; they continue to walk and talk with us.Lord, when we celebrate the eucharist we are remembering you. May that remembering bring us life here and hereafter.

Prayer for Healing.
Lord Jesus, we ask you to bring your healing touch to those whom we know to be sick, afraid or worried. Bring them your peace and healing.

Praying for the Spirit.
Come Holy Spirit.
Come with strength for the weak, courage for the faithful, light for those in darkness, comfort for the sorrowful, healing for the sick and injured, guidance for those who are lost, faith for those who are in doubt, hope for those who have no hope and love for those who have no love.
Come Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of your love and we shall renew the face of the earth.
Flor McCarthy SDB.

Take Heart (John 14:16).
In the stillness of our very being we are invited to discover that God has been there waiting for us all the while. In the quiet of that humble place listen for the word of God that is for you!
The meaning and purpose of life, and our very selves is revealed in a single, sacred hope filled word. That word is Christ who is "the way, the truth and the life".

Time Apart.
Lord in my busy days of noise and action, remind me of my need for time alone and for peace and quiet and silence within.
Be with me now Lord as I pause for a few moments in quietness.

A Morning Prayer.
Refreshed from the night's sleep, I am filled with gratitude as I arise this morning. I pray that I will be strengthened by your grace this day. In the quiet of this moment I ask your blessing throughout the day. Help me to be mindful of your presence and of the needs of those I encounter. Open my heart in generosity, confident that you will give me what I need from moment to moment.
Amen

Living.
Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment and take from it everything that you possibly can.
You may never be able to experience it again.

O Lord, Hear My Prayer
When I call, answer me O Lord, hear my prayer.
Come and listen to me.

Food.
Food for the body is not enough. There must be food for the soul.
(Dorothy Day)

A Blessing.
May you have:
Enough success to keep you eager;
Enough failure to keep you humble;
Enough joy to share with others;
Enough trials to keep you strong;
Enough hope to keep you happy;
Enough faith to banish depression;
Enough friends to give you comfort;
Enough determination to make each day better than yesterday.

Shine a light.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
Nelson Mandela

Someone Who Cares.
Lord, make my heart a haven where the lonely may find friendship, where the weary may find shelter, where the helpless may find refuge, where the hopeless may find hope and where all those who seek someone who cares may enter and find you.

Evening.
When the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, may God in his mercy give us a holy rest and peace at last.
In the twilight of life God will not judge us on our earthly possessions and human success, but rather on how much we have loved.

When you seek me.
When you seek me with all your heart you will find me and I will come to you.

Into Your Hands
Dearest Jesus, I give myself to you today knowing that your will is my happiness and you can bring this about in ways that I may be unable to understand. Help me this day not to be burdened with the problems I have but to place them in your hands and be free.

Five Fingered Prayer (from "Pope Francis Selected Prayers")
This method of prayer, championed by Pope Francis, has been widely adopted in classrooms & parishes across the globe and has resonated particularly with children & young people.
The Thumb.
The closest finger to you reminds you to pray for those who are closest to us such as our family and friends.
The Index Finger.
The pointing finger reminds you to pray for wisdom and support for those who teach us and show us the way.
The Middle Finger.
The tallest finger reminds you to pray for guidance for our leaders and those in positions of authority.
The Ring Finger.
Your weakest finger reminds you to pray for the weakest in society, like those who are sick, poor or having problems.
The Little Finger.
The smallest finger reminds you to pray for yourself. When you have prayed for the other four groups you will be able to see your own needs but from the proper perspective. 

Prayer for the Family.
Father in heaven you called Saint Zelie and Louis Martin to holiness through their married life. You gave them as mother and father of St. Therese of Lisieux. Through their intercession we ask you to bless married couples, our children and grandchildren. Guide us as citizens to make the kind of decisions that will support family life.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflections
(Thoughts from Pope Francis)
1. No family drops down from heaven perfectly formed; families need constantly to grow and mature in the ability to love. May we never loose heart because of our limitations or ever stop seeking that fulness of love and communion which God holds out before us.
Amoris Laetita 2016 
2. The church is a field hospital after battle. It is useless to ask a seriously injured person if he has high cholesterol or about the levels of his blood sugars! You have to heal his wounds.
Audience 2013
3. The family is the primary setting for socialisation, since it is where we first learn to relate to other, to listen and to share, to be patient and show respect, to help one another and to live as one. The task of education is to make us sense that the world and society are also our home: it trains us how to live together in this greater home. In the family we learn closeness, care and respect for others. We break out of our fatal self-absorption and come to realise that we are living with and alongside others who are worthy of our concern, our kindness and our affection.
Amoris Laetitia 2016
4.All family life is a 'shepherding' in mercy. Each of us, by our love and care, leaves a mark on the life of others: with Paul we can say: "you are our letter of recommendation, written on your hearts. Not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God" (2 Cor 3:2-3).
Amoris Laetitia 2016

Prayer to the Holy Family.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph, in you we contemplate the splendour of true love; to you we turn with trust.
Holy family of Nazareth grant that our families may be places of communion and prayer; authentic schools of the gospel and small domestic churches.
Holy Family of Nazareth may families never again experience violence, rejection and division; may all who have been hurt or scandalised find ready comfort and healing.
Holy Family of Nazareth make us more mindful of the sacredness and inviolability of the family and its beauty in God's plan.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph graciously hear our prayer.
Amen.
Amoris Laetitia 2016.

Thoughts for everyday.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. (Elanor Roosevelt).
Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak. (Saint Anthony of Padua)
May we learn to say thank you to God and to one another. We teach children to do it and then we forget to do it ourselves. (Pope Francis)

Healing
Each of us is capable of doing some healing because we have eyes that can see, ears that can hear, tongues that can speak, hands that can touch and above all a heart that can love.Lord make us instruments of your healing power.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
And where there is sadness, joy.

Loneliness.
We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community.
(Dorothy Day)