Mary and Bernard

Today, we celebrate one of the patronal feasts of the Archdiocese of Birmingham, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Is there a better day for the Installation of our ninth Archbishop? All week in the parish we have been keeping a novena of prayer for Bishop Bernard (soon to be Arch) which ends on this most auspicious day. Please do join us in prayer:

Almighty and eternal God, from the highest heavens you sent your Son among us to teach us and guide us: we earnestly pray that this your servant, Bernard, to whom you have given the fullness of priesthood, may grow in humility as he approaches the chair of his office. Let him come among us as one who serves, and make his heart the throne of your Spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Father, you prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy mother of your Son. You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by his death, and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception. Help us by her prayers to live in your presence without sin. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of death. Amen.