Third Sunday of Advent With Sr. Mary Berchmans

As we move forward to the Third Sunday in Advent, our thoughts and prayers turn to embrace Emmanuel “God with us.” We pray very especially for the good people of Newtown Connecticut whose pain and suffering at this time defy description; may Emmanuel be with them to give them strength, courage and compassion at a time when their lives have changed so dramatically.

The horrific events that took place in Newtown Connecticut bring us to our knees in an earnest prayer that our loving God will be with the inconsolable people of this lovely, peaceful town as they mourn the loss of twenty little children and their faithful self-sacrificing teachers and their school principal.

Each time we kneel before the crèche during these blessed days, each time we receive a card picturing a Madonna and child, let us stop for just a moment and offer a prayer for the parents who have lost a child and the children who have lost a parent or loved one in this sad, sad event.

Mary, Mother of all Consolation, be with these grieving parents and children who are feeling the loss of their loved ones so keenly, especially at this time when the feast of Christmas approaches.

In the words of St Francis de Sales, "May their hearts be full of courage and their courage full of confidence in God!" 


Sr. Mary Berchmans Hannan, V.H.M.