Newsletter 12: 17 August 2021

Dear Colleagues,

As the COVID-19 pandemic reaches increasing levels of infection across the country, we know the most recent variant presents far greater danger to everyone, including young people. Whilst the inconvenience of lockdowns and the challenges faced with off-site learning are arduous, the tragic deaths of fellow Australians and the loss experienced by their loved ones weigh heavily upon us. At the beginning of the pandemic, the prayer by Pope Francis below was shared among Marists. In this week of the Feast of the Assumption, let us again turn to Mary our Good Mother and ask her to pray with and for us during these anxious times.

Pope Francis

Prayer for protection from Coronavirus

O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.

We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.

At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,

with steadfast faith.

You, Salvation of the People, know what we need.

We are certain that you will provide, so that,

as you did at Cana of Galilee,

joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.

Help us, Mother of Divine Love,

to conform ourselves to the Father’s will

and to do what Jesus tells us:

He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,

through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.

We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.

Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin.