These prayers are exactly what their name suggests – prayers of the gathered faithful. In praying this prayer, the faithful are carrying out their role of praying for the entire world as well as for the needs of the local community. No two congregations will have exactly the same prayers, since their perception of the world's needs and of the local community will vary. Therefore they are written anew for each Sunday and weekly celebrations.

Unable to anticipate the dates of the Election and Installation of our new Pope, or his name, I have begun with a set of prayers suitable to use for the day of his ELECTION or day after it, as well as a set for the day of his INSTALLATION so that all possibilities are covered. Pope Francis was elected on the 5th ballot, and Pope Benedict on the 4th ballot and Pope John Paul II on the 8th ballot and John Paul I on the 4th ballot. Given that this is the Conclave with the largest number of Electors and most widely spread Candidates across the globe, anything could happen, knowing that the Holy Spirit blows wherever He wills.

The Universal Prayer for the 5th Week of Easter will not be sent out until the Wednesday evening of the 14th May. Sorry for that delay.

Mothers' Day is celebrated in Australia on the second Sunday of May.

Pray for and enjoy the Conclave.

With continued blessing for the weeks of the Resurrection.

Maurice Shinnick 

We enter into this coming week in the uncertainty and excitement of a Papal Conclave, starting on Wednesday 7th May.

The first page is a set of prayers which can be used in the first Masses following the election of our new Pope.

The Sunday prayers include the Jubilee of People of the Business World and praying for those who died in the Vietnam War, concluded 50 years ago and World War II which concluded in Europe 80 years ago.

The last two Conclaves elected a Pope on the 2nd day, but before that the average time was 3 days.

So there are alternate prayers to accommodate the reality which reflects our lack of knowledge. We just do not know what day we will see a new Pope and unfortunately, I have no direct line to the Vatican!

Maurice Shinnick

Our prayer unites us in hope as we entrust Pope Francis to the Risen Jesus that he may live in the mystery of God's Holy Trinity with joy. 

This is a revised set of Universal Prayers for the Second Week of Easter.

It begins with petition for Saturday 26th April, the day of Pope Francis' Funeral Mass. 

I have petitions in on Sunday and during the week to cover the Jubilee celebrations for teenagers, the disabled and workers. I can find no information we to whether they are on or cancelled or scaled back. You might have to do some last minute editing yourselves. 

May we comfort, through our prayers, the poor, broken, war-torn and fearful people of our world who felt the intimacy of Pope Francis' tenderness.

– Fr Maurice Shinnick

During this Easter Octave, Anzac Day falls for Australia and New Zealand within the week. This day commemorates those who sacrificed their lives in the defense of our nations. Anzac stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corp.

The Masses of Easter Octave rank higher than all solemnities, feasts and special commemorations and therefore on the 25th April this year the Mass is of Easter and not of Anzac Day which can however feature in the Universal Prayer.

Therefore, on April 25 there are two sets of Universal Prayers for Australia and New Zealand and a different one for the rest of the world.

– Fr Maurice Shinnick

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