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Entrance Antiphon – Mass of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

“I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul;

for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation, and wrapped

me in a mantle of justice, like a bride adorned with her jewels.”

                                                                        Isaiah 61:10

Dear Friends,

Tomorrow, December 8, is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  As you know, tomorrow also begins the Jubilee Year of Mercy.  In, the Catholic Church, a jubilee - or a holy year - is a special religious observance that involves the forgiveness of sins, as well as reconciliation. The Jubilee Year of Mercy will end on November 20, 2016.

Pope Francis wrote of the Jubilee Year: “The time has come for the church to take up the joyful call to mercy once more. It is time to return to the basics and to bear the weaknesses and struggles of our brothers and sisters.” 

As members of the world Christian Life Community, we have been invited by the Middle East Team comprised of Egypt, Syria and Lebanon to devote a Day of Prayer for Peace in Syria tomorrow. [please see email from Najat Sayegh below]

Let us begin this Year of Mercy by joining the Middle Eastern Team and the entire CLC world community tomorrow in this Day of Prayer for Peace in Syria and remembering all of our sisters and brothers who are victims of the ravages of war and terror.

We pray to the God of mercy and reconciliation for peace in Syria and in the entire world through the intercession of Mary.

And may we all be blessed.

Sincerely in our Lord.

Ed Plocha

President, Christian Life Community-USA

Dear CLC Friends,

During its meeting in Lebanon in September, the MET (Middle East Team, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon) has decided to devote a day of prayer for peace in Syria, Tuesday, December 8, 2015, feast of the Immaculate Conception. This coincides with the opening of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, declared by Pope Francis extraordinary Holy Year.
Let us unite our prayers to our Father, God of Mercy, for peace in Syria and in the world, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Divine Mercy.

Thank you.

Najat Sayegh

on behalf of the MET