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大象传媒 Radio 4, Time now for Sunday Worship, which today features the Bradford Catholic Youth Choir.

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(ALL): Hark, a Herald Voice is Calling (Merton) 鈥� Laudate 92

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1. Hark! A herald voice is calling:

鈥楥hrist is nigh!鈥� it seems to say;

鈥楥ast away the dreams of darkness,

Waken, children of the day!鈥�

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2. Startled at the solemn warning,

Let the earthbound soul arise;

Christ her Sun, all sloth dispelling,

Shines upon the morning skies.

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3. Lo! The Lamb so long expected,

Comes with pardon down from heaven;

Let us meet him with repentance,

Pray that we may be forgiven.

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4. So when next he comes in glory,

Wrapping all the earth in fear,

May he then as our Defender

On the clouds of heaven appear.

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5. Honour, glory, praise and blessing,

To the Father and the Son,

With the everlasting Spirit,

While unending ages run.

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FR TONY ROSSO:

Good morning! On this Second Sunday of Advent, and at this time of year filled with short, dark days, it is good to be reminded by that 鈥楬erald Voice鈥� that we are all 鈥榗hildren of the day鈥� 鈥� waiting to be awakened by the Light of the World who comes amongst us as a child himself. This morning we will hear from Nikola, one of our 16-year-old students at Holy Family School in Keighley, and also from Dr Andrew Morley, the Chief Executive of our Catholic Academy Trust, about what it means to be a Child of God, responsible for spreading the light of Christ to others. Not all families are blessed with children, yet all of us have experienced the joys and pains, triumphs and disappointments, of our own childhoods. At this time of gleeful anticipation for children 鈥� and for all of us who look forward to Christmas! 鈥� it should come as no surprise that the Feast Day of St Nicholas 鈥� 鈥楩ather Christmas鈥� 鈥� the Patron Saint of Children, falls this week on 6 December. As a parish priest and priest chaplain to Our Lady and St Joseph Parish and Holy Family School in Keighley, I鈥檓 just one of many members of our schools鈥� communities of staff, parents and fellow students accompanying our young people and their families as they decide and discern what paths to take in life鈥檚 journey.

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鈥� and so let us pray: 听Almighty and merciful God, may no earthly undertaking hinder those who set out in haste to meet your Son, but may our learning of heavenly wisdom gain us admittance to his company. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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ALL: Amen

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FR TONY:

When I think of the popularity of genealogy and programmes such as 鈥榃ho do you think you are?鈥� I鈥檓 reminded of how complex families can be. They鈥檙e not always 鈥榟appy families鈥�, not always bound together by blood 鈥� but hopefully bound together by love. Families come in all shapes and sizes. Various circumstances can cause upheaval for children or things happen to bring about change. My own childhood was no exception. I was blessed with a loving family, but we moved around a lot due to my dad鈥檚 work and there was constant change. I was born in the American Mid-West before moving to the south. I then lived in Canada, trained for the Priesthood in Rome and now, I鈥檓 pleased to say, happily settled in Britain. But amongst all of that history and geography, one constant was the knowledge that that I am 鈥� and you are 鈥� a child of God. Although we are all called to be 鈥榗hildren of the day鈥�, we know there is darkness in the world, and so first let us call to mind our sins and ask for Christ to have mercy on us and on the whole world.

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CHOIR: Chanted Kyrie (Missa Cum Jubilo)

Kyrie Eleison - Christe Eleison - Kyrie Eleison

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(Madeline Woods - Lay Chaplain of St Bede鈥檚 and St Joseph鈥檚 High School, Bradford)听听听听听听听听听

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A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.

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There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the girdle of his waist, and faithfulness the girdle of his loins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall feed; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The sucking child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse shall stand as an ensign to the peoples; him shall the nations seek, and his dwellings shall be glorious.

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The word of the Lord

ALL: Thanks be to God.

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REFLECTION:

The reading, Christians believe, foretells the coming of Jesus and explains how, as a child of heavenly parentage, he would have immense power over the world. It is easy to imagine how, as the Son of God, Jesus could be seen as a sort of divine super-hero using his super-powers to bring about justice for the poor, and subduing savage creatures which are the enemies of each other and of humankind into living together in peace.

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I鈥檓 Nikola and I belong to 鈥楾he Twelve鈥�: the Bishop鈥檚 Leadership Group of 13 to 18 year olds who he has commissioned to advise and work with him on events and issues to engage young Catholics in our own Diocese and beyond. Our priorities are encouraging young people to make their voices heard and their views and ideas to be taken seriously in our schools and parishes. Although there are more than 鈥榯welve鈥� of us, we take our name from the Twelve Apostles, to remind us of those diverse individuals and personalities who were united by their love of Jesus.

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Having the founders of Christianity as our models is a lot to live up to! We definitely don鈥檛 claim to be super-heroes, but we do try to put our faith into action by seeing where practical help might be needed, judging how we can best give that help and then not just talking about it 鈥� but actually acting upon it.

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Where I live in Keighley, my mum runs the Good Shepherd Centre where we help and befriend local families, many of them recent arrivals from from countries across the world. Most are struggling to make ends meet. Some are elderly, some come to learn better English, computer skills, or to get advice about health and education. Many who have received help themselves continue to volunteer as translators or to welcome other families and individuals. We take our name from Jesus the 鈥楪ood Shepherd鈥�, who told us that when we welcome, feed, clothe and care for a stranger, we are doing it for him.

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We need to shine as the 鈥榝ace, hands and feet of Christ鈥� on earth 鈥� and that鈥檚 also a lot to live up to! As a young person trying to meet the high expectations placed upon us today - to be a credit to my family, my school, to 鈥榓chieve my potential鈥� and to 鈥榤ake a difference鈥� in the world, I understand how vulnerable that makes me, both to the pride of believing I must over-achieve at any cost 鈥� and to the despair of thinking it鈥檚 the end of the world if I fail in any way. But the coming of Jesus 鈥� as a little child himself, helps me avoid those extremes. He does not show us how to be super-human, but instead he is ultra-human 鈥� fully human that is. 听Like all God鈥檚 children before and since, Jesus would experience opposition, unfairness, failures, betrayals and suffering. Humbling himself to share in our humanity, God鈥檚 Holy Child would be born into poverty and obscurity, in a cold stable, of a human woman - albeit a special and sinless one: the Virgin Mary.

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FR TONY:

Let us pray:

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin prepared a worthy dwelling for your Son, grant, we pray, that as you preserved her from every stain by virtue of the Death of your Son, which you foresaw, so through her intercession, we, too, may be cleansed and admitted to your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.

ALL: Amen

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FR TONY:

After our next piece of music we鈥檒l hear from Dr Andrew Morley, CEO of the Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust. The Blessed Virgin Mary holds a special place in the hearts of many Christians. At the time the Angel Gabriel proclaimed she was to be the Mother of Our Lord, she was likely to have been little more than a girl herself. But since her acceptance of that heavenly challenge, her role has always been to point us toward her Son: the Christ Child, the Miracle Worker, the Crucified Victim, and the King of the Universe. The young girl who accepted God鈥檚 will and an uncertain future, who gave birth in a stable, and who stood bereft at the foot of the Cross, would achieve her destiny as Queen of Heaven. And it is in her protective role as Mother to us all that this fourteenth century pilgrims鈥� song in Catalan and Latin was sung, telling the story of the Gabriel鈥檚 announcement to Mary: 鈥楥uncti simus concanentes, Ave Maria! 鈥� 鈥楲et us all sing together, Hail Mary!鈥櫶�

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CHOIR: Cuncti simus concanentes

(translation)

Let us all sing together: Hail Mary ( x 2)

As the Virgin was alone, lo an angel appeared.

He is called Gabriel and sent from heaven.

And with shining mien he said: Hail Mary

Let us all sing鈥�

And with shining mien he said, hear, most beloved,

lo you shall conceive, Mary: Hail Mary

Let us all sing鈥�

Lo you shall conceive, Mary, hear, most beloved,

you shall bear a son: Hail Mary

Let us all sing鈥�

You shall bear a son, hear, most beloved,

you shall call him Jesus: Hail Mary

Let us all sing鈥�

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REFLECTION:

(Dr Andrew Morley, CEO of the Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust)

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We heard from Nikola how much responsibility young people of faith can feel resting on their shoulders 鈥� and I can assure her - and you - that level of responsibility and worthiness to be true Children of God rests no more lightly on those of us who are educators 鈥� whether as parents, who we believe are the first teachers of their children 鈥� or in Catholic education, which is where I am honoured to serve as the Chief Executive of the Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust.听

Whether in the home, school, college or university, Catholic education is built on the belief that God enlightens the eyes of our minds, enabling us to come into a relationship with him centred on Christ, the one source of all truth and freedom. With Truth enlightening our children and young people鈥檚 intelligence and shaping their freedom, they learn to grow and walk in the light of Christ鈥檚 truth and can share the freedom and hope it brings with their family, their communities and, as they pursue their ambitions and vocations, with the world in which they live and work. A verse from St Matthew鈥檚 Gospel which really inspires me is: 鈥榊ou are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.鈥櫶�

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Our Trust is named after one who let his light shine brightly at a dark time in our history. The Blessed Christopher Wharton is one of the many Catholic Martyrs of England and Wales.听 He鈥檚 born in Yorkshire in the middle of the sixteenth century, at the height of the Protestant Reformation and educated at Oxford, where he converts to Catholicism, which was illegal at the time and effectively puts an end to his academic career. Leaving England he鈥檚 ordained a priest in Rheims, returning to Yorkshire three years later. After spending ten years ministering in secret and always 鈥榦n the run鈥�, he was given shelter by a Mrs Eleanor Hunt, a devout Catholic, who is arrested with him and imprisoned in 1599. Although many attempts were made to make them both abandon their faith, both held firm.听 A year later, Mrs Hunt died in prison. Christopher Wharton, steadfastly maintaining to the end that his duty was to save souls, even if that meant offering his life for the Faith, was hanged drawn and quartered at York.听听

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This isn鈥檛 just a story of the sad history of religious and political conflicts that are part of the human condition. It is a story of the three virtues which illuminate the whole of Christianity as they come directly from God: Faith, Hope and Love. As Catholics, those virtues are the basis and context of all other virtues. As Catholic teachers we help our children and young people to understand and live out these virtues every day, through the help of God鈥檚 grace.

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Christopher and Mrs Hunt would place a candle in the window of the house as a secret sign that Holy Mass was due to be celebrated there.听 A candle which brings light into dark places is a sign of faith and hope to this day. We take that image as our symbol of the Light of Christ shining brightly, its rays representing the unique, vibrant and diverse communities we serve. Guided by the light of Christ, our family of schools strives for excellence, creating thriving learning communities where our children, young people and teachers can be听- literally 鈥� 鈥榚nlightened鈥� to discern the truth that sets all people free to fulfil their God-given potential.听

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(CHOIR) Song of Mary (Rizza)

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READING:

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A reading from St Paul鈥檚 Letter to the Romans.

Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God鈥檚 truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: 鈥淭herefore I will praise thee among the Gentiles, and sing to thy name鈥�.

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The word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

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FR TONY:

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St Paul urges us to be hopeful. He encourages us to be united as one people, reminding us that Jesus came to save us all, to be a light for all the nations. As we approach the Christmas season, it can be so easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves with others. Sometimes it can be related to our faith, judging those we only see in Mass at Christmas time. Sometimes, we might judge people by appearances. We may even envy those who can afford to give and receive the expensive presents we see advertised on TV - or the glamorous celebrations we see in snippets on social media. But that vulnerable baby, born into poverty, who became a refugee Himself to escape King Herod, was born for all of us, no one more than another: God loves all his children equally.

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The message of Jesus often focuses on children. Think of a class in school. Their teacher knows the strengths and weaknesses of each child in front of them. God knows us in this way, too - but also knows something even more important - not just what our talents are, but why we have been given those talents. An image St Paul uses is that we are like a body made up of different parts but all serving the same purpose. And we believe that this purpose is to be the hands, feet and face of Christ on Earth 鈥� to be his light in the world. Even those with beliefs entirely different from our own are working towards creating goodness.

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Each of us has a vocation, to use our gifts to bring about God鈥檚 purposes on earth. For me, this is through my priesthood. For others, it may be through marriage, or parenthood, and others again may consider their career to be their vocation. As Pope Francis tells us, vocation is not born of itself and does not live for itself. Whatever our talents, we, as children of God, should use them to bring light to others. St John Henry Newman said鈥� 鈥榚ach of us has been created to do God 鈥榮ome definite service鈥�. We are called to be ourselves, and to offer everything we have to the Lord.

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(ALL) God is working his purpose out (Purpose)

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1. God is working his purpose out as year succeeds to year:

God is working his purpose out, and the time is drawing near;

Nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be,

When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

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2. From utmost east to utmost west, where human foot has trod,

By the mouth of many messengers goes forth the voice of God;

Give ear to me, ye continents, ye isles, give ear to me,

That the earth may be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

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3. What can we do to work God鈥檚 work, to prosper and increase

The friendship of all humankind, the reign of the Prince of Peace?

What can we do to hasten the time, the time that shall surely be,

When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

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4. Marc we forth in the strength of God, with the banner of Christ unfurled,

The light of the glorious gospel of truth may shine throughout the world:

Fight we the fight with sorrow and sin to set their captives free,

That the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

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5. All we can do is nothing worth unless God blesses the deed;

Vainly we hope for the harvest tide till God gives life to the seed;

Yet nearer and nearer draws the time, the time that shall surely be,

When the earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.

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INTERCESSIONS

FR TONY:

Let us turn with renewed confidence to the Father praying earnestly for the peace and reconciliation only he can give.

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READER1:
We pray for all who struggle to see light in their lives; for those who feel helpless 听and those who cannot find the support they need. 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听

CANTOR: Let us pray to the Lord
ALL: Lord, we ask you hear our prayer (all)

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READER 2:
We pray for all who lead our world, that they may be motivated not by power or money, but by a love of their people. We pray that they may see the right path - and have the courage to take it.
CANTOR: Let us pray to the Lord
ALL: Lord, we ask you hear our prayer

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READER 1:
We pray for those with nobody to pray for them. May they know the love of God and may they be strengthened with hope.听 听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听

CANTOR: Let us pray to the Lord
ALL: Lord, we ask you hear our prayer

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READER 2:
We pray for those who are ill in body, mind or spirit. May they find respite and peace.

CANTOR: Let us pray to the Lord
ALL: Lord, we ask you hear our prayer

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READER 1:
We pray for all who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur around this time. We pray especially for victims of violence and war, that they may now know eternal peace. And we pray for those who mourn, that they may be comforted.听听听听 听

CANTOR: Let us pray to the Lord
ALL: Lord, we ask you hear our prayer

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FR TONY:

Let us pray for the coming of God鈥檚 Kingdom in the words Jesus taught us:

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ALL:

Our Father, who art in heaven
hallowed be thy Name,听
thy kingdom come,听
thy will be done,听
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those听
who trespass against us.听
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.听
Amen.

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FR TONY:

Our music today has been led by the five choirs of the Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust, part of the Diocese of Leeds Schools Singing Programme. Thousands of children 鈥� of all faiths and none - who attend our Catholic schools can benefit from the many social, health, cultural and academic benefits of learning music and singing together 鈥� or just for the sheer joy of it, as Psalm 65 鈥楯ubilate Deo鈥� exhorts all people to be joyful, to serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song!

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(CHOIR) Jubilate Deo

Jubilate Deo, omnis terra.听
servite Domino in l忙titia.听
Introite, in conspectu eius. Introite, in exsultatione,
Jubilate Deo, omnis terra. Jubilate Deo, omnis terra.听

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Scitote quoniam Dominus
ipse est Deus; ipse est Deus;
Ipse fecit nos, et non ipsi nos
populus ejus, et oves pascuae ejus. Pascuae ejus.

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Jubilate Deo, omnis terra.听
servite Domino in l忙titia.听
Introite, portas ejus . Introite,听 in confessione
Jubilate Deo, omnis terra. Jubilate Deo, omnis terra.听

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quoniam suavis est Dominus: in aeternum misericordia听
Et usque, in generationem, et generationem veritas eius, veritas euis
Jubilate Deo, omnis terra.听
Laudate nomen eius, Laudate nomen eius, Jubilate, Omnis terra
Jubilate Deo, omnis terra. Jubilate omnis terra.听

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Translation:
O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:
听 serve the Lord with gladness and come before his presence with a song.
Be ye sure that the Lord he is God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.
听O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise;
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
听For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

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FR TONY:

Thank you for joining us here in Bradford this morning and sharing in our worship 鈥�

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鈥� and May the Almighty and merciful God

by whose grace you have placed your faith

in the First Coming of his Only Begotten Son

and yearn for his coming again,

sanctify you by the radiance of Christ鈥檚 Advent

and enrich you with his blessing.

ALL: Amen

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As you run the race of this present life,

may he make you firm in faith,

joyful in hope and active in charity.

ALL: Amen

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So that, rejoicing now with devotion,

at the Redeemer鈥檚 coming in the flesh,

you may be endowed with the rich reward of eternal life

when he comes again in majesty.

ALL: Amen

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And may the blessing of almighty God,

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

come down on you and remain with you for ever.

ALL:听 Amen

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(ALL) The voice of God goes out to all the world

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Organ Voluntary 鈥� David Grealy

大象传媒 RADIO 4:听 JS Bach鈥檚 Nun Komm der Heiden Heiland ending Sunday Worship which came live from St Joseph鈥檚 Catholic Church in Bradford.听The service was led by Father Anthony Rosso. Caius Lee conducted the Bradford Catholic Youth Choirs and the organist was David Grealy. The Lead Engineer was Tom Parnell and the producer Carmel Lonergan. As always you can hear the programme for a month on 大象传媒 Sounds from where you can also click through to a copy of the script.听

Next week鈥檚 service, the third in Advent, comes from St David鈥檚 Cathedral Cardiff.