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I learned about Mary's goodness and graciousness; I saw why she helps the weak and needy.

Within my heart, people 'in need' are as sparks within a flame, caught up in the blaze of prayer which ascends to God.

When I pray: 'Help us poor sinners', Jesus and Mary respond with love and encouragement, as if from the 'edge' of Heaven.

Like poor beggars, we need the help of Christ, who pleads to the Father on our behalf, whenever we pray in His name

Like poor beggars, we need the help of Christ, who pleads to the Father on our behalf, whenever we pray in His name

We Heard that "The Lord Raises the Poor to set them in the company of princes". Then Christ, prince of Heaven, was amongst us.

Where untruths or distortions of truth are included in programmes of Catechesis, or in Catholic talks and journals, it's as if people are being offered, at a party, a plate which holds drawing pins as well as nuts. Serious spiritual injury can result from poor or poisonous nutrition.

Just as a mother distracts a child with something 'good' before removing a dangerous object, so God gives good gifts to the Church through Radiant Light, and other new ecclesial movements, as a prelude to 'removing' poor catechesis, cowardly preaching, and other spiritual dangers very widespread today.

Good people work to raise awareness of the immorality of neglecting the poor. Far fewer are raising awareness - for the good of souls - of another sort of immorality, which is unchastity in all its forms, and abortion and contraception.

It is really important, as we journey together in the Church towards Heaven, that we love one another, and do not overlook the command to love our enemies, or to love the sick, shy and poor in a parish.

Rich and poor, sick and well, can receive faith. All who put their trust in Jesus and His saving work and come 'into the light' by membership of His Church can be confident that the prayers they offer through and with Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, will be heard and answered.

Even in the coldest, bleakest surroundings, no-one on earth, not even the poorest peasant in the most dingy hovel (Christ explained) has the right to end his own life or to ask someone to do it for him. If we accepted the power of God into our lives, the love given through Christ, we would look after one another.

Life is a gift from God: but so too is the power of God in human hearts: the power and love given when we receive the Holy Spirit, Who urges us to care for the poor, sick, weak and needy.

It is mainly because Catholic children have been so poorly catechised that, not knowing about Christ's Real Presence in Church, they chatter, shout, and misbehave, as if in a playground.

It is not necessary for everyone to live in grim, colourless, puritanical surroundings, as if by austerity and simplicity we can prove our love for God and the poor. It is part of the duty of family care, and hospitality, to greet and entertain people in pleasant surroundings, just as Jesus offered 'the best wine'.

When a family member is in very poor health, it is important that people in a Christian family actively prepare for death, turn to the Lord in trust, speak truthfully to one another, and act with sensitivity and the gentleness.

It is a work of mercy to pray and preach so that people who are cruel and thoughtless towards others will repent before they die. Those who have no respect for fellow human beings, or no respect for the poor and the weak, are as if an inch away from Hell, should death suddenly arrive before they can repent and avoid eternal punishment.

Where people build modern towns, and good housing, they sometimes become proud of their achievements. But the best test of a modern community is to see how it treats its poorest and most helpless members. Of what use is a modern street to a disabled person who cannot cross a high kerb?

It is the Catholic Church which keeps asunder the cloud of ignorance and hopelessness which once covered the world. In every age, despite the sins of her members, she does what Jesus did in His earthly life. By His Spirit's guidance and power, she teaches truth, forgives, heals, prays, offers the Holy Sacrifice, helps the poor, and makes people holy.

Just as Christ is no longer a poor carpenter, but our Radiant Saviour, and King of Heaven, so His ever-Virgin Mother, Mary most holy, is no longer a lowly peasant woman but is the Queen of Heaven. There, everyone praises the Father not only for Christ's love and compassion, but also for the amazing purity-of-soul of Christ's Virgin Mother, and for her humility and courage.