Liturgy of the Hours: Final Hour of Daily Prayer: Night Prayer (Compline) with 3PM Mass

Facilitated by Deacon Ward Nolan and Jayne Badano-Bidwell

Fr. Anthony Amato celebrating the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using Scripture and prayer.

This liturgical prayer of the Church is intimately related to the Eucharist. This sanctification of time, of each hour of the day, is linked to the Feasts and Seasons of the year. The Eucharist and the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours), belongs to the whole Church, to all those who by reason of their baptism share in the life of Christ.

The Liturgy of the Hours “is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his body addresses to the Father.” (SC 84)

Come and join us as we give an overview of all the Hours, but most especially as we explore Night Prayer (Compline) through the spoken word and through chanting; "Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight" (GILH, no. 84). The Psalms that are chosen for Night Prayer are full of confidence in the Lord.

Deacon Ward Nolan is a deacon from Diocese of Burlington, Vermont. Deacon Ward became a deacon in 2012 and serves the Mater Dei parish (four Churches) in Newport, Vermont, and is a temporary administrator for the parish of St. Andre Bessette (three Churches) in Troy, Vermont. Deacon Ward worked for many years in finance at a local hospital and was administrator for a Catholic assisted living home for several years. He has served in the many aspects of parish life, especially in religious education: Family Formation, RCIA, and Mystagogy. Deacon Ward and his wife, Kathy, live in Newport, Vermont.

Jayne Badano-Bidwell recently returned to the Finger Lakes region of New York, and is a parishioner of St. Mary’s of the Lake in Watkins Glen for part of the year. She also spends 5 months in California with her family and attends Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Throughout the years she has facilitated Endow study groups, has served as a Lector, was on the Healing Ministry team, helped with Family Faith Formation, has participated in Holy Mass at various nursing homes and is a member of the Adorers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus prayer group as well as Branches prayer group. She enjoys writing prayer songs. She lives in Hector, with her husband Brian. They have 2 adult sons.

Fr. Anthony Amato will celebrate Mass at 3 PM.  Fr. Amato is the Parochial Administratior for St.Peter's Parish in Cliffton Springs, NY.  St. Peter's Parish is a combination of three churches; St. Francis in Phelps, St. Fellix in Clifton Springs and St. Dominic in Shortsville.  Needless to say, Fr. Amato is very busy and we are most grateful for sharing his time with us.

Retreat agenda on Thursday, August 25th.  Rain date: Friday, August 26th.

10:00 AM Welcome with light breakfast treats

10:30 AM Holy Rosary in the garden

11:00 AM Session I: Liturgy of the Hours: Overview and Guide

The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. We will look at its history, why we pray it, who prays it and when we pray it. We will look at how to read and navigate through a particular Hour of a particular day. Of the five Hours, our focus will be Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer (Compline).

Deacon Ward/Jayne Badano-Bidwell

12 noon Quiet prayer time

12:30 PM Lunch

1:30PM Session II: Liturgy of the Hours: Praying together

In session 2, we will learn and pray together, the last hour of the day, Compline (Night Prayer) both in spoken form and sung form (chanting). We will also review the various resources that are available, in both book and digital form so that you will have all you need to make this beautiful prayer of the Church, part of your own devotions.

Deacon Ward/Jayne Badano-Bidwell

2:30 PM Quiet prayer time

3:00 PM Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated by Fr. Anthony Amato

3:50 PM Closing questions/comments

4:00 PM Departure

Branches is an outdoor facility.  Friday, August 26th will be the rain date.  If we need to change dates, we will call you.  If you cannot attend on the rain date, you will be given a refund.  Let us pray for good weather.