Suggested format for service in parishes and schools, homes, prayer groups…wherever the people of God may be gathered.
Theme: RESPECT LIFE – PROMOTE MORALS AND VALUES
Opening Hymn
Suggestions:
Let there be peace on earth / Make me a channel of your peace / Let there be peace in your dwelling/ Kum ba ya
Opening Prayer
Let us pray
(for a deep reverence for all that God has created)
Compassionate God, you created us in your own image and likeness out of love; to know you, to love you and to serve you in this world. We have failed to do so by failing to love our brothers and sisters. We have closed our eyes to the reality of the world, as destruction of human life and creation takes place in our country and in the world. Set alight within us that spark of the Divine that we may be open to conversion of heart and mind. Awaken your Spirit within us to move through us and within us that we may be led by that same Spirit to be agents of change for a better country and a better world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
First Reading – 1 John 4: 1-16
My dear friends let us love each other, since love is from God and everyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. Whoever fails to love does not know God, because God is love. This is the revelation of God’s love for us, that God sent his only Son into the world that we might have life through him. Love consists of this: it is not we who loved God, but God loved us and sent his Son to expiate our sins. My dear friends, if God loved us so much, we too should love each other. No one has ever seen God, but as long as we love each other God remains in us and his love comes to its perfection in us. This is the proof that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us a share in his Spirit. We ourselves have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as Saviour of the world. Anyone who acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have recognized for ourselves, and put our faith in, the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
The Word of the Lord.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 39
Response: Behold I am with you always.
O God, you have searched me and you know me,
You know when I sit and when I stand;
You discern my thoughts from afar.
You mark when I walk or lie down,
With all my ways you are acquainted.
Before a word is on my tongue,
Behold, O God, you know the whole of it.
Behind and before you besiege me,
You lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me:
too high, beyond my reach.
O where can I go from your spirit,
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I climb to heaven, you are there!
If I lie in the grave, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
And dwell in the depths of the sea,
Even there your hand shall lead me,
Your hand shall hold me fast.
If I say: “Let darkness cover me,
and the light around me be night,”
even darkness is not dark to you
and the night is as bright as the day;
for darkness is as light to you.
Glory be…
Gospel Reading: Matthew 25: 31 – 46
When the Son of man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on the throne of glory. All nations will be assembled before him and he will separate people one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you made me welcome, lacking clothes and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me. Then the upright will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and made you welcome, lacking clothes and clothe you? When did we find you sick or in prison and go to see you? And the king will answer, “In truth I tell you, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” Then he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food, I was thirst and you never gave me anything to drink, I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, lacking clothes and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.’ Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or lacking clothes, sick or in prison and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “In truth I tell you, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.” And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the upright to eternal life.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Homily or reflection or song (Suggested songs – To be the body / Where charity and love prevail)
Prayers of Intercession
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
For the Church and World leaders: Lord, you came to serve, not to be served. Pour out your spirit on all Church and World leaders that they may have the courage to be people of vision and of service. Nurture within their hearts the vision of a new world where peace and harmony reign. Fill them with your spirit to proclaim the truth and to be initiators of the reign that you proclaimed.
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
For an end to violence in our land: Gracious and Compassionate God, you created us in your own image and likeness; yet deep-seated hatred as a result of social inequalities is passed on from one generation to the next. Give us the grace and the courage to put an end to the violence that surrounds us, beginning with our selves and the way we relate to others. Remove the blinders from our eyes that we may know that our inaction perpetuates the violence that surrounds us. Give us the grace, not to criticize but to offer uplifting words and possible solutions to our troubled hot spots especially along the East – West corridor. We pray for an end to gang warfare.
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
For a seamless garment of life: Compassionate God, fill us with your wisdom that we may recognize that all life is sacred. From the tiniest babe in the womb to the oldest person, your spirit is with them giving life. May we recognize this and honour all persons with the dignity that is their right.
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
For an end to all that is opposed to life itself: Lord, many times by our silence we fail to recognize all that opposes life such as crime and violence, unjust wars, chemical warfare, abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia, torture, subhuman living conditions, incest, domestic violence, pornography, arbitrary imprisonment, slavery, prostitution, human trafficking, disgraceful working conditions, child labour, forced labour and forced migration, religious intolerance, abuse of the elderly, racism, sexism, class bias, and the many other forms of dishonor and discrimination. Giver of Life may we be promoters of life. May we respect all forms of life and grant us the grace to recognise when life is threatened, and the courage to oppose all that threatens fullness of life.
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
For a better quality of life for all: Compassionate God, many times we think only of ourselves and we forget that our lives are not lived in isolation but in community. Open our eyes to see the aged who hunger for companionship, the single mother struggling to make ends meet, the young man and woman searching for role models. Move us to action which seeks communion and solidarity with the poor, the marginalized and the underserved. Give us the grace to see as you see, to reach out to others in care and concern so that all may experience a better quality of life. Help us always to advocate human dignity particularly when it is being stripped from others. We pray especially for the people of Syria and countries experiencing war, unrest and division.
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
For the environment: God of the universe, you created a beautiful world and put us as stewards of your creation. Help us to recognize and listen to the environmentalists who speak to us today of our selfishness and the harm we perpetuate through lack of knowledge. We pray for the wisdom to respect and care for our natural resources and the grace to be true stewards of our environment
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
For solidarity – Universal Community: Merciful God, show us how to break down the barriers that divide us. Teach us how to cross the thresholds of prejudice. Give us the grace to respect our differences and to be people who promote harmony through respectful listening, dialogue and reconciliation.
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
For just Governance: God of Justice, give wisdom and insight to those who serve in leadership. May justice prevail in our land that all may share in the goods of this land. Free us from political and economic oppression and give us the courage to exercise our citizenship responsibly according to gospel values. May the decisions of those who govern our land benefit those most in need, the underserved, the marginalized and those socially excluded from the table of life.
Response: Grant to us, Christ Jesus, a heart renewed.
Closing Prayer:
Compassionate God; look with favour on your people gathered here today. Grant us a deep awareness, courage and perseverance as we seek to honour all creation, especially respect for human life. May all our daily interactions with one another bear fruit by bringing about love and respect for each other. When we are tempted to discriminate and cast slurs on our neighbor keep us mindful that it is where charity and love prevail that you are ever found. May we be true instruments of your peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen
The Rosary is then prayed.
The Rosary:
It safeguards you from bacteria and germs by increasing cialis in österreich white blood cells. One of their offerings in the realm of female viagra india prices sexual dysfunction. This will help you to get an best price on levitra erection. After a complete analysis, your doctor will recommend the best possible levitra side effects option. The Rosary, precisely because it starts with Mary’s own experience, is an exquisitely contemplative prayer. Without this contemplative dimension, it would lose its meaning, as Pope Paul VI clearly pointed out: “Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation runs the risk of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas, in violation of the admonition of Christ: ‘In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think they will be heard for their many words’ (Mt 6:7). By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord. In this way the unfathomable riches of these mysteries are disclosed”. (14)
Apostolic letter – Rosarium Virginis Mariae of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul 11 – 16th October 2002
(Suggestion: To be used with small groups as well as by individual, throughout the Year of Faith, 2013-2014).
The Glorious Mysteries
1st Glorious Mystery The Resurrection of Jesus
Our Father
a) I am the resurrection. (John 11:25)
Hail Mary … (two times)
b) Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live. (John 11:25)
Hail Mary … (two times)
c) And whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (John 11:26)
Hail Mary … (two times)
d) I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world. (John 11:27)
Hail Mary … (two times)
e) Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God? (John 11:40)
Hail Mary … (two times)
Glory be to the Father …
2nd Glorious Mystery The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven
Our Father
a) All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (Matt. 28:19)
Hail Mary … (two times)
b) Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations (Matt 28:19)
Hail Mary … (two times)
c) Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:20)
Hail Mary … (two times)
d) And teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. (Matt 28: 20)
Hail Mary … (two times)
e) And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time. (Matt28: 20)
Hail Mary … (two times)
Glory be to the Father
3rd Glorious Mystery The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles
Our Father
a) Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ (John 21:19)
Hail Mary … (two times)
b) The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord. (John 21:20)
Hail Mary … (two times)
c) As the Father sent me, so I am sending you. (John 21:21)
Hail Mary … (two times)
d) Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 21:23)
Hail Mary … (two times)
e) If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained. (John 21:23)
Hail Mary … (two times)
Glory be to the Father
4th Glorious Mystery Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
a) Then the sanctuary of God in heaven opened, and the Ark of the Covenant could be seen inside it. (Rev. 11:19)
Hail Mary … (two times)
b) Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, robed with the sun. (Rev. 12:1)
Hail Mary … (two times)
c) Standing on the moon and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev. 12:1)
Hail Mary … (two times)
d) I will make your name endure forever from generation to generation. (Ps. 45:17)
Hail Mary … (two times)
e) So nations will sing your praise forever and ever. (Ps. 45:17)
Hail Mary … (two times)
Glory be to the Father
5th Glorious Mystery The Coronation of our Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven
Our Father
a) And now bless the God of all things, the doer of great deeds everywhere. (Eccl. 50:22)
Hail Mary … (two times)
b) Who has exalted our days from the womb and has acted mercifully towards us. (Eccl. 50:22)
Hail Mary … (two times)
c) May God grant us cheerful hearts and bring peace in our time in Israel for ages on ages. (Eccl. 50:23)
Hail Mary … (two times)
d) May God’s mercy be faithfully with us. (Eccl. 50:24)
Hail Mary … (two times)
e) May God redeem us in our own times. (Eccl. 50:24)
Hail Mary … (two times)
Glory be to the Father
Conclude with short traditional prayers.
(Prepared by Sr Juliet Rajah CHF, Archdiocesan Catechetical Office)
