Upper Room Liturgy 1/14/18: Answering our Call

Debra Trees, ARCWP, and Mary Theresa Streck, ARCWP led the Upper Room Eucharistic liturgy with the theme: Answering our call: Living the message of Jesus.  Deb’s homily starter is printed below the readings.

 

Opening Prayer:

O Holy One, From the day we drew our first breath, you have always been with us, calling us to the fullness of life. We are grateful for our brother Jesus who walked this earth as one of us, teaching us by example your greatest desire: That we love and care for one another. Amen.

Opening Song: The Summons 

https://youtu.be/V0aAkOe87mo

First reading: 1 Samuel 3: 3-10, 19

Samuel was sleeping in the temple of the Holy One
near the Ark of the Covenant.

The Holy One called to Samuel, who answered, "Here I am."
Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me."
"I did not call you, " Eli said. "Go back to sleep."
So he went back to sleep.
Again the Holy One called Samuel, who rose and went to Eli.
"Here I am, " he said. "You called me."
But Eli answered, "I did not call you, my son. Go back to sleep."

Samuel was not familiar with the Holy One,
because the Holy One had not revealed anything to him as yet.
The Holy One called Samuel again, for the third time.
Getting up and going to Eli, he said, "Here I am. You called me."
Then Eli understood that the Holy One was calling the youth.
So he said to Samuel, "Go to sleep, and if you are called, reply,
Speak, Holy One, for your servant is listening."
When Samuel went to sleep in his place,
the Holy One came and revealed his presence,
calling out as before, "Samuel, Samuel!"
Samuel answered, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Samuel grew up, and the Holy One was with him,
and all of Israel recognized that Samuel was a prophet of the Holy One.

These are the inspired words of our ancestors, and we affirm them by saying, Amen.

Gospel:   JN 1:35-42

John the Baptist was standing by the Jordan River with two of his disciples,

and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,
"Behold, the Lamb of God."
The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.
Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,
"What are you looking for?"
They said to him, "Rabbi" — which translated means Teacher —,
"where are you staying?"
He said to them, "Come, and see."
So they went and saw where Jesus was staying,
and they stayed with him that day.
It was about four in the afternoon.
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,
was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.
He first found his own brother Simon and told him,
"We have found the Messiah" — which means “the Anointed One.”
Then he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said,
"You are Simon the son of John;
you will be called Cephas" — which is translated Peter.

These are the inspired words of John, disciple of Jesus, and we affirm these words by saying, Amen.

Homily Starter by Debra Trees, ARCWP:

Our readings today speak to the call of the Holy One in our lives and the call to discipleship with Jesus.  Scripture scholar, Diane Bergant notes that we begin in Ordinary Time with a reflection on the Call to Discipleship. “This call is not reserved for a select few.  It accompanies our baptismal commitment and is issued to all Christians.”  So here, we continue our “Ordinary time” but it is not that ordinary!

Isn’t it interesting that Samuel did not know that it was the Holy One alone who was calling him? The Spirit had a physical presence, even in the form of the auditory.  In Samuel’s time and his experience as recounted in the Scriptures, he was being physically called. And so, he got up to answer. Even his mentor and benefactor, Eli, did not realize that it was the Holy Spirit calling Samuel until he put two and two together, in the persistence of the call, and then directed Samuel to listen.

This direction to listen is important for all of us. It is an active listening, putting ourselves in a position of service. “Here I am. I am listening.” It is a listening with an outcome of action. The resulting action might not always seem easy, or even to make sense. Hence, Samuel was known by his people, the Hebrew nation, as a prophet and Holy Person.  The Holy One worked through Samuel, and when it happens to us, we know, the Holy One is working through us.

But as scripture scholar Barbara Reid points out, the call to discipleship comes in diverse ways.

Jesus in his time was thought to be a rebel, a messiah, a saint, a prophet, a teacher, a healer, and so much more. He was obviously special, listening and acting within the Grace of the Holy One. Here we are two thousand years later, still trying to figure him out. Can you imagine, having someone direct you to him, and say, “Go, talk to him?”  And, can you imagine him saying to you, “What are you looking for?”  and you responding, “Where are you staying?”  This Gospel emphasizes the concept of “abiding” with Jesus, not just following. Living with, coming together with, and knowing… these lead to a companionship of friendship and love, and not just adoration.

The call to discipleship is one thing and can come in diverse ways.

Again, the response to that call can be complicated, not obvious, and requires us to abide with each other in community and support. After the call is discerned, the response to discipleship can take some work…

What, dear friends, have you heard? What will you do? What will it cost you?

Resources:

Bergant, D. (1999), Preaching the New Lectionary: Year B. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical press, p. 224-229.

Reid, B. (2011. Abiding Word: Sunday Reflections for Year B. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical press, p. 60-61.

Communion Meditation: Follow Your Heart’s Desire by Jan Phillips

https://youtu.be/1wgy5rkfVBs

Blessing:

May we continue to be the face of God to each other. May we call each other to extravagant generosity! May we walk with an awareness of our Call as companions on the journey, knowing we are not alone. May we, like Jesus, be a shining light and a blessing in our time!

Closing Song: Anthem by Tom Conry

https://youtu.be/HP2gwC5TGFs

"Follow Your Heart's Desire" by Jan Philips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wgy5rkfVBs

"What you have seen me do,
You too can do and more
So says the Holy One
who lives forevermore"

Catholic Women Preach: Katie Davis

http://catholicwomenpreach.org/preaching/01142018

ECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

January 14, 2018

From the Philadelphia area, Katie Davis earned a Bachelor of Music degree in musical theatre at The Catholic University of America. As a Jesuit Volunteer, Katie served as the drama teacher and campus minister at Cristo Rey Jesuit in Houston, followed by several years of parish youth ministry in Cicero, IL through the  JANUARY 14, 2018 SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME KATIE DAVIS For me, there is perhaps no group of people more fascinating, complex, and wonderful than teenagers. I’m not a mother myself at this point, but throughout the past 8 and a half years, it has been my great joy and privilege to walk alongside hundreds of young women and men navigating the unique craziness of high school life. Right out of college, as a clueless, hopeful 22 year-old, I spent a year serving with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in Houston, Texas. My work each day included teaching drama and coordinating campus ministry at the then-brand new Cristo Rey Jesuit, a college prep high school for low-income, at-risk youth. That’s how I met Juan. Creative, compassionate, overflowing with energy, Juan is one of the funniest human beings I’ve ever met. His mother, an amazing woman from El Salvador, worked tirelessly to provide for her son on her own. She had fled with Juan from her husband who drank too much and had physically and verbally abused her. Cristo Rey was Juan’s chance to create a new life for himself and his family. By the time he had gotten there, though, Juan was several grades behind in most subjects, and was battling severe, undiagnosed ADHD. He was popular, and waffled between messing around with the “cool” kids and reaching out to students who needed a friend. Though he brought joy to many people in our school, Juan clearly was weighed down by the messages he had taken in throughout his life – that he was just a poor kid from Houston, that he wasn’t smart enough to amount to anything, and his biggest fear, that he might not ever be better than his dad. I didn’t teach Juan in class, but he often visited my room to talk about life, give me updates, and joke around. At some point, it struck me that this kid had no idea how absolutely amazing he was. He had not realized that he was known by God, loved by God, and called by God. So I made it part of my mission that year to try to show him somehow. We celebrated his little victories, and I called him out when he wasn’t doing his best. I listened to his stories and encouraged him to write some down. Juan and I worked together every single day of summer school. Other adults rallied around to support him too. By the end of his sophomore year, Juan received an award for being the most improved student in the school. And this year, he’ll graduate from college.             When I began my ministry at St. Ignatius College Prep six years ago, I experienced a bit of culture shock at first. Our school is blessed with stunning spaces, a rich history, and an abundance of resources. Most, though certainly not all, of our students come from upper-middle class white families whose experiences are quite different from Juan’s. For awhile, I found myself getting caught up in those differences. But as I have met and worked with and loved my astonishing students at St. Ignatius, some common themes have emerged – the messages some of them have taken in throughout their lives: that they are defined by what they have, or what they don’t have, that they are limited to what others believe about them, that they will never be enough as they are. Like Juan, these students, too, need mirrors to remind them of who they are: known by God, loved by God, and called by God.             We witness in this first reading a trio of relationships: a young man named Samuel, his mentor Eli, and an ever-persistent God. As we see so often in Scripture and in our own lives, God calls out again and again to this unlikely candidate. God’s Spirit longs to speak in and through this young person’s life. Granted, it takes a few tries, but our God is not easily deterred. God communicates through Eli, a model minister, in my view. See, Eli’s role is clear – he helps to create space for his mentee and God to encounter one another. Then he gets out of the way. And Eli’s advice is simple: Samuel, you are called to serve God. Invite God to speak. Then listen. You are called. Invite God to speak.  Then listen. As we enter into this week, then, we might consider a few questions for reflection. First, who have been the Elis in our lives – those people who have been mirrors for us, reflecting back to us that we are known, loved, and called by God? I can think immediately of former campus ministers and teachers, and students, too, who have helped me come home to myself. Who have been our Elis? And how might we express our gratitude for them? Second, for whom are we called to be Eli? That is, how have we witnessed God working in and through someone who might not see herself or himself that way? How can we affirm the goodness in others and encourage them to respond to God’s call? How can we be like Eli? And finally, a reminder: God does not only call the young! No matter our age, relationships, and experiences, God continues to reach out to each and every one of us. My spiritual director defines the practice of discernment as “poised readiness” – that’s a tough one for me. Poised readiness: Invite God to speak. Then listen. Perhaps the older we get, the more challenging it can be to open ourselves up this way. It’s hard for adults to take in and sort through God’s ongoing desires for us. Can we trust that we are always known and loved and called? Can we open our ears to that call and respond honestly to God, “Speak. Your servant is listening.”? d has worked as a chaplain and religious studies teacher at St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago since 2012.

Katie Davis Preaches for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, offering a reflection on God's call in each our lives.

"As we see so often in Scripture and in our own lives, God calls out again and again to this unlikely candidate," she says.

Focusing her thoughts on the first reading for the day, Davis offers us a few questions for reflection this week:

First, "who have been the Elis in our lives - those people who have been mirrors for us, reflecting back to us that we are known, loved, and called by God?"

Second, "for whom are we called to be Eli? That is, how have we witnessed God working in and through someone who might not see herself or himself that way? How can we affirm the goodness in others and encourage them to respond to God's call?"

And finally, "Can we trust that we are always known and loved and called? Can we open our ears to that call and respond honestly to God, 'Speak. Your servant is listening.'?"

"Upcoming 'Feminism and Faith in Union' Event aims to go National" by Maria Benevento , National Catholic Reporter

My Response: I applaud the Women Who Stayed as courageous  prophets of a future church that is empowering and inclusive. I must admit I felt sad that the article below  had to be edited to remove a quote about a woman preaching at Mass. The suggestion to add a period of silence to reflect solidarity with women whose voices have been silenced would obviously be better filled by a woman preaching. Once again, we are crashing into the elephant in the living room: Roman Catholic Women Priests.
 I give thanks that women priests are a reality now  in grassroots communities in different places around the world . The good news is that more and more Catholics believe that women and men are equal and  are rising up for justice and equality everywhere including celebrating sacraments at the altar!  Bridget Mary Meehan ARCWP, www.arcwp.org

https://www.ncronline.org/news/justice/upcoming-feminism-and-faith-union-event-aims-go-national

"Faith and feminism are a natural pairing, say members of a coalition that is inviting Catholic men and women and their interfaith allies to combine religion and activism on Jan. 21.

"If you believe all men and women are equal in the eyes of God, you are already a feminist of faith," said Lizzie Berne DeGear of The Women Who Stayed, a ministry of St. Francis Xavier Parish, a Jesuit church in New York. "It's really not more complicated than that."

The upcoming event, called Feminism and Faith in Union, was initiated by The Women Who Stayed. It is an attempt to combine the spirit of the Women's March with the spirit of the "wonderful eucharistic community" at their parish, said Berne DeGear. The group has planned an interfaith blessing followed by a march from Union Square to their church for an inclusive Mass.

FutureChurch, Call to Action and the Women's Ordination Conference signed on to co-sponsor the event and helped develop resources that groups around the country can use to plan an inclusive Mass, a liturgy service or a march.

One suggestion is inspired by the plan for the Mass at St. Francis Xavier. "The priest who will be presiding will actually at the homily offer five minutes of silence in solidarity with women's voices that have been silenced for so very long in the Catholic Church,"* said Deborah Rose-Milavec, executive director of FutureChurch.

A packet of materials provided by the coalition also includes woman-centered prayer intentions, copies of the day's readings with inclusive language, a script for a liturgy, and templates for signs. It also strives to clear up misconceptions about feminism with statements like "Feminism isn't just for females" and "Feminism is inclusive and empowering. It is NOT anti-male."

According to Berne DeGear, misconceptions are all too common, and can also be directed at people of faith.

"Feminists are not angry women trying to oust men from power, and faith isn't about memorizing and applying doctrines," she said. Rather, "faith and feminism come together most strongly in any individual or community who are asking themselves, 'How do we live in justice?' "

Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference, also spoke of a strong connection between Catholicism and feminism. "My Catholicism is completely informed by my feminism and that's why I'm able to stay in the church and do the work that I do," she said.

Both Berne DeGear and McElwee were inspired by what McElwee called "all of the energy that came from the women's marches globally last year."

McElwee described the marches as "really a communion experience" and said it has been "enriching to work with secular feminist groups."


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Berne DeGear, who summed up the purpose of Faith and Feminism in Union as "good news," said the event was inspired by the "wonderful experience" that about 100 members of her parish had on their trip to the Women's March last year as well as by reflection within their faith community.

"We pray a lot in our community, and in our ministry — we stay open to the Spirit and this is where we have felt called," Berne DeGear said.

Rose-Milavec mentioned #MeToo as another secular movement that has inspired her organization's work.

"Just as the #MeToo movement came through organically and people just were attracted to it and wanted to tell the story, I think Catholic women have been wanting a space like this for a very long time and I'm hoping this will provide and invite them into that kind of space where they can not only tell their story but celebrate the kind of church that we are becoming and want to become," she said.

While the event in New York is the only one definitively planned so far, McElwee said she knows some of the coalition's members will be carrying Catholic-themed signs in women's marches that weekend. Her organization is co-sponsoring a march in Rome.

When Rose-Milavec spoke with NCR Jan. 10, the campaign had only been officially launched a few hours before, but she said they had already heard positive responses from priests and others.

"I think it has real traction and I think this is the moment for it. I do think that people will participate at one level or another and will really sort of lean into their Catholic roots. That story needs to be told more widely," she said.

*This article has been edited to remove part of a quote that incorrectly stated that a woman would preach at the Mass.

[Maria Benevento is an NCR Bertelsen intern. Her email address is mbenevento@ncronline.org.]

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Book Club Meets on Saturdays to Discuss Integral Christianity by Paul Smith, Discussion Leader: Janet Blakeley ARCWP

Janet Blakeley ARCWP at head of  table leads discussion on Integral Christianity by Paul Smith on Saturdays at 2 PM at St. Andrew UCC, Sarasota

"God Lives in the Hearts of All People. Everywhere"

Bawana yu Nawe" is Swahili for " the Lord is with you." Let's remember that God lives in the hearts of all people. Everywhere. Even Haiti, Africa, and Norway. You have my permission to print this out as a gesture of peace. Brother Mickey Mcgrath 

One Out of Seen Floridians 60 and Older Faces Threat of Hunger

According to The Sun Sentinel called "The Hidden Hungry"  “About one out of every seven Floridians age 60 and older — or about 615,000 people, based on 2013 statistics — faces the threat of hunger.”

Mary, Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Liturgy, January 13, 2018, Presiders: Kathryn Shea, ARCWP and Lee Breyer Music Minister: Mindy Simmons

Lee Breyer and Kathryn Shea ARCWP- Co-Presiders

Theme: The Messiah, the dreamer, and the people….



Welcome and Opening Expression



Presider: Welcome everyone. We have come to break bread and share the blessings of this particular day. One month ago, in the third week of Advent, we heard – in John’s gospel – a questioning by some Jewish priests and Levites of John the Baptist…just who was he? Was he the Messiah, Elijah, a Prophet…? No… wrong guy… he was just making straight the road for the holy one! In today’s gospel, we pick up where the earlier John story ended. We continue it at the next day (7 verses later in the gospel) ….and meet Jesus, recognized by Andrew as “the Messiah.”



We may recall that two years ago, Pope Francis addressed the Congress and talked about Martin Luther King, whose birthday we celebrate Monday. He described MLK as “a prophet who awakened us to carry out God’s will for justice and the elimination of all prejudices.”



Today, we celebrate these two people, Messiahs in their own ways and times, in our liturgy. We do so here in this sacred space with our holy brothers and sisters.



Opening Hymn “Gather Us In” #302 vs 1, 2, 3



Opening Prayer



Presider: Holy God, you not only directed the drama of the creation of the cosmos, you became one of the actors on planet earth in the person of Jesus. Through him, you showed us how to live the lives that you have blessed us with here until we move on to the eternal home you have prepared for us. Open our hearts to the message of the Gospel so that your peace may rule in our hearts and your justice guide our lives. We pray that we may always be conscious of your constant presence within us and that we reflect that to everyone in all we say and do. Amen.



Penitential Rite and Community Forgiveness



Presider: Creator God, to you all hearts are open, no desires unknown, and no secrets hidden. We ask you to send your Spirit to us to cleanse our hearts so that we may live more fully according to your will and that we may be worthy to be called your blessed people. We ask you to instill in us the virtues of understanding, compassion, forgiveness and peace. Give us the courage and strength to extend your merciful concern and care to everyone we meet.

ALL: Christ Jesus, we ask for the grace to recognize our continual need to grow in mercy, compassion and caring for ourselves, for our brothers and sisters, and for our planet earth.

Presider: And we pray…

ALL: God, grant us these graces so that we may – in turn – forgive each other our failures to care for everyone, everywhere without prejudices to any, this day and always.



Liturgy of the Word


First Reading – 1 Samuel 2-10, 19 ALL: Th

Roman Rodriguez, Lector

Thanks be to God


Cantor: Cheri McDonagh



Psalm 72. ALL: Justice shall flourish in this time and fullness of peace forever. #785


Second Reading -(Read by Theresa Rodriguez)1 Corinthians 6:13-20 ALL: Thanks be to God

Gospel Acclamation ALL: (Celtic) Alleluia!

Gospel: John 1: 35-42 ALL: Glory and praise to our God, Proclaimed by Kathryn Shea ARCWP

Shared Homily/Community Reflections, Lee Breyer



Homily Starter: Thoughts — What attracted Andrew and Peter to Jesus at the Jordan River? What attracted millions of people to Martin Luther King at the Washington National Mall? What were they looking for and experience? What teachings and missions did the listeners leave with? Question — What have we learned, integrated, and practiced from the lessons of these two Messiahs? What challenges to them have we met, dealt with and overcome?



Profession of Faith



All: We believe in God, the Creator of the Universe, a divine mystery who infuses all that exists, making everything everywhere in the cosmos sacred. We believe in Jesus, the Christ, who is our hope, our love and our peace. He is the touch of God to humanity; he leads everyone to the fullness of life. It is because of his incarnation that we have become a new people…a holy gathering called beyond the consequences of our brokenness. We believe in the Spirit, the Breath of God, who keeps the Christ-vision present to all those who are searching for meaning and wholeness in their lives. She is the Sustainer who heals and energizes us when our strengths grow weary in our journeys. We believe that God’s kindom is here with us now, everywhere, and will always be present for those with eyes to recognize it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it known to all.



We say amen to faith, hope, and love. We say amen to the partnership and equality of all people, regardless of gender, race, and beliefs. We say amen to a world of peace and justice for everyone, everywhere, with no exceptions. In all of this, we surely believe.



Prayers of the Community



Presider: We are a people of faith; we believe in the power of prayer. Always mindful of God’s unconditional love and care for all of us, we bring the needs of the people to our merciful and gracious God. After each intercession, please respond: Compassionate God, we ask you to bless our petitions. (community intentions)



Presider: Healing God, we ask you to strengthen us in our concerns for one another, here and throughout the world. We ask you to bless our efforts for justice and equality so that, with our sisters and brothers, we may promote cultures of peace and nonviolence. We make these prayers to you, O God, in the names of Jesus, our brother, and the Holy Spirit, our sister. Amen.



Offertory: “Be Not Afraid” #430 All 3 verses



Presider: Blessed are you, God of Creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer…this grain of the earth that human hands have made for our use. It will become for us the Bread of Life.

ALL: Blessed be God forever.

Presider: Blessed are you, God of Creation, through your goodness we have this wine to offer…this fruit of the vine that human hands have made for our use. It will become for us our Spiritual Drink.

ALL: Blessed be God forever.



Gathering of the Gifted



Presider: Jesus, who has often sat at our tables, now invites all of us to join him at his. Everyone is welcome to share in this blessed meal. (Everyone is welcome at God’s table.)

ALL: Loving and caring God, we – your people – are united in this sacrament by our common love of Jesus. We are in communion with everyone, everywhere, who shares your gift of compassion, especially with all those who are marginalized and oppressed. May we love tenderly, act with justice, and walk humbly with you in solidarity with our sisters and brothers everywhere. And may we always live as prophetic witnesses to the gospel of Jesus. Amen.

Presider: Let us give thanks to the Creator of all that exists.

ALL: With hearts full of love, we give God thanks and praise.

Presider: Let us show our gratitude to Jesus who has shared with us his life-vision.

ALL: Open our hearts to your gospel message through your words and actions while on this earth.

Presider: Let us recognize the presence of the Spirit among us gathered at the family table.

ALL: Fill us with reverence for our Creator, for one another, and for all creation.

Presider: Our God, Emanuel, is not only with us, God dwells in each one of us.

ALL: Namaste! Namaste!



Eucharistic Prayer



Voice 1: Ever living and ever-loving God, it is through you that we live and move and have our very being. And we know that in the days to come, that Spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead, will fulfill her promise to bring us to the paschal feast of heaven. Her dwelling with us gives us everlasting hope of unending peace and joy with you. And so, we SING with thankful praise….



ALL: Holy, Holy, Holy God, God of power, God of light. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed are all who come in the name of our God. Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.



Voice 2: We thank you for the gift of Jesus in history – and the gift of Jesus in faith. Through him, you breathe life into us. He was moved by his vision of your constant presence in everyone he met, everywhere he went. He revealed you in everything he did in his life well lived. And he showed us, through his example, not only how we should live, but also for what is worth dying.



Voice 3: And when his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus surrendered his life for a value that he deeply believed, lived and taught…his conviction that love is stronger than death. And then, providing a personal example of this insight for the understanding of people in ages to come, he opened wide his arms on a cross and died. Then the Spirit, one stronger than death, raised Jesus to life, showing everyone that life is eternal and that love is immortal. Jesus is with us – and lives in us – today as he will through the end of time.



ALL: O God, let your Spirit of life, healing and wholeness come upon these gifts – this simple wheat and wine. May She make them holy so that they will become for us the Body and Blood of Jesus, our brother.



ALL (With an outstretched arm, we pray the consecration together.): We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died. He gathered with his friends to share his final Passover meal. And it was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to them saying: take this, all of you and eat it. This bread is you; this bread is me. We are one body, the presence of God in the world. Do this in memory of me. [Pause]



In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine. He said the blessing and gave it to his friends saying: take this all of you and drink it. This wine is you; this wine is me. We are one blood, the presence of God in the world. Do this in memory of me.



Presider: As we gather around this Eucharistic table, we recall God’s blessing and love from ages past and we celebrate and share those gifts in friendship and peace.



ALL: Jesus, who was with God “in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth,” is with us today in this bread. The Spirit, whom the prophets spoke of centuries ago in history, is with us today in this cup.



Presider: Let us proclaim this mystery of faith.



ALL: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ lives in us in the world today.

Voice 4: In memory of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, we offer you, God, this life-giving bread, this saving cup. May everyone who shares this sacred meal be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit. And may that Spirit, that Wisdom, that moved in Jesus move just as freely in our lives as She did in his.

Voice 5: God, remember your church throughout the world. Help us grow in love, together with Francis, our Pope, Bridget Mary, our Bishop, and all your People everywhere – especially those who live on the margins of church and society. We remember, as well, the entire communion of saints, both those living and dead, who touched our lives and left your footprint on our hearts. We remember especially …(pause as names are mentioned).

ALL: Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, Creator God, forever and ever…(and everyone sings)…Amen. (4-5x)



ALL (holding hands): Our Father and Mother, who are in heaven, blessed is your name…..

The Sharing of a Sign of Peace



Presider: Jesus, you said to your disciples, “My peace I leave you; my peace I give you.” Look on the faith of those gathered here today and…

ALL: …. grant us your peace. O God, following the example of Jesus and with the strength of the Spirit, help us spread that peace through our words and actions to everyone, everywhere, with no exceptions. Amen.

Presider: May the peace of God be always with us, and let us extend that peace to one another as we hold hands and sing…“Let There Be Peace on Earth” #532



Litany for the Breaking of the Bread



Presider: Loving God…. ALL: you call us to Spirit-filled service and to live the Gospel of peace and justice, we will live justly.

Presider: Loving God…. ALL: you call us to be your presence in the world and to be bearers of understanding and compassion, forgiveness and healing everywhere in your name. We will love tenderly

Presider: Loving God… ALL: you call us to speak truth to power. We will walk humbly with you.

Presider: This is Jesus, who liberates, heals, and transforms us and our world. All are invited to partake of this sacred banquet of love. ALL: We are all the Body of Christ.



Pre-Communion Prayer



Presider: Gracious God, as we come to share the riches of your table, we cannot forget the poverty of so many of our brothers and sisters, our families and neighbors, in so many places.

Men: We cannot eat this bread and not think of those who are hungry. O God, your world is one world and we are just stewards of its nourishment for all of your people.

Women: We cannot drink this wine and not think of those who are thirsty. O God, this very earth and its people cry out everywhere for environmental justice.



ALL: We cannot listen to your words of peace and not grieve for the world at war’s doors.

Communion Hymn: Instrumental



Post Communion Song/Reflection: Gather The Dreamers – Kathy Sherman



Prayer of Thanksgiving after Communion



Presider: Loving God, may this Eucharist in which we share Christ’s healing love deepen our

oneness with you and with one another. May we reflect, like Mary, your liberating and mothering love for all. And may wonder and thanksgiving fill us with knowledge, understanding and experience of your love and compassion for us, your sacred people. We ask this in the name of Mary’s son, Jesus the Christ. All: Amen.



Introductions, Gratitudes, Announcements



Closing Community Blessing (with an extended arm)



ALL: May our hearts be glad on our journey as we dream new dreams, see new

visions, and create a new heaven and earth.



May we live and work for compassion and peace, justice and non-violence in our hearts and in those of everyone we meet.



May we learn to bless and honor and hold in reverence all creation, the earth, and one another.

Closing Community Commissioning



Presider: Loving God, we have looked for others to save us and to save our world. Yet, we have been called and blessed, and are now commissioned and sent into the world to create cultures of peace and justice. May we always remember, with gratitude, that we are the face of God to the world.



Presider: As we leave here in the peace of Christ, let us be the people that God created us to be. Let us be faithful followers of the Messiah and the Dreamer.


ALL: Thanks be to God. Let it be so!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtEe8bz2tjQ

Closing Community Hymn: “We Shall Overcome”


We shall overcome,

we shall overcome,

we shall overcome some day.

Oh, deep in my heart,

I do believe,

we shall overcome some day.

We shall all be free….some day.

We shall live in peace….some day.

MMOJ Community Celebration of My Birthday