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THEME: GIRLS AND WOMEN: STRONG AND RESILIENT
WELCOME AND GATHERING:
Dotty: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community, where all are welcome:
Whoever you are, wherever you are, just as you are, you are welcome here.
Our theme today focuses on the strength and resilience of girls and women all over the world. We celebrate the life of St Agnes whose tragic death as a virgin - martyr occurred when she was 13 in the year 304. She was murdered because of her commitment to Jesus to live as a virgin, a life of chastity refusing to marry which was required by the law in her lifetime. Agnes was strong and resilient. Today we remind ourselves that girls and women struggle every day to have their voices heard, to be free to live according to their choices.
Joan: We invite you to pray the liturgy and respond where it says “All”. Participants will be muted during the liturgy except for the Presiders, Readers, and Prayer Leaders.
During the shared homily we ask you to unmute yourself to contribute your thoughts and re-mute when you are finished.
Please have bread and wine/juice in front of you as we pray our Eucharistic prayer.
Let us begin now with our gathering song:
OPENING SONG: Beautifully Broken - Plumb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce6PT-3sQGg
OPENING PRAYER:
Dotty: My sisters and brothers, as we celebrate the life of St Agnes who was honored by the Church as a Virgin and Martyr. We recognize that many girls and abused women do not receive the proper help and support to begin a process of healing. We commit ourselves to increase our awareness this tragedy in our midst and reach out in support in any way we can.
ALL: LET IT BE SO!
Mary M:
There is evil in our world, there is pain and suffering caused by all manner of rejection and non-acceptance. There is darkness. The light breaks through the darkness and our world can be healed. We are the Light!
ALL: Transform us, O Holy One.
There is sickness in our world, not just sickness of the body but sickness of the heart and mind. There is darkness. We are the Light.
ALL: Transform us, O Holy One.
There is persecution in our world. The persecution of the poor, the hungry, the different, the mentally ill, and so many more. There is darkness. We are the Light
ALL: Transform us, O Holy One
Suzanne:
Glory to the Spirit of Life, to the Holy One who surrounds us, who lives within us, whose Sacred Word is shared by us.
Glory to the Spirit of Life, who offers us peace; peace in our hearts, peace in our thoughts, peace with one another.
Glory to the Spirit of Life, who cares for the health workers, postal workers, store clerks, garbage collectors and all those who serve our special needs in numerous ways.
Glory to the Spirit of Life, who sent Jesus who teaches us how to live the Gospels, who brings hope and healing to all those in need.
O Holy One, you are one with us. We are strong in our faith and will live life in hope and faithfulness to you, to be Church committed to the message of the Gospels.
We depend upon the ever-present Spirit to walk with us as we journey in the present and rejoice in the life before us.
ALL: Glory to the Spirit of Life
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Reader: Jack McKillip
A reading from the text authored by Sr. Rachael, CSA about the life and death of St. Agnes
We are told that Agnes came from a wealthy and powerful Roman family. Because of this and because she radiated a beauty that came from deep within, she attracted many who sought her hand in marriage at the early age of thirteen. Early weddings were the custom, and Agnes was often asked to give an explanation for rejecting the offers of the rich young men attracted to her. Her response was always the same: “Jesus is my love. I am already espoused to Him.” Persecution of Christians was then at its height. Tortures by fire and horrors of personal abasement were used to weaken the followers of Jesus. When all these efforts failed, and those who followed Jesus refused to renounce him and bow to the Roman gods, they were put to death by the sword. Agnes was treated, at first with mild consideration. To this, Agnes responded: “Put aside this pity for my youth and do not think that I wish to use such a plea to gain your indulgence. Faith resides not in the years of time but in the sentiments of the heart.”
These are the inspired words of Sr. Rachael CSA, and the community responds:
ALL: LET IT BE SO!
Dotty: The story of Dinah, the only daughter of the patriarch Jacob, recounts an episode in which as she traveled from her home to visit with the “daughters of the land.” While she was on her journey was raped, seduced, and abducted by Shechem, a Hivite prince who subsequently falls in love with wishes to marry her.
Second Reading: A reading from The Red Tent - by Anita Diamant
Reader: Mary Montavon
We have been lost to each other for so long.
My name means nothing to you. My memory is dust. This is not your fault, or mine. The chain connecting mother and daughter was broken and the word passed to the keeping of men, who had no way of knowing. That is why I became a footnote, my story a brief detour between the well-known history of my father, Jacob, and the celebrated chronicle of Joseph, my brother. On those rare occasions when I was remembered, it was as a victim. Near the beginning of your holy book, there is a passage that seems to say I was raped and continues with the bloody tale
of how my honor was avenged.
It’s a wonder that any mother ever called a daughter Dinah again. But some did.
Maybe you guessed that there was more to me than the cipher in the text. Maybe you heard it in the music of my name: the first vowel high and clear, as when a mother calls to her child at dusk; the second sound soft, for whispering secrets on pillows. Dee-nah.
These are the inspired words of Anita Diamant a member of Sister of St. Agnes and the community responds by saying:
ALL: LET IT BE SO
Psalm: Adaptation of Psalm 23
Shelter Me by Rev. Michael Joncas (c. 2020)
https://youtu.be/bj3eOTTsIBk
Joan Pesce A reading of the Gospel from the apostle called Luke, chapter 8 vs 42 - 48
As Jesus moved along, the crowd almost crushed him. In the crowd was a woman who had suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years and had found no one who could heal her. She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately the bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When no one nearby responded, Peter said, “Rabbi, it’s the crowd pressing around you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I felt power leave me.”
When the woman realized that she had been noticed, she approached in fear and knelt before him. She explained in front of the crowd why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
These are the inspired words of the apostle called Luke and the community responds:
ALL: LET IT BE SO!
All: CELTIC ALLELUIA
https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU
HOMILY STARTER:
Elena: Our Profession of faith:
We believe in our Creator who has not forgotten us and is ever and always present with us.
We believe in Jesus, prophet and teacher, who journeyed on the earth, blessing the sick, making whole the broken, healing many, instilling faith in his followers so that they insure his legacy till the end of time.
We believe in the Cosmic Christ, the everlasting Presence, one with the universe.
We believe in Sacred Spirit, the breath of wisdom Sophia, the power of the winds enwrapping us in glory.
We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love, who are never far from us, who are separated from us by a mere veil, always near opening our minds to what is difficult to see
We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our Church and our world. Here we live our prophetic call of Gospel equality.
Suzanne: PRAYERS FOR THE NEEDS OF OUR WORLD:
We pray that the Holy One renew in our hearts our commitment to journey always in faith and hope as we reach out and support, comfort and love those closest to us, and all the needs of the people of the earth and beyond.
ALL: Holy One, heal us!
We bring to the table all those girls and women, all over the world, who suffer from abuse that has traumatized their lives and need resources to begin the processing of healing.
All: Holy One, heal us!
We bring to the table all those who need healing from cancer. We pray especially for our dear Peg and Mary Kay and all members of our community who are struggling with this terrible disease that they shall be “healed, whole and cancer free.” We hold them in our hearts our prayers that they may grow strong knowing they are greatly loved.
ALL: Holy One, heal us!
We bring to the table, our dear friends, Jim and Cheryl Brandi and their family as they mourn the transition of Jim’s brother, Tony. We offer them our love and support.
ALL: Holy One, heal us!
We bring to the table the children, women and men seeking asylum in our country and our government keeps them living in deplorable conditions.
ALL: Holy One, heal us!
And what do you bring to our table today
Joan P. Holy One, as we contemplatively and reflectively ponder the needs of our world we trust in the power of Divine Spirit to bring hope to others through us.
And together we say,
ALL: LET IT BE SO!
OFFERTORY: Truth I Am Standing On – Leanna Crawford
https://waynation.com/10-christian-girl-anthems-to-have-on-repeat/
This is the truth I’m standing on
Even when all my strength is gone
You are faithful forever
And I know you will never
Let me fall
Right now, I’m choosing to believe
Someday soon I’ll look back and see
All the pain had a purpose
Your plan was perfect all along
This is the truth I’m standing on
Mary M. May today there be peace within. May we trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May we not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May we use those gifts that we have received and pass on the love that has been given to us. May we be content knowing we are a child of God. Let this presence settle into our bones, and allow our soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us. The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too”. (adapted from the writings of Teresa of Avila)
Our commitment to respond in faith and action will reveal the power and presence of the Cosmic Christ. May all of humanity gain strength and peace of heart.
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY:
Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ
Joan P. Place your bread and cup of wine before you on your table as we pray the Offertory Prayer
Kathryn: “Reflect upon the providence and wisdom of the Holy One in all created things and praise the Holy One in them all. Truth suffers, but never dies. In this distress, present in our world, in our homes, your words alone, O Holy One, were enough to remove my fears, and give me perfect peace: ‘Be not afraid, my daughter: it is I; and I will not abandon you. Fear not.
Elena: Christ has no body now, but yours. No hands, no feet on earth, but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ looks compassion into the world. Yours are the feet with which Christ walks to do good. Yours are the hands with which Christ blesses the world.
Kathryn: Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul. You pay God a compliment by asking great things in prayer. Reflect upon the providence and wisdom of God in all created things and praise God in them all, to have courage for whatever comes in life — everything lies in that. We need no wings to go in search of the Holy One but have only to look upon the Holy One present within us. The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too.”
(Eucharistic Prayer is taken from the writings of Teresa of Avila
model of the strength and vision of women even today)
(Hold your hands over the bread and the wine):
Dotty: In this sacrament of breaking bread and blessing wine, we pause now and call upon Sacred Spirit to bless this bread and wine which is made sacred through our faith. We celebrate with one another as we remember Jesus walked this same earth we walk today.
Kathryn: During Jesus’s life on this earth, he lived and died loving the poor, healing the sick and challenging the injustices within society. Because of his ministry Jesus was feared by the authority of his day.
Joan: Jesus met with his closest friends on the evening of the Jewish Seder.
The meal was prepared but first Jesus spoke to his friends reminding them of what he had taught them saying “Love others as I have loved you.”
He then knelt before each of them and washed their feet as an act of love.
Dotty: Jesus returned to his place at the table and took the bread provided for their meal, He lifted the Passover bread, and spoke words of blessing. He broke the bread saying these words:
“Take and eat. This is my very Self. Do this in memory of Me.”
Joan P: Jesus then lifted the cup filled with wine. He spoke the blessing and said:
“Take and drink of the covenant made new again through my life for you and for everyone. Whenever you do these things, remember Me.”
Dotty: LET US NOW SHARE BOTH BREAD AND WINE
WITH ON ANOTHER
MEDITATION SONG AFTER COMMUNION:
Song: My Prayer For You - Alisa Turner
https://youtu.be/hj_0pvIGkks
Lyrics Verse: For anyone who’s prayed a thousand prayers And still can’t find the answer anywhere Fighting off the lie that no one cares For anyone who’s out there losing hope Feeling you’re forsaken and alone Clinging to the last strands of your rope Chorus: May God give you eyes to see He’s still greater Courage to rise and believe He’s able May God be your peace in the fire you’re walking through This is my prayer now This is my prayer for you Verse: For all of those with tired and weary souls But still have faith to ask for miracles Choosing to believe He’s in control Bridge: May your eyes be ever on the Lord, your helper May you find your refuge in the Lord, your shelter May you find Him closer than a brother all your days All of your days
Elena: It is through learning to live as Jesus lived,
And why he lived, and for whom he lived,
That we awaken to your Spirit within, moving us to celebrate life with you,
life-giving Creator Spirit at this time, and all time, and in all ways.
As we celebrate the memory of Jesus in our sharing of Eucharist, we remember all those people who walk with us in search for the Divine. We remember worshipping communities everywhere who gather praising the Holy One and praying for one another.
Suzanne: Let us pray in the manner that Jesus taught his companions to pray:
ALL: O Holy One, you are within, around, and among us.
We celebrate your many names.
Your wisdom come, your will be done,
unfolding from the depths within us.
Each day you give us all that we need.
You remind us of our limits, and we let go.
You support us in our power, and we act with courage.
For you are the dwelling place within us,
The empowerment around us,
And the celebration among us,
now and forever. Amen.
(Adapted, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS)
Kathryn: It is through living as Jesus lived, we are awakened to the Spirit and give thanks and praise for all gifts given.
Peace will only reign if we can learn to love. Love destroys pursuit of self, pursuit of power, pursuit of wealth, and so many other desires that can so easily be foundations of violence and conflict. Sometimes we may feel like we will never see peace in the world. We must persevere in prayer for peace. Nothing is impossible with God.
We look to St. Agnes to be a source of strength for all girls and women neglected, misunderstood and uncared for. St. Agnes is an example of freedom from fear and the profound belief that the Holy One is protecting her.
All: LET IT BE SO
INTRODUCTIONS, THANKSGIVINGS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dotty: Raise your hands in blessing for All
May the blessing of the Holy One hold us on our journey.
May the blessing of Spirit of Life give us a new faith to conquer all evil.
May the blessing of Divine Mystery protect all life in our world and beyond.
ALL: LET IT BE SO
Joan P. We are all committed to put into practice all that we have heard here today as we bring the message of the ministry of Jesus to all those we meet.
Closing Song:
Chiquitita! By Annalie Johnson of One Voice Children's Choir and her sister Abby
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCMBF7A4JPA
(end Minute 4:35) |
Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong |
Chiquitita, tell me the truth |
Chiquitita, you and I know |
Chiquitita, you and I cry |
So the walls came tumbling down |
Chiquitita, tell me the truth |
Chiquitita, you and I know |
Chiquitita, you and I cry |
