LITANYOFSERVICE
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Reader:Maywe serve withjoythat…
All:… opensour hearts tooffer welcome toall.
Reader:Maywe serve withjoythat…
All:...opens our sensestobearwitnessto the wondrousloveand glory ofGod.
Reader:Maywe serve withjoythat…
All:… opensour soulstothe ongoing promise and hope
ofnewlife,in union withGod our Creator,
the Resurrected LordJesus and the peaceof theHoly Spirit.
CLOSINGPRAYER
O God, ourLovingCreator,
OJesus,ourMasterTeacher,
O HolySpiritofWisdom,
ofall the gifts You give us,the greatestislove.
Open oureyes tosee,our earsto listen, ourmindstolearn,
ourheartsto beacceptingofothersand ourhandsto be more giving towardthosein need: thelost,thelonely, thelowly and theleast.
You areamongus as onewho serves.
Each day, we desireto serveprayerfullywithfaithfulness,
so thatwe maycome to a deeperawarenessofGod’s lovingpresence.
Help ustoserve honourablywithhumilityonthis earthlyjourney leadingto eternallife.
Teach us toservegenuinelywithcompassionthatwemaysee thefaceofChristin allwemeet.
Strengthen ustowiselyserve You aswe builda worldofjustice
and dignityforall.
MayYourexample inspireus toserve one anothergratefully withjoyin the promiseandhope ofeternallife.
Weaskthisasfriends and followersofChrist, ourLord.
Amen.
Leader:Letus go forth toserve withjoyin the Love ofChrist, with allthatweareandallthatwe offer …
In the nameof the Father, and ofthe Son, and oftheHolySpirit.
All:Amen.
DAYFIVE:Prayer Service
“RejoiceintheLordalways…
Let yourgentlenessbeknownto everyone.”
~ Philippians4:4-5
Opening SongSuggestions:
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SCRIPTURE READING Philippians4:4-9
ServingintheLoveof Christ2014CatholicEducationWeekThemeSong TheSpiritisAlive#23,IntheSpirit,WeBelong(Grade3CD) GoOutTogether#17,MayWeBeOne (Grade5CD) ShoutforJoy # 7,BelieveinMe (Grade7 CD)
OpeningHymn Suggestions:
Singa NewSong #544,Gather(red);#563,CBWIII
BlestAreThey #636,Gather(red);#522,CBWIII AllPeoplethatonEarthDoDwell #746,Gather(red);#578,CBWIII A PlaceattheTable #705,Gather(red)
CALL TO PRAYER
Leader:Jesus said, “Iamamongyou as one who serves.”(Luke 22:27e)
As we celebrate thefinaldayof CatholicEducationWeek, letus look forward to the future, recognizingthat
we have more reason to hopethan to fear.
In this place, gathered in God’s name,
we become quietand still in the presenceof the sacred to reflecton the meaning ofServingwith Joy,
as we pray:
In the name of theFather, and of the Son, and of theHolySpirit.
All:Amen.
Reader:Godof joy,
mayYour spiritof love infuseour gathering today. We contemplatethe words of Jesusassuring us
thatHe is among us asone who serves.
We bring toGodwho we are-our joys, our worries,
our doubts,our faith, our strengthsandour difficulties.
We askYouto open our hearts, ourmindsand
our whole being toYour loving presence in our lives.
OPENINGPRAYER
All:Loving God, helpus to deepen our understanding of what itmeans to serve with joy.
Guideour feet to walk in theways ofJesus.
As joyfulwitnesses to the Risen Lord, letus continue our mission of sharingthe GoodNews with allpeople.
We ask this in the name of Your Son,
who is here among us to remind us howto serve in the love ofChristas we gather in His name. Amen.
AreadingfromtheLetterof Paul to thePhilippians.
RejoiceintheLordalways;againIwillsay,Rejoice.Letyourgentlenessbeknown toeveryone.TheLordisnear.Donotworryaboutanything,butineverythingby prayerand supplication withthanksgiving letyour requests be made known toGod. AndthepeaceofGod,whichsurpassesallunderstanding,willguardyourheartsand your minds in ChristJesus.
Finally, beloved, whatever istrue, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever ispure,whateverispleasing,whateveriscommendable,ifthereisanyexcellenceand ifthereisanythingworthyofpraise,thinkaboutthesethings.Keepondoingthethings
thatyouhavelearnedandreceivedandheardandseeninmeandtheGodofpeace
willbe withyou.
TheWord of the Lord.All: Thanks beto God.
REFLECTION
- Whatword/verse fromthe reading resonatedmost forme?Reflecton it.
- Howcan I serveGod and others more joyfully withallmyheart?
PRAYEROFTHEFAITHFUL
Leader:Ever-living and ever-lovingGod,
joining together in prayer, we entrust to You ourselves, our neighbours, the Church and the world, imploring Your mercyand Your blessings.
TheResponse to the petitions is:R.Bewith us,Loving God, in allourneeds.
For Church leaders,especiallyPope Francis, ourearthlymodelof faithfulness and servant leadership: that theymayallcontinue to spread the GoodNewsof the Gospel,notonlybywords, butalso in actions, wepray …R.
For our communities, ourFirstNations peoples, our province, ourcountry, allpeople of the world: thatallmayhumblywork together with respectand understanding,
not with pride in power, as we work for the common good, wepray …R.
For our Catholic schools (especiallyN.): that the HolySpiritmayguide us to serve with compassion and kindness in allareasofthe curriculum, hearing the words of Jesusand finding the face ofJesus in these sacredplacesof learning,we pray…R.
For our students andstaff: that we maystand in solidarity to act with justice in bringing abouthealing, reconciliation, fairness and peacemaking in our schools and throughout the world,we pray …R.
For our families and ourcommunities: that wemayservewith joyin our hearts
so that we maygive thanks and praise for the manygiftswith which You blessus,
we pray …R.