-
Today's Readings
-
Reading 1 Heb 4:1-5, 11Responsorial Psalm Ps 78:3 and 4bc, 6c-7, 8Gospel Mk 2:1-12
-
-
CHRISTMAS SEASON, 2018/2019
BAPTISM OF THE LORD
January 13, 2019PRIEST: As beloved daughters and sons of God, let us bring our needs before our Lord:
For all who were brought to the waters of Baptism in 2018, and for all who helped to form them in the faith, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For the children and adults who will be baptized at St. Gerard’s this year, and for the families/the friends and this faith community who will guide them into a loving relationship with God, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For all those who live in Israel and Palestine, and around the River Jordan….that they will work together to build peace and justice for everyone, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For those who are unwell, including Olivia Froese, Jim Schmit, and Yvette MacDonald….that their caregivers will have the compassion of Jesus, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For our children who are preparing to celebrate their first Reconciliation….that they will always see the face of our loving God in their families, their teachers, and the parishioners of this parish, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For our upcoming parish Mission….that we will all work together to support the prophetic teachings of Father O’Reilly, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For ourselves….that we will ponder our own baptismal call, and the responsibilities that we are called to undertake as members of a faith community, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For our parish….that we will be a welcoming community, a community that does not judge others, a community that takes care of the poor and the suffering, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
PRIEST: Father, shower your gracious mercy on us. Hear our prayers and give us the help we need to help others. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
EPIPHANY OF THE LORD
JANUARY 6, 2019PRIEST: On this feast of Epiphany, we lift up our prayers and petitions to the God of light…
That all Christian churches shine as the light of Christ, inviting all nations into peace and justice, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.That all nations of the world will work together to care for the oppressed, the needy, and those threatened by violence, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For those in any kind of distress – physical, emotional, or spiritual – that God will bless them with compassionate caregivers, and keep them safe from harm, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.That those who are unwell, including Olivia Froese and Anton Burchevski and his mother, and for those who are dying and those who have died during this holy season, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
That the parishioners of St. Gerard’s parish be open to the epiphanies in their lives, and that the revelations deepen their relationship with God, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.That our parish community will bring the light of God to all whom we meet, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
PRIEST: God of light…send your Spirit to guide us so that we will fashion our lives after the example of your son, Jesus, the light of the world. Hear and grant our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen
THE SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD/WORLD DAY OF PEACE
JANUARY 1ST, 2019PRIEST: As we enter into this new year, let us lift our prayers to our heavenly Father --
Let us pray for the church....that all Christians will imitate Mary’s faith, trust, and discipleship, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.Let us pray for Canada, and for all the nations of the world....that this new year be a year in which we will all work to establish universal peace, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those in any kind of distress – physical, emotional, or spiritual – that God bless them and keep them safe, and let his face shine upon them, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.Let us pray for all those who have lost their connection to God....that through the intercession of Mother Mary, they may find their way to a healing relationship with God, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
Let us pray for those who are unwell, including Olivia Froese, and for those who are dying and those who have died during this holy season, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.Let us pray for all women....that they will bear Jesus into the world through their faithfulness and trust in God, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
Let us pray for one another and for our families....that we will follow Jesus in all we think, do and say, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.PRIEST: Loving God, we commend this year of 2019 to your merciful care. Through the gift of your Holy Spirit, help us to embrace the needs of our world, and to do whatever we can to help others. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen
THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY & JOSEPH
DECEMBER 30TH, 2018PRIEST: As a family, Jesus, Mary, & Joseph faced an uncertain world with faith & trust in God’s promise. With faith, let us bring our prayers before our Almighty God --
For peace in every heart and in every home, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For families, and for those who have lost family members…that their homes will be havens of peace and comfort, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For families who are in crisis…that they will find the help and support they need to flourish and thrive, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For people who are experiencing wars and injustices in their homelands…that the nations of the world work to establish peace and safety for them, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For refugees, including the people south of the US border…that they will be welcomed and aided in their attempts to build better lives for their families, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For the people of this faith community…that we will strive to be faithful and loving members this parish family, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
PRIEST: Triune God, you made us sisters and brothers of Jesus. Grant us peace and guidance through the power of your Holy Spirit, through Christ our Lord. Amen
CHRISTMAS EVE and DAY
DECEMBER 24TH & 25THPRIEST: With hearts full of gratitude for the gift of Jesus, we lift our prayers to God, our loving Father:
That the church will be a sign of peace and hope and trust within a world in need of healing, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.That the leaders of every country will work together for the cessation of violence and the building of lasting peace, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
That Christians throughout the world strive to show witness to God’s unconditional love for the world, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For all families…the place where joy and love and the knowledge of God’s constant presence are first learned, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For our children…that they may always be close to Jesus, bringing the light and love of Jesus into their world, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For those people with newborn babies…that they will cherish and protect those children as Mary and Joseph loved and protected Jesus to, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.For all those who are estranged – from family, from the church, from community – that they will find reconciliation and healing during this holy season, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
For this community of faith, gathered together to celebrate the Incarnation of God into the world…that we will always proclaim the glory and praise of God to all, we pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.PRIEST: Loving Father, we praise you for the gift of your Son, the savior who came for all people, to bring peace and justice. We ask you to hear our prayers and to grant them through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.