A Liturgy Preparation Aid
for the Seasons of
Advent and Christmas
Year Of Grace, 2014
Diocese of Lansing
1
A LITURGY PREPARATION AID
FOR THE
SEASONS OF
ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS
 CONTENTS 
Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents
with Individual Confession and Absolution
Readings
Sample Penances
Music Suggestions
A Calendar for the Seasons of
Advent and Christmas
The Lectionary for Mass – Cycle A
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ
from the Roman Martyrology
(to be sung at Christmas Midnight Mass)
The Announcement of Easter and the Movable Feasts
(to be sung on the Solemnity of the Epiphany)

Office of Worship  Diocese of Lansing
November 2013
Basic Aid format created by Rita Thiron, M.A.
Content updated for 2014 by Dcn. Thomas J. Fogle, D.Min.
Some texts are taken from the Rite of Penance (RP)
© 2010, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
Some texts are taken from the Roman Missal
© 2011, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved.
Back cover and some internal artwork by Steve Erspamer, Clip Art for Year A, B, C
© Liturgy Training Publications, 1992, 1993, 1994, respectively. All rights reserved.
2
PREPARE FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD

A PENANCE SERVICE FOR ADVENT 2014
Rite of Reconciliation of Several Penitents
with
Individual Confession and Absolution
Introductory Rites
Opening Hymn
Greeting
Introduction
Opening Prayer
Celebration of the Word of God
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel Acclamation
Gospel
Homily
Examination of Conscience
Rite of Reconciliation
General Confession of Sin
Litany of Repentance
Lord’s Prayer
Concluding Prayer
Individual Confessions of Sin and Absolution
Proclamation of Praise for God’s Mercy
Concluding Prayer of Thanksgiving
Concluding Rite
Blessing
Dismissal
Closing Hymn
3
PREPARATION

Hospitality Ministers should be recruited to welcome the assembly as they
arrive and to distribute worship aids.
• At least two readers should be appointed to proclaim the reading(s). Readers
should be seated in the assembly. A Deacon, Priest or Minister should read the
Examination of Conscience, lead the Litany of Repentance, and introduce the
“Our Father” as outlined in the Rite of Penance.

A musician and cantor(s) should lead the assembly in song. Instrumental
music may be played during individual confession. (A list of music suggestions
are included herein.) 

A Bible or Lectionary should be readied with the appropriate readings.

Lighting may be subdued. Candle(s) should be lit at the ambo. The
appropriate number of candles should be lit on the Advent Wreath.

Stations for confessors should be prepared. Priests might stand or sit in
isolated areas around the main body of the church to receive penitents. In this
way, the communal nature of the rite is maintained. Candles may light these
stations.

For the sake of simplicity, the presider alone or the presider, deacon (when
leading a part of the rite) and preacher could participate in the procession. Other
priests could be seated in the sanctuary or in a reserved area before the liturgy
begins.

 Sections within the rite specifically reserved for the priest presider are
marked “presider”. Sections where a priest (not presiding), deacon, or other
minister may lead are marked as “minister”.
4
INTRODUCTORY RITES
OPENING HYMN
GREETING
Presider:
Grace, mercy, and peace be with you
from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
All:
And with your spirit.
INTRODUCTION
Minister:
In these or similar words...
My brothers and sisters,
Advent is a time of preparation, when we make ready to
celebrate the mystery of our Lord’s coming as man, the
beginning of our redemption.
Advent also moves us to look forward with renewed hope
to the second coming of Christ, when God’s plan of
salvation will be brought to fulfillment. We are reminded
too of our Lord’s coming to each one of us at the hour of
our death.
We must make sure that he will find us prepared for his
coming, as the gospel tells us” “Blessed are those servants
who are found awake when the Lord comes” (Lk 12:37).
Advent is a time to recall the cry of the early Christians:
Maranatha! “Come, Lord Jesus!”
This service of penance is meant to make us ready in mind
and heart for the coming of Christ, which we are soon to
celebrate in the Mass of Christmas.
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OPENING PRAYER
Presider:
My brothers and sisters,
we look forward to celebrating the mystery of Christ’s
coming on the feast of Christmas.
Let us pray that when he comes
he may find us awake and ready to receive him.
Silent prayer
Almighty and merciful God,
you have brought us together in the name of your Son
to receive your mercy and grace in our time of need.
Open our eyes to see the evil we have done.
Touch our hearts and convert us to yourself.
Where sin has divided and scattered,
may your love make one again;
where sin has brought weakness,
may your power heal and strengthen;
where sin has brought death,
may your Spirit raise to new life.
Give us a new heart to love you,
so that our lives may reflect the image of your Son.
All:
Amen.
Unworthy servants that we are, O Lord,
grieved by the guilt of our deeds,
we pray that you may gladden us
by the saving advent of your Only Begotten Son.
Who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Collect
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
6
CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD
The following are suggested readings. Alternative readings may be selected. The preacher may wish to
use one, two, or three readings. If only one is chosen, it is preferable that it be the gospel.
The readings are printed elsewhere in this booklet, for ease of rehearsal. A Lectionary or Bible should
be used during the liturgy.
FIRST READING
Isaiah 59:1-4, 9-15
It is your crimes that separate you
from your God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 6, 7, 11
Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
SECOND READING
Romans 12:1-2, 9-18
Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
John 8:12 “I am the light of the world, says
the Lord; whoever follows me will have the
light of life.”
GOSPEL
Matthew 25:31-46
Whatever you did for one of these least
brothers of mine, you did for me.
HOMILY
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EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
The assembly is now invited to make an examination of conscience. This can be done in silence or by
using the examination below. The presider and minister or two readers might alternate. Allow a brief
period of silence between each question or phrase.

What is my attitude to the sacrament of penance? Do I sincerely want
to be set free from sin, to turn to God and to begin a new life?

Did I forget to mention, or deliberately conceal, any grave sins in past
confessions? Have I fulfilled the precept on annual confession and
Communion?

Did I perform the penance I was given? Did I make reparation for any
injury to others? Have I tried to put into practice my resolution to
lead a better life in keeping with the Gospel?

Is my heart set on God so that I really love him above all things and
keep his commandments? Or am I more concerned about things of
this world?

Am I courageous in professing my faith in God? Am I willing to be
known as a Christian in private and public life?

Do I pray daily? Do I really raise my mind and heart to God? Do I
offer God my difficulties, my joys, and my sorrows? Do I turn to God
in time of temptation?

Do I show reverence for God’s name? Have I offended him by
swearing, blasphemy, or taking God’s name in vain?

Do I keep Sundays and feast days holy by taking part in Mass, fully
and attentively?

Are there any false gods in my life? Do I give greater attention to
money, prestige, or fame than I give to God and his laws?

Have I contributed to the well being and happiness of my family by
patience and genuine love? Have I been obedient to my parents; have
I showed them proper respect? Have I been careful to offer my
children a Christian upbringing and teach them by good example?
Have I been faithful and loving to my spouse?

Do I share my possessions with those less fortunate? Do I show
respect for people of all races and education levels? Do I value all
human life?
8
RITE OF RECONCILIATION
GENERAL CONFESSION OF SINS
Minister:
Brothers and sisters,
let us call to mind the goodness of God our Father,
and acknowledge our sins,
so that we may receive his merciful forgiveness.
All:
I confess to almighty God,
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
And, striking their breast, they say:
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
Then they continue:
therefore I ask blessed Mary, ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
PENITENTIAL INTERCESSIONS/ LITANY OF REPENTANCE
Presider:
Let us turn to Christ with confidence and ask his mercy.
Minister:
Your mercy is our hope; welcome us to the sacrament of
reconciliation.
Lord, hear our prayer.
All:
Minister:
All:
Minister:
Give us the will to change our lives and the lives of others,
by charity, good example, and prayer.
Lord, hear our prayer.
All:
Make us a living sign of your love for all to see;
people reconciled with you and with each other.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Minister:
All:
Give light to our darkness and lead us to your truth.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Minister:
In your mercy free us from the past
and enable us to begin a new life of holiness.
Lord, hear our prayer.
All:
Minister:
All:
Forgive our sins, lead us in the ways of goodness and love,
and bring us to the reward of everlasting peace.
Lord, hear our prayer.
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LORD’S PRAYER
Minister:
Now, in obedience to Christ himself,
let us join in prayer to the Father,
asking him to forgive us as we forgive others.
All:
Our Father, ...
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Presider:
Father, our source of life,
you know our weakness.
May we reach out with joy
to grasp your hand and
walk more readily in your ways.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:
Amen.
INDIVIDUAL CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
The presider or other minister might tell the assembly where the confessors will be located. Some brief words
regarding the manner of confession should be given. If the assembly if free to leave following individual confession,
the Alternative Concluding Rite may be appropriate.
The people may be encouraged to accept one of the penances which are found in the worship aid or the confessors
may give a penance suited to the individual. The assembly may be advised to remain in church if there is to be a
common ending. Quiet instrumental music might be played during this time.
PRAYER OF ABSOLUTION
After hearing the confession and offering suitable counsel, the priest extends his hands over the penitent’s head and
gives him absolution.
Confessor: God the Father of mercies,
through the death and resurrection of His Son
has reconciled the world to himself
and sent the Holy Spirit among us
for the forgiveness of sins;
through the ministry of the Church,
may God grant you pardon and peace,
and I absolve you from your sins
in the name of the Father
and of the Son,  and of the Holy Spirit.
Penitent:
Amen.
10
11
PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE FOR GOD’S MERCY
Ps 136:1-9, 16, 24-26
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever;
Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his mercy endures forever;
give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his mercy endures forever.
Who alone does great wonders,
for his mercy endures forever;
who made the heavens in wisdom,
for his mercy endures forever;
who spread out the earth upon the waters,
for his mercy endures forever;
Who made the great lights,
for his mercy endures forever;
the sun to rule over the day,
for his mercy endures forever;
the moon and the stars to rule over the night,
for his mercy endures forever;
who lead his people through the wilderness,
for his mercy endures forever;
Who freed us from our foes,
for his mercy endures forever;
who gives food for all flesh,
for his mercy endures forever;
give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his mercy endures forever.
Another psalm, hymn, or litany may be prayed in acknowledgment of God’s power and compassion.
See the enclosed music suggestions or use one of the scripture citations below.
Psalm 32: 1-7, 10-11
Luke 1: 46-55
Psalm 98: 1-9
Isaiah 12: 2-6
Psalm 100: 1-5
Isaiah 61: 10-11
Psalm 103: 1-4, 8-18
Jeremiah 31: 10-14
Psalm 119: 1, 10-16, 18, 33, 105, 169-170, 174-175 Daniel 3: 52-57
Psalm 145: 1-21
Ephesians 1: 3-10
Psalm 146: 1b-10
Revelations 15: 3-4
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CONCLUDING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Presider:
God and Father of us all,
you have forgiven our sins
and sent us your peace.
Help us to forgive each other
and to work together to establish peace in the world.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:
Amen.
CONCLUDING RITE
BLESSING
Presider:
May the Lord guide your hearts
in the way of his love
and fill you with Christ-like patience.
All:
Amen.
Presider:
May he give you strength
to walk in newness of life
and to please him in all things.
All:
Amen.
Presider:
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son,  and the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Minister:
The Lord has freed you from your sins.
Go in peace.
All:
Thanks be to God.
13
ALTERNATE CONCLUDING RITE
CONCLUDING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Minister:
Almighty and eternal God,
you sent your only-begotten Son
to reconcile the world to yourself.
Lift from our hearts
the oppressive gloom of sin,
so that we may celebrate
the approaching dawn of Christ’s birth
with fitting joy.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
All:
Amen.
The presider or other minister might tell the assembly where the confessors will be located.
Some brief words regarding the manner of confession should be given.
BLESSING
Presider:
The Lord be with you.
All:
And with your spirit.
Presider:
May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son,  and the Holy Spirit.
All:
Amen.
DISMISSAL
Minister:
Go now to confess your sins and find Christ’s forgiveness
through the words of absolution.
All:
Thanks be to God.
14
READINGS
FIRST READING (RP #120)
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah
Isaiah 59: 1-4, 9-15
Lo, the hand of the Lord is not too short to save,
nor his ear too dull to hear.
Rather, it is your crimes
that separate you from your God,
It is your sins that make him hide his face
so that he will not hear you.
For your hands are stained with blood,
your fingers with guilt;
Your lips speak falsehood,
and your tongue utters deceit.
No one brings suit justly,
no one pleads truthfully;
They trust in emptiness and tell lies;
they conceive mischief and bring forth malice.
That is why right is far from us
and justice does not reach us.
We look for light, and lo, darkness;
for brightness, but we walk in gloom!
Like blind men we grope along the wall,
like people without eyes we feel our way.
We stumble at midday as at dusk,
in Stygian darkness, like the dead.
We all growl like bears,
like doves we moan without ceasing.
We look for right, but it is not there;
for salvation, and it is far from us.
For our offenses before you are many,
our sins bear witness against us.
Yes, our offenses are present to us,
and our crimes we know:
Transgressing, and denying the Lord,
turning back from following our God,
Threatening outrage, and apostasy,
uttering words of falsehood the heart has conceived.
Right is repelled,
and justice stands far off;
For truth stumbles in the public square,
uprightness cannot enter.
Honesty is lacking,
and the man who turns from evil is despoiled.
The Lord saw this, and was aggrieved
that right did not exist.
The word of the Lord.
15
RESPONSORIAL PSALM (RP #136)
Psalm 32: 1-2, 5, 6, 7, 11
R: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Blessed is he whose fault is taken away,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.
R: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, “I confess my faults to the Lord,”
and you took away the guilt of my sin.
R: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
For this shall every faithful man pray to you
in time of stress.
Though deep waters overflow,
they shall not reach him.
R: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
You are my shelter;
from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom
you will ring me round.
R: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you just;
exult all you upright of heart.
R: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
16
SECOND READING (RP #153)
A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans
Romans 12: 1-2, 9-18
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,
to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.
Do not conform yourselves to this age
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and pleasing and perfect.
Let love be sincere;
hate what is evil,
hold on to what is good;
love one another with mutual affection;
anticipate one another in showing honor.
Do not grow slack in zeal,
be fervent in spirit,
serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope,
endure in affliction,
persevere in prayer.
Contribute to the needs of the holy ones,
exercise hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you,
bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
Have the same regard for one another;
do not be haughty but associate with the lowly;
do not be wise in your own estimation.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil;
be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all.
If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.
Beloved, do not look for revenge
but leave room for the wrath;
for it is written,
Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.
The word of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
John 8:12
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
17
GOSPEL (RP #185)
A reading from the holy gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 25: 31-46
Jesus said to his disciples:
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory,
and all the angels with him,
he will sit upon his glorious throne,
and all the nations will be assembled before him.
And he will separate them one from another,
as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
He will place the sheep on his right
and the goats on his left.
Then the king will say to those on his right,
‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father.
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.
For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,
a stranger and you welcomed me,
naked and you clothed me,
ill and you cared for me,
in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you,
or thirsty and give you drink?
When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’
And the king will say to them in reply,
‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did
for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Then he will say to those on his left,
‘Depart from me, you accursed,
into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me no food,
I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
a stranger and you gave me no welcome,
naked and you gave me no clothing,
ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’
Then they will answer and say,
‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty
or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison,
and not minister to your needs?’
He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you,
what you did not do for one of these least ones,
you did not do for me.’
And these will go off to eternal punishment,
but the righteous to eternal life.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
18
RECONCILIATION SERVICE: ALTERNATIVE READINGS
OLD TESTAMENT
Genesis 3:1-8
Genesis 4:1-15
Genesis 18:17-33
Exodus 17:1-7
Exodus 20:1-21
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Deuteronomy 9:7-19
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Samuel 12:1-9, 13
Nehemiah 9:1-20
Wisdom 1:1-16
Wisdom 5:1-16
Sirach 28:1-7
Isaiah 1:2-6, 15-18
Isaiah 5:1-7
Isaiah 43:22-28
Isaiah 53:1-12
Isaiah 55:1-11
Isaiah 58:1-11
Isaiah 59:1-4, 9-15
Jeremiah 2:1-13
Jeremiah 7:21-26
Ezekiel 11:14-21
Ezekiel 18:20-32
Ezekiel 36:23-28
Hosea 2:16-25
Hosea 11:1-11
Hosea 14:2-10
Joel 2:12-19
Micah 6:1-15
Micah 7:2-7, 18-20
Zechariah 1:1-6
She took some of its fruit and ate it.
Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.
They tested the Lord, saying, “Is the Lord in our midst or not?”
I, the Lord, am your God. You shall not have other gods.
Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart.
Your people have become depraved; they have already turned aside from
the way I pointed out to them.
Today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and doom.
David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan
answered David: “The Lord on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall
not die.”
The children of Israel gathered together fasting and confessed their sins.
Love justice because into a soul that plots evil wisdom enters not, nor
dwells she in a body under debt of sin.
The hope of the wicked is like thistledown borne on the wind. But the
just live forever.
Forgive your neighbor’s injustice; then when you pray, your own sins will
be forgiven.
Sons have I raised and reared, but they have disowned me!
My friend had a vineyard. He looked for the crop of grapes, but what it
yielded was wild grapes.
It is I, I, who wiped out, for my own sake, your offenses.
The Lord laid upon him the guilt of us all.
Let the scoundrel forsake his way, and the wicked man his thoughts; let
him turn to the Lord for mercy; to our God, who is generous in forgiving.
Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become
for you like midday.
It is your crimes that separate you from your God.
Two evils have my people done: they have forsaken me, the source of
living waters; They have dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that
hold no water.
Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people.
I will remove the stony heart from their bodies, and replace it with a
natural heart, so that they will live according to my statutes.
If the wicked man turns away from all the sins he committed, he shall
surely live, he shall not die.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you and place a new spirit within you and
make you live by my statutes.
I will make a covenant for them on that day.
I took them in my arms; I drew them with human cords.
Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God.
Return to me with your whole heart.
Do the right and love goodness, and walk humbly with your God.
The Lord will again have compassion on us and cast into the depths of
the sea all our sins.
Return to me and I will return to you.
19
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 13:2-6
Psalm 25:4-10, 14-16
Psalm 31:2-4, 6
Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7, 11
Psalm 36:6-11
Psalm 50:7-8, 14-23
Psalm 51:3-14, 17, 19
Psalm 73:1-2, 21-24, 26, 28ab
Psalm 90:3-5, 12-13, 14, 17
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-11
Psalm 119:1, 10-13, 15-16
Psalm 123:1-4
Psalm 130: 1-8
Psalm 139:1-3, 4-18, 23-24
Psalm 143:1-11
NEW TESTAMENT
Romans 3: 22-26
Romans 5:6-11
Romans 6:2-11
Romans 6:12-23
Romans 7:14-25a
Romans 12:1-2, 9-18
Romans 13:8-14
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Galatians 5:16-24
Ephesians 2:1-10
Ephesians 4: 1-3, 17-32
Ephesians 5:1-14
Ephesians 6:10-18
Colossians 3:1-10, 12-17
Hebrews 12:1-5
James 1:22-27
James 2:14-26
James 3:1-12
1 Peter 1:13-23
2 Peter 1:3-11
1 John 2:3-11
1 John 3:1-24
1 John 4:16-21
Revelation 2:1-5
Revelation 3:14-22
Revelation 20:11-15
Revelation 21:1-8
My home, O Lord, is in your merecy.
Turn to me, Lord, and have mercy.
You have redeemed us, Lord, God of truth.
Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.
How precious is your mercy, Lord.
To the upright I will show the saving power of God.
Give me back the joy of your salvation.
It is good for me to be with the Lord.
Fill us with your love, O Lord, and we will sing for joy!
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!
Our eyes are fixed on the Lord.
With the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption.
You have searched me, and you know me, Lord.
Teach me to do your will, my God.
They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption
of Christ Jesus.
We boast of god through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have
now received reconciliation.
You must think of yourselves as being dead to sin and living for
God in Christ Jesus.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
Miserable on that I am! Who will deliver me from this mortal body?
Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
Throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its
passions and desires.
God, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in
our transgressions, brought us to life with Christ.
Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self.
You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as
children of light.
Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day.
If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above. Put to death, then, the
parts of you that are earthly.
In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of
shedding blood.
Be doers of the word and not hearers only.
What good is it if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man.
You were ransomed not with perishable things like silver or gold but with
the precious Blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished Lamb.
If we acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our
sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing.
Whoever hates his brother, is still in the darkness.
We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our
brothers.
God is love, whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.
Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my
mouth.
All the dead were judged according to their deeds.
The victor will inherit these gifts, I shall be his God, he will be my son.
20
GOSPEL
Matthew 3:1-12
Matthew 4:12-17
Matthew 5:1-12
Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 5:17-47
Matthew 9:1-8
Matthew 9:9-13
Matthew 18:15-20
Matthew 18:21-35
Matthew 25:31-46
Matthew 26:69-75
Mark 12:28-34
Luke 7:36-50
Luke 13:1-5
Luke 15:1-10
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Luke 17:1-4
Luke 18:9-14
Luke 19: 1-10
Luke 23:39-43
John 8:1-11
John 8:31-36
John 15:1-8
John 15: 9-14
John 19:13-37
John 20:19-23
Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!
Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and his disciples
came to him.
Your light must shine before others.
But I say to you.
Courage, child, your sins are forgiven.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.
You have won over your brother.
So will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each of you forgives your
brother from your heart.
Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.
He went out and began to weep bitterly.
The first of all the commandments.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.
If you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!
There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents.
While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was
filled with compassion.
If your brother wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you
seven times saying, “I am sorry,” you should forgive him.
O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
The Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.
Today you will be with me in Paradise.
Go, and from now on do not sin any more.
Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin.
He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and everyone
that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.
They will look upon him whom they have pierced.
Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them.
PROCLAMATION OF PRAISE FOR GOD’S MERCY
Psalm 32: 1-7, 10-11
“Let the just exult and rejoice in the Lord.”
Psalm 98:1-9
“The Lord remembered his mercy.”
Psalm 100:1-5
“The Lord is loving and kind: his mercy is for ever.”
Psalm 103:1-4, 8-18
“The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.”
Psalm 119:1, 10-13, …174-175
“Blessed are you, Lord; teach me your decrees.”
Psalm 145:1-21
“Day after day I will bless you, Lord; I will praise your name for ever.”
Psalm 146:1-10
“I will sing to my god all the days of my life.”
Isaiah 12:2-6
“Praise the Lord and call upon his name.”
Isaiah 61:10, 11
“My spirit rejoices in my God.”
Jeremiah 31:10-14
“The Lord has redeemed his people.”
Deuteronomy 3:52-57
“Bless the Lord, all the works of his hand: praise and glorify him for
ever.”
Luke 1:46-55
“The Lord has remembered his mercy.” (The Magnificat/ The Canticle of
Mary)
Ephesians 1:3-10
“Blessed be God who chose us in Christ.”
Revelation 15:3, 4
“Great and wonderful are your works, Lord.”
21
SAMPLE PENANCES
Choose one of the following penances as a way of accepting God’s mercy.

During the next week, spend an hour in prayer for those who are the victims
of abuse or neglect. Read Matthew 25: 31-46.

As a family, prepare a basket of food or toiletries and give it to a family in
need.

Skip a meal at your favorite restaurant. Use the money to purchase a
Christmas gift for a person served by a parish organization or local charity.

Identify a person whom you have offended since your last confession and
pray for them each day for a week.

Think of someone you have been especially uncharitable towards and send a
Christmas card with a note of kindness attached to it.

Work at a soup kitchen or food pantry during Advent for a couple of hours.

Reflect on the Beatitudes.....find someone who meets one of those needs,
such as one who mourns, and send them a note or visit them during Advent.

Speak a word of affirmation to each member of your household this week.
Make an effort to "help carry someone's burden" among your friends or
family members.

Offer to share something you have - or something you're doing - with
someone who would appreciate it.

Take a "prayer time" of ten minutes or so... and ask God if there is
something God would like to say to you... and LISTEN.

Call or write a note to someone who may be lonely or in need of "comfort
and joy."

Gather your family members for a reading of the "Christmas Story" from the
Gospel of Matthew or Luke. Discuss what it means to them and to you.

Include a "weekday" Mass in your plans during Advent.

Every morning until Christmas, say a Hail Mary for peace.

Reach out to a lonely person at school. Invite him or her to sit with you and
your friends.

Prayerfully pray Psalm 51.

For one whole week, do the dishes or set the table without being asked.

Give up some leisure time to shovel an elderly neighbor’s driveway.
22
MUSIC SUGGESTIONS FOR THE ADVENT PENANCE SERVICE 2014
HYMNODY
A Voice Cries Out
Amazing Grace
Clear the Voice
Come, Emmanuel
Come, O Long Expected Jesus
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Comfort, Comfort, O My People
Comfort, Comfort, O My People
Cry out with Joy and Gladness
Cry out with Joy and Gladness
Faith and Truth and Life Bestowing
Find Us Ready
Forgive our Sins as We Forgive
God’s Holy Mountain We Ascend
Grant to Us, O Lord (Ez 26;36)
Lead Us to Your Light
Let Desert Wasteland Now Rejoice
Let Justice Roll Like a River
Let Us Sing to the Lord/Cantemos al Señor
My Soul in Stillness Waits
No Greater Love
Ready the Way
Sion, Sing
The Advent of Our God
The Reign of God
The Trumpet in the Morning
There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy
Tree of Life
Walk in the Reign
When Jesus Passed Through Jericho
When John Baptized by River Jordan
When the King Shall Come Again
Where Charity and Love Prevail
Wild and Lone the Prophet’s Voice
Wild and Lone the Prophets Voice
Michael Joncas (GIA)
Newton (various)
Hagan (OCP)
Light/Tate (WLP)
Wesley (various)
(various)
(various)
Winkworth (tr.) (OCP)
Paul Tate (WLP, 007381)
Rudy Borkowski (WLP, 006272)
(GIA; Hymns for the Gospel)
Tom Booth (GIA)
Herklots (WLP)
(WLP)
Lucien Deiss (WLP)
Carol Browning (GIA)
Delores Duffer (GIA)
Marty Haugen (GIA)
Alonso/Mahler (GIA, G-6129 [collection])
Marty Haugen (GIA)
Michael Joncas (GIA)
Bob Hurd (OCP)
Lucien Deiss (WLP)
Coffin/Chandler (WLP; various hymnals)
Delores Duffer (GIA)
Rory Cooney (GIA)
Faber (various)
Aaron Thompson (WLP)
Rory Cooney (GIA)
(GIA; Hymns for the Gospel)
(GIA; various hymnals)
Christopher Idle (various)
Benoit (various)
(GIA; Hymns for the Gospel)
(GIA; Hymns for the Gospel)
LITANIES/CHANTS
Two Litanies for Advent/Lent
Gather us in Mercy. Lord
Hold us in Your Mercy: Penitential Litany
Penitential Litany
Richard Proulx (WLP)
Alonso (GIA)
Cooney/Daigle (GIA)
Prendergast/Sullivan (OCP)
PSALMODY
Psalm 51 Have mercy on us for we have sinned
C. Petty (WLP)
Psalm 51 Oh Dios, Crea en Mi/ Create in Me
E. Cortés (OCP)
PROCLMATION OF PRAISE FOR GOD’ S MERCY
The Psalter – Psalms and Canticles for Singing Isele
I Turn to You, O Lord
Jeremy Young (GIA, G-2896)
I Turn to You
Joe Mattingly (WLP, 003679)
I Turn to You, Lord
Craig and Kristen Colson (OCP, 20267 Z2)
Those Who Seek Your Face
Christopher Walker (OCP, 7150)
23
24
A LITURGICAL YEAR CALENDAR ADVISORY
FOR THE SEASON OF ADVENT
DAY
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
DATE
1 Dec
2 Dec
3 Dec
4 Dec
Thursday
Friday
5 Dec
6 Dec
Saturday
7 Dec
LITURGICAL DAY
First Sunday of Advent – Year A
Monday of the First Week of Advent
St. Francis Xavier
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
St. John Damascene, priest and doctor of the
Church
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Friday of the First Week of Advent
St. Nicholas, bishop
St. Ambrose, bishop, doctor of the Church
Sunday
Monday
8 Dec
9 Dec
Second Sunday of Advent
The Immaculate Conception of the BVM
2
3
Anniversary of Dedication of St. Mary Cathedral
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
St. Damasus I, pope
Our Lady of Guadalupe
St. Lucy, virgin, martyr
St. John of the Cross, priest and doctor of the
Church
Third Sunday of Advent
Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
4
13
13
12
7
10
10
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Friday of the Third Week of Advent
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
St. Peter Canisius, priest, doctor of the Church
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
St. John of Kanty, priest
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Peter Canisius, priest, doctor of the Church
9
9
9
9
12
2
9
12
9
12
Tuesday
10 Dec
Wednesday 11 Dec
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
12 Dec
13 Dec
14 Dec
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
15 Dec
16 Dec
17 Dec
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
18 Dec
19 Dec
20 Dec
21 Dec
Sunday
Monday
22 Dec
23 Dec
Tuesday
Morning
24 Dec
*Cf. General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, no. 59
25
RANK*
2
13
7
13
12
13
13
12
10
2
13
9
COMMENTS
Lect #1
Lect #175
Lect #176
Lect #177
Lect #658
Lect #178
Lect # 179
Lect #687
Lect #180
Lect #688
Lect #4
Lect #689
Not a Holy Day of Obligation
Lect #701-706
Lect #182
Lect #183
Lect # 690
Lect #690A
Lect #185
Lect #186
Lect #7
Lect #187
Lect #193
Advent Preface II
Lect #194
Lect #195
Lect #196
Lect #197
Lect #694
Lect #10
Lect #199
Lect #695
Lect #200
Lect #694
A LITURGICAL YEAR CALENDAR ADVISORY
FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON
Tuesday
24 Dec
Vigil of the Nativity of the Lord
3
Wednesday
25 Dec
The Nativity of the Lord/ Christmas
2
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
26 Dec
27 Dec
28 Dec
29 Dec
30 Dec
31 Dec
Wednesday
1 Jan 2014
7
7
7
5
9
9
12
3
Thursday
2 Jan
Friday
3 Jan
Saturday
Sunday
4 Jan
5 Jan
St. Stephen, The First Martyr
St. John, apostle and evangelist
The Holy Innocents, martyrs
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
St. Sylvester I, pope
The Octave of Christmas:
Mary the Holy Mother of God
St. Basil the Great and St. Gregory Nazianzen,
bishops, doctors of the Church
Christmas Weekday
The Most Holy Name of Jesus
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, religious
The Epiphany of the Lord
Monday
6 Jan
Tuesday
7 Jan
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
8 Jan
9 Jan
10 Jan
11 Jan
12 Jan
Christmas Weekday
St. André Bessette, religious
Christmas Weekday
St. Raymond of Penyafort, priest
Christmas Weekday
Christmas Weekday
Christmas Weekday
Christmas Weekday
The Baptism of the Lord
13
12
13
12
13
13
13
13
5
26
10
13
12
10
2
Celebrated by those who do not
participate in the Office of
Readings or Mass during the
night.
Lect #13
Holy day of obligation
Funeral Mass not permitted
Genuflect at “and became man”
Preface 3, 4, or 5
Midnight: Lect #14
Dawn: Lect #15
Day: Lect #16
Lect #696
Lect #697
Lect #698
Lect #17
Lect #203
Lect #204
Lect #700
Lect #18 Preface of BVM I
Holy Day of Obligation
Lect #205
Lect #206
Lect #207
Lect #20
Epiphany Proclamation
Lect #212
Lect #510C
Lect #213
Lect #511
Lect #214
Lect #215
Lect #216
Lect #217
Lect #21
27
LECTIONARY -- YEAR A
First Sunday of Advent (1 December 2013)
First Reading
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm
Psalm 122:1-9
Second Reading
Romans 13:11-14
Gospel
Matthew 24:37-44
Lectionary #1
Second Sunday of Advent (8 December 2013)
First Reading
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Second Reading
Romans 15:4-9
Gospel
Matthew 3:1-12
Lectionary #4
Solemnity: The Immaculate Conception of the BVM
(9 December 2013)
First Reading
Genesis 3: 9-15, 20
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 98: 1-4
Second Reading
Ephesians 1: 3-6, 11-12
Gospel
Luke 1: 26-38
Lectionary #689
(Not a Holy Day)
Anniversary of the Dedication of St. Mary Cathedral
(Monday, 9 December 2013)
Lectionary #701-706
Feast: Our Lady of Guadalupe
(12 December 2013)
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Gospel
Lect # 690 A or Common of BVM 707-712
Zechariah 2: 14-17 or Revelation 11: 19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab
Judith 13: 18bcde, 19
Luke 1: 26-38 or Luke 1: 39-47
Third Sunday of Advent (15 December 2013)
First Reading
Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 146:6-10
Second Reading
James 5:7-10
Gospel
Matthew 11:2-11
Fourth Sunday of Advent (22 December 2013)
First Reading
Isaiah 7:10-14
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 24:1-6
Second Reading
Romans 1:1-7
Gospel
Matthew 1:18-24
28
Lectionary #7
Lectionary #10
The Nativity of the Lord – Vigil Mass
First Reading
Isaiah 62:1-5
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 89: 4-5, 16-17, 27, 29
Second Reading
Acts 13: 16-17, 22-25
Gospel
Matthew 1: 1-25 [or 1: 18-25]
Lectionary #13
The Nativity of the Lord - Mass at Midnight
First Reading
Isaiah 9: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 96: 1-3, 11-13
Second Reading
Titus 2: 11-14
Gospel
Luke 2: 1-14
Lectionary #14
The Nativity of the Lord – Mass at Dawn
First Reading
Isaiah 62: 11-12
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 97: 1, 6, 11-12
Second Reading
Titus 3: 4-7
Gospel
Luke 2: 15-20
Lectionary #15
The Nativity of the Lord – Mass During the Day
First Reading
Isaiah 52: 7-10
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 98: 1-6
Second Reading
Hebrews 1: 1-6
Gospel
John 1: 1-18 [or John 1: 1-5, 9-14]
Lectionary #16
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph
Sunday within the Octave of Christmas (29 December 2013)
First Reading
Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 128:1-5
Second Reading
Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17
Gospel
Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23
Lectionary #17
Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God
The Octave Day of Christmas (1 January 2014)
First Reading
Numbers 6: 22-27
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 67: 2-3, 5, 6, 8
Second Reading
Galatians 4: 4-7
Gospel
Luke 2: 16-21
Lectionary #18
The Epiphany of the Lord (5 January 2014)
First Reading
Isaiah 60: 1-6
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 72: 1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Second Reading
Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6
Gospel
Matthew 2: 1-12
Lectionary #20
The Baptism of the Lord
First Reading
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading
Gospel
(12 January 2014)
Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 29:1-4, 3, 9-10
Acts 10:34-38
Matthew 3:13-17
29
Lectionary #21
THE CHRISTMAS PROCLAMATION
The announcement of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord from the Roman Martyrology
draws upon Sacred Scripture to declare in a formal way the birth of Christ. It begins with
creation and relates the birth of the Lord to the major events and personages of sacred and
secular history. The particular events contained in the announcement help pastorally to situate
the birth of Jesus in the context of salvation history.
This text, The Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, may be chanted or recited, most appropriately
on December 24, during the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours. It may also be chanted or
recited before the beginning of Christmas Mass during the Night. It may not replace any part
of the Mass.
(see Roman Missal, Appendix I)
Prior to the opening procession, the Mass during the Night may begin with the Roman
Martyrology, proclaimed by a deacon, a lector, or some other minister.
(see ORDO instructions for 25 December 2013, Christmas)
30
THE NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
from the Roman Martyrology
The Twenty-fifth Day of December,
when ages beyond number had run their course
from the creation of the world,
when God in the beginning created heaven and earth,
and formed man in his own likeness;
when century upon century had passed
since the Almighty set his bow in the clouds after the Great Flood,
as a sign of covenant and peace;
in the twenty-first century since Abraham, our father in faith,
came out of Ur of the Chaldees;
in the thirteenth century since the People of Israel were led
by Moses
in the Exodus from Egypt;
around the thousandth year since David was anointed King;
in the sixty-fifth week of the prophecy of Daniel;
in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad;
in the year seven hundred and fifty-two
since the foundation of the City of Rome;
in the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus,
the whole world being at peace,
JESUS CHRIST, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father,
desiring to consecrate the world by his most loving presence,
was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
and when nine months had passed since his conception,
was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judah, and
was made man:
The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.
31
The Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts
to be sung on the Solemnity of the Epiphany
5 January 2014
Know, dear brethern, (brothers and sisters) that,
as we have rejoiced at the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ,
so by leave of God’s mercy
we announce to you also the joy of his Resurrection,
who is our Savior.
On the fifth day of March will fall Ash Wednesday,
and the beginning of the fast
of the most sacred Lenten season.
On the nineteeth day of April
you will celebrate with joy Easter Day,
the Paschal feast of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the first day of June
will be the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the eighth day of June
the feast of Pentecost.
On the twenty-second day of June,
the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
On the thirtyith day of November,
the First Sunday of the Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
On the Epiphany of the Lord, after the singing of the Gospel, a Deacon or cantor, in keeping with an ancient practice
of Holy Church, announces from the ambo the moveable feasts of the current year according to this formula.
32
A Liturgy Planning Aid for the Seasons of Advent and Christmas
Office of Worship  Diocese of Lansing
228 North Walnut Street, Lansing, MI 48933
517-342-2476
Penance Service and Preparation Aid format
created by Rita Thiron
Content updated by Dcn. Thomas J. Fogle, D.Min.
November 2013
This booklet is provided as a service to our parishes
and to promote the ongoing liturgical formation
of the faithful of the Diocese of Lansing.
33