Sunday 28th September 2008
Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Social justice Sunday
Celebrant:
As we are called by our bishops to face “the challenge of
affluence and poverty in Australia” this weekend,
we offer our prayer through Jesus, who gave friendship
and purpose to those whom others despised.
1.
May this Social Justice Sunday awaken in all Catholics in Australia
a passion for justice, so that together we work to restore dignity to
those discouraged by life, and help those overwhelmed by poverty.
Lord, hear us.
2.
May this Sunday awaken in the hearts of the rich a deep concern for
those in need, so that with the generosity of Jesus, they bring to them
genuine hope and encouragement.
Lord, hear us.
3.
May those who struggle with poverty in its many forms not despair, but
with trust in the Providence of God, hold onto their dignity and act with
integrity.
Lord, hear us.
4.
May women and men caught in the web of prostitution,
especially where they have been deceived or held captive,
be helped to find a new way of life in which they can
work for the good of the community.
Lord, hear us.
5.
May each of us follow the advice of St Paul,
and be free of all competition among ourselves
and think of other peoples interests above and before our own.
Lord, hear us.
6.
May we bring in prayer to God the Christians in many parts of India
subject to violence and church burnings, those affected by the floods in
Nepal, the increased political tensions in Pakistan and South Africa, the
drought in Ethiopia, the cyclone destruction and increased poverty in
Haiti and the chaos in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Lord, hear us.
7.
May those who have died unknown or unloved find in God
total acceptance, forgiveness and peace. We remember also . . .
Lord, hear us.
Celebrant:
Father,
remember your mercies and
the love which you have shown of old;
guide us in your ways
that we may always serve the poor
in the name of your Son, Jesus,
who is Lord, for ever and ever.
Monday 29th September
Sts Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels
(Readings proper to the Feast)
Celebrant:
In every Eucharist we join with the angels in heaven
to praise and worship the one God
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
1.
May there be in the heart of every Christian
a constant prayer of praise and thanksgiving.
Lord, hear us.
2.
May those who invoke St Michael as Patron
grow in the likeness of God:
the people of Kongorong and Clare,
of Papua New Guinea, The Solomons, England and Germany,
the students and staff of St Michael’s College,
along with radiologists, radiotherapists and bankers,
security forces and paratroopers.
Lord, hear us
3.
May those who invoke St Gabriel as Patron,
rejoice in the will of God:
the students and staff of St Gabriel’s School at Clearview,
those working in telecommunications, television, radio and
postal services, along with stamp collectors.
Lord, hear us.
4.
May those who invoke St Raphael as patron
know that God is their constant protector on life’s journey:
the people of the Parkside community, along with travelers,
pharmacists, health inspectors, the blind and young people leaving
home.
Lord, hear us.
5.
May God send his angels to watch over those nations which
have become centres of violence and destruction, so that peace
may return quickly to them .Lord, hear us.
Celebrant:
Gracious God, we thank you for your faithfulness and
love, and with grateful hearts we praise you with all the
angels and saints, now and forever.
Tuesday 30th September
St Jerome
Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
Jesus took the road for Jerusalem where he would be
glorified in his resurrection. We make our pilgrimage to
the heavenly Jerusalem where we will share the glory of
Christ.
1.
That the pilgrim people of God
will use wisely the things of earth
and love the things of heaven.
Lord, hear us.
2.
That when people reject us or offend us,
we may refrain from wishing them harm,
but rather pray for their welfare with love.
Lord, hear us.
3.
That our fellow Australians who work in dangerous situations
as aid and relief workers in refugee camps and in impoverished
conditions, may be protected from harm as they support others.
Lord, hear us
4.
That those who despair of their very lives, and wish they had never
been born, may find in the writings of Job a guide as to how to live
again with hope, trusting in God the Creator.
Lord, hear us.
5.
That on this World Maritime Day, the crews of ships may be treated
with justice, protected from pirates, and receive pastoral care through
the Church’s Apostleship of the Sea.
Lord, hear us.
6.
That the work of biblical scholars in the Church, may with St Jerome’s
prayers, be a great help to people as they study and reflect upon the
Word of God.
Lord, hear us.
Celebrant:
Heavenly God, keep us ever hopeful in our prayer,
for you alone are our joy and consolation
through Christ our Lord.
Wednesday 1st October
St Therese of the Child Jesus and of the Holy Face
Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
St Therese is a much loved saint,
whose ‘little way’ to holiness
was the pathway of love.
1.
That those who have become disillusioned in the Church
may rediscover the simplicity of Christ’s message as lived by St
Therese by living each day with simple acts of love and kindness.
Lord, hear us.
2.
That on this International Day of Older Persons, the elderly
may learn from the young St Therese, the art of prayer and so taste the
consolation of God.
Lord, hear us.
3.
That those who honour St Therese as patron
may find joy in faith and strength in love:
Fr Brennan and the people of Colonel Light Gardens Parish,
the people of Kingston in the South East,
along with the people of France, the missionary work of the Church,
florists and flower gardeners.
Lord, hear us.
4.
That we who, through our baptism, have been called to follow
Christ, may do so joyfully, so that we can share with others the depth of
his love.
Lord, hear us.
5
That this third anniversary of the Second Bali bombing may increase
our desire and energy for peace, and bring healing to all who continue
to be traumatized by that event.
Lord, hear us.
Celebrant:
Lord,
we stretch out our hands to you in earnest prayer
that you would have mercy on those whose lives are
devastated by war and bring them the peace for which
they long.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Thursday 2nd October
Guardian Angels
Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel proper to this Memorial
Celebrant:
We take heart from the truth that our Redeemer lives,
that we will be set close to him,
and in our flesh look on God.
1.
We affirm the faith of the Church in the resurrection of the dead
and life everlasting.
Lord, hear us.
2.
We live in the hope that one day our eyes shall gaze on the beauty
of God.
Lord, hear us.
3.
We pray for all those close to us who have died, remembering also
those who have died unknown, unloved or unmourned.
Lord, hear us.
4.
We long for God’s peace to rest in every heart that is distressed,
and on those whose hope is fading.
Lord, hear us.
5.
We commend to God that land made holy by the earthly life of
Jesus, so that harmony may come to all who live there.
Lord, hear us.
6.
We rejoice in the gift of teachers and all they do for children and
youths on this World Teachers Day.
Lord, hear us.
7.
We seek the protection of the Guardian Angels whom God has
given as a personal gift to every human person.
Lord, hear us.
Celebrant:
Lord our God,
in faith we seek your face,
that we may come to live in your presence
in the heavenly home
through Christ our Lord.
Friday 3rd October
Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
God’s word to Job has given us an insight
into the power of God. While we stand in awe of his
majesty, we are also confident that he will hear our every
prayer.
1.
That when we are tempted to say something untrue or hurtful,
boastful or conceited, we may lay our finger on our lips
as did Job long ago.
Lord, hear us.
2.
That when we give our word to another, we will do so thoughtfully and
truthfully, keeping faithful to what we say.
Lord, hear us.
3.
That politicians may respect truth, and without fear or favour,
work for the common good of the people
for whom they are elected.
Lord, hear us.
4.
That this Day of Jewish and Christian Dialogue may help each faith to
appreciate the other, and so unite with other people of goodwill in the
quest for peace and religious freedom.
Lord, hear us.
5.
That the poverty which is experienced across the African Continent
may move world leaders to reduce debt, increase aid, and promote
human rights.
Lord, hear us.
6.
That Christian communities across India, enduring persecution from
Hindu extremist, may be full of faith and courage, and know
our prayerful support.
Lord, hear us.
Celebrant:
Lord our God,
you are present everywhere
and guide us in the ways of goodness.
Help us to remain faithful to you
through Christ our Lord.
Saturday 4th October
St Francis of Assisi
Twenty-Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Celebrant:
Today we honour one of the most loved of all saints,
Francis of Assisi, whose simple faith, radical poverty,
and respect for all living creatures, continues to
encourage people to live the Christian life today.
1.
May the holiness of St Francis, and his love for the Church,
encourage all Christians to pray and work for that unity
which is according to the mind of Jesus Christ. Lord, hear us.
2.
May all who honour St Francis as patron follow the simplicity of
his dedicated life: the people of the Newton Parish, students and staff
of St Francis Schools at Newton and Lockleys, the Franciscan and
Capuchin Friars, the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus, the
Franciscan Sisters of St Anthony, and the Nation of Italy.
Lord, hear us.
3.
May we have a profound respect for God’s creation,
and care for the earth for the welfare of future generations,
as we honour St Francis, patron of the ecology and ecologists.
Lord, hear us.
4.
May governments take seriously the issue of global warming,
and here in Australia the quantity and quality of rivers, and make bold
decisions for the long term future of our planet and country.
Lord, hear us.
5.
May we receive the gift of prudence so that we do not speak
empty-headed words, or hold forth on matters we cannot or do not
understand. Lord, hear us.
6.
May World Space Week, beginning today, ensure that nations work
together in space exploration with a commitment for peace.
Lord, hear us.
Celebrant:
Lord, let your face shine upon us,
so that we can live with peace of heart
all the days of our lives.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.