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 February 24, 2008

Third Sunday of Lent

Greeting

Happy and searching lent to all. We welcome all of you, to Our Sunday liturgy.

We invite you to join us in song, prayer, and communion, to help us build the city of God and to help us feel the presence of God. For those young in body, share your energy, talents and passion with us, and those young at heart, share your strength, wisdom and knowledge, so that we can worship the Lord, and leave full, for the next week's journey.

Let us welcome each other, our celebrant, Fr. Gerald and the Lord to this mass, and please join us in singing the opening song, Lord, I Lift your name on High, whose words are projected in the front.

Processional: Opening Song- Lord, I Lift Your name on High.

Lord, I lift Your name on High.

Lord, I love to sing Your Praises.

I'm so glad You're in my Life.

I'm so glad You came to save us.

You came from heaven to earth to show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave,
from the grave to the sky,
Lord I lift your name on high!, I lift Your name on high...

Have youth meet the procession in the back center, after the cross and candles but before the priest. This week the symbol will be dealing with water, and most likely will be a pitcher that could be holding water.

Welcome

Refer to the symbol of the pitcher, and water, additionally ask those who have their birthday in February to be in front and be named and greeted.

 Introduction to the Penitential Rite

Dear friends, every time we come around the table of the Lord, Christ is sitting in our midst and he is the one waiting for us to satisfy our thirst for living water and to feed us with the bread of life. Let us open up our hearts to his word and beg him to tell us more about the gift of God.

 Penitential Rite

Lord, we have been ungrateful for your gifts and unwilling to live up to the freedom you granted us, Lord have mercy.

Christ Jesus, you have given us your gospel as spring of water welling to eternal life, and yet we thirst for less and fail to get your living water, Christ have mercy.

Spirit of God, you are the one who teaches us how to worship God rightfully, and yet we fail to listen to your voice, Lord have mercy.

FIRST READING: Exodus 17:3-7

Have two readers and if possible someone dressed as Moses in the back of church, read slow and have Moses act , crying out the line,walking up the center aisle and standing in front of the people, before striking the ground with a staff.

Reader 1: In those days, in their thirst for water, the people grumbled against Moses saying,

Reader 2: why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it to just have us die here of thirst with our children and our livestock?

Reader 1: So Moses Cried out to the Lord.

Moses: What shall I do with these people? A little more and they will stone me!

Reader 1: The Lord answer Moses,

Reader 2: Go over there in front of the people, along with some of the elders of Israel. Holding in your hand, as you go, the staff with which you struck the river. (Pause) I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb.(ho-reb) (slight pause) Strike the Rock, and the water will flow from it for the people to drink.

Reader 1: This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel. The place was called Massah (Mass-a) and Meribah (Mer- ra- ba), because the Israelites quarreled there and tested the Lord, saying,

Reader 2: Is the Lord in our midst or not? (Pause)

Reader 1 and 2: The Word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM : Sung or even have the congregation read verses in chorus, right and left sides alternating!

SECOND READING: Romans 5:1-2, 5-8

 GOSPEL: John 4:5-42

HOMILY IDEAS:

Thirst, water, those images and water water means and what Jesus is saying he can give us.

Where can someone find this water that is spoken of in the Gospel.

Pt out the places and ways we can be satisfied for ever, not just for a moment, but long lasting fulfillment. Point out how society states ways in music, movies, sex, drugs, alcohol, wealth and the other ways of instant gratification.

But prayer, sacrifice, family, church, service, love, through retreats, the bible, mass, the sacraments- especially to receive the eucharist and go to confession often, prayer, a inspiration music and movies, visiting holy places- shrines, churches, pilgrimages, making time to be with family and friends, and seeing God in the middle of all relationships, these are some of the places you can drink from the well that Jesus spoke of.

Point out the Faith Journey is a lifelong journey, starting at birth and baptism, and going through death and into your eternal existence. The people in the First Reading got impatient, wanted it all now, even yesterday, blamed God for all their misfortunes and thank him for none of their freedoms and blessings.Does this sound familiar?

Life is not compartmentalized to holy times and places, and not other times, or we graduate in our faith journey when we are confirmed, or we finish our knowing God when we are grandparents. Every day it takes a commitment and also a looking and openness to go to the well or God, not to the many "shallow" wells that have been put in front of by our culture, our society, even our own families.

Look at within the mass to highlight the use of water and its meaning.

Talk of how we are blinded by our own negativity or communal complaining and grumbling, and how we too have to ask,is God among us or not?  Can we see the Jesus who meets us at our own wells?

Can we grow in hope, can we let God use our helplessness and weakness to grow in faith and to grow in holiness?

Can we move beyond what "others/society" thinks and focus on what God thinks, wants, do we have the courage to be the people that God created us to be?

Racism, judging, hatred of others and the message that Jesus is clearly saying here!

What is at stake in this encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman goes well beyond the personal destiny of this particular woman. Understandably then the object of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman is not so much about moral behavior and about the actual marital status of the woman, but about religion (worship) and, shall we say, about theology: the Messiah, salvation, relationship between Jews and Samaritans, Jerusalem versus this mountain, Jacob's well versus living water given by Jesus, etc. Moreover, whenever Jesus talks to his disciples while the Samaritan woman is sharing the good news about him with her fellow Samaritans, he keeps talking theology: God's will, heavenly food, sowing, and harvest.

And what is John's conclusion? It's not about the woman going back to any of her former husbands, but about Samaria being evangelized and believing in Jesus to the point of confessing: "We know that this is truly the savior of the world" (4:42). Are we ever happy that one day Jesus went through Samaria, thus overthrowing prejudices and barriers set up on religious grounds? And blessed be the woman who made all this happen!

What are you thirsting for this Lent and how does the story of the Samaritan Woman mirror you faith journey?

 January 27, 2008

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year A Readings, Lectionary #67 

Call to Worship: Come and Follow Me

O, Come and Follow me.

O, Leave behind your nets I call you.

O, Come and Fish With Me, and your lives will never be the same again.

(2x's sung, 1 time just done.)

Pause, invite all to celebrate.

We welcome all of you, to Our Sunday liturgy.

We invite you to join us in song, prayer, and communion, to help us build the city of God and to help us feel the presence of God. For those young in body, share your energy, talents and passion with us, and those young at heart, share your strength, wisdom and knowledge, so that we can worship the Lord, and leave full, for the next week's journey.

Let us welcome each other, our celebrant, Fr. Gerald and the Lord to this mass, and please join us in singing the opening song, whose refrain is, Our God, is an awesome God; He reigns, from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love, Our God is an awesome God.(repeat)

(Youth will hold signs with words.)

Processional: Opening Song- Awesome God. (Cantor to sing slowly the versus, Chorus quicker.)

-          Have youth enter in with fishing poles and with either fish and colorful people at the end of it.

Introduction to the Penitential Rite

-          We come from different horizons and backgrounds. Yet we form the one people of God, gathered around the one Gospel of Christ. Let us pray together that we remain one and in communion with one another just as the Father and the Son are one.

 

-          Lord, you have created each one of us in your image and likeness, Lord, have mercy.

 

-          Christ, you have come to reconcile us with the Father and with one another. Christ, have mercy.

 

-          Spirit of God, you give us the strength and you help us to testify to Christ Jesus, Lord, have mercy.

Gloria: Sung- Anderson- 545 in the Music issue

FIRST READING: Isaiah 8:23--9:3 (Youth to read)

Responsorial Psalm: Sung Response. (Idea for the future, let us take a line from a popular song and make it the response to the Psalm.)

SECOND READING: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 (Youth to Read.)

GOSPEL: Matthew 4:12-23

HOMILY: We have the calling of the fishermen, to move from their own self interest to something bigger, to become fishers of men.

-          If we are disciples of Christ, to be Christ like, then we are called to stand for the non-negotiable Gospel values, which stands with the poor and the young.

-          Instead of withdrawing or being self absorbed in your own little internal problems, and mostly petty things, we are called to join all humanity to address the needs in the world and of others. So that, Jesus and the Cross, "Might not be emptied of their meaning!

-          Need to work together versus to be divided on opinions and feelings.

 Creed: During these final weeks of ordinary time, let us get ourselves in order, let us examine our beliefs and what we stand for, so let us renew our baptismal promises.

Sung Response: yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, lord. 

General Intercessions (get a youth to do each one.)

Presider: Sisters and brothers, we all belong to Christ, the one and only foundation of our unity. Let us pray that we all be "united in the same mind and in the same purpose" to make his Gospel known to the world.

Leader: The response for today's intercessions is, Lord, Help us to follow: For mutual understanding and respect between nations, cultures, and religions of the world, we pray to the Lord.

Leader: For the church of Christ suffering inner tensions and divisions, that it may find the way to reconciliation and unity among its members, we pray to the Lord.

 Leader: For all those who have been marginalized or suffer some form of discrimination in society or in the church, we pray to the Lord.

Leader: For those who have died martyrs for their faith. That their sacrifice may not have been made in vain, we pray to the Lord.

Leader: For the youth of our church that they may have the courage to truly follow the Lord, and become fishers of others, we pray to the Lord.

Leader: Let us take a few moments to offer any intentions that we may have, either outloud of in the silence of our hearts. (Count to 20 unless people state some intentions outloud, then wait for a 5 second pause), and say, we pray to the Lord.

Presider: Mention the masses intention and any in the book of the dead or the sick that we are suppose to pray for.

Presider: Lord of peace and unity, look not on our divisions and on our quarrels, and do not allow any of your children to be lost. We ask this through Christ your Son and our brother in humankind. Amen.

Offertory Song: Here I am (445 Music Issue)

Offertory Procession: Youth to bring up gifts and also in front of the gifts to have youth carry the cross and also the fishing poles again. 

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Holy, Holy

Memorial Acclamation

Presentation of the Body and the Blood

Great Amen

Our Father

Lamb of God

Communion Song: Table of Plenty (Music Issue 310)

Post Communion: Birthday Blessing, happy Birthday Singing, and reception of Gift.

Annoucements: Don Bosco Feast Push 1/31, Next Youth Mass, Service Opportunities

(Invite all to sing two more times, Come and Follow Me, and a third time in just silence.

Closing Song: Bless be the Lord (Music issue-443)

Set up and serve ???? after mass, or invite youth to share in the cake... Who will get it? (Plates, forks.)

 

 

 

Youth Mass

ST. Dominic's- 9:30

1/8- Epiphany Sunday

Opening Song: Open My Eyes ( Today's Missal: Music Issue-396)

Introduction to the Penitential Rite

Sisters and brothers, let us rejoice in this day of the Epiphany of the Lord, for the light of Christ has been revealed not only to us but to all nations personified in the Magi. Let us come and worship Christ and offer him the gifts of our full commitment to his gospel.

Penitential Rite

For our lack of enthusiasm in our search for God, Lord have mercy.

For our tardiness to read the signs of the times and the coming of your kingdom, Christ have mercy. 

For not allowing your Holy Spirit to lead us to the whole truth, Lord have mercy.

First Reading: Youth Reader from 7th Grade- Vinny Romano to Find

Second Reading: Youth Reader from 7th Grade- Vinny Ronamo to Find

Creed: Do as a renewal of our baptismal Promises with the sung response- yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord.

Homily-Seeing God, finding and following the star. Can do with homily, or at end of mass. We will hide three stars somewhere in the church, and invite the youth to go find them, then tie into the scriptures

General Intercessions- Get Youth to Read- Geri Responsible to do!

Presider:  As we prepare to bring our offerings to Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray to him with trust and hope for his light to shine upon us and guide us in our quest for God and for his salvation.

Youth Leader: For the church, that it be a light to the nations and find its happiness in showing the way to Christ, we pray to the Lord.

Youth Leader: For all religions of the world, that they stop fighting one another and start looking for new ways to promote understanding and dialog, in a sincere search for the one true God, we pray to the Lord.

Youth Leader: For our community, that we remain focused on the light of Christ and that we may grow in a deeper and more joyful understanding of his Gospel, we pray to the Lord.

Youth Leader: For the poor, for whom Christ has come in the first place and for whom he has always cared, we pray to the Lord.

Youth Leader: For those who have passed away lately in our community, that they may enjoy eternal light forever with God, we pray to the Lord.

Youth Leader: To all those who seem lost, alone, especially the elderly and the sick, that God may show them the light of his Son, so that they may grow in peace and wisdom,we pray to the Lord.

Youth Leader: For the youth of our community, especially those seeking confirmation this year, that they will be open to be lead and guided by the light of Christ in all that they do and be, we pray to the Lord.

Presider: Through all generations and all nations, Lord, you have manifested your glory and your kindness, and you have found true worshipers. May the light of Christ continue to illuminate the world and bring all nations together to praise your holy name. Amen.

Bringing up Gifts: Vinny Romano to get youth to bring up.

Offertory Song: Sacred Silence (Today's Missal:Music Issue- 577)

Communion Song: Table of Plenty (Today's Missal: 310)

Youth Blessing and Commissioning:

Have youth come up again to the alter and receive the blessing and commissioning.

Dearest God, today we ask for your special blessing as we send forth our youth to journey as the wise men did, to be people of prayer and faithfulness. Help our younger generation as they seek the truth and help them to stay on the path of peace and justice.

Bless and protect them, help them be steadfast in their service today and as they continue to move closer to finding and knowing themselves and God better.

Guide and help them to discover the beauty of sacrifice and the joy of compassion. May they all become wiser and deeper in their faith through their acts of service, and we ask this through our Lord, Jesus, who became a child, to show us the way, the truth and the life. Amen.

Recessional Song: We Three Kings: Today's Missal- 87

If did not incorporate the finding of the three stars with the homily, invite the youth to look for them after mass.

Fr. Guy, I will try to get all the music as before, and put onto a disk!

 

 

25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Resources and Guide to Youth Liturgy and Activity

September 23, 2007

 

Penitential Rite

We ask the Lord to forgive us
how selfishly we have managed
all that has been entrusted to us.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, when you called us to be good stewards,
we let money and possessions become our masters:
Lord. have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Jesus Christ, when you came to set us free,
we let power and ambition shackle us:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, when you wanted us to serve the poor
we gave them handouts instead of ourselves:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Set us free again from sin, Lord,
and make us good stewards of the earth's goods.
Lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen. (Claretin Publications Inc,
)

 

 

First Reading: Amos 8:4-7

 

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Amos

 

Hear this, you who trample upon the needy, and destroy the poor of the land!

 

"When will the new moon be over," you ask, "that we may sell our grain, and the Sabbath, that we may display the wheat?

We will diminish the ephah (weights), add to the shekel (measures) and fix out scales for cheating!

 

We will buy the lowly for silver, and the poor for a pair of sandals; even the refuse of the wheat we will sell!"

 

The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob;

Never will I forget a thing they have done!

 

The word of the Lord.

 

ALL: Thanks be to God.

 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 113:1-2,4-6. 7-8

 

Response: Praise the Lord, who lifts up the Poor.

 

Right Side: Praise, you servants of the Lord, praises the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord, both now and forever.

Response: Praise the Lord, who lifts up the Poor.

 

Left Side: High Above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is his glory.

Who is like the Lord, our God, who is enthroned on high, and looks upon the heavens and the earth below?

Response: Praise the Lord, who lifts up the Poor.

 

Left Side: He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor, to seat them with princes, with the princes of his own people.

Response: Praise the Lord, who lifts up the Poor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Reading: 1 Timothy 2;1-8

 

A reading from the first letter of Saint Paul to Timothy

 

Beloved:

First of all, I ask that supplications,

 prayers,

petitions,

and thanksgiving be offered for everyone,

 

For kings and for all in authority,

that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life

in all devotion and dignity.

 

This is

good and pleasing

to God our savior,

who wills everyone

to be saved

and to come to knowledge of the truth.

 

For there is one God.

 

There is also one mediator between God and men,,

That man Christ Jesus,

Who gives himself as ransom for all.

 

This was the testimony at the proper time.

For this I was appointed

Preacher and apostle- I am speaking the truth,

I am not lying-, teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

 

It is my wish, then, that in every place

The men should pray,

Lifting up holy hands,

Without anger or argument.

 

The word of the Lord.

All: Thanks be to God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 16:1-13

 

The Lord be With you.

All: And also with you.( Gesture both hands towards priest as you say response.)

 

A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.

 

All: Glory to you, Lord (make the sign of the cross on your forehead, your lips, and over your heart) Ask God to make these words you hear, to be part of your thoughts and to stay in your mind, to become your words that you use, and that they may sink into your heart and become part of your actions and your motivations..

 

Narrator: Jesus said to his disciples,

 

Jesus: A Rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property.

Action:  Rich man is sitting on top of a desk or table, with two men fanning him. A man approaches the rich man and tells him about his steward- Rich man is upset, and surprise as the other man points and tells him what he has done.

 

Jesus/Narrator: He summoned him and said,

Action: Rich man writes a note and gives it to the man, and that man brings it to the steward.

 

Rich Man: What is this I hear about you? (Pause)

Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.

Action: Confused look asking him the question? Then give him a sheet of paper, when you ask him for a full account, and point to the door?

 

Jesus/Narrator: The steward said to himself,

 

Steward: What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me?

Action:  Walks to side away from Rich man, with paper in hand. Puts finger on head and starts to talk to self

 

Steward: I am not strong enough to dig, and I ashamed to beg.

Action: Make like digging a hole and on knees asking for money.

 

Steward: I know what I shall do that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.

Action: Hold finger out like has a good idea, hands open and then close into chest.

 

Jesus/Narrator: He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said,

Action: Steward gets men and tells them to come and wait in line.

Sits at desk with paper and calls first one to table.

 

Steward: How much do you owe my master?

Action: Asks question, and gestures to pointing to hand.

 

Jesus/ Narrator: he replied

 

First Debtor: One hundred measures of olive oil.

Action: Counts on fingers, and then flashes all ten digits.

 

Jesus/ narrator; He said to him,

                  

Steward: Here is your promissory note, Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.

Action: Gives him a piece of paper and instructs him to write a note for fifty, and the first debtor does and then walks away smiling.

 

Jesus/ Narrator: Then to another the steward said,

Action: Steward gestures to the next person on line to come forward.

 

Steward: And you, how much do you owe?

Action: Second debtor comes up slowly and with fear and hesitation.  Steward asks him a question.

 

Jesus/Narrator: He replied

Action: Second Debtor, stands up and looks out to his right and starts to point and count in the air, and then  he too flashes his fingers all, many times.

 

Second Debtor: One hundred kors of wheat.

 

Jesus/Narrator: The steward said to him,

Action: Gives him a piece of paper, and then the steward writes on it, and gives it to the steward and walks away with a smile.

 

Steward: Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.

 

Jesus/ Narrator: And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently.

 

Jesus:  "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.

I tell you, make friends for yourselves with dishonest wealth, so that when it fails, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

 

The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones; (pause)

 and the person who is dishonest in very small matters is also dishonest in great ones. (Pause)

 

If. Therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? ( Pause)

 

If you are not trustworthy with what belongs to another, who will give you what is yours? (Pause)

 

No servant can serve two masters.

 

He will either hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other .

 

You cannot serve both God and mammon."

 

All Readers: The Gospel of the Lord

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Homily Ideas or Activities

 

1)     Can prior to mass put some dollars (or fake diamond earrings, or necklace) on the floor in church, and have someone watch who picks them up and what they do with them- Or can just ask those who found a dollar before mass to come to the altar, and then ask them what they did with it, or if they kept it, and why?

-          Then explore the idea of honesty. Is your soul worth a dollar?

-          Why do people cheat, steal?

 

2)     With the above idea or alone, you can pull out $20 dollar bill or a $100 bill and ask all those in the congregation if they would want this bill.

-          Then crumble it, then ask who would want it.

-          Then step on it, ask who would want it.

-          Then can use to wipe under arms, or spit on, or to pick up food, who would still want it.

-          Then explore the value of money, is it more important than people?

-          People do to people what I did to the money with out seeing any worth or value in them, without a blinking of an eye.

 

3)     Related to above , or stand alone, talk about how on NBC dateline they had a show watching Security Guard, and what they did with wallets they thought they found, or how on Z100 they followed a man, who came across a Tiffany bag that a woman had left behind on a park bench as soon as she got up and forgot it was there?

 

4)     In the first reading, Amos has another vision, and in many ways what he speaks of for the Israelites can be said for America today?

-          We have the scales of Justice or the scales of Just commerce, are they fair, balance and just?

Have a scale, to demonstrate this practice.

-          We hear of an small ephah, that was when an seller would cheat and give you a lesser amount then you paid for.

-          And we hear of a shekel, that was actually the practice, putting a heavy weight, so that the customers money or sale was shown to be less ( Rigging the scales.)

-          Does that still happen today?

-          Make signs and put by the scale, are the scales of justice even, balanced, fair?

 

Rich one side                                    Poor other side

Money spent on prisons                   Money spent on education

Money given to insurance co           Money given to hospitals and health care

Devlopment                                       Preservation

Have                                                   have nots

Money                                     God

 

Are these things balanced

 

5)     Continue the idea with the question is the focus more on money or God?

-          In the first reading, the people are waiting anxiously for the sacred day of the moon and the Sabbath to pass, so they can get on with life and making money.

-          Money makes the world go around, a song we still sing today.

-          Being a catholic is a full time job, but many feel let me do my Sunday duty and I am done till next week, or let me get confirmed and then I can come back when I need to get married.

-          There is a quote that the author was unknown to me, "Seven Days without prayer, makes one weak!"

-          Are we the rich or the poor? Well it depends if we are talking possessions or material or of the soul?

 

6) Looking at the Gospel that was so well acted out

If Jesus told the story today, it might go something like this:

A wealthy loan shark was told that his accountant was lining his own pockets with some of the money he took in. He called the accountant and said, "What is this I hear? Bring the books in and show me where every penny has gone. And while you're at it, find another job."

The accountant was really worried and said to himself, "What will I do? I'm losing my job and I can't do manual labor. I've had this desk job for years." Then the accountant had an idea. "I know," he thought, "I'll give all our debtors a break so that when I'm out on my ear, they will feel indebted to me. He called all the debtors in and told them he would take fifty cents on the dollar for their debts and that made them really grateful to the accountant.

When he heard about it, the wealthy loan shark had a grudging respect for his crafty accountant and commended him for his clever scheme before sending him on his way.(Sermonhelp.com)

6)     Why does Jesus and the rich man commend the steward, when he was still dishonest? He had foresight, he thought ahead and planned and look to what happens after he gets canned?

-          How many of us plan ahead and keep the final destination in mind each day, and let it affect our daily decisions?

-          What is the final goal or part of life? Heaven?

-          Don Bosco use to say in his daily prayer, "Give me Souls, and leave the rest!" He wanted the youth he worked with to get to heaven, the rest was not important.

-          What do you spend so much time, money, worries on? Is it realy important?

-          Put things in perspective as Paul did with Timothy in the second reading and Amos in the first. What is really important?

 

7)     In the 2nd reading, Paul letter addresses the issue of prayer. Pray first, pray for our leaders, and that it does work. Granted many at times question if it does truly work.

-          Prayer does indeed work. Look at 911, how many people were thought to have been there and were killed and in the end the number was far less. Or at the fact that no attacks have happen since, even when the government has told us countless times it was going to happen.

-          At the beginning of mass, or even now- ask everyone to stand up for a prayer works test. State that we can do a little exercise that would show that prayer works, it is good for your mind, body and soul. Ask each person to bend their legs, about shoulder wide, and hold out both arms as if your were a plane. Now slowly without moving your feet, turn to the right, twisting only your waist and arms, and your head. Go as far as you can comfortably go, and make a metal note with your eye down your arm, a spot or item you see. Now later, at the end of mass, after we have prayed as a community, praise and worshipped and received the body and blood of Christ, we shall do it again, and I am positive that each of us will be able to go further physically then we did before, just imagine what we can do spiritually.

 

8)     Back to the idea of what is more important, and the question asked at the end of the Gospel, can you serve two masters?

-          Take a Cross and then pictures and one by one, speak of them and put them over the cross, and how as a society we may put them before God, over God.

-          Cell phones.

-          Fancy cars

-          Clothes, and fashion

-          Jewelry

-          Computers

-          I Phones

-          Money

-          Music and Movies

-          Video Games.

(Where is Jesus then in your life?)

 

9)     Ask all what would they do if they won the lottery? What if they lost all their money? What would they do?

-          In the Gospel we see in the end, the value of an individual is not about money, the steward, he helps others.

-          All his life he helped the rich man makes more money, as he himself made more money. The money itself is not evil, but how we use money is what makes it evil.

-          Amos in the first reading, Paul in the second reading and Jesus in the third all challenge us to look at ourselves, and how we are living and are we in fact looking for success, looking out for ourselves, or are we being faithful and looking out for each other and God in our every day lives?

-          Could tell the story about the Special Olympics and how they were having 100 yard dash. And when the gun went off, each runner began to run their heart out, for each had trained hard for over a year for this day. It was a close race, each runner side by side as they made the first turn, and then the second, as they came around to the final turn it was anyone's race, and then the girl in the inside lane tripped and fell, giving a sure win to the girl on the outside lane. As soon as that girl saw this happen, she stopped, turn around, as did each of the other runners and went back to the other girl. Each then grabbed her hand, and picked her up and together they carried her, they carried her across the finish line, and each was a first place winner.

-          Or the father who spoke a parents meeting the other day, and shared a story of his son, who was a learning delayed and how each day he watched the other kids play baseball in the park. And just last week, he approached a group of boys and asked if he could play, and his father said no just watch they have full teams. But the boy insisted, and then he went to the gate, and to his surprise they allowed him to play. They put him in short right field, gave him a glove and he was as happy as could be. No ball was ever hit to him, but he was so excited. The other kids encouraged and got to know his name.

-          Now when he enter the game it was already the 5th inning and the team he got put on was down by 12 runs. But in the last inning they got a rally and  with 2 outs, the bases loaded, next up to bat was his son, and he would be the winning run. Now the game was serious! But the team let him bat and the other team greeted him with a smile, since they were sure to win now. Two slow pitches and his son missed all of them, and then with strike three to come, he made contact thay slowly made it way to the third basement who was playing in, and then the third out, but the third basemen threw the ball to the right field and all yelled second base, go, they pointed him there, and he ran and then the outfielder got the ball, and he threw it to the second basemen, as they yelled third base, and then he went towards third and easy out, and the second basemen threw it to the dug out, and all said run home, even the players on the field, and sure enough he made it home, and both teams carried him off the field.

-          Today was Youth Day, a day of fun and fellowship, it wasn't about winning and who came in first, but having fun and recognizing that God has been playing with us all the time, and if we play with God, we can be sure in the end everyone can come out a winner.

-          Mother  Theresa was quoted for saying when asked about her success in helping the poor of India, and she said, "God does not ask us to be successful, he only asks us to be faithful." What do we strive for? And what do we use to measure success in our lives, what .

-          Could use the poem now, or even later, of One Solitary Life. Can even ask as it is read to have some instrumental played, or a familiar song like Amazing Grace, Let there be peace on earth be song gently by all.

One Solitary Life (the original version by Dr James Allan Francis)

Let us turn now to the story. A child is born in an obscure village. He is brought up in another obscure village. He works in a carpenter shop until he is thirty, and then for three brief years is an itinerant preacher, proclaiming a message and living a life. He never writes a book. He never holds an office. He never raises an army. He never has a family of his own. He never owns a home. He never goes to college. He never travels two hundred miles from the place where he was born. He gathers a little group of friends about him and teaches them his way of life. While still a young man, the tide of popular feeling turns against him. One denies him; another betrays him. He is turned over to his enemies. He goes through the mockery of a trial; he is nailed to a cross between two thieves, and when dead is laid in a borrowed grave by the kindness of a friend.

Those are the facts of his human life. He rises from the dead. Today we look back across nineteen hundred years and ask, What kind of trail has he left across the centuries? When we try to sum up his influence, all the armies that ever marched, all the parliaments that ever sat, all the kings that ever reigned are absolutely picayune in their influence on mankind compared with that of this one solitary life...

General Intercessions

Let us pray to the Lord our God to turn the hearts of all to the true values that last.
Let us say: R/ Lord, hear your people.

- For the Church, that it may be a serving Church and a Church of the poor, bearing witness to God's gratuitousness as a living parable of sharing, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.

- For those in positions of responsibility in politics, finances and the economy, that justice and concern for the good of all may guide their decisions and actions, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.

- For those who live by the work of their hands, that people may recognize their dignity and the service they render to all, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.

- For the poor, those discriminated against, and all those with little access to the world's goods, that they may receive a fairer share, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.

- For our Christian communities, that there may be justice among us and a deep concern for each other's happiness, that greed may give way to sharing and jealousy to loving service, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.

Lord our God, free us from everything that makes us withdraw into ourselves. Make us live for one another and for you, our God for ever. R/ Amen.

 

 

 

 

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

November 18th, 2007

 

1) Go over the prayer of the faithful- Petitions (Hopefully one kid for each one) and will also get youth to bring up gifts and try to get youth to be greeters as people come in and out of church- to welcome and say good evening!

(If have more youth who want to help, can get them to read part of the poem, either new kids or kids that are already reading petitions or from the other readings!)

2) Will work with youth who are going to be the readers. We need first and second readers, they need to practice going over words, and reading style, then with projection! (If have more youth who want to help, can get them to read part of the poem, either new kids or kids that are already reading petitions or from the other readings!)

3) - Need to get projection of words and songs, as the mass unfolds.

4) - Practice music and if have time may introduce to congregation prior to mass.

Before Mass,

Have youth who will be greeters, standing at each entrance and

 

Entrance Song- Here I am to worship.

(Words projected)

 

Before Opening Prayer: Priest, will welcome all, and invite them to share there name and greet those around them, those who they have come with and those around them.

 

Gloria: Anderson Version in Missal

 

First Reading:

 

Responsorial Psalm:

 

Second Reading:

 

Alleluia

 

Gospel:

Homily idea, Propose a Court situation, could you actually prove yourself to be  a Christian, and if so how.

Could ask individuals to take the stand, get a someone to be a lawyer to examine them and then to cross examine them, then tie into the Gospel and First Reading!!!!

 

Creed: explain response of word and gesture.

 

 Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord (Words projected)

 

Petitions: (Get as many youth to read, form a line, and read one, or alternate reading them.)

Our response today is Lord, lead us!

 

For the leaders of our government and church, that the Gospel Values will influence all actions and decisions, we pray to the Lord,

 

For an end to all war, all violence in our homes, and in our world, for the safety of all that are caught up in the waves of warfare, where ever they may be, we pray to the Lord:

 

We pray for all those gathered today, that we may all grow deeper in our love of the Lord, we pray:

 

We pray for all those that are unemployed, and those that are seeking work that is more honest and wholesome, that they may be provided with a job that truly helps them to grow closer to God, we pray to the Lord,

 

We pray for the youth of our community that they may remain open to receiving the signs of the times from God, and not be too distracted from technology and visual and audio stimulation, we pray to the Lord,

 

For each of us gathered here, that we will be able to build our case, to be a greater witness of Jesus and be prepared for the time we may be called to stand for our faith, we pray to the Lord;

 

Need the priest or someone to state the intentions of the mass, the sick and dead by name.

 

Offertory Song: Malo, Malo, Thanks Be to God ( words projected and will use the recorded version.)

Have youth bring up giftsso we need at least 2 youth to carry items up.

 

Liturgy of the Eucharist ( We will use the Youth Liturgy- have it projected on wall, and with sung responses!)

 

Holy Holy

Memorial Acclamation

Great Amen

Lamb of God

 

Communion Hymm (

After the Communion Song-

Prayer of Thanksgiving (Kenny)

Call to Thanksgiving and Adoration

Song of Thanksgiving

 

You are worthy.

You are mighty

You are lovely

Lovely always

                   

I will follow

I will listen

I love you.

Love you always

 

Then brief explain the  act of giving Thanksgiving after receiving the Eucharist and read the poem I am Thankful- if have youth to read, will get them to help with this part!

 

Closing Prayer

 

Closing Song; ( I'm Trading MY Sorrows)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving Mass

 

 

Prayer Card Activity  (Kenny wll provide 4 cards and markers

Before Mass, invite youth and all who enter, all to write down some prayers to God of thanksgiving, and these prayers will be part of the prayers, that will be brought up in the offertory, and part of our sacrifices offered.!

 

Gospel: (Read slowly with dramatization)

To be acted by Youth Ministry Members.

 

A reading from the Gospel According to Luke

 

As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.

 

As he was entering a village, ten lepers met (him). They stood at a distance from him

ACTION:( Have 10 youth in the back, either as is, or with blankets and sheets over their heads and body and have them say outloud the lined underlined.)

 

and raised their voice, saying, "Jesus, Master! Have pity on us!"

 

And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests."

 

ACTION: ( Single file, each should walk up to the alter, and with 9 of them dropping their robs, smiling and running, skipping, or walking excitedly back down the aisle out of the church, with one quietly remaining on the side in prayer)

 

As they were going they were cleansed.

And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice;

ACTION: Pause and let the leper who is thankful, rejoice and thank Jesus, sayin g thank you Jesus for healing me, thank you for taking care of me, your are worthy and wonderful)

and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.

 

He was a Samaritan.

Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not?

 Where are the other nine?

Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"

Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

ACTION: The Leper who remains, stands up and walks prayerfully down the center aisle

 

Homily Ideas: Need to include the prayer card done before mass, and keep to under 10 minutes!!

Now during your homily, ask some people to raise there hands or even to share some things they prayed for.

1) For healing of a sick person.

2) For the soul of someone who has died.

3) For something personal you need.

4) For something for a friend or family member.

5) For something you are sorry for, for help with temptation, sin?

6) Things you are thankful for?

How many of us daily, thank God?

Or do we always ask for things?Are we grateful?

Are we thankful?

Then highlight all the things we should daily be thankful for?

Our lives?

Health, even with the slowdowns and sicknesses.

Family?                                    Friends?

Shelter!                                    Food and clothes.

Spare change?

Invite people as they prayer and reflect, to add some more things to their lists, and write them now, and let us be like the leper who realize to take time to thank Jesus for his life!

 And in the second collection, it shall be part of offertory and communal prayers that we present to the father, for at every offertory we offer more than money, we need to offer ourselves, that they may be acceptable to the Lord, with thankful hearts. ( Could give out piece of paper for people to write on instead of card.

 

Creed: Will do as renewal of baptismal promises, with all singing the response, saying, need to explain response of word and gesture

 Yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord 

 

(Could do, I would be happy to demonstrate!!!)

 

Petitions: Sung response (Get as many youth to read, form a line, and read one, or alternate reading them.) I could do this or maybe Religious Education???)

 

1)      For those that lead us in our churches, community, government and families, for their continued strength and courage, especially in the face of criticisms, we pray to the Lord.

2)      For the youth present today and for those not, that they will all grow in gratefulness to the gifts and blessings that have been given to there generation, we pray to the Lord.

3)      For those who are suffering from leprosy today in the world that they will receive the available cure, we pray to the Lord.

4)      For those suffering from other forms of leprosy today, where they are falling apart in mind, body or spirit, that they will come to the Lord for healing and hope, we pray to the Lord.

5)      For our families, that we will appreciate them more and express more thanksgiving for those that care and live with us, we pray to the Lord.

6)      For our schools, those that educate us, try to inspire and encourage us, that they will be given the tools to continue to help the youth of our community, we pray to the Lord.

7)      Let us pray for all those intentions that were written on the prayer cards and also for all intentions that we hold in our hearts, we pray to the Lord.

 

Need the priest or someone to state the intentions of the mass, the sick and dead by name.

 

Offertory Song:

Do not know if youth will be able to play yet,they have to check with parents.

But could lead with a recorded song too, if you wish, called Malo, Malo, which is a song of thanksgiving in 10 languages???.

 

Liturgy of the Eucharist

 

Holy Holy

Memorial Acclamation

Great Amen

Lamb of God

 

Post Communion Song with youth of Religious Ed and also from Youth Ministry.

1) A thanksgiving Medley.

2) Followed by some youth who will read a poem on thanksgiving.

 

Then brief explain the  act of giving Thanksgiving after receiving the Eucharist.

 

Closing Prayer

 

Closing Song;

 

 

 

 

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