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Sunday Liturgy for Families (scroll down)

Before we begin, gather the family together. You might be together in the same room or, if you are in different places, you might gather online, using Zoom, for example.

Decide who is going to be Prayer Leader. You could have more than one Prayer Leader. The Prayer Leader should read aloud all of the text on screen where indicated.

Everybody should read together text marked with a blue vertical line...

Like this

Once you are gathered together, light a candle if you have one. When you light a candle, this marks the start of your prayer together.

Prayer Leader:

Let's begin our prayer by making the Sign of the Cross.

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening

Prayer Leader:

Before we begin today's service, let us take a moment to put ourselves in the presence of God.

[Pause for a few moments]

Would you like to offer today's service for any person or situation?

Penitential Act

Prayer Leader:

Let's take a moment to think about the times we have done the wrong thing over the past week.

[Pause for a few moments]

Now let us say together...

Father God, I am very sorry for the times I have done wrong over the past week. In the things I've done, in the things I've said, and in the things I've thought about. Please forgive me and have mercy on me.

Prayer Leader:

Lord, have mercy on me.

Lord, have mercy on me.

Christ, have mercy on me.

Christ, have mercy on me.

Lord, have mercy on me.

Lord, have mercy on me.

The Gospel

To read and listen to the Word of God for today, please follow this link to Universalis.

For creative ideas on how to explore this week's Gospel, please follow this link and click on the tab 'Family': Sunday Connection.

Intercession Prayers

Prayer Leader:

We're now going to say 'Intercession Prayers'. This is when we ask God to help people or situations.

There are numerous prayers. You can say them all or just select a few.

[These prayers should be read aloud either by the Prayer Leader or by anybody else who is taking part in this service.]

Intercession Prayers

In troubled times

God of love, turn our hearts to your ways; and give us peace. Amen.

For justice

Living God, deliver us from a world without justice and a future without mercy; in your mercy, establish justice, and in your justice, remember the mercy revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For international unrest

Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to His just and gentle rule; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

At a time of despair

Restless with grief and fear, the abandoned turn to you: in every hour of trial, good Lord, deliver us, O God most holy, God most strong, whose wisdom is the cross of Christ. Amen.

A prayer for my family and friends

Loving God, Bless my family, my friends and all in my heart today. May they be safe and well and kept close to your peace and love. Help me to know that you are with me as I show love and care to others. Amen.

A prayer in my grief

Loving God, Help me to know that the person I miss so much is now with you. Help me to know your comfort when I am sad, your presence when I am lonely, your peace when I am angry or afraid. Give me courage to face each day and help me to see signs of hope. Amen.

A prayer for the world

God of love and hope, you made the world and care for all creation, but the world feels strange right now. The news is full of stories about Coronavirus. Some people are worried that they might get ill. Others are anxious for their family and friends. Be with them and help them to find peace. We pray for the doctors and nurses and scientists, and all who are working to discover the right medicines to help those who are ill. Thank you that even in these anxious times, you are with us. Help us to put our trust in you and keep us safe. Amen.

A prayer remembering God is with us

Lord God, you are always with me. You are with me in the day and in the night. You are with me when I’m happy and when I’m sad. You are with me when I’m healthy and when I am ill. You are with me when I am peaceful and when I am worried. Today I am feeling (name how you are feeling) because (reasons you are feeling this way). Help me to remember that you love me and are with me in everything today. Amen.

Reader:

If anybody would like to say out loud what they have thought about or prayed for, do so now. If not, let's spend a few moments in quiet prayer bringing to God all of our personal needs.

[Pause]

Prayer Leader:

Let us ask Mary, our Mother, to pray for us as we say:

Hail Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed are thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus. Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Spiritual Communion

Prayer Leader:

At Mass, the priest prays over the bread and wine and it becomes the body and blood of Jesus. Jesus has asked us to be faithful to Him by receiving the Eucharist in memory of Him.

Sadly, at this time, some people cannot receive the Eucharist due to local church closures, self-isolation or shielding, but we can say a prayer - a Spiritual Communion - which joins our prayer to those celebrating mass in church today.

To make a Spiritual Communion, let each of us say, one by one, this prayer:

My Lord, I wish to receive you.

[One at a time, everyone should say this prayer out loud].

The Lord's Prayer

Prayer Leader:

Finally, let us say together The Lord's Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen

Sign of the Cross

Prayer Leader:

To conclude, let's make the sign of the cross together.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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