LIFE IN FREEDOM

CELEBRATE LIFE IN FREEDOM  [B]- 

In the name of the Father……….

In the beginning of creation the earth was in darkness and the wind from God swept over the face of the earth. Then God said, “ let there be light” and there was light. God saw that the light was good and He separated it from darkness. ….

- Hymn… Asthoma …..

Thus God created the universe with minerals, vegetables and animals, He saw it was good. Then God said let us make human kind in our image and likeness, so God created the human kind by breathing His very breath into us. Thus the human kind came into existence.

          Creation is a matter of relationship. It is like a relation of a stream to the fountain, of the rays to the sun and a hub to the wheel. Thus through creation God establishes a relation to the world. He brings everything into existence. Here we totally depend on God.

Music……

          Dear sisters, today is a joyful day for all of us because of two significant reasons. First of all our motherland India is celebrating 57 years of her Republic day. As we celebrate this great event let us ask the Almighty God to grant all its citizens a deep sense of responsibility and love to build a just and a peaceful country, keeping aside all the differences of culture, religion, language, caste and creed. Secondly it is a special day for the IMD family as we celebrate the Birthday of our dear sister .. Every person born into this world represents something new. Someone never existed before, someone original and unique. Dear Sr. …in the whole world there is nobody like you. Since the beginning of the time there has never been another person like you. You are unique and different from all other person who has ever lived in the history of the universe. From all eternity God called you to be His on this planet for a special purpose. You are indeed a unique person, there are thousands of stars in the sky but the moon is precious, there are many kinds of flowers in the garden but the rose is precious, there are 365 days in a year, but the day of your birthday is very significant day for you and to each of us……

On this auspicious day of celebration, togetherness and blessing, rejoicing and thanksgiving  let us lift up our hearts along with Sr. …. as she celebrates the gift of life. Every one is gifted and they speak of God’s love that God still loves the world. A birthday is a great event; it is like a milestone, which gives us the opportunity to look back at ourselves, how our gifts have graced the lives of those around us. Indeed Sr…. is grateful to God who gifted her with life.

Music.. silence…

         As we awaken to the freshness of this day, our hearts rise up in gratitude and love to wish our dear Sr. ..e ‘ A Happy Birthday’, a new life, a life which is fully human and fully alive. God’s Spirit dwells deeply within you that is the source of your life. Every cell in your body is alive; thrilled with life and power of God, which you share with each one of us. On this solemn morning, in silence and in solitude, you are invited to look back in joy and gratitude at the wonder of the past, your childhood with your parents, brothers and sisters teachers and friends.

      Dear Sr. … you are a miracle of God’s creation, and very precious to Him. Now I invite you to enter into the garden of blessings. Count your blessings, count them one by one; count them by the flowers never by the leaves that fall. Count your days by sunny hours not remembering the clouds; count your nights by stars and not by the darkness.

Now along with Sr. .. let us raise our hearts in thanks giving as we listen to a Hymn.  Life is a miracle !

Silence….. soft music….

              

All of us might have seen a wheel and even know it’s importantce, without wheels a vehicle cannot move. It is the wheel that plays the major role in helping the vehicle to move forward---

          Sr. … Life could be compared to a wheel.

Different parts of the wheel will be placed as it is read out.)

v  The Hub: - (it will be presented by Sr. Teresa) The Hub symbolizes God as the center of life, without God we can do nothing. Our life begins and ends in God, just as the hub, which is the center part of the wheel from which the spokes radiate. So dear Sr. .. God rejoices over you and says ‘ my precious child I love you, and I will never leave you, you are mine.’

(Is.43:1-3 one sister can read it out loud)

v  The Rim-(Sr. …)  the circular edge of the frame works of a wheel, which represents the fullness of life. Life is marvelous…. A wonder! A mystery beyond definition and description…. Life has meaning when it is fully lived in freedom. The gift of life is more valuable and precious than any other gifts, Sr. ..; your life is a beautiful and precious gifts of God’s great love. God in his goodness shaped you carefully and gave you special attention warmth and encouragement in order that you may grow and reach unto the fullness of God’s love and life. There is nothing or no way that you can pay Him back for the marvelous gift that He has given you freely.

v  The Spokes:- ( The spokes will be fixed one by one as it is read out) and  Every birthday is an occasion to think of our parents , so too does Sr. .. with a grateful heart as she remembers her loving parents who were God’s instruments in bringing her to this beautiful world , who have also nurtured her with love and care and helped her to be a free child of God.

- Brothers and sisters friends and teachers: Life is beautiful when it is shared with others, God has blessed you with loving brothers and sisters, friends and teachers, in whose presence you laughed, played and enjoyed and your made life worth living as you think of them today, you may gratefully acknowledge of the support and guidance that you have received from them.

Music contd..

-Gift of vocation and the members of her congregation: - Every person born into this world is unique, unique in every way. As you grew up you heard the call of God and followed Him. God has chosen you from the foundation of the world and you said ‘yes’ to His call in the family of your congregation. The sisters of the Holy family of Nazareth. During this period of your life you have been helped by different formatters and sisters of your congregation who accompanied you and supported you to be what you are today. Their love, concern and generosity have made a difference in your life.                 

Music  contd..

Now, Sr. .. will raise her heart   with gratitude as she makes her prayer. “Lord my God……..of your love for me”.

We the IMD family want to tell you how precious you   are to each of us with symbols of hearts (A few of us may go forward to fix the hearts which symbolizes some of her qualities ………..

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Concluding prayer:

Gracious God, we thank you for the gift of life for all of us. Thank you for creating us into your own image, nourishing us to love, understands and be co-creators. Today we specially praise and thank you Father for our Sr. P…. to all of us. May she be blessed and graced today and the years to come. May you be her constant friend and companion today, tomorrow and forever guiding and protecting her from all danger and harm.

Amen.