ASSUMPTION MORNING

assumption Morning Prayer 

Music….

-          The whole of nature is ever on the move, and safety the bright petals of light fall on the earth…. every single object captures its presence….

Music..

 Asatho ma Sath Gamaya…..

 Introduction;

The feast of assumption of Mary and the Independence pf our country that we celebrate on this day signifies for us the marvels of the lord. The feast of assumption we come to affirm our belief that Mary is pre-eminent among all of God’s creatures, especially chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus, God incarnate. She stands out as a woman of great importance in the   history of human salvation. Her simple, humble and obedient response to God’s invitation echoes through out the countries. “Let it done to me” that profound act of free consent has changed the course of history and helped to usher in a new era of grace. Mary’s assumption reminds us that our destiny lies beyond the grave and each day we are being called to eternity. We need to be open to the spiritual reality of our being; to those realities that call us to the fullness of life .let us greet Mother Mary as she ascends to heaven. Hymn T4

The independence of our country is yet another ascension of the ‘lowly one’ being raised to the joy of freedom India gained her freedom years ago. That was freedom from foreign domination. The dawn of Independence come and go. …..but are we really free? We are slaves of socio –economic ‘political and religious evils. Not a day passes without a crime…we are in need of a transparent and corruption free Gvt. That will seek the welfare of its citizens….

Music….

The world’s stands in need of liberation…Q.10.

Now let us reflect on some of the events of our country.(Now we shall have a glance some of the problems of our country.)

Acting out….( music…)

Suicides….( Mother weeping bitterly.)

Neibour…why?. What is the problem?

Mother:     My daughter, my loving daughter is no more. We loved her so much, we got her married last year, but to her bad luck she became the victim of dowry harassment. That our son in law has no proper work and every time he harassed her badly to get money. Not being able to bare it she committed suicide.

…. Music…

Prayer:-

Lord, we pray for all young women who are vowed in marriage that they may be enlightened to take a written statement with regard to the dowry to be given in marriage. As this will help to fight for justice in the court, and that the heart our society, realized the value of love, as marriage bond healthy family living.

Thefts & Murders:-        

In the house –Husband reading newspaper.

  Wife-  …cleaning up. Knock on the door. The wife opens the door. two masked men enter…Tie up the wife and stab the stuggling husband.

Prayer:-

Jesus came to give life in its fullness .Lord ,create an  awareness in the hearts of the rich that may share from their abundance with the less fortunate brotheren to irradicate poverty and unemployment causing thefts and crime. So that they  too can live a happy life like us. Teach us that charity can bring us closer to each other  as brothers and sisters keeping away all violence and hatred.

3.Drugs & Alchohols;- 

a grop of teenagers slowly sharing drugs

An alchaholist-  passes  with bottle….

Prayer:-

Teenager at scool and colleges should be educated with regard to drugs , alchahole and other vices, inorder to prevent them from the plunging into dark. We pray that children of today may develop a good sense of discipline and duty to shoulder the responsibility when they become the future pillars of our country.

Noe we shall listen to some of the clippings from the News paper.

4^th  Prayer:-                                                                          

Lord Jesus we thank you awareness that we are made in the image and likeness of Jesus, we are called to protect and promote life, help us Lord, that we may be able to share this awareness  with others in our ministry.

The feast of Assumption and Independence leads us from darkness to light .-from the darkness of Communalism ,terrorism, exploitation, child labor,injustice,corruption,selfishness,greed,poverty,csteism,discese,ignorance ,unemployment, addiction and many other evil inclinations. And we are called to be light to the millions in this dreary world. Indeed an extension  of the source of light .let’s now listen to a story in which the importance of being alight to others- is explained 

                  One evening a man took a lighter and began to climp a long and winding stairway….Where are you going? Asked the lighter.  ..i am going up higher the house  to……….light for the ships..but no ships in the harbour  could ever  see my light…. Said the lighter.It is very small.”  If your light is smallthe man said…..keep burning  brightly and leave the rest to me .When he reached the top of the long steps he came to a great lamp. Then he took the little lighter and lite the lamp. Soon the great reflection behind the lamp sent the beams of light out, across miles of sea.

                   Dear sisters,we are God’s lighters on this earth. Our job is to keep shining and help shining,to radiate His light to others, to show them the way.Wheneach person of our country shares this responsibility of lighting others lives.We drive away  these  evils of darkness from the hearts human and Mary our guiding light shared the same mission of bringing light. Today let us pledge to work for the integrity of life all the peoples. Let us ask the Lord,the true light of the world to shine on us , on our country and on the world at large.

Hymn…..Lord the light of your love….No.16.plt

Reading:-

Now let us prepare ourselves to listen to the Word of God. Mt.5:14-16

Reading Reflection:-

Dear Sisters we invite all of you  to stand .As the prayers are read we request you to respond in  holding hands of each other and raising up which shows a gesture of strenth and unity.Our responds shall be Spirit of God spirit of freedom empower us.

_ To believe that women and men are created in God’s image and to grow according to God’s plan.

__ To accept my power and its liberative potencials.

__ To join hands with all people of good will in their strugglr for liberations.

__ To claim our rights as human beings.

__ To build new structures of equalityand mutuality in our country.

__ To protect and nurturelife where ever life is threatened or diminished.

__ To stand by women who are oppressed by unjust laws and  structures.

__To reclaim womens lost dignity.

__To be healers and reconcile people in our broken world.

__To inspire every human to be co- partners in building God’s community on earth.

__ To speak for and with women to break the culture of silence.

__ To dispel all evils of darkness and be a shinig light.

Let us respond to the light that Jesus brings through his healing touch in the words of mystic Meera Bai.

__  I shall make the body a lamp

      And my tender heart shall be it’s wick.

    I shall fill it with the  scented oil of my love

 And burn it night and day at your shrine O’ God

 In the golden lamp of devotion

I shall pour the perfumed oil of my life

It’s flickering light will be for

 The service of my god.

Our Father…

Send forth O’ Lord the ruler of all the earth, drop down your heavens from above and let the clouds rain your blessings on us. As we pray the prayer taught by the Lord himself , let us ask the heavenly Father to shower down the blessings and graces which alone can enable us to live as free children of light.

Concluding Prayer:- Come spirit  of God ,fill us with your creative power .Free us from that all that enslaves and hinders from experiencing the fullness of life in your image. Lead us O’ Spirit of life to a new existence here on earth where women and men become co- partners in building up your community here on earth.as we recall the great freedom fighters who have walked before us we ask you :

From the unreal lead us to the real

From darkness lead us to the light

From death lead us to immortality….AMEN.

LIBERATION DAY

Prayer service for liberation day - 

Theme: “let us live as brothers and sisters”

Introduction:  Today we celebrate a liberation day. But  are we truly we liberated?

Let’s us see this role plays….

Poverty and unemployment:

Meena: Sabina what’s the matter? Why do you look so sad?

Sabina: Meena, what is the use of my degree? I’ve gone from pillar to post and I still don’t have a job.

[two beggars dressed in tattered clothes see the girls and approach them for alms]

Beggar: please give us some money. We haven’t eaten for the last 2 days. My brother here is sick. Please ma’am at least 2 rupees.

Suicides: Mother [weeping bitterly]

Neighbour: Why? what’s the problem?

Mother: My daughter, my loving daughter is no more. We loved her so much. We got her married last year, but to her bad luck she became the victim of dowry harassment. That no-good son in law has no proper work and every time he harassed our baby to get money. Not being able to bear it anymore, she committed suicide.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL:  A group of teenagers smoking and sharing cigarettes and drugs. An alcoholist with a bottle passes…..

CORRUPTION STRIKES AND LOCKOUTS:[ a group of protestors with placards shouting slogans “we want water” “give us good roads” Mr. Minister we want light.]

THEFTS AND MURDERS:  A scene in the house, the husband is reading the news paper and the wife is cleaning up. A knock at the door. The wife opens the door. Two masked men enter, tie up the wife and stab the struggling husband[cardboard knife]

Commentator: Does this now look like a liberated Goa? Are these situations conducive to live together as brothers and sisters, as one big family of God?

Hymn…. “Liberation”

Bible reading: Lk: 4:18-19

Petitions:

1.   Lord, we pray that all the people in our country may live together in peace and harmony without giving any consideration as to who we are, what we are and where we are.

2.   Heavenly Father, we pray that the children of today may develop a good sense of discipline and duty to shoulder the responsibilities when they become the future pillars of our state.

3.   Abba, our father, we pray that the leaders of our state may have concern for others and dedicate their lives for the welfare of the people. May they undertake all decisions keeping in mind the needs of the beautiful state of ours and it’s people.

4.   God, our father, we pray for all the sick and suffering. May they find comfort in prayer. Also we pray for those tempted by worldly pleasures, strange teaching and evil things. That they may have faith in God and His teachings.

5.   Loving father, we pray that our hearts may be opened up to the needy so that they too can live a happy life like us. Teach us that charity can bring us closer to each other as  brothers and sisters.

Hymn…..Make me a channel of your peace…or Lord we pray for golden peace………

PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE

PRAYER SERVICE FOR PEACE 

INTODUCTION: Peace! We are all looking for peace, trying to find peace in others and peace in the nation. We are still in search, but where shall we find it? Yes, we find it deep within our own heart. Dear friends, we have gathered here today to celebrate Peace day on the occasion of the death anniversary of the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who was killed because he fought for peace. Now let us sing the hymn- Make me a channel of your peace…..and ask God our Heavenly Father, to help us be channels of peace.

Hymn…..

Let us now, go deep within ourselves and examine our hearts to reflect- whether we have been messengers of peace, by listening to the word of God.

Reading: Jn: 14: 27

Reflection: Peace is the gift, Jesus gives to all of us. Peace that is health in mind and wholeness in the body, unity in the family and prosperity in the society. Peace that unites, reconciles, heals and gives joy. Peace that is easy to invoke and hard to achieve. Do I have  the peace of Christ within me? What ate the different things that obstruct me from being at peace with my own self and from being a messenger of peace to others?[pause]

Hymn:…….. “peace is flowing like a river…”

Prayers of the faithful: Let us ask the Lord to bless us and the whole world by bestowing on us His gift of peace so that we may continue to be bearers and sharers of the Peace of Christ. Let our response be: “Lord, give peace in our hearts.”

1.   Lord Jesus, give us the peace of mind and generosity of heart. help our young people to respond to your call to build a world of peace with love and understanding.

2.   Lord Jesus, be with our students, help them to imbibe the message of peace, love and nonviolence and thus help to build our country.

3.   Lord Jesus, help us to acquire the simple art of loving people around us and in doing so, give us strength to make this world a better place.

It is only when one finds peace deep within, we will be able to heal the world and bring peace. May there be peace flowing through each one of us, peace in our families, communities and nation.

Hymn: “Bind us together …”

ANNUNCIATION OF THE LORD

Intercessions [annunciation] -

The annunciation of the Lord:

Sisters and brothers, celebrating the solemnity of the word of God made flesh in the womb of the virgin, we trustingly offer our prayers to God the father who, in the mystery of the annunciation of his son, opens the house of his kingdom to all people and reveals his heart overflowing with goodness.

Response: Father, receive our prayer…

1.   For the pope, bishops and ordained ministers, that their pastoral activities reflect the benevolence and love for humanity shown by God the father in the incarnation of his son, let us pray….

2.   for the heads of nations, that in governing the people entrusted to them they will not aspire to have power over people but serve and have respect for the dignity of human life, precious in the eyes of the most high, let us pray….

3.   For people who suffer or who are in difficulty, that they will find comfort in abandoning themselves into God’s hands who sent his son into the world to take on the burden of human suffering, let us pray……

4.   For consecrated persons, that inspired by the virgin of the annunciation they will give a shining example of faith and of willing collaboration with Christ the redeemer, let us

5.   For our community which celebrates the beginning of redemption that through the maternal intercession of the virgin Mary, each day we will be close to God and thank him with the praise he deserves, let us pray……

6.   Father, receive the requests we make and open us to your spirit so that following the example of the virgin Mary we may welcome Christ your son with faith and joyfully cooperate in the salvation of our brothers and sisters… through Christ our Lord….

CHILDREN'S DAY

PRAYER SERVICE FOR CHILDREN’S DAY-

YOU ARE SPECIAL, YOU ARE CALLED…….

Preparation:

-          A lighted diya is kept in the centre of the rangoli made in the shape of a flower.

-          A candle to be given to each student.

-          Small bits of coloured papers[representing 7 colours of the rainbow] to be distributed among the students.

Hymn :  I’ve called you by name….. as the hymn is being sung diya is lighted by the different children.

Introduction: [soft music] My dear children, God loves you and He calls you by name. Are you aware that He sees you everyday of your life and understands you as He made you? I know that it is sometimes difficult for you to believe that God really loves you, especially in times of suffering and pain. But God always watches you in your day of rejoicing or in your day of sorrow. He knows every little thing about you, your thoughts, your likes and dislikes, your strengths and your weaknesses. Inspite of the many times that you fail to do what He wants you to do, he encompasses you with His everlasting love and bears you in His arms. He notes your every countenance, whether smiling or in tears. He looks tenderly upon you. He hears your voice, the beating of your heart, your breathing. You do not love yourselves better than He loves you. You cannot shrink from pain more than He dislikes you bearing it. And if He does put it on you, understand that He will give you the courage to bear it and that it is for your greater good in the future.

          Remember my dear students that God your loving Father is always close to you, regardless of your circumstances. So, as we celebrate your day, begin by firmly believing that there is God who loves you more than any human person and whose unconditional love will remain with you till the end of time, if you so wish it…..

Leader: this little introduction that we have just heard gave us the assurance that God loves us and that we are special. He speaks to through our parents, teachers, friends etc…..and very specially through His own Word. Let us now listen to what He says to each one of us.

Reading: Is. 43:1, 2-4

Reflection: God’s love for us is tremendous! He has called each of us for a special purpose and that is why each of us has a special role to play. He has blessed me with many gifts, gifts with which I am called to make this a better world to live in for me and for others. How then, can I be a source of hope, love to all around me. Each of us is given a small bit of coloured paper – resembling the different colours of the rainbow. Write down one way how you can make the best of the gift God has given you to be a ray of hope in this world. Then each of us will go and put our colour on the backdrop. So that joining all the different tiny bits together we will form a large rainbow of 7 colours.

Prayers of the faithful: Leader… Each of us and all of us jointly can make this world a better place. And this is what God calls us today to do. We have written on our bit of paper how we are going to respond to this call of the Lord. this is not something very easy, but Jesus says: ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened to you…. Keeping this in mind, let us place our intentions in the hands of our loving father.

1.   Lord, we ask you to bless our students today and everyday of their lives. May they experience your infinite love for them and may they continue to believe in you and follow your ways as they  grow into beautiful persons.

2.   O God, help our students to be diligent in their studies. Make them strong against temptations, resolute distractions, humble before the truth and gracious to the less gifted. Teach them, to use their opportunities gratefully, develop their talents responsibly and use them in the service of others.

3.   L0rd we pray especially for the parents of our students. Help them to understand their children. Give parents everywhere the courage and hope in their task and joy in their children.

4.   God, our loving father, help our teachers to see in every student, a precious soul, most dear and may they lead the students through paths of wonder not to fear. Give them patience with those who refuse to learn. When they have to exercise discipline, help them to do so with sterness and yet with love. Help them always to encourage and never to discourage those who are doing their best, even if that very best is not very good

Thanksgiving prayer: [student] I thank you Lord, for your great love for me. Because of your love I can see and hear that I am whole and well. Because of your love I have food to eat, a sheltering roof, the comfort of bed, so many hunger through the day and face cheerless chill of homeless nights. I thank you Lord for your great love, for making me someone special and for calling me. Help me to always be a ray of hope to all of your love to all whom I encounter.

Leader: Dear students, each of us is special and called by God for a special mission. Let us all now together commit ourselves to shine God’s light to all around as we sing the hymn… this guiding light of mine…….[ each one goes forward and light the candle in their hands and form a big circle around the diya]

YEAR END- PRAYER SERVICE

PRAYER SERVICE FOR THE YEAR END - 30

INTRODUCTION: As we have come to the close of this year which is not only the end of an year, we need to thank god for the wonders he works even at this moment. But we must also apologise for the destruction we have brought upon His creation including ourselves-the crown of creation. So this prayer will have 2 main parts- Thanksgiving – penitential rite. Both the parts will be ended with the service of the light.

Thanksgiving: Father, we have come to the close of another year. We thank you for the mighty works of your hands, most of them created through instrumentality of man. The progress in every field- science, technology and medicine-cures for various diseases, computers, phones, T.V., internet, etc…..All these has added life and brought the world closer. Coming to the field of sports, a lot of games and gatherings which increased friendship among nations, in the social fields the UNO, G-8 CHOGM different continental unions, etc… formed to discuss common problems and enhance mutual trust and friendship. The sharing of cultural heritage through the various tourism days and other cultural program conducted in every country. And not forgetting the spiritual level- a lot of understanding among the different religions through faith sharing meetings of all faiths, denominations within particular religions etc…. in the recent years the topic of dialogue seems to be of vast importance felt by members of every faith and goodwill. In the Catholic Church the Vatican 2^nd council brought about a major change in both the understanding and attitudes. All these are indicators that man is interested in the well being of another, the prime concern of God and therefore co-workers with God. So at this moment let us thank God in particular, for all the wonders He has worked in our lives. As the prayer is said one child will come and place the placard on the collage at the appropriate place.

PHYSICAL: we thank you God for the progress made to improve our physical energies through medicines and exercises…

                   Resp……Father we thank you, we bless you, we praise your name.

INTELLECTUAL: Accept our gratitude oh father for the intellectual advancement brought through the use of modern technology and gadgets.

SOCIAL: Almighty father your plan for man was that he lives together in unity and harmony with one another. This is what we want to share in our society, so we gather at picnics and meetings to enhance this unity.

CULTURAL: Cultural is a part of every race. Father thank you for creating variety in our world that we can enjoy each other’s company and share our different cultures and be one in mind and heart.

SPIRITUAL: master of our soul, we thank you for reminding us that we all belong to you. This world is not our home but where you are. Thank you for touching the hearts of many men and women in centuries gone by to find you- the source of our origin through- renunciation, tapas, nirvana etc…

HYMN…..this world……..c-60

Commentator: Having said much of the progress let us not close our eyes to the division and pain people have caused to our world and humanity [Room to be darkened gradually]

Penitential rite: after each supplication your response….. Forgive my sins o Lord…..

Physical: We are sorry father for destroying your life within us using drugs, alcohol, abortion, crimes and suicides. We made wealth, power and pleasures our gods and forgot you the one true God.

Intellectual: Father instead of using our mind to enhance your gifts, we have indulged in selfishness and egoism. I for myself and God for all the rest. Through Cyber technology we have destroyed the future of so many of our young.

Social: Lord we often become so conscious of our identity as belonging to a particular region and forgot that we first belong to the race of humanity and thus caused divisions.

Cultural: Loving father, we forgot that variety is the spice of life and falsely adored our own culture as the only and best one and criticized or even harmed people of other cultures.

Spiritual: In the name of religion had wars and killed many people for not sharing our faith.

Commentator: It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. God our loving father, we your weak children have gathered here, to take thy touch and lighten the burden, heal the pain and dispel the darkness that is looming over our society and humanity. We are almost on the verge of having a nuclear war, make us your instruments Lord and let hope be our motto to make this world a better place for living in.

Prayer…. Abba, our loving father, we thank you for the year ….. and for the entire millennium as a whole. Each and every moment father, your love has protected us and guided us- it is you who have brought us to this day, blessed us with our beloved ones and with all the things we need to make our lives happy. Father, as we reflected on the happenings in our world, our nation, our society we have come to realize that a lot of unhappiness, violence… is existing in our world today, and it is we who have to shun away the darkness of this evil and bring about your radiance through our words and deeds. Father bless our efforts and help us always to spread your kingdom of peace, justice, love….. This prayer we make through Christ our Lord amen……..

NEW YEAR

PRAYER SERVICE FOR THE NEW YEAR - 31

LEADER: welcomes the group. We have entered the new  year and it is a precious gift to be alive today. Everyone is talking about the new year… everyone has looked forward to today and we have had special preparations for it… we are blessed to be here at this great moment- to celebrate the new year of Christ birth.. We pause for a while we remember and give praise to God the Father, the son and the spirit.

Hymn…. O give thanks to the Lord…..

Abba father, father of us all and loving God its time to turn again to you. This is a year full of graces and many blessings…. Come to meet us – take us into the heart of this new year and give us the confidence we need to journey freely and with hope in our hearts.

Hymn… Glory and praise to our God…..

In heaven about 2000 years ago, the 3 divine persons had a conference where they discussed the deterioration of creation on earth. Everywhere they found poverty, injustice, manipulation of wealth, rape, aimless killings and wars. They arrived at a decision- Human kind must be redeemed from self destruction by one of them with the cooperation of those created in God’s own image. And this brings to fulfillment according to the original plan of  creation- so God sent His son… His birth enabled humankind to probe deeper into God’s saving action. We welcome this new year as it invites us to renewed wonder at the lavishness of a God who so loved the world that Jesus took on human flesh that all, the entire world might become alive in God….

Reading: John. 3: 16

Abba loving father, you loved us so much that you sent your only son to die for us and save us! How much you love us! Dear friends this year we celebrate 2000 years of Christ coming …. Christ who came to give to the world where there was so much of chaos, violence, injustice, hatred…. A message of hope, peace, love, justice, truth…. He became man like us in all simplicity lived and moved around with the people, through words and deeds tried to bring man closer to God… It was He who brought salvation to this world.

          2000 years have gone by, but the values of the father’s kingdom which Jesus came to imbibe in us where are they today? Let’s look around us- can we say we are all living in unity with one another as one family, as God’s children? There’s so much of corruption, injustice, murders, violence, jealousy… have I been an instrument in my own little way in promoting all this in my family, school, friends circle, neighbourhood…. Let’s pause for a while and reflect on our very own lives?[pause]

          definitely each one of us must have felt that we need to start again. This new year, God offers to each one of us a fresh, new beginning…..[silence music as the each child reads]

1.   I Yahweh, know the plans I have in mind for you. I reserve a future full of hope for you.[Jer. 29:4]

2.   Yahweh is god, He smiles on us.[Ps 118]

3.   His love is everlasting.

4.   See the days are coming--- I will establish a new covenant.

5.   Now, I am making the whole of creation new.

6.   God, Abba father- let your love rest on us.

God’s love for us is so immense. He is our constant companion and strength- let’s make a new beginning, asking the Lord to pick the pieces of our brokenness and to fill our emptiness. Let us tell him- “let me start with you Lord”[pause]

          At the start of this new year our hearts are filled with joy and hope. For there besides us stands our god with outstretched arms! He smiles and gently asks us “can we walk this year together?”[pause]

Let’s respond to this as we sing…Father we adore you… lay our lives before you……

As we make this new beginning with the lord, let us pause for a while to reflect on what this new millennium is calling us to do…

[placards with the words hope, trust, unity, peace, forgiveness, justice, recognition of human rights, faith in one God… to be kept ready and as each student reads the same to be pinned on the map of the world]

1.[holds a picture of violence, earthquake or any other to show misery] we are called to live in hope and trust sacrificing ourselves to bring about God’s kingdom.

2.[holds a picture of creation] we are called to live in unity with God, one another and with the entire creation.

3. [holds a picture of a dove] we are called to proclaim peace, justice and forgiveness as way of life.

1.   [holds a picture of many people] we are called to believe in a God who loves us deeply and we should love all people as one global family.

2.   [holds a poster of women of child labour] we are called to recognize human rights and work for the upliftment  of the poor downtrodden and weaker sections of the society.

3.   [holds a picture of father, son and the holy spirit] we are called to believe and have faith in the father’s eternal love, in Christ’s saving, forgiving and healing power and in the companionship of the Holy spirit.

Dear friends, god the father sends each of us to renew the face of the earth- to make the values of his kingdom shine on our earth. We are called to make JESUS alive today!!! “love one another as I have loved you” says Jesus and in doing so each of us becomes part of the divine, an image of God who created us- for it is our works of compassion and love to the neighbour that constitutes the dwelling of god among us.

Hymn…….