Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

 

Fifth Sunday of Easter

 

May 2, 2026

 

Presiders: Maryal Gagnon, Seth Winners, Joan Meehan, Kathryn Shea

Readers: Beth Ponce and David Ponce-Campos

 

IT: Cheryl Brandi

 

 

Theme: Trust in Jesus in all things

 

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Welcome and Gathering

 

Maryal:  Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an Inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. Today we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Easter.  As we gather this afternoon, let us truly ask ourselves how we “Let Go and Let God?”  

 

Our time together is sacred time where we bring our collective loving energy and prayers to help heal ourselves, one another, and our hurting world.  “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” 

 

Seth: Wherever you are, 

Whoever you are,

Just as you are, 

You are welcome at this table. (Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)

 

Let us begin our liturgy by expressing love through song.  

 

 

Gathering Song:   – You Are Mine by David Hass

https://youtu.be/Sgm9lkTNQmc?si=5Wvca1C80i3TYJTH

 

Opening Prayer

 

Kathryn: We are grateful, O Holy One, for this opportunity to gather as Christ’s Body. During this liturgy may we endeavor to focus our minds and our hearts on our knowledge that you formed us all as one body, and that we are all supported and strengthened by the same Holy Spirit for the samepurpose: the common good.  We are, in the depths of our being, one community and we are here to follow you all the days of our lives.

 

Rite of Transformation

 

Jim: We pause now to remember the times we have not born fruit in caring for self, others, and our planet Earth.  Take a moment to recall one missed opportunity, one broken or damaged relationship.  (Pause briefly and extend your hand over your heart)

 

Seth and ALL: I am sorry. Forgive me. I love you. Thank you.

 

Liturgy of the Word

 

Beth: First Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9

Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.

Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall.

They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.

You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

These are the inspired words of Peter and we affirm them by saying, AMEN,

Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford-video by MTStreck

https://youtu.be/xoJN0owUoWA

 

David: The Gospel according to John 14:1-12  

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.

In my Creator’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”

Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”

Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Holy One except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my God. From now on you do know God and have seen God.”

Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Creator, and that will be enough for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the our Abba God. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and Mother of all that is and they are in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. Abba, who dwells in me is doing these works.

Believe me that I am in the Creator and the Creator is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to our Abba God.”

These are the inspired words of the Gospel writer, John, and we affirm them by saying:  ALL: Amen

 

 

Homily Starter and Community Sharing

 

 

 

Communal Statement of Faith

 

MaryAl and ALL: Together let us profess our Faith. 

 

We believe in our Creator who has not forgotten us, rather is ever and always present with us.

 

We believe in Jesus, the Word incarnate, who journeyed on the earth, blessing the sick, making whole the broken, healing many, instilling faith in his followers so that they may continue the work He began.

 

We believe in Christ, the everlasting Presence in our world in our universe.

 

We believe in the Spirit of Life, the breath of wisdom Sophia, who stays present and real to us during this great human struggle we face today and in the days ahead.

 

We believe in the communion of saints, our heavenly friends who walk with us in love as we continue our life journey.

 

We believe in one another and our individual and collective response to being diligent in following the directives given by medical professionals at this time.

 

We believe in the partnership and equality of women and men in our Church and our world.  Here we live our prophetic call of Gospel equality.

 

We believe that kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it happen.

 

MaryAL:  We pray that the Holy One renew in our hearts our commitment to journey always in faith and hope as we reach out and support, comfort and love those closest to us, those who live in our country and all the people of 

the earth.

 

Prayers of and for the Community

 

Joan M: We now bring our prayer intentions to the Table, saying, “I bring to the Table…”

 

Our response is: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.  

 

We pray for all those suffering, or will be suffering, as a result of those in charge in our government.    

Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.  

 

We pray for all who are suffering, lonely, and without faith or hope. 

Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.  

 

We pray for all those living in the conditions of war and fear.

Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.  

 

We pray for all those suffering from natural disasters throughout our world. 

Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.  

 

We pray for the intentions in our MMOJ community prayer list. (Joan shares)

Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.   

 

And, for what else should we pray?

 

Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers. 

 

Joan M: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen

 

Eucharistic Prayer

Kathryn: Gracious Wisdom, you embrace us with your extravagant affection in our times of both blessedness and weakness.  Even though we have times of doubt, we know You are always with us…you living in us and we living in you.  In this festive meal, your Spirit is poured out on each of us gathered in the circle of your friends and disciples, we also ask that your Spirit be spread to those of our community who are not with us today as we sing, 

Holy, Holy, Holy: Here In This Place by Christopher Grundy 

https://youtu.be/sgkWXOSGmOQ

Maryal:  We thank you for the gift of Jesus of Nazareth in history -- and the gift of Jesus in faith. On earth, his life burned with the vision of his mission on earth. Through the example of his life – his teachings and actions - he showed us not only how we should live, but also what was worth even dying for. 

Beth:  When his time on earth had come to an end, Jesus – aware of and accepting his destiny – gave us his life for the values that he deeply believed, lived and taught…his conviction that love is stronger than death.  And then, in providing an example of this wisdom for all people in ages to come, he opened wide his arms…and died.  And the spirit that lived in Jesus resurrected him to a new life, a promise made to all of us too who live the new story.  Jesus is with us today and he will be through the end of time.

(With an outstretched arm, we pray the consecration together.  

 

Kathryn: We remember the gift that Jesus gave us on the night before he died.  He gathered with his friends to share a final Passover meal.  And it was at that supper that Jesus took bread, said the blessing and shared it with them saying: take this, all of you, and eat it.  This bread is you; this bread is me.  We are one body, the presence of God in the world. When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you.  This is the new and everlasting covenant.  

          [short pause]

Maryal: In the same way, Jesus took a cup of wine, said the blessing and gave it to his friends saying: take this, all of you, and drink it.  This wine is you; this wine is me.  We are one blood, the presence of God in the world.  When you do this, remember me and all that I have taught you. This is the new and everlasting covenant.

Kathryn: Jesus, who was with God “in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth,” is with us now in this bread. The Spirit, of whom the prophets spoke in history, is with usnow in this cup.  Let us proclaim this mystery of faith.

Kathryn and All:  Jesus has died.  Christ is risen.  The Divine Presence lives in us and through us in the world today.

David: God, we know that you bless your church throughout the world. We, your people, ask for your grace that we may continually grow in our love and caring for Leo, our Pope, Bridget Mary, our Bishop and for everyone with whom we come in contact, especially those who live on the margins of church and society. They are all our brothers and sisters, members of your Blessed Family.  We remember also all those, living and dead, who touched our lives and left their footprints on our hearts.  We remember especially….(mention names here, if you would like to..) 

Maryal and All: We believe that the Spirit of God is at work in and among us and will do more than we could ever ask or imagine.  We believe that it is through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, Creator God, forever and ever.  

 

COMMUNION RITE

 

The Prayer of Jesus

Joan M: Let us pray as Jesus taught us. 

 

Joan and All:  

 

Holy One beyond all names

Eternal Wellspring

May love rise again in us today

With food for every table

Shelter for every family

And reverence for every life.

Forgive us our failings in love

And free us from all falseness

That the light of our souls may shine

And the strength of our spirits endure

For Earth and all its people

This day, tonight, and forever.

Amen

-John Philip Newell

Sign of Peace:

 

Kathryn: Eternal wellspring of peace-

May we be drenched with the longing for peace

That we may give ourselves over

As the earth to the rain, to the dew,

Until peace overflows our lives

As living waters overflow the seas.  (Marcia Falk)

 

Seth: Jesus said to his disciples, “My peace I leave you.  My peace I give you.”  Let us now extend a sign of peace to one another as we say, “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste.”

 

 

 

 

Maryal: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:

 

Maryal and All:  Holy One, You call us to speak truth to power; we will do so.

 

Holy One, You call us to live the Gospel of healing and justice; we will do so. 

 

Holy One, You call us to be Your presence in the world; we will do so.

 

Kathryn: This is the bread of life and the cup of blessing. Blessed are we who are called to Christ’s table.  

 

Kathryn: Please receive/share Eucharist now, saying: “You are the bread of life.” And “You are the cup of compassion.”

 

Communion Song: We Walk by Faith 

https://youtu.be/6hk_7EUvwv8?si=WfKKSHWFJcovFj8f

 

Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements

 

Closing Community Blessing

 

Kathryn and ALL: With hand extended in prayer:  

 

Peace before us, Peace behind us, Peace under our feet

Peace within us, Peace over us, Let all around us be Peace.

Love before us, Love behind us, Love under our feet

Love within us, Love over us, Let all around us be Love.

Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ under our feet,

Christ within us, Christ over us, Let all around us be Christ!

 

Maryal: Go in the peace of Christ. Let us bring God’s reign of peace and compassion to all those we meet.  All: Thanks be to God. 

 

Closing Song: I Will Follow Him – Sister Act

 https://youtu.be/9aUB_E3Ojh4?si=-IuqkbW7TSUDlJqv

 

 

 

 

If you would like to add your intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayers book,

Please send an email to jmeehan515@aol.com

If you would like to invite another person to attend our liturgy please refer them to

www.marymotherofJesus.net where the day’s liturgy is found. Zoom instructions are also included there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community - Liturgy for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 25, 2026, Liturgy team: Kathryn Shea, Dennis Rigdon, Andrea Seabaugh and Michael Rigdon, IT

 

Good Shepherd Sunday

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Kathryn: Welcome

Welcome, beloved community to this sacred space where we come just as we are—
with full hearts, weary hearts, hopeful hearts, and searching hearts.

Today we gather in the presence of the Holy One,
who meets us not in perfection, but in tenderness…
not in certainty, but in companionship.

Here, we are reminded that we are known by name,
held in love, and gently guided by the voice of the Good Shepherd—
the One who invites us, above all else,
to pause… to breathe… and to be.

As we begin, may we allow ourselves to slow down,
to catch our breath,
and to trust that in this moment, we are already home.

Andrea:  Opening Prayer

Loving and Gentle Shepherd, Breath of Life within us, You meet us in the quiet spaces, in the places where words fall short and all we can offer is our breath.

When we are lost, you call us by name. When we are weary, you lead us to rest.
When we are afraid, you stay.

Be with us now in this gathering. Still our racing thoughts.
Soften what is tense within us. Open our hearts to your presence.

Feed us with your love, renew us with your compassion, and guide us in your way, that we may not only hear your voice, but become your voice in the world.

Teach us to be shepherds for one another: to listen deeply, to love gently, to remain when others are in need.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother, Amen.

Opening Song: Catch Your Breath by Rachel Kohrs

https://youtu.be/fDrxT6nFtfQ?si=NkbRFAH4E-f0gmhf

Dennis:  Reading 1: Psalm 23: a meditation by Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Love, you shepherd me;
            generously, you place my life in my hands.

You rest me in the meadow of your presence,
            I drink from the gentle brook of your peace.

You are my next breath, and the next.
            You are my path, my steps.

The way to life leads through death;
            you go there, and I willingly follow you,

your presence beside me,
            your wisdom before me.

Despite my fears and doubts this life is a feast.
            You embrace me with such love,
            feed me with such delight.

Your goodness and mercy shadow me;
         and with every breath
         I am returned again and again to you.

We affirm these words with, Amen.

 

Gospel Acclamation: I am the Good Shepherd by John Michael Talbot

https://youtu.be/sFRcyFcyesA?si=idT_HppUJ-iiEinV

Andrea:  Gospel:  Our Gospel reading is from the Gospel writer known as John.

John 10:1-18 

“Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognize his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”

Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep rustlers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.

“I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd puts the sheep before himself, sacrifices himself if necessary. A hired man is not a real shepherd. The sheep mean nothing to him. He sees a wolf come and runs for it, leaving the sheep to be ravaged and scattered by the wolf. He’s only in it for the money. The sheep don’t matter to him.

“I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own sheep and my own sheep know me. In the same way, the Father knows me and I know the Father. I put the sheep before myself, sacrificing myself if necessary. You need to know that I have other sheep in addition to those in this pen. I need to gather and bring them, too. They’ll also recognize my voice. Then it will be one flock, one Shepherd. This is why the Father loves me: because I freely lay down my life. And so I am free to take it up again. No one takes it from me. I lay it down of my own free will. I have the right to lay it down; I also have the right to take it up again. I received this authority personally from my Father.”

We affirm these words with, Amen.

Kathryn: Shared Homily – written by Mary Ann Matthys

There is a moment most of us know well. It is not a dramatic moment. It is not the kind that makes the evening news. It is quieter than that — and far more personal. It is the moment when life has pressed in so hard, from so many directions, that you simply cannot find your footing. You cannot find your next step. You can barely find your breath. Maybe it came in the middle of the night. Maybe it came in a doctor's office, or at a graveside, or in the silence after a door closed for the last time. Maybe it is with you even now, sitting in this very place.

Rachel Kohrs sings to us from that exact moment. When you can't seem to find your step — just hold me and tell me, you just have to catch your breath. No fixing. No rushing. No demand that you pull yourself together. Just presence. Just the quiet promise: I'll be there to stay with you, cry with you, hold you until it's day.

That is not just a love song. That is a theology, a reminder that Jesus our brother, our friend, our Good Shepherd is present with us. He carries us so we can rest as restoration begins. He shows us the path that leads to abundance and nurtures us as we walk it. As we draw near to the Good Shepherd, the Shepherd draws near to us, holding us gently, fully present, loving us in our tender moments.  

Jesus, knows each sheep by name…He is a radical balance of human and divine who walks ahead of us and strives with us in our time of need. There is something powerful about being fully known and accepted just as we are.  It is when we are known in this way that we are free to soar, to be and become the person we are meant to be.  

The story of the Good Shepherd is meant to comfort but more than that it is an invitation to a ministry of presence, compassion and kindness.  We are invited to be the Good Shepherd with those we encounter each day.  Not only in the easy times but in the gut wrenching times when life is a mess and the person in front of us wonders how much longer they can go on. 

 

In those moments, we have a choice.  Do we accept the person where they are knowing this is not where they will stay, and love them with compassion, as Jesus did? Do we bring peace and presence? Or do we stare and walk away? 

It is in those moments we can speak the quiet promise from Rachel’s song…”I’ll be there to stay with you, cry with you, hold you until it’s day.”

Amen

Dennis: Statement of Faith

We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery 
beyond all definition and rational understanding, 
the heart of all that has ever existed, 
that exists now, or that ever will exist. 
 
We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, 
bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, 
bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's 
prophets, mystics, and saints. 
 
We believe that We are called to follow Jesus 
as a vehicle of divine love, 
a source of wisdom and truth, 
and an instrument of peace in the world. 
 
We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, 
the life that is our innermost life, 
the breath moving in our being, 
the depth living in each of us. 
 
We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now, 
stretched out all around us for those 
with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, 
and hands to make it happen. 

Andrea:  Prayers of the Community

As we gather at this sacred table, we are held in the care of Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who knows each of us by name and leads us beside still waters. Please state your intentions beginning with "I bring to the table…"

We bring these and all deeply held blessings, cares, and concerns to the table of the Good Shepherd, where no one is lost and all are welcomed home.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Eucharistic Prayer

Andrea:  Holy One, we come together in unity of heart, compassion, and shared purpose with people everywhere—those here and those we remember. With all living beings across this Earth, we open our hearts to connection, understanding, and care. In your tender care, we are freed from division, fear, conflict, pride, and injustice. We are made whole through your love and mercy. With gratitude, we offer ourselves to the work of healing, growing, and supporting one another. Together, we speak with one voice, honoring the beauty of life and our shared responsibility to nurture it, with these words of thanks and praise.

Holy, Holy, Holy:  Here In This Place by Christopher Grundy
https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk

Kathryn: Please extend your hands in blessing. 

Holy One you have set before us a banquet of love. Together, we call on Your Spirit, present in these gifts-bread that satisfies our hunger and wine that quenches our thirst–to make us more deeply One, living in the fullness of holy compassion and Sophia wisdom.

 
All: We recognize Your Spirit upon the gifts of this Eucharistic table, bread of the grain and wine of the grape, that they may become gifts of wisdom, light and truth which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world. 

On the night before he faced his own death and for the sake of living fully, Jesus sat at the Seder supper with his companions and friends.  He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly within them, he bent down and washed their feet.

All lift their plate and pray the following:

When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the Passover bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread and offered it to them saying:

Take and eat, this is my very self. 

Do this in memory of me.

All lift their cup and pray the following:

Then he took the cup of blessing, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying: 

Take and drink of the covenant, made new again through my life in you.

Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.

What we have heard with our ears, we will live with our lives.  As we share communion, we become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.

Please receive communion with the words: I rest in the arms of the Shepherd.

Communion Song: Shepherd Me, O God by Marty Haugen

https://youtu.be/MODUEB_NW-U?si=9I3q6_2xaWBP5P9G

Andrea:  Post Communion Prayer

Knowing that the Good Shepherd leaves the comfort of the flock to seek out the lost, the wounded, and the forgotten, we seek to be alert to how we can bring the love and unity of the Body of Christ to wherever and with whomever is in need. We ask for the grace to search as Jesus searches, to carry as Jesus carries, and to heal with the tender heart of the Good Shepherd. Amen.

For it is through learning to live as he lived,

And why he lived,

And for whom he lived,

That we awaken to your Spirit within,

Moving us to worship you truly,

O Holy One,

At this time and all time and in all ways.

And we say yes to You!

Dennis: Let us pray together the prayer of Jesus:

All:  O Holy One, who is within, around and among us,

We celebrate your many names.

Your Wisdom come.

Your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us,

Each day you give us all we need;

You remind us of our limits, and we let go.

You support us in our power, and we act with courage.

For you are the dwelling place within us, 

the empowerment around us,

and the celebration among us, now and forever.  Amen  

(Miriam Therese Winter)   

Kathryn: Gratitudes, Announcements 

Kathryn:  Closing Blessing

May you go forth as one led beside still waters, restored in soul, and strengthened in your commitment to walk humbly and love deeply. 

May you be guided along right paths, blessed with courage and compassion to choose active hope when all feels dark and uncertain, trusting that the Good Shepherd walks with you even through the valley of shadows.

May you live as one whose cup overflows, sharing from what you have to nourish and sustain, spreading the love of the One who prepares a table before you.

May you have the imaginative sympathy and love of Wisdom Sophia to follow where the Shepherd leads and co-create a world where Love abides. 

May goodness and mercy follow you all the days of your life, as you dwell in the presence of the Good Shepherd, now and forever. Amen.

Closing song: Psalm 23 by Bobby McFerrin

https://youtu.be/000AuO_lBJk?si=smr1-u8jxF9lSnkG