Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
Week Four of The Season of Creation
September 26, 2026
Liturgy Team: Jim Brandi, Ann Cooke, MaryAl Gagnon, Joan Meehan, Seth Winners, Kathryn Shea
IT: Cheryl Brandi
Theme: Wade In The Water
Welcome and Gathering
MaryAl: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an Inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. As we gather this afternoon, let us truly ask ourselves how we can celebrate all the goodness of our country and its people, and yet still call out all cruelty and injustice still at work in our world today.
This is an especially sacred time in our country, and our time together is sacred time, where we bring our collective loving energy and prayers to help heal ourselves, one another, and our beautiful planet, Earth.
“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)
MaryAL: Let us begin our liturgy by expressing love through song.
Opening Song:
Waterfall by Chris Tomlin
https://youtu.be/qga1wBBajcA?si=GrUmYMo-EeMgMijG
Opening Prayer:
Kathryn:
Gracious and loving God,
Source of all life,
we gather today with grateful hearts.
You have given us the gift of water—
water that falls from the heavens,
flows through rivers and streams,
rises from the earth,
and gathers in oceans and lakes.
Water that nourishes the soil,
quenches our thirst,
sustains every living creature,
and reminds us that we are all connected
within the sacred web of Creation.
In this Season of Creation,
we hear again the invitation of Jesus:
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me.”
Christ, you are Living Water.
Rite of Transformation
Jim: God, we confess that we have treated this gift of water as a mere commodity. We have choked the seas with our waste and watched the warming tides rise in judgment. We lament the cracked earth of the drought-stricken and the salty tears of the climate refugee. Melt our frozen hearts, O God, and let the waters of repentance flow.
Seth and ALL: We are sorry. Forgive us. We love you. Thank you.
Liturgy of the Word
Ann: First Reading: Ezekiel 47:9,12
Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.
ALL: And we respond by saying, AMEN.
Jim: Second Reading: lndigenous Prayers and Teachings –
(The prayers and teachings shared here are with the permission of Kanienʼkehá꞉ka Elder Rose-Alma McDonald, Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall, Indigenous Advisor.)
WATER THE LIFEBLOOD OF MOTHER EARTH
Our Indigenous beliefs hold that water is a sacred, living entity—
the "lifeblood" of Mother Earth.
Water is our relative, holding spirit and agency, essential for
spiritual, physical, and emotional life.
Water is the first medicine, connecting our ancestors to future
generations, with women as its sacred protectors.
In our Indigenous ways Water means to us that:
• Water is a living thing, a moving being that possesses a spirit
and interacts with the world, with its movements guided by
natural rhythms.
• Water is the "Lifeblood" of the Earth, connecting all beings
and representing the interconnection between all living
things.
• There are Four Sacred Waters Teachings that include the
water of the universe, the spirit water of birth (amniotic
fluid), water of Mother Earth (rivers, lakes), and the red
water (blood).
• Water is our connection to Life and Creation. Water is
essential for cleansing, healing, and spiritual purification.
Humans are formed in the water of the womb, linking the
start of life to the sacredness of water.
• Indigenous women traditionally serve as the main caretakers
and keepers of water, with a sacred responsibility to speak
for and protect it.
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford-video by MTStreck
https://youtu.be/xoJN0owUoWA
Joan M: Gospel Readings on Living Water:
JOHN 4:14
“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” – John 4:14
JOHN 7:38
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” – John 7:38
REVELATION 21:6
“He said to me: ‘It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” – Revelation 21:6
ISAIAH 12:3
“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” – Isaiah 12:3
We affirm these words by saying: ALL: Amen
Homily Starter and Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Ann 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.
Ann: 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 the healing of the living water.
We pray for all who are suffering, lonely, and without faith or hope.
Response: We trust the healing of the living water.
We pray for all those living in the conditions of war and fear
Response: We trust the healing of the living water.
We pray for all those suffering from natural disasters throughout our world.
Response: We trust the healing of the living water.
We pray for the intentions in our MMOJ community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Response: We trust the healing of the living water.
And, for what else should we pray?
Response: We trust the healing of the living water.
Joan M: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer
MaryAl: 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
Jim: 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.
Ann: 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]
Joan M: 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 us now 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.
Ann and All:
Holy One, 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..)
Jim 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
Jim: Let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Jim 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)
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,
Seth: “Namaste, Namaste, Namaste.”
Peace Is Flowing Like A River:
https://youtu.be/sQ00H4Tavdo?si=W91qfmWJ68rIXuoL
Jim: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
Jim 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 living water that flows through all creation.”
Communion Song: Come To The Water by John Foley
https://youtu.be/huERPUnO-bo?si=sj4fygqgqF0y4UKC
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Prayer After Communion
MaryAl:
May we become people who bring refreshment
where there is thirst,
hope where there is despair,
justice where there is exploitation,
and healing where Creation has been wounded.
Holy Spirit,
move through us like living water.
May our worship today renew our commitment
to protect the rivers, lakes, oceans, and watersheds of Earth,
and to stand with all who struggle for access to clean, life-giving water.
God of Creation,
may we leave this Eucharist
more deeply aware that the water flowing through the Earth
also flows through us.
Make us vessels of your Living Water.
And may everything we do
help the whole of Creation
to flourish. ALL: Amen
Kathryn: Closing Community Blessing: (Please your hand as we bless one another)
May the Holy One whose Spirit hovered over the waters, bless you and become within you a spring that never runs dry—refreshing the weary, welcoming the stranger, healing creation, and bringing hope wherever you go. May your name be a blessing in our time. Amen.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen and Alleluia!
Closing Song: Wade In The Water
https://youtu.be/fxZ4H-gq_lc?si=l_7SA_khKchjZNw6
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.
