Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
21st Sunday in Ordinary Times
August 22, 2026
Liturgy Team: Joan Pesce, Anna Davis, Joan Meehan, Kathryn Shea
IT: Cheryl Brandi
Theme: Let Go and Let God
Welcome and Gathering
Joan M: 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 a 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.”
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.
Opening Song: Abide by Carrie Newcomer
and Parker J. Palmer
Kathryn Shea: Loving and Generous Source of All That Is, You gather us today from many places and many journeys, yet you call us into one sacred circle of love.
Open our hearts to the mystery we celebrate this day:
that You are the Bread of Life, offered freely for the healing of the world; that in sharing one loaf and one cup, we are joined to one another and to all creation; and we are called to become Your presence in our world.
Bless this gathering. Bless our prayers and songs.
Bless our sharing of Word and Table.
Holy One, breathe your Spirit through us that we may become bread for the hungry, hope for the discouraged, peace for the troubled, and love for a world in need.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother who calls us to abundant life.
Rite of Transformation
Joan P: 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)
Joan P and ALL: I am sorry. Forgive me. I love you. Thank you.
Liturgy of the Word
Anna: First Reading: - Isaiah 4:10-13
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
ALL: And we respond by saying, AMEN.
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford-video by MTStreck
https://youtu.be/xoJN0owUoWA
Joan P: Gospel Reading: Mathew12:25-28
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly God knows that you need them. But seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
These are the inspired words of the Gospel writer, Mathew, and we affirm them by saying: ALL: Amen
Homily Starter and Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
Anna 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.
Anna: 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 release our struggles to our Holy One.
We pray for all those suffering, or will be suffering, as a result of those in charge in our government.
Response: We release our struggles to our Holy One.
We pray for all who are suffering, lonely, and without faith or hope.
Response: We release our struggles to our Holy One.
We pray for all those living in the conditions of war and fear.
Response: We release our struggles to our Holy One.
We pray for all those suffering from natural disasters throughout our world.
Response: We release our struggles to our Holy One.
We pray for the intentions in our MMOJ community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Response: We release our struggles to our Holy One.
And, for what else should we pray?
Response: We release our struggles to our Holy One.
Joan M: Holy Mystery may we respond to the needs of our sisters and brothers in loving prayer and solidarity. Amen
Eucharistic Prayer
Joan P: 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
Anna: 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.
Joan P: 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.
Anna 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..)
Joan P 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 M 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)
Anna: 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.”
Joan M: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
Joan M 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: Calling All Angels by Jane Siberry and J.D. Lang
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSoKto7vcIk&list=RDNSoKto7vcIk&staMMradio=1
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Prayer After Communion
Joan M Prayer by Dr.Rev. Bridget Mary Meehan
Heart of Infinite Love,
Today, I remember everyone who has requested my prayers.
You know them all by name, understanding the heavy burdens they bear, the suffering they face, their unspoken fears, and their deepest hopes.
May your comforting presence be with them right now.
Bring healing and strength to those who are sick.
Grant wisdom to anyone waiting for medical test results, making tough choices, or going through major life changes.
Comfort those who are mourning and lonely.
Uplift the anxious, discouraged, and overwhelmed with your affirming presence, giving them deep peace.
Open unexpected pathways of hope for anyone dealing with relationship issues, family conflicts, financial worries, or an uncertain future.
Holy One, guide the medical professionals, caregivers, family, friends, and communities supporting those in need of care. Let their hands heal, their words uplift, and their actions reflect your healing love.
I bless every person who has reached out to me, doing so in the name of the Divine Presence that lives within us, loves through us, and walks with us through all of life's highs and lows.
May all of you realize that you are enveloped in an unimaginable divine love, and held tenderly in the Heart of God now and forever.
Amen.
Kathryn: Closing Community Blessing: (Please lift your hands as we bless one another)
Joan M: Go in the peace of Christ. Let us bring God’s reign of peace and compassion to all those we meet. Let us be the Body of Christ in our World.
All: Thanks be to God.
Closing Song: Amazing Grace
They Thought He Was Jesus... Then He Sang One of the Most Powerful Songs Ever Written | AGT 2026
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.
