Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81534075389?pwd=TTdGY2NxS3AzTW13ODJESkdYME9aUT09
Meeting ID: 815 3407 5389
Passcode: 803326
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community on this day of Saturday, April 15th, 2023 we celebrate the 2nd week after Easter.
Our Presiders are:
Dotty Shugrue
Joan Pesce
Suzanne Bires
Jerry Bires
IT Cheryl Brandi
Suzanne: Mary Mother of Jesus is an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome to share Eucharist. As you hear the Word, you will be invited to share your insights. As an inclusive catholic community, we encourage all to read the prayers with us and to listen and join us in song. Be sure you are muted throughout the Liturgy unless you are a Co-Presider. Unmute when you share your thoughts and re-mute when finished.
Sign of Peace: Let us welcome one another with a sign of peace:
Namaste: Mark Hayes and Monique
Danelle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxf8QFTkYY8
Dotty: The Theme of today’s Liturgy is Doubt embraces Faith. We turn to one another and call upon the Sacred Spirit within us to open our eyes that we may see, open our minds that we may listen and open our hearts that we may accept the inspirations and perspectives of all we meet even those with whom we disagree.
Opening Song: Learning to Sit with Not Knowing – Carrie Newcomr
Dotty: Spirit Divine, we gather as community to remember the life of Jesus and honor him through the breaking of bread. We renew ourselves to share our vision of the creation of a new earth. We recognize that the reality of both doubt and faith is very much a part of our lives. We open ourselves to use our eyes, ears, and hearts as we pause in our day and reflect on the meaning of these famous words of the Apostle Thomas.
We recognize that we have personal struggles in believing how Christ is alive in our world. Every day, we are given an opportunity to see the strength and vision within, to listen to all we have been taught, to love every bit of life that surrounds us, so that we can and will let go of our doubts and embrace faith in all situations and circumstances.
All: Let it be so
Transformation Rite
Joan P: Called to see that the same divine presence that lived in Jesus lives in us,
Open my eyes that I may see.
Called to respond to the cries of the of the poor, the hungry and the mistreated in our communities,
Open my mind that I may listen.
Called to appreciate differences in individuals and in all of creation,
Open my heart that I may love.
We are transformed because we believe.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Jerry: The first reading is a psalm 23 presented in Music:
Psalm 23 by Bobby McFerri
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9fzWq-
d8jU
Jerry: Our second reading is the Acts of the Apostles inspired by John. Chapter 2 vs 42-47
They devoted themselves
to the apostles’ instructions and to the communal life,
to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.
A reverent fear overtook them all for
many wonders and signs were performed by the apostles.
Those who believed lived together and shared all things in common;
they would sell their property and goods
sharing them with each other as each had need.
They met in the temple area and broke bread together in their homes every day.
With joyful and sincere hearts they took their meals in common, praising God and winning the approval of all people.
Day by day, God added to their number those who were being saved.
Alleluia Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker
Suzanne: Gospel: John 20 (19-31)
In the evening of that same day of the week,
the doors were locked in the room where the disciples were,
for fear of the Temple authorities.
Jesus came and stood among them and said “Peace be with you.”
Having said this, the savior showed them the marks of the crucifixion.
The disciples were filled with joy when they saw Jesus who
said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As Abba God sent me, I’m sending you.”
After saying this, Jesus breathed on them and said
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive anyone’s sins they are forgiven,
If you retain anyone’s sins they are retained .”
It happened that one of the twelve, Thomas, nicknamed Didymus or “Twin”, was absent when Jesus came.
The other disciples kept telling him, “We’ve seen Jesus.”
Thomas’ answer was
“I’ll never believe it without putting my finger in the nail marks and my hand into the spear wound.”
On the eighth day the disciples were once more in the room
and this time Thomas was with them.
Despite the locked doors, Jesus came and stood before them saying,
“Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Take your finger and examine my hands.
Put your hand into my side.
Don’t persist in your unbelief but believe.” Thomas said in response, “My Savior and my God!” Jesus then said, “You’ve become a believer because you have seen me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Jesus performed many other signs as well as signs not recorded here in the presence of the disciples. But these have been recorded to help you believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the only Begotten, so that by believing you may have life in Jesus’ name.
These are the inspired words of the apostle known as John and the community affirms them by saying: SO BE IT!
Homily Starter
What did you hear in our readings today
Joan: 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.
Jerry: Prayers for Community
As we prepare for the sacred meal, we are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. As we turn our doubt into faith, we bring to this table our cares and concerns.
We bring to the table all those individuals, women, children, and men who live in an environment of hate and persecution yet continue to reach out to one another. May they be liberated from the tragedy of war and abuse.
We bring to the table all those who struggle with doubt may they recognized that The Holy One is with them in their despair and through faith they can be fre.
We bring to the table the sick and dying. We pray that the love of others will bring strength and comfort to their families, and all those who have requested our prayers in the MMOJ Book of Prayer Requests
Please bring your concerns to our table (remember to unmute and then re-mute after you share). All members of our community are invited to share…
We pray for these and all unspoken intentions. Amen.
Liturgy of the Eucharist
adapted from Diarmuid O’Murchu
Dotty: With open hands let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together:
Gracious God, source and sustenance of life, redeeming presence to the pain and brokenness of our world, Holy Spirit, who enlivens and inebriates all that exists, we beseech your healing power upon us and all we pray for today.
Down through the ages, you rescue us from darkness.
you light up our ways with wise and holy people. You restore our spirits, and you revive our dwindling hope.
May the Spirit of life and wholeness transform us that we may be refreshed in our inner being and be empowered to bring mercy, love, and healing to those whose lives we touch.
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here in this Place –by Christopher Grundy
Prayer Before the Breaking of the Bread
Joan: Loving God, You call us to speak truth to power. We will do so.
Loving God, You call us to live the Gospel of peace and justice. We will do so.
Loving God, You call us to be Your presence in the world. We will do so.
Please extend your hands over your bread and cup
Come forth Sacred Spirit and be with us at our Eucharistic Table and send light and blessing upon the bread and wine which reminds us of our call to be the body of Christ in the world.
As we gather around this friendship table, we recall God’s
blessing and love from ages past, and we celebrate anew
the gift of life which we share among us at this Eucharistic feast.
We share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace. We choose to live justly, love tenderly, and walk with integrity.
Dotty: On the night before Jesus died, He gathered for supper with the people closest to him. Like the least of household servants, he washed their feet, so that they would re-member him.
All lift their plates and pray the following:
When he returned to his place at the table, he lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread, and offered it to them saying:
Take and eat. This is my very self.
(pause)
All lift their cups and pray the following:
Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:
Take and drink.
Whenever you remember me like this,
I am among you.
(pause)
Receive communion saying: “Choose Faith”
Communion Song: Quiet Place by The Many
Prayer After Communion
Suzanne: In a faith free of doubt we are sustained,
In grace our dignity reclaimed,
In praise we thank our God.
Grant that we may strive to create a world where suffering and pain are diminished, where justice and peace are restored, and where all people can live in health and wholeness, united in acclaiming the God of life, whose abundance is offered to each and to all, until the Kin-dom arrives in the fullness of time.
This prayer we make in the name of our healing and nurturing God through, with, and in whom we offer these gifts, sources of life, love, and goodness, now and forever. Amen.
Jerry: Let us pray as Jesus taught us:
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)
INTRODUCTIONS, THANKSGIVINGS, ANNOUNCEMENTS
Blessing
Joan: Let us raise our hands and bless each other.
Holy One, we to choose to support and challenge one another in living a resurrected life of bravery and trust.
Jesus our brother we will change our world his community and trust in you.
Those same precious relationships are ours. With them, may we heal ourselves, each other and our hurting waiting world. Amen
Closing Song: GRATEFUL: A Love Song to the World |
Empty Hands Music Daniel Nahmod
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NEW PO BOX:
Please send donations to:
Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
5342 Clark Road #3079
Sarasota, FL 34233
Please send intention for our community prayer book to Joan Meehan.