Mary Mother of Jesus, ICC, Saturday, September 28, 2024 Presider: Dotty Shugrue, Arcwp Prayer Readers/Prayer Leaders: JoanPesce, Jane Shugrue IT: Cheryl Brandi, Michael Rigdon

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Dotty: Welcome to our Mary Mother of Jesus InclusiveChurch Community Liturgy our “Church Without Walls.”  Today we celebrate the Fifth Sunday in the Season of Creation. 

Whoever you are.

Where ever you are.  Just as you are.

You are welcome at our table

let us pray…

 

Opening Prayer:  We are surrounded by the beauty of Creation.  For no more than an hour, give or take a little, as difficult as it may be, let us pause and embrace that we stand in the midst of the beauty of Creation.  Let us together, in one voice, give thanks to the Maker of it all.”

 

 

Opening Song: What on Earth by Joyce Johnson Rouse (Earth Mama)

https://youtu.be/hML0C2gSGbA

 

LITURGY OF THE WORD

 

Joan: First Reading: A reading from The Great Search by John Philip Newell

 

What is the spiritual vision at the heart of our religious inheritance that we have forgotten or neglected? The Spirit is urging us to remember that we are to do to others, including Earth and every species, what we would most want done to us. This is the teaching of Jesus at the heart of our Christian inheritance, with its equivalent in the ‘Golden Rule’ of nearly every great spiritual tradition in the world. It is the teaching that can lead us into new beginnings.

 

In our Great Search of today, we are searching for what will bring healing, not only for ourselves, whether as individuals or nations or races, but for all people and for every species. And it is for all things that we are seeking a new sense of home address, not only physically but spiritually. We are longing for a deeper sense of shared origin and spiritual kinship, including a sense of family responsibility for everything that has being.

 

We are being invited to remember what our souls, at some level, have always known which is that our true spiritual center is not Rome or Jerusalem or Mecca or any of the other places that religion has claimed to hold special authority over us. Our true spiritual center is Earth and the human soul. Rome, Jerusalemand Mecca have occupied a significant place in our faith traditions over the centuries but, essentially, they exist to serve Earth and the human soul, not the other way around.

 

We are longing for an expanded vision of the Universe, a reawakened love affair with Earth, and a deepened sense of spiritual presence in every moment and encounter of life. We are yearning to grow in awareness, to find wellness, and to delight in love. And we are longing for the recovery of wisdom, for meaning in the both the joy and pain of life, and for a reimagined faith in the immortal light that shines in all things.

 

These are the yearnings of the Great Search today.

 

These are the inspired words of mystic, John Philip Newell, and we affirm them by saying, “Let it be so and So it is!”

 

Second Reading: Galapagos, written by Denis HackertStoner ARCWP

 

https://youtu.be/gZ2Th3hmHV8?si=_YNJQp29LuIIarup

 

These are the inspired words of Denise, and we affirm them by saying, “Let it be so and So it is!”

 

Alleluia Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker

https://youtu.be/o1rc7ojQtJU 

 

Jane: Gospel: A Reading from the Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 6, 25-24, adapted from The Message Bible

 

“If you decide for the Holy One, living a life of reverence, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of the Holy One. And you are as precious.

 

“If the Holy One gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think the Holy One will attend to you, take pride in you, do the best for you? Relax, do not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to what has been given to you. 

 

“Give your entire attention to what the Holy One is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. The Holy One will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

 

These words are adapted from the Gospel of Matthew and we affirm them

by saying, “So be it and So it is!”

 

Dotty:                                       Shared Homily

 

 

                        What are your thoughts?  Please share your wisdom.    

 

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.

 

Jane:  As we prepare for the sacred meal, we are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our blessings, cares and concerns.  Please feel free to voice your concerns beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”

 

We bring to the table, all birds, dragonflies, bees, all small creatures of the earth we pray…

 

All: We will hold them sacred

 

We bring to the table the wild animals that they will be safe in their natural habitat…

 

All: We will hold them sacred,

 

We bring to the table all trees and wild flowers that we keep them safe from destruction so they are protected where they live and grow…

 

All: We will hold them sacred,

 

And we bring to the table all human beings all over the world that they be safe, peaceful, protected from powers that are destructive to all life on our planet…

We will hold and keep safe all life on our planet with our faith in Divine Spirit who protects us all.  

 

All: We will hold them sacred.

 

For what else shall we pray?  (Joan Meehan)

 

We bring to the table all the concerns we hold silently in our hearts….

 

Let it be and so it is!

 

 

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Jane:  With open hands let us pray our Eucharistic Prayer together:

 

O Holy One, you are always with us. In the blessed abundance of creation, we gather to celebrate the nourishing gift of life. May our hearts be open as we participate in the wise and wonderful work of co-creation. May we be ever aware of Spirit within and among us as our world unfolds amid pain and beauty into the fullness of life. 

 

We are grateful for Spirit whose breath inspired the primal waters, calling into being the variety and abundance we see around us. Spirit sustains and animates our every endeavor, inviting us to act in wisdom and in truth.

 

In gratitude and joy, we embrace our calling and we lift our voices to proclaim a song of praise:

 

Holy, Holy: Here in This Place by Christopher Grundy

https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk?si=DW76N-rNE9cCQXsh

 

As a community, we gather in the power of Sacred Spirit, refreshing wind, purifying fire and flowing water, for the variety and diversity of Creation. We seek to live as Jesus taught us, wise and holy as Spirit-filled people, courageous and prophetic, ever obedient to your call.

 

Dotty: Please extend your hands in blessing.

Spirit resides within and around us and all of creation, including the bread and wine on this table.  We aregifted with wisdom, light and truth, which remind us of our call to be the body of Christ to the world.

 

On the night before Jesus faced his own death, Jesus sat at supper with his companions and friends.  He reminded them of all that he taught them, and to fix that memory clearly with them, he bent down and washed their feet. When he returned to his place, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and offered it to them saying:

Take and eat;

This is my very self.

 

Jesus then raised a cup of blessing, spoke the grace and offered the wine 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 will become communion, both Love’s nourishment and Love’s challenge.

Please receive communion with the words:  We are inspired by the mysteries 

of Life.

 

Communion song: Brother Sun (Giving Glory)-Liz Vice from The Porter’s Gate, Climate Vigil Songs

https://youtu.be/vbLI_8kTyPY?si=VqYPIW4V0JrNF2cB

 

Prayer After Communion:

Joan:  Holy One, sacred transforming energy is always moving within us and working through us. Like Jesus, we will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and we will live compassionate lives,

for it is through living as Jesus lived, that we awaken to  Spirit within,

moving us to glorify You, O Holy One,

at this time and all ways.

Amen.

 

Let us pray as Jesus taught us with an eye toward this Season of Creation:

Generous Creator, the intricate and elegant beauty of our world comes from Spirit’s hallowed autograph on our lives, on our hearts and on the totality of our being. 

We yearn for the wholeness of being in harmony with Sacred Spirit and with all

living things. 

Each day we draw on the Creative, life-giving energy with gratitude, joy, and awe as we find nourishment in seed and field, river and forest. 

May we be stewards and co-creators in caring for the gifts of Creation.  

We acknowledge our shortcomings, especially our neglect of the environment. We seek to be reconciled with those we have hurt and we resolve to do better.  

With unfailing wisdom and the wind of Sacred Spirit, inspire us that we may reach out and love one another and care for the world, our home.

Strengthen us to work for local and global justice so that we may one day reap a harvest of equality and fairness as if they were wildflowers, propagating spontaneously, unerringly and in surprising abundance. Amen.

 

Dotty:  Introductions, Thanksgivings, Announcements

 

Dotty: Let us pray our Closing Blessing:

Let us raise our hands and pray our closing blessing:

Go out from this place, ready to hear creation’s call. 

Go out, ready to answer, “I am here, standing up for you!” 

And as you go, know that the love of Divine Mystery surrounds you, 

the peace of Christ empowers you, 

and the companionship of the Spirit moves within you 

and all of creation, now and always. 

AMEN

 

Closing Song: All You Works of God – Marty Haugen (shortened)

https://youtu.be/vCTyaOcB4xk

 

Refrain: All you works of God, every mountain, star and tree,

Bless the One who shapes your beauty, 

who has caused you all to be one great song of love and grace,

Ever ancient, ever new. Raise your voices, all you works of God!

 

Sun and moon:  Bless your Maker! Stars of heaven: Chant your praise!  

Showers and dew:  Raise up your joyful song.  Refrain  

 

Wells and springs: Bless your Maker! Seas and rivers: Chant your praise! Whales in the deep: Raise up your joyful song! 

 

Please send personal intentions to Joan Meehan. Jmeehan515@aol.com

They will be added in our Community Prayer Book.

PO BOX:

Please send donations to:

Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
5342 Clark Road #3079
Sarasota, FL 34233

 

Website: marymotherofjesus.net

 

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Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Season of Creation & Feast of St Francis September 21, 2024 Liturgy team: Lee Breyer, Cheryl & Jim Brandi-IT, Jerry Bires & Suzanne Bires, Joan Meehan, Andrea Seabaugh, Michael Rigdon

 

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https://zoom.us/j/93473708926?pwd=VHFKZGJ5N3ljbzZtVU1qQVRZY1lodz09

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Welcome. Lee

Welcome to Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community! 

Whoever you are, Wherever you are, 

Just as you are, You are welcome at this table. 

(Integral Christianity by Paul Smith)

 

Opening 🎶Laudato Si’, Canticle of the Sun. Words by St Francis, music by Marty Haugen, performed by Michelle Sherliza, OP

https://youtu.be/CfJ6WJPUff8

 

Theme. (Michael) Christ in all creation, all creation in Christ

 

(Andrea) Let us begin our celebration by sharing a sign of peace with one another. Bow toward the community with hands folded 🙏 as we say together: (All) The peace of Christ be with you. Namaste, Namaste, Namaste. 

 

(Andrea) Please join in singing the Prayer of St Francis 

🎶  

https://youtu.be/pSnSZ1vtmZM

Make me a channel of your peace. 

Where there is hatred, let me bring your love. 

Where there is injury, your pardon, God, 

and where there is doubt, true faith in you. 

Make me a channel of your peace.

Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope. 

Where there is darkness only light, 

and where there’s sadness ever joy.

Oh God, grant that I may never seek 

so much to be consoled, as to console, 

to be understood as to understand, 

to be loved, as to love with all my soul. 

Make me a channel of your peace. 

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, 

in giving of ourselves that we receive

And in dying that were born to eternal life.

Make me a channel of your peace!

Make me a channel of your peace!

 

Opening Prayer. (Suzanne) Holy One, you flow through us and all of creation as an eternal river of love and creativity. As we learn more every day about how everything in this universe is inter-related, may we come to appreciate more and more about our connection with all that is. May we see you where you really are, deep within everything and everyone. All: Amen. 

 

We break open God’s Word.

(Jerry) The first reading is from the book of Genesis.

God spoke: “Swarm, Ocean, with fish and all sea life!

      Birds, fly through the sky over Earth!”

   God created the huge whales,

      all the swarm of life in the waters,

   And every kind and species of flying birds.

      God saw that it was good.

   God blessed them: “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Ocean!

  Birds, reproduce on Earth!”

   It was evening, it was morning—Day Five.

God spoke: “Earth, generate life! Every sort and kind:

      cattle and reptiles and wild animals—all kinds.”

   And there it was:

      wild animals of every kind,

   Cattle of all kinds, every sort of reptile and bug.

      God saw that it was good.

We respond to this inspired message from Genesis: 

(All) So be it!

(Excerpt From The Message by Eugene H Peterson)

 

Second Reading (Suzanne) A reading from the Encyclical Letter of Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, On the Care for Our Common Home

 

V. GLOBAL INEQUALITY

 

48. The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to causes related to human and social degradation. In fact, the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet: “Both everyday experience and scientific research show that the gravest effects of all attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest”.[26] For example, the depletion of fishing reserves especially hurts small fishing communities without the means to replace those resources; water pollution particularly affects the poor who cannot buy bottled water; and rises in the sea level mainly affect impoverished coastal populations who have nowhere else to go. The impact of present imbalances is also seen in the premature death of many of the poor, in conflicts sparked by the shortage of resources, and in any number of other problems which are insufficiently represented on global agendas.

49. It needs to be said that, generally speaking, there is little in the way of clear awareness of problems which especially affect the excluded. Yet they are the majority of the planet’s population, billions of people. These days, they are mentioned in international political and economic discussions, but one often has the impression that their problems are brought up as an afterthought, a question which gets added almost out of duty or in a tangential way, if not treated merely as collateral damage. Indeed, when all is said and done, they frequently remain at the bottom of the pile. This is due partly to the fact that many professionals, opinion makers, communications media and centres of power, being located in affluent urban areas, are far removed from the poor, with little direct contact with their problems. They live and reason from the comfortable position of a high level of development and a quality of life well beyond the reach of the majority of the world’s population. This lack of physical contact and encounter, encouraged at times by the disintegration of our cities, can lead to a numbing of conscience and to tendentious analyses which neglect parts of reality. At times this attitude exists side by side with a “green” rhetoric. Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

These are the inspired words of Pope Francis and we affirm them by saying, Amen.

 

🎶 Alle, Alle, Alleluia  

https://youtu.be/gIHnZn3JjcM

 

(Lee) Today’s gospel reading is from the Good News attributed to Matthew.  (Excerpt From The Message by Eugene H Peterson)

If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body.

Look at the birds 🦅 , free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers - most of which are never even seen - don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving.

People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works.

Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

This is the Good News from Matthew, and we respond:

(All) Thanks be to God. 

 

🎶 Alle, Alle, Alleluia

https://youtu.be/gIHnZn3JjcM

 

Homily Starter (Michael) and Shared Homily (All).

 

Profession of Faith (Joan) & All:

We believe in God, who creates all things,
who embraces all things, who celebrates all things,
who is present in every part of the fabric of creation.
We believe in God as the source of all life,
who baptizes this planet with living water.
We believe in Jesus Christ, the suffering one, the poor one, 

the malnourished one, the climate refugee, 

who loves and cares for this world and who suffers with it.
And we believe in Jesus Christ, the seed of life,
who came to reconcile and renew this world and everything in it. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the breath of God,
who moves with God and who moves among and with us today. We believe in everlasting life in God.
And we believe in the hope that one day
God will put an end to death and all destructive forces. 

 

Prayers of the Community. (Joan) We bring to the table the needs of our community, our country, and our world. 

(Response: Holy One, you hear our prayer)

May each of us contribute to the health and sustainability of our Mother Earth, we pray. R

May we support organizations and leaders who address climate change, we pray. R

We bring to the table community members, family members, & friends with health problems, we pray.  R

We bring to the table our sisters & brothers in the US and around the world who are suffering from the wildfires and from the impact of tropical storms. We pray. R

Joan will bring to the table petitions in our community prayer book. 

And for what else shall we pray today? 

Holy One, we bring these needs to you in faith and hope. 

All: Amen

 

We offer our gifts 🥖 🍷 (Jerry) (Have bread and wine/juice on your table)

O Holy One, we bring you our gifts from creation, 

bread of the grain and wine of the grapes.  

We recognize that they are holy in you, their Creator. 

And we know that they will make us holy, 

one with you and one with each other.

 

Our communion prayer.

 

(Andrea) Our loving God dwells on earth and speaks to us through wild flowers and butterflies

(All) And through every living being. 

(Andrea) Lift up your hearts.

(All) We lift them up to our Creator in whom all beings live.

(Andrea) Let us give thanks for the Source of Life. 

(All) It is right to give the Living God thanks and praise.

 

(Andrea & All) Holy, holy, holy God, Spirit of love of peace,

Earth’s abundance reflects your glory. 

Hosanna in the highest. 

Blessed are all living things who reflect the beauty of God. Hosanna in the highest.

 

(Lee) Holy One, we bring you these gifts 🥖🍷 that they may become the Christ Presence. Fill us with tenderness toward our sisters and brothers, and toward all holy creatures.

 

(Lee & All, with hand extended) On the night before he died, while at supper with his friends, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to them saying, “Take this all of you and eat. This is my very self. (Pause) In the same way, Jesus took the cup of wine. He said the blessing, gave the cup to his friends and said, Take this all of you and drink.This is the cup of my new covenant with you. When you do this, remember me.

 

The Mystery of Faith. (Suzanne) We are one body in Christ, in communion with all creation.

 

Litany for the breaking of the bread (Suzanne, & All) 

Christ of the cosmos, may we live our oneness with you and all creation.

Christ of the cosmos, may we work to healthe earth. 

Christ of the cosmos, may we celebrate justice rising up in the global communion everywhere.

(Jerry & All) (lifting the bread & cup) This is the Cosmic Christ in whom all creation lives and moves and has its being. All are invited to partake of this banquet of love. And to celebrate our oneness with all living beings on the planet. We are the body of Christ.   (All receive communion now)

 

🎶 The Water of Life by Kerani  (Stop at 3:00)

https://youtu.be/FvcedDyMqUU?si=sAWp4peAYsGWikfe

 

(Joan) Christ of the cosmos, we remember those within our world and church who are working for environmental healing, human rights, and justice for all.

Christ of the cosmos, we remember StFrancis who sang canticles to brother sunand sister moon. We remember our sisters and brothers who have cared for earth’screatures and have blessed our world with their loving service to God’s people most in need. We praise you in union with them and give you glory by working for a more just and peaceful world.

Lover of animals, we are filled with awe aswe behold and give thanks for all living things. May we immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature that surrounds us each day. We ask this through our brother Jesus, in union with Spirit Sophia. (All) Amen

 

(Michael) Prayers of thanks. Announcements.

 

Final Blessing (Michael & All) 

May our nurturing God bless ✝️ all gathered here 

in the name of the creator, 

in the name of Mary‘s child, and 

in the name of Spirit Sophia

as we serve one another and the earth.

 

Commission (Lee & All) 

We will spend our days caring for Creation.

We will be the face of God to everyone we encounter.

Amen. Alleluia.

 

Final 🎶 Of the Earth, by The Many  

https://youtu.be/FDW_YEokpxE

 

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If you want to add an intercession to our MMOJ Community Prayer book, please send an email to Joan Meehan jmeehan515@aol.com  

 

If you want to invite someone to attend our liturgy, please refer them to the day’s liturgy at MaryMotherofJesus.net

  

To support our community, please send your check to: no

​Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community

​5342 Clark Road #3079, Sarasota, FL 34233