Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community Sixth Sunday of Easter May 24, 2025 Presiders: Suzanne and Jerry Bires, Seth Winners, and Kathryn Shea Readers: Mary Al Gagnon and Jeanne Schmitt IT: Cheryl Brandi

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

Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926

Passcode: 552967

 

Theme: May Spirit Be With You

 

Welcome and Gathering

 

Suzanne: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. 

 

Our blessed community gathers weekly on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the Eucharist and share love for our Holy One and one another and to give thanks for our many blessings.  Our time together is sacred time where we bring our collective loving energy and prayer 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.”

 

Whoever you are, 

Wherever 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: Gather Us In by Marty Haugen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar0BXa82F9M

 

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 one Spirit.

 

Kathryn and ALL: Amen

 

Rite of Transformation

 

Jerry: 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

 

MARYAL: FIRST READING: REVELATION 21:10-14, 22-23

The angel took me in spirit to a great, high mountain and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God. It gleamed with the splendor of God. Its radiance was like that of a precious stone, like jasper, clear as crystal.

It had a massive, high wall, with twelve gates where twelve angels were stationed and on which names were inscribed, the names of the twelve tribes of the Israelites. There were three gates facing east, three north, three south, and three west. The wall of the city had twelve courses of stones as its foundation, on which were inscribed the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in the city for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.

These are the words from the book of Revelation and we respond by saying, 

ALL AMEN.

 

Reflection: Morning Mercy and Grace 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfYL-JoYmVs

 

Gospel acclamation:  Celtic Alleluia by Christopher Walker 

https://youtu.be/4cs8NDVM3Vk 

 

JEANNE: A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 14:23-29

Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Creator will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; yet the word you hear is not mine but that of the Holy One who sent me.

“I have told you this while I am with you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.

You heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Holy One; for the Holy One isgreater than I. And now I have told you this before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe.”

These are the words spoken by the apostle John and we affirm them by saying, ALL Amen.

Homily Starter and Community Sharing

 

Communal Statement of Faith

 

Suzanne 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 daysahead.

 

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.

 

Mary Al: 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

 

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

 

Our response is: Spirit hears our call and answers always. 

 

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

Response:  Spirit hears our call and answers always.  

 

 

We pray for all who are suffering, lonely, and without faith or hope. Response: Spirit hears our call and answers always.  

 

 

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

Response: Spirit hears our call and answers always.  

 

We pray for all of those suffering from the impact of natural disasters. 

Response: Spirit hears our call and answers always.  

 

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

Response: Spirit hears our call and answers always.  

 

And, for what else should we pray?

 

Response: Spirit hears our call and answers always.

 

Jerry: 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.

Suzanne:  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. 

Jerry:  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, livedand 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]

Suzanne: 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.

Jerry: Jesus, who was with God “in the beginning of the creation of the heavens and the earth,” is with usnow 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.

Mary Al: 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 Francis, 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 alsoall 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..) 

Jeanne 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.  

The Great Amen with Linda Lee Miller 

https://youtu.be/Dy76fpfkNsg

 

The Prayer of Jesus

 

Jerry: Let us pray as Jesus taught us. 

Jerry and All:  O Holy One, you are 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 your 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    Adapted, Miriam Therese Winter, MMS

 

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.”

 

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

 

Jeanne 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.

 

Suzanne: 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: Old Spirit Rising

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsi5nXEkNGE

 

Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements

 

Closing Prayer:

 

 

Jerry: Holy Spirit, guide us and fill our hearts with your love. Help us to follow your will and stay true to Jesus’ teachings. Be our comfort and strength in all we do. Amen.

 

Closing Community Blessing

 

Kathryn and Seth: Please raise your hands in blessing: And together with our arms extended to one another we say:

 

May we speak with kindness and truth.

May we be humble and see our own faults. 

May we live faithfully and love others as you love us. 

May we keep Spirit alive in us and in our world.

May we be Christ in all those we meet.

 

Seth and ALL: Thanks be to all that is holy! Amen andAlleluia! 

 

Closing Song: Spirit Rising gospel song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwXbSdrfIhs

 

 

 

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.