Mary Mother of Jesus Inclusive Catholic Community
Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 2, 2026
Presiders: Maryal Gagnon, Seth Winners, Joan Meehan, Kathryn Shea
Readers: Beth Ponce and David Ponce-Campos
IT: Cheryl Brandi
Theme: Trust in Jesus in all things
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/93473708926?pwd=VHFKZGJ5N3ljbzZtVU1qQVRZY1lodz09
Meeting ID: 934 7370 8926
Welcome and Gathering
Maryal: Welcome to our Zoom liturgy at Mary Mother of Jesus, an Inclusive Catholic Community where all are welcome. Today we celebrate the Fifth Sunday of Easter. As we gather this afternoon, let us truly ask ourselves how we “Let Go and Let God?”
Our time together is 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.”
Seth: 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.
Gathering Song: – You Are Mine by David Hass
https://youtu.be/Sgm9lkTNQmc?si=5Wvca1C80i3TYJTH
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 we are here to follow you all the days of our lives.
Rite of Transformation
Jim: 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
Beth: First Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Beloved: Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and A stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.
You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
These are the inspired words of Peter and we affirm them by saying, AMEN,
Gospel Acclamation: Spirit of the Living God by Michael Crawford-video by MTStreck
David: The Gospel according to John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Creator’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Holy One except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my God. From now on you do know God and have seen God.”
Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Creator, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the our Abba God. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and Mother of all that is and they are in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. Abba, who dwells in me is doing these works.
Believe me that I am in the Creator and the Creator is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to our Abba God.”
These are the inspired words of the Gospel writer, John, and we affirm them by saying: ALL: Amen
Homily Starter and Community Sharing
Communal Statement of Faith
MaryAl 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.
MaryAL: 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 that Jesus responds to our prayers.
We pray for all those suffering, or will be suffering, as a result of those in charge in our government.
Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.
We pray for all who are suffering, lonely, and without faith or hope.
Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.
We pray for all those living in the conditions of war and fear.
Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.
We pray for all those suffering from natural disasters throughout our world.
Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.
We pray for the intentions in our MMOJ community prayer list. (Joan shares)
Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.
And, for what else should we pray?
Response: We trust that Jesus responds to our prayers.
Joan M: 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 as we sing,
Holy, Holy, Holy: Here In This Place by Christopher Grundy
Maryal: 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.
Beth: 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]
Maryal: 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 usnow 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.
David: 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 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..)
Maryal 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 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)
Seth: 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.”
Maryal: Please join in praying the Litany for the Breaking of the Bread:
Maryal 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: We Walk by Faith
https://youtu.be/6hk_7EUvwv8?si=WfKKSHWFJcovFj8f
Introductions/Thanksgiving/Announcements
Closing Community Blessing
Kathryn and ALL: With hand extended in prayer:
Peace before us, Peace behind us, Peace under our feet
Peace within us, Peace over us, Let all around us be Peace.
Love before us, Love behind us, Love under our feet
Love within us, Love over us, Let all around us be Love.
Christ before us, Christ behind us, Christ under our feet,
Christ within us, Christ over us, Let all around us be Christ!
Maryal: Go in the peace of Christ. Let us bring God’s reign of peace and compassion to all those we meet. All: Thanks be to God.
Closing Song: I Will Follow Him – Sister Act
https://youtu.be/9aUB_E3Ojh4?si=-IuqkbW7TSUDlJqv
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.
