Blessing May God bless us, Father, Son, and Spirit; may we always love and serve, filled with God s peace. Amen.

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1 Weekly Prayer SS. John and Paul Parish encourages a whole community approach to catechesis, and, where possible, a focus on the Sunday readings. In line with this, any parish group that meets during the week is invited to use the Weekly Prayer for that week. The core of the prayer is a Scripture reading for the upcoming Sunday, usually the gospel. In that way all who meet as parish groups during the week have already had a chance to think and pray in light of the Sunday reading. You will find the parish s weekly prayer on one of the pages below. Please look at the bottom of the page for the proper week s prayer. Usually we use the prayer that focuses on the upcoming Sunday reading. To use the prayer, simply print out the appropriate page below and then copy for others. If you want the parish office to do this for you, please call and let us know how many copies you need and when you will pick them up. If you talk to our director of music, he can let you know what hymns will be used on Sunday and you could include that in your prayer as well, if you choose. Thank you.

2 The Epiphany of the Lord Leader: Come, let us ask God to enable us to be people by whose light nations and kings can walk. We have seen God s star in the East. All: And have come to adore the Lord. All-powerful God, we are nothing without you. As you sustain us with your mercy, receive our prayers and offerings. Draw us beyond the world s limits, into your unchanging light, with faith as our guiding star. Amen. Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Reflection: Nations shall come to your light. As we consider recent world events, it may seem that there is more darkness than light. People often forget they are all children of God. As Christians on whom the glory of the Lord shines, we are called to be light for others and to lead them in praise of God s everlasting goodness and love. Adult: In what way does the glory of the Lord shine on you? Child: Who do you know that is a light to other people? Let us now pray to the Father as we were taught..., Unfolding and merciful God, each and every day we have the opportunity to see your goodness unfold before our eyes. What we so often take for granted has been made real through the life and work of your Son, Jesus. Open our eyes, soften our hearts, loosen our tongues to see your wonders and marvels, and witness them to others through our actions. We make this prayer in your name, through your Son Jesus, with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.. For week of January 1; for Sunday readings on January 7, (Reprinted with permission from Weekly Prayer Services for Parish Meeting, Cycle B, 1995 Catholic Herald,,

3 Second Sunday in Ordinary Time You commission us, O God, to be your hands, your feet, your heart. We believe that where two or more are gathered in your name, you are in our midst. We call upon that Presence to free our minds and hearts from the cares of the day, to silence our worries and fears, to guide us this week in all we do. We praise you, faithful Father; you created us in love. We thank you, Lord Jesus; you humbled yourself that we might have everlasting life. We ask you, Holy Spirit, for the wisdom to use our time, talent, and treasure in your service. Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 Reflection: The theme of all the readings this Sunday is being called : God calls Samuel, Paul calls the Corinthians to chastity, Jesus calls Peter. In this reading from the Book of Samuel, we see Samuel young, naïve, and sleepy and Eli tired but patient, then suddenly aware of the significance of the divine call. Those who know children understand how ordinary this event seems; children often awaken in the night, thinking they heard something, perhaps in a dream. But there is a deeper significance here, one which Eli doesn t grasp immediately. When he does, he tells Samuel how to respond. Samuel s acceptance of God s call will have great meaning for his life and that of his people. We never know when some seemingly unremarkable event or conversation will contribute to the call of a person to serve the Lord. Each of us has a rose in enabling others to respond to a call. The call to service and ministry must be supported by the entire community. Adult: What is the role of the community in supporting people s call to serve? Child: Is there someone in your life who was Eli to you, teaching you to listen to God s call? Let us now pray to the Father as we were taught..., Heavenly Father, during this mid-winter season, may we demonstrate by our attitudes and behavior that we are confident of your love, accepting of your generous mercy, and willing to act on your challenge to serve all people. Send us the gift of the Holy Spirit to help us discern your call. This we pray in the name of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. For week of January 8: Sunday reading on January 14, (Adapted with permission from Weekly Prayer Services for Parish Meeting, Year B, 1996 Catholic Herald,, Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Twenty-Third Publications, P. O. Box 180, Mystic, CT o6355, )

4 Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Heavenly Father, sometimes this post-holiday time of year can seem dreary, and we are reminded that nothing in this life lasts forever. As we begin a New Year in your service, we rededicate ourselves to building your kingdom with enthusiasm and hope. We praise you, Faithful Father, you created us in love. We thank you, Lord Jesus; you humbled yourself that we might have everlasting life. We ask you, Holy Spirit, for the wisdom to use our time, talent, and treasure in your service. Amen. Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 Reflection: Paul reminds the Corinthian community (and us) that the time is short for those who have been baptized in Christ and are called to live as his disciples. Paul s urgency must also become ours for our world, too, is passing away. We are wise to make the best use of the minutes, hours, days, and years God has given us, to God s glory and for the benefit of others. Adult: Are we sufficiently aware of time as a gift of God? Child: How would owning nothing change us? Let us now pray to the Father as we were taught..., Heavenly Father, we thank you for your generous gift of time. May we be open to the Holy Spirit who can move us out of our complacency to act as Jesus disciples. Help us to be aware of the urgency of our mission to further your kingdom here on earth. We pray this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. For week of January 15: Sunday reading on January 21, (Adapted with permission from Weekly Prayer Services for Parish Meeting, Year B, 1996 Catholic Herald,,

5 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time You commission us, O God, to be your hands, your feet, your heart. We believe that where two or more are gathered in your name, you are in our midst. We call upon that Presence to free our minds and hearts from the cares of the day, to silence our worries and fears, to guide us this week as we discern your will. O God of wisdom as we go about our daily lives we ask that your presence be ever in our midst. Help us to be thoughtful and loving in all our interactions with others. Impart to us your wisdom so that our actions may please you. Amen. Reading: Mark 1:21-28 Reflection: Imagine being in the group of listeners as Jesus taught in his synagogue. Scripture tells us people were spellbound by his teaching because he taught with authority. Jesus knows the Father intimately; his witness is authentic. Yet the people wonder who he is. If we had been among those people in the synagogue, also now aware of what was to happen to Jesus, what would our reaction have been? Adult: What does it mean to teach with authority? Child: Is there someone in your life who has made a strong, positive impact? Let us now pray to the Father as we were taught..., Affectionate God, as your children, we humble ourselves in your presence. We look to your Word to discern your will for us as we live our baptism promises. United with your Son, our brother, we love you. Empowered by your Spirit, we trust you. May that love and trust open our hearts and minds so that we become closer to you and to each other, in Jesus name we pray. Amen. For week of January 22: Sunday reading on January 28, (Adapted with permission from Weekly Prayer Services for Parish Meeting, Year B, 1996 Catholic Herald,,

6 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Our days, too, like Job s, are swifter than a weaver s shuttle (Job 7:6) and we need God s guidance and vision to make sense of them. We ask God to be present to us this week. God, our Creator, you care for us with the love of a father and a mother. You know our weakness, and you challenge us to grow. During the coming season of Lent, help us to see your sustaining presence everywhere. Teach us to love and forgive one another with patience and good will. Make us worthy to be called your children. We ask this in the name of Jesus, our brother. Amen. Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19,22-23 Reflection: Not many of us have Paul s strong sense of responsibility to share the good news: Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! We tend to take faith for granted and overlook possibilities for evangelization. Yet everywhere, people struggle with faith issues. As Christians, we are called to proclaim the gospel. Adult: How can we learn what people in our community need for spiritual development? Child: How are we preaching the gospel by the way we interact with one another? Let us now pray to the Father as we were taught..., God of mercy and love, may the discipline of Lent strengthen us to say yes to the hard choices that lead to life. May we always have the courage to preach the Gospel with our lives and may we be blessed with your peace. Amen. For week of January 29: Sunday reading on February 4, (Adapted with permission from Weekly Prayer Services for Parish Meeting, Year B, 1996 Catholic Herald,

7 Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time As we enter into this prayer, let us reflect on our own brokenness and need for healing. (silent reflection) Lord Jesus, we invite your presence as we go about our duties this week. We pray that you will empower us to be people of compassion and understanding, and that through your grace and mercy we may be instruments of healing for those we encounter. We place our trust in your holy name, now and forever. Amen. Reading: Mark 1:40-45 Reflection: Compassion is one of the identifying marks of a Christian, yet it often seems as though we have lost sight of this virtue in our society. In this passage from Mark s gospel, and in other scripture passages, the compassion of Jesus as he healed the sick, suffering, and oppressed, is vividly described. We are called to imitate Jesus, to bring his compassion to those in great need of it today. Adult: What blocks our exercising the compassion of Jesus? Child: Can you name a situation that needs healing in our communities, states, countries, or world? Let us now pray to the Father as we were taught..., God of Wisdom, fill us with compassion so that we might reach out to others and be instruments of your healing love. Open our eyes so that we can see the needs around us. Send the Holy Spirit to strengthen us so that we may work tirelessly to repair injustice and suffering. We pray this through Jesus, our compassionate Lord. Amen. For week of February 5: Sunday reading on February 11, (Adapted with permission from Weekly Prayer Services for Parish Meeting, Year B, 1996 Catholic Herald,,