Witness to Faith Cross 2012-2013 Suggestions for Liturgy of the Word Call to Prayer This morning we gather as the community of (name of school) to welcome and celebrate the Toronto Catholic District School Board s Witness to Faith Cross. This year as a Board we celebrate the Year of Faith, the first year in our new three year Pastoral Plan Faith, Hope and Charity. This cross was made by students of Neil McNeil CSS. Last year the Witness to Faith cross visited half of the TCDSB Schools in the eastern part of the city and this year will travel to the remaining schools. Let us sign ourselves with the ancient sign of our faith: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Opening Song (suggestions) Children of the Light City of God Be Not Afraid Songs from Religious Education Program (please see the Curriculum Connection Resources on the Year of Fatih pages of the TCDSB website ) Opening Prayer Let us pray. Loving God, as we gather here around the cross, we are reminded that the cross has long been considered an important symbol of our Christian Faith and of the saving action of Jesus Christ. Hear our prayers of gratitude for your presence among us. Give us courage to live out our faith each day here at school and at home, with our friends and our families. This we ask through Christ our risen Lord. Amen.
Scripture (select ONE) Matthew 13:31-32 A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. All: Glory to you, O Lord Jesus said: The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches. The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5a A reading from Paul s First Letter to the Thessalonians We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of people we proved to be among you for your sake. The word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God
Luke 9:23-26 A reading from the Gospel according to John All: Glory to you, O Lord Then Jesus said to them all, If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. The Gospel of the Lord. All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ Romans 1.7-17 A Reading of Paul s letter to the Romans To all God s beloved in Rome, who are called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the world. For God, whom I serve with my spirit by announcing the gospel of his Son, is my witness that without ceasing I remember you always in my prayers, asking that by God s will I may somehow at last succeed in coming to you. For I am longing to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen you or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each other s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the
wise and to the foolish hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. The Power of the Gospel For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, The one who is righteous will live by faith. The word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God Prayers of the People: The response to our prayer is For the Church, a sign of humble faith and service to all, O Lord... For leaders in Catholic Education, seeking the wisdom they need to lead in faith, O Lord... For those moving into new positions of leadership in Catholic Education, O Lord For those suffering from illness, violence, poverty or hunger, O Lord... For those who have died and those who mourn them, O Lord... For our own personal intentions (pause), O Lord...
Our Father: Sign of Peace: Invite the school community to pray together the words that Jesus taught us As a sign of our faith, turn to one another and offer the peaceful presence of Christ to those around you. TCDSB Faith, Hope and Charity Prayer Loving God, we pray, that the Toronto Catholic District School Board community continue to witness to the theological virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity. May we be people of Faith, always willing to follow the example of Jesus in all that we do. May we be people of Hope, always trusting in your loving presence in our lives May we be people of Charity, always willing to give of ourselves to better the lives of others. Together, may we be a community of faith, anchored in hope, with heart & charity. Through, Christ our Lord. Amen (TCDSB Catholic Teachers Centre, 2012) Closing Prayer: God of our journey, we have celebrated our unity as your followers. Continue to journey with us each day. As a community of faith,,may we treat each person as a member of your sacred family. Amen. Cross Ritual (As students and staff leave the gathering space (Library/ Gym/Parish Church/Classroom) invite them to come forward in front of the cross and make the sign of the cross and bow quietly and reverently as they leave)
Closing Song: (A song may be sung while the students and staff process forward: (other options: select a piece of instrumental music for use at this time) Song Suggestions: Faith Hope and Charity (TCDSB Theme Song for Pastoral Plan see TCDSB Music Department for copy) City of God Be Not Afraid Songs from Religious Education Program (please see the Curriculum Connection Resources on the Year of Faith pages on the TCDSB website