(This is offered as a type of prayer service to begin a new year as a community

or in a ministry. Flexibility and creativity can be helpful to adopt this to various venues.)
 

Expression of Theme:

                When old words die out on the tongue,

                new melodies break forth from the heart;

                and where the old tracks are lost,

                new country is revealed with its wonders.
                                                                            Tagore

Opening Song:     Something lively such as ‘The Spirit of the Lord’

                            from CD produced by St. Helen’s Province, Listening For God.


Call to Prayer:
        Let us remember that we are in the holy presence of our God.
                In the name of our God who is three in one

                    The Creator who called us into existence,
                    The Christ who calls us to be of service to one another,
                    The Holy Spirit who calls us to new life,

Blessed are you, God our Creator, because you have sent your Son before us to show us the way to you. The power of your touch reaches to all. Stir us today as we gather around in our to begin anew our mission and ministry as we move and continue as pilgrims on our journey. May we always serve you with gladness in our hearts, and sing your praise with joy upon our lips. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ who calls us to follow him and who commissions us to bring your love to those entrusted to our care. Amen!
 

Let us pray . . .
                    I am a pilgrim on earth;
                    show me your commands.

                    My soul is consumed with longing
                    for your decrees at all times.

                    I seek you with all my heart.
                    Let me not stray from your commands.

                    I treasure your promise within my heart,
                    that I may not sin against you.
                    Guide me down the path of your commands,
                    for I delight in it.

                    Turn my heart to your decrees
                    and not to love of gain.

                    I will walk the open road
                    because I seek your precepts.

                    I will speak of your decrees before nobles
                    without being ashamed.

                    From every evil way I have kept my feet
                    so that I may obey your words.

                    From your decrees I have not swerved,
                    for you have taught me.

                    Your word is a lamp for my steps,
                    a light to my path.

                    Accept the willing praise of my mouth, O God,
                    and teach me your degrees. (Ps 119)

                    Glory to You, Source of All Being ...
 

READING:       Jeremiah 1:4-10

RESPONSE:
 

                Whose woods these are I think I know.
                His house is in the village, though;
                He will not see me stopping here
                To watch his woods fill up with snow.
                My little horse must think it queer
                To stop without a farmhouse near
                Between the woods and frozen lake
                The darkest evening of the year.
                He gives his harness bells a shake
                To ask if there is some mistake.
                The only other sound’s the sweep
                of easy wind and downy flake.
                The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
                But I have promises to keep,
                And miles to go before I sleep,
                And miles to go before I sleep. (Robert Frost)

QUIET REFLECTION AND SHARING: 

After a few minutes of quiet for personal prayer/reflection, anyone may share some thought or prayer with the community.

PRAYERS OF PETITIONS: (Prayed spontaneously)

R/ I CAN DO ALL THINGS IN GOD WHO STRENGTHENS ME.

Creator God, strengthen our community with your grace so that we may be witness of your love to the world until you come again. R/

Creator God, lead us courageously on the pilgrim’s path so we may better serve your people. R/

Creator God, we pray for all those many people to whom we have ministered to over the years. Help to sustain them by your love and care. R/

Creator God, we thank you for the gift that each of us is and especially here in this community. May we continue to be respond to your Word and work to build up your kingdom by the gifts we share. R/


Blessings For Each One:

(This may be prayed within the group by each person praying over another member of the community. Say aloud the name of the person where Nn. is marked, and a comment about that characteristic, ending with "May the blessing of ...". Allow quiet time for people to feel free enough to get up and bless another member within the community.  The same characteristic may be used for more than one person, or you may wish to add another characteristic that has not been listed.)

May the God of Strength be with you Nn. , .... May the blessing of STRENGTH be with you.

May the God of Gentleness be with you Nn. , ... May the blessing of GENTLENESS be with you.

May the God of Mercy be with you Nn. , ... May the blessing of MERCY be on you.

May the God of Compassion be with you Nn. , ... May the blessing of COMPASSION be on you.

May the God of Peace be with you Nn. , ... May the blessing of PEACE be on you.

May the God of Patience be with you Nn. , ... May the blessing of PATIENCE be on you.

May the God of Joy be with you Nn. , ...May the blessing of JOY be on you.

ALL:
May our Holy God be with us, drawing us ever nearer, speaking to us of unity, true community where distinction of persons is also oneness in being. May the blessings of this COMMUNITY OF BROTHERS / MINISTRY arise from within us, radiate around in our varied ministries as we step forward in our journey and in our ministry, and bond and remain with us forever. Amen.

END WITH SOME FORM OF A SHARING OF PEACE


Lord, take me where you want to go.
Let me meet who you want me to meet;
Tell me what you what to say, and
Keep me out of Your way.
Father Mychal Judge, OFM

Br. Nick Morris (Rome)