Hello SJSP-
As we look to another Sunday without the celebration of the Mass together as a faith community, our team is working overtime at finding ways for us to connect virtually. As I am sure you are all experiencing, this is a whole new world! Technology simultaneously frustrates and liberates as we navigate through it. What a joy it has been this week for us to pray 'together'.
If you haven't already- take a look at the collaborative website where you will find a link to a live pre-recorded Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The video was recorded with just the celebrants, four musicians (who also served as lector and cantor), and a single staff member present, using only the basic equipment we had available. Next week we will have access to additional resources, which will improve the quality of the video considerably, but we did not want to let another week go by without being able to reach out to all of you through the Mass.
In the meantime, we are thrilled to share the liturgy with you here on the blog as well. I think you'll all enjoy seeing some very familiar faces and they share the Liturgy of the Word with you for the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
David Horn shares our First Reading from the First Book of Samuel:
Our Responsorial Psalm 23:
Chrissy Cassa sharing the Second Reading from St. Paul's letter to the Ephesians:
The Holy Gospel According to John
Father Connelly shares his homily on the man born blind in John's Gospel:
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Priest: Lord God, even in our darkest hour, we know you are the light of the world. Kindle in us Your fire, that produces light, goodness and truth. As we turn our hearts to You, O Lord, dependent now in a very real way on the intercession of Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, as we pray:
Lector: For the Church, that she would be a beacon of light in this time of grief and uncertainty. We pray in a particular way for all of those in Italy, who are suffering such significant losses. May the Church be a source of strength and hope. We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For our collaborative, that despite our physical distance from one another, we would be connected, by the power of the Holy Spirit and continue our Lenten journey with one another.
We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For all of our individual spiritual lives, may this time of retreat be one of profound growth. May we feel the love of Christ in a more intimate way as the noise of the world is silenced for a time. We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For all of those who are spiritually blind, and do not yet know the depth of God’s love for them; may this time be one of awakening for them.
We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For all those who have participated in our RCIA this year. For our Catechumen, Julie and for our candidates, Brandi, Stephanie and Lindsay: may God give them His abiding encouragement through this unprecedented process. May they know God’s love, and the support of their new faith family. We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For every small business, parent struggling to work from home, student missing the end of their school year, child missing their daily routine, teacher missing their students, the elderly, those who rely on social services for their basic needs, the homeless, the under-employed, those who have lost their jobs, and particularly those in the health care industry who are risking their own health to support the safety of our community. May God Bless and protect us, may He make His face to Shine upon us, and May He grant us His peace.
We pray to the Lord.
Lector: For all those who have died. We pray in a particular way at this Mass for all those who have died from COVID-19. We pray to the Lord.
Priest: Heavenly Father, You open our eyes. Open them now to the reality of Your true presence within each of us. We make our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen
Friends- we hope you are blessed by this liturgy of the world. Tomorrow morning, take a moment and watch the recorded Mass concelebrated by Father Jim and Father Robert.
Here are some tips for making the most out of an at-home viewing of the Mass:
1. Get dressed up like you are going to Mass.
2. Remind yourself of your baptism by blessing yourself first with holy water (if available) or even tap water!
3. Set up "pews" using chairs (don't sit on the sofa!)
4. Print the readings so you can follow along (magnificat.com has made their digital version available for free!)
5. Offer your Mass up for those who are sick, anxious or particularly isolated at this time.
6. Participate by singing, saying the responses, standing and kneeling
7. Pray a spiritual communion during the distribution of the Blessed Sacrament
8. Have donuts or a special treat after Mass
God Bless you all SJSP!
xox Kelly
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