Resources to support liturgies, assemblies, class and community prayer following the earthquakes.

Transcription

1 Resources to support liturgies, assemblies, class and community prayer following the earthquakes. Here are some resources that may assist you to prepare liturgies, assemblies and prayer times in your school in these days following the earthquakes. We suggest that the emphasis be on thankfulness and gratitude for: There being no loss of life The kindness and support shown by others Those involved in the care and rescue of others Those involved in rebuilding Canterbury Our families, friends and colleagues. Our parish communities. Our school communities. The leaders of our nation and our province. The Bishop and our diocese. Another emphasis is praying for those in need: For those who have lost their homes. For those who property has been damaged. For those who have been injured. For those who are worried and anxious. For those who are alone. For those who are sick. For those who are facing major change in their lives. The students themselves could be involved in writing prayers emphasising thanksgiving, gratitude and the needs of others and using these bullet points as well. Video link This video link is to an interview with Bishop Barry on Sunday morning. Bishop Barry said on Sunday after Mass that We just have to give thanks to God there is no one dead. There is lots of damage to property but there is no one dead this has to be one of the wonders of the world. 1

2 Liturgy outline/ideas (based on ideas provided by CARITAS Australia) Create a prayer space: include candles (perhaps your school candle and smaller votive candles), bible, school banner, green prayer cloth, cross, bottled water, an item of food, a small piece of rock/brick, broken sticks etc. Welcome and introduction: Welcome. When Bishop Barry was interviewed on Sunday morning following the earthquake he said... People get a lot of strength and a lot of comfort from praying together. So that is what we are doing this morning gathering and praying to gain strength, comfort and support. We come together to pray for our needs, the needs of others who have been affected by the recent earthquakes and to give thanks to God for his constant love protection. When disaster strikes our own lives, or the lives of others, it is easy to ask the question: Where is God? We light the candle/s to remind ourselves that Jesus is a light for us always but especially in times of suffering. (Light candle/s) The cross reminds us of the suffering and death of Jesus. In his life Jesus found comfort from the care and solidarity of other human beings. Today we gather as a school community to pray for the grace to recognise the pain of other people and the strength and courage take action on their behalf in. (Place the cross in the prayer space) The water and food reminds us of our needs and the needs of other people in Christchurch to be able to access the necessities of life. It is also a reminder to us off life returning to normal. (Place the bottled water and food item in the prayer space) In the broken sticks we recall that lives, communities and homes have been broken and we pray that these will be healed to give people the hope to reclaim their normal family and community lives. In this symbol we are reminded especially of the peo0ple of St Paul s Parish and School community in Dallington. 2

3 In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen Ki te ingoa o te Matua o te Tamaiti o te Wairua Tapu. Amene A gathering song use one suggested below or one from Sr. Jill s Liturgical music resource, your school song or one of your choice. Opening prayer suggestions A. Father of mercy, You always answer your people in their sufferings. We thank you for your kindness And ask you to free us from all evil, That we may serve you in happiness all our days. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. B. God and Father of all gifts, We praise you, the source of all we have and are. Teach us to acknowledge always the many good things your infinite love has given us. Help us to love you with all our heart and all our strength. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Suggested readings: Roman Missal, In Thanksgiving Roman Missal, In Thanksgiving Reading Isaiah 63: 7-9 Sirach 59:22-24 Lamentations 3:17-26 Mark 4:35-41 John 15:9-17 God s mercy is remembered A Benediction God s steadfast love endures Jesus calms the storm Also found in A life of Love in This is the Time, Michael Mangan For those of you who have Listen! you could find your own readings based on the themes of thankfulness, gratitude, love, patience, etc. Suggested Psalms for use: Psalm 80 Let us see your face and we shall be saved. 85 Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation Also found in Show us your kindness in Forever I will sing, Michael Mangan 113 Blessed by the name of the Lord forever. 123 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. Praise! Pages 18 and Lord, I thank you for your faithfulness and love. 145 I will praise your name for ever, Lord Listen! pg. 56, no. 26a Forever I will Sing in Forever I will Sing, Michael Mangan 3

4 The Litany of the Saints for Schools in the Diocese of Christchurch. Lord, Christ, Christ, hear us, God, the Father of heaven, God, the Son, redeemer of the world, God, the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, one God, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Christ the King, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady of the Assumption, Our Lady of Fatima, Our Lady of the Snows, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Our Lady of Victories, St Joseph, St Peter, St Paul, St John the Baptist, St Patrick, St James, St Bernadette, St Teresa, St Anne, St Bede, Lord, Christ, Christ, graciously hear us. have mercy of us. 4

5 St Thomas of Canterbury, Blessed John Paul II, Blessed John XXIII, Blessed Mary MacKillop, Lord Jesus, hear out prayer Lord Jesus, hear out prayer God our Father, you set the earth on its foundation. Keep us safe from the danger of earthquakes and let us always feel the presence of your love. May we be secure in your protection and serve you with grateful hearts. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen. Roman Missal, Prayer in Time of Earthquake. If you do not wish to pray the Litany of the Saints you may wish to pray prayers of intercession. Some examples are provided below but also the students may like to write these using some of the bullet points above. GENERAL INTERCESSIONS For the Church, especially our shepherd Bishop Barry and all the priests, strengthen them in this time of trial to continue celebrating the sacraments with joy, uniting us as one body, one spirit in Christ, Lord, hear us. For all affected by the recent earthquakes here in Christchurch, and most especially for those who have lost homes and businesses; ease their burdens and fill them with hope and peace. Lord hear us. For the parishioners of St Paul s Parish, Dallington, as they mourn the loss of their parish priest, Fr Miles and the destruction of their church and school; for the communities of: Our Lady Star of the Sea, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Patrick, Lincoln, St. John the Evangelist, Leeston, St. Mary, Pleasant Point, St. Joseph, Lyttelton, Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, and all the faithful, may they be comforted in their sorrow and strengthened by your love, Lord hear us. For all those who are laboring to provide relief and to all affected by the earthquake; when tired, renew them by the power of the Holy Spirit, Lord hear us. As the city rebuilds after the earthquake, help us to always be thankful that there was no loss of life; may this great miracle lead us to a deeper faith and trust in the Lord,, Lord hear us. LORD S PRAYER: Gathering our prayers and praise into one, let us pray the words that Jesus has taught us. GLORY be 5

6 BLESSING: May almighty God bless us with peace, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Courtesy of Marianne Daly, Parish Adviser for Education, Formation and Support for Parish Service Prayer in Time of Earthquake 2010 If you do not wish to pray the Litany of the Saints you may wish to pray prayers of intercession. Suggested Music Song Be Still This is the Day You are the light Ka waiata ki a Maria I Sing to Mary Resource it can be found in In Forever I will Sing Psalms for all seasons Michael Mangan In Forever I will Sing Psalms for all seasons Michael Mangan In Forever I will Sing Psalms for all seasons Michael Mangan In Wherever I go Andrew Chin and Friends Let your Light Shine Let your Light Shine Michael Mangan In God we stand Let your Light Shine Michael Mangan Refer to the Liturgical Music Resource collated by Sr. Jill McLoughlin,rsj and distributed to all school for a range of other suitable music to use in any liturgies etc. Here is a link to the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. This page is being updated regularly with prayers for use in your schools. Rūaumoko - Atua of Earthquakes At the time that the sky father Ranginui was separated from the earth mother Papatuanuku, they had an unborn child, Rūaumoko. Rūaumoko stayed in his mother s womb. Some say it was to keep Papa warm and to comfort her after her separation from Rangi. Today he remains there, sometimes moving and turning inside Papa. When he moves, the earth shakes. So he has become known as the god of earthquakes. However making the earth shake is not Rūaumoko s only work. He is also the god of the changing of seasons. He separates the warmth of summer, from the cold of winter. Sometimes, he pulls on the ropes that control the land, and we see the shimmering heated air known as the haka of Tane-rore. Some say that he causes earthquakes when he pulls on those ropes. Rūaumoko is also a god of volcanic fire, because Tama-kaka gave the infant volcanic fire to help him keep his mother warm. Text and image courtesy of Te Papa Cushla O Connor (Primary Religious Education Adviser) Charles Shaw (Secondary Religious Education Adviser) 6