opening litrugy

LITURGY

CALL TO PRAYER Leader: (Teacher) “Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.” (Ps. 119:105) Jesus proclaims, "I am the Light of the World.” (Jn. 8:12) Teachers and pupils rejoice together walking in the Light of Christ, a “Light which overcomes the darkness with its radiance.” (Mt. 4:16)

In this place, we are gathered around the fire, that gives light, for God is a consuming fire (Heb. 12:29), we become quiet and still in the presence of the sacred, to reflect on the meaning of ‘New Marists in Mission: Joyfully Gathering Around the Fire,’ as we begin:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

OPENING SONG

CHRIST BE OUR LIGHT

OPENING PRAYER Leader: (Teacher)God of Love and Light. You show us the path of life by being a

consuming fire for us. In Your presence, there is fullness of joy. Teach us to follow the path You set out, guiding us to walk always toward You and

with You by leading in the light of Christ.Grace us with Your wisdom to lead others

into Your light. Help us to illuminate our leadership with the

light of faith, understanding and service.

Strengthen us to lead our communities with the model of Christ’s light so that we may continue to grow in faith and knowledge of His love. May we always seek to walk in Your light and follow in the steps of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives forever and ever.

All: Amen.  

GOSPELLeader : (Teacher)A reading from the holy Gospel

according to St. John.

All: Glory to you, Lord.

(Reading  of St. John 16:29-33).

Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. 30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

(Silence)

Leader: (Teacher)Creator God, source of all light, joining together in prayer, we entrust to You ourselves, our brothers and sisters, our

pupils, the Marist Familyimploring Your mercy and Your blessings. Our most important energy source is light

who is Jesus, and the entire spectrum of colors is derived from light of your consuming.

Acknowledging the diversity of our cultures and our colorful intentions, we pray...

All: Be with us, Light of Christ, in all our needs.

LEADER: (ANOTHER TEACHER)

Let us pray for VITALITY, COURAGE, SELF CONFIDENCE, LOVE, AND PASSION symbolized by the color RED. Red also represents fire and so may symbolize the presence of God.

During these demanding days or when we feel drained of energy, we may be courageous, confident, strong-willed, and spontaneous.

All: Be with us, Light of Christ, in all our needs.

LEADER: (ANOTHER TEACHER) Let us pray for HAPPINESS, CONFIDENCE,

RESOURCEFULNESS , CREATIVITY, VISION OF POSSIBILITIES, MENTAL QUICKNESS

symbolized by the color ORANGE.

May we bring joy to our workdays and strengthens our desire for life!

Let us be enthusiastic, happy, constructive, sociable, and energetic and connected to our senses.

All: Be with us, Light of Christ, in all our needs.

LEADER: (ANOTHER TEACHER)

Let us pray for WISDOM, SOUND DECISION-MAKING, CLARITY OF THOUGHT, SELF-ESTEEM

symbolized by the color YELLOW.

We pray for clarity of thought, increased awareness, and stimulated interest and curiosity, ability to perceive and understand.

We may have good-humor, optimism, confidence, practicality, intellect and connection to our mental self.

All: Be with us, Light of Christ, in all our needs.

LEADER: (ANOTHER TEACHER) Let us pray for BALANCE, PEACE,

HARMONY, GROWTH, AND HEALING

symbolized by the color GREEN.

We may be relaxed in our manner and thoughts. We may show understanding, self-control, adaptability, generosity, and humility in our pursuit of ideas and change or growth.

All: Be with us, Light of Christ, in all our needs.

LEADER: (ANOTHER TEACHER)

Let us pray for KNOWLEDGE, SOLITUDE, DECISIVENESS symbolized by the color

BLUE.

We may have holistic thought, wisdom, clarity, and tact of communication and speech, and broadened perspective in learning new information. We may remain loyal to the ideals of our founder, St. Marcellin Champagnat.

All: Be with us, Light of Christ, in all our needs.

LEADER: (ANOTHER TEACHER)

Let us pray for INTUITION, SPIRITUAL REALIZATION, PROFOUND INSIGHTS

symbolized by the color INDIGO.

We pray for imagination, for the energy that connects us to our unconscious self and gives us the experience of being part of the whole Marist Family. We may be fearless to step outside of everyday life for a new and interesting way of viewing our Marist directions.

All: Be with us, Light of Christ, in all our needs.

LEADER: (ANOTHER TEACHER)

Let us pray for BEAUTY, CREATIVITY, INSPIRATION, HOPE symbolized by the color

VIOLET.

We pray for a purpose aligned in the Gospel. We pray for guidance and inner strength to purify our thoughts and feelings in all our undertakings for the love of Jesus and Mary. We may tackle issues with clear vision and creativity while being kind and self-sacrificing leaders.

All: Be with us, Light of Christ, in all our needs.

OFFERING OF GIFTS. (Music: Take and Receive)

Leader: (Teacher) We pray that our spirits will be open to

Your promise of hope leading us to accomplish great things as friends and followers of Christ, Mary, and St. Marcellin.

May Your Word be a lamp to our feetand a light to our path as we walk in Your light, O Lord. We ask this through Christ our Lord, with Mary as our Model.

All: Amen.

LEADER: LET US PRAY TOGETHER IN THE WORDS THAT JESUS TAUGHT US.

Play Video: Ama Namin

FLOWER OFFERING TO MARY AND ST.

MARCELLIN

Play Video: Inay

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord our God, Thank you for gathering us today. May you guide us as we go back to our own places. Give us all the graces that we need. We ask this through Jesus our brother. Amen

Leader: St. Marcellin Champagnat All: Pray for us. : Mary, our Ordinary Resource All: Pray for us. In the name of the Father ....

CONCLUDING SONG:Play Video: Shine Jesus Shine