LITURGYFOR VIANNEY SUNDAY, 8th August, 2004

Prior Preparation

•       Backdrop as shown

•     Large-size suspendable name plates: some of them should have the names of the priests who have served in the parishes in the past: each of the priests presently working in the parish should also have name plates.

ENTRANCE RITES

•     Entrance Procession with as many chil­dren as the name plates of priests: each child to bring in one name   plate.

•     Introductory Commentary:

Today, which is the Sunday following the feast of St. John Marie Vianney, is cel­ebrated in our Archdiocese as a day of special prayer for priests, those who are in active service, as well as those who are retired. As we gather around the Lord's altar today, let us thank God for providing us with shepherds for all these years. There have been so many of them; let us try and remember at least a few: (Com­mentator reads out the names and the number of years they served in the par­ish, slowly, as a child goes up and sus­pends the name on a prominent place on the backdrop: the names of those priests presently working in the parish could be put on the door in the backdrop. Then Commentary continues):...

All these shepherds of our Parish have themselves been nourished by God at this altar, and they continue to be our shepherds and stewards even today. Along with them let us pray today that God may always continue to shepherd his people.

PENITENTIAL RITE

1.    Lord, you have blessed us with Priests who are our shepherds, always guiding us and helping us. Lord have mercy.

2.    Christ you have blessed us with Priests who are vessels of God's grace and good­ness. They are human too, they can be tempted and tried. Christ have mercy.

3.   Lord, thank you for our Priests who fulfill diverse roles - shepherd, advisor, media­tor, minister, preacher, confessor and friend. Lord have mercy.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Wis 18:6-9, Heb. 11:1-2, 8-19. Lk. 12:32-48

Homily: The readings of today speak to us about three different groups of people:

•           A large group of Jews, who lived outside Palestine less than a hundred years be­fore Jesus was born. The Book of Wis­dom was written for them, and today's first reading is taken from this book

•           Various groups of Christians who had come from Judaism, who lived some 40 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus. A disciple of Paul, whose name we do not know, wrote to them the so-called Letter to the Hebrews, from which today's second reading has been taken.

•           And finally, a group of Christian commu­nities, made up mainly of people who had been pagans before, for whom Luke wrote his Gospel at about the same time as the Letter to the Hebrews was written.

All three groups of people suffered from the same disease: they all felt utterly discouraged and their faith was iin danger. God took great care of them through his faithful stewards. He does the same today.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Response : Lord, Bless our Priests.

1.         Father bless the ordained shepherds of your flock - our Pope, bishops and our own beloved Priests, of our parish. Grant them wisdom and discernment, as they lead your people to greener pastures. Response: Lord. Bless our Priests.

2.         Lord we pray for the spirituality of our priests. We pray that they imitate the life and ministry of John Marie Vianney, who embodied in himself the great qualities of a Christian pastor through his deep prayer life, mortification and good works. Response: Lord. Bless our Priests.

3.         Lord, we pray especially for our seminar­ians, who have answered God's call. Help and guide them as they prepare for this special calling. Response: Lord Bless our Priests.

4.         Lord, we remember especially our sick and retired priests who have laboured to bring Christ to us.   Be with them in the their twilight years. Response: Lord, Bless our Priests

5.         Lord, we pray that God give to his church today many more Priests. We ask you to send your spirit on our families which are the foundation ground on which our chil­dren are enabled to answer your call. Response: Lord, Bless our Priests.

6.         Lord we pray that the laity and the priests collaborate effectively. This new partner­ship will facilitate the building of a true Christian community of Faith, Hope and Love, as the Catholic Church. Response: Lord. Bless our Priests.

Celebrant: God our Father, we place all these petitions before you, fully confident that you will listen to our prayers. We make this prayer through your son, Jesus Christ and in the Holy Spirit. Amen

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Preparation of the Gifts

The  Bread and wine  may be brought in procession by one of parish council members two children.

A short period of silent reflection after com­munion.

Prayer for Priests

Almighty and Eternal God our Father, your mission was carried out by your Son and later through his collaborators - the apostles and ' now through our priests. Bless all the priests in our Archdiocese. Rekindle in them the fire , of the love, zeal and commitment that was with them on their ordination day.   Protect ' them and keep them from all harm. We make , this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Blessing song (Aaron), Num. 6:24-26, can be sung.

Recessional Song:  You are a chosen generation.

- Mrs. Lynette  Dias