Leader: As we gather together in this sacred space, may we
recognise & affirm: the possibilities & the good we
each bring, allowing our individual gifts to be woven
into a patchwork of peace.
All: Amen, alleluia!
Please join in the hymn.
(Take this moment Tr 10. Lead me Lord).
Lead me, Lord, lead me in Thy righteousness,
Make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou, Lord, thou Lord, only
That makest me dwell in safety.
Lead me, Lord. Lead me in true holiness.
Teach me to love and trust in thee.
Thou art our God, the God of our salvation:
All nations shall praise thy holy name.
Please sing the antiphon & psalm as indicated.
Cantors: Our God will build a house for us,
Watching over our city.
Side 1: Eternal God, our rock & our foundation,
Without you, all that we build is but rubble.
Side 2: Blindly & cheaply we construct on sand,
And the building subsides & crumbles.
Side 1: Those who guard the city, do so in vain;
The watchman cannot see the corruption within.
Side 2: The lights in the tower shine on through the night:
Is it all for vain profit? Will they soon turn to dust?
Side 1: Foolish we are to rise up so early,
Drawn to the work that consumes us.
Side 2: The bread of anxiety sours & gnaws at us,
We forget you give gifts while we sleep.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen.
All: Our God will build a house for us,
Watching over our city.
We will listen to, or join in with, the refrain of a setting of psalm 125, (Singing the Psalms 3 A5), after saying the antiphon.
All: Those who were sowing in tears will sing when they reap.
Refrain: The Lord has done great things for us, we are
filled with gladness & joy (x 2).
When God set the captives of Zion free,
We were more like children in a dream.
Then you could hear our laughter & cheers,
Then you could hear our shouts of joy. Refrain.
They said in amazement to the world,
The Lord has done great things for them.
Truly our God has done great things
And so we are glad to shout for joy. Refrain.
Restore all our fortunes, God of Love,
Like rivers that save the desert lands.
Those who have gone to sow in tears
Shall go back to reap with songs of joy. Refrain.
Reading. John O’Donoghue.
The Good News is already within, & rises from the true well at
the centre of all life. This is the News that life itself is the
primal sacrament, that life is the home of the eternal, albeit in
veiled form; that the life of each person is a sacrament,
wherein the eternal seeks to become visible & active; that each
individual is chosen for a creative destiny in this world; that
each one incarnates a different dimension of God; that at
death, life is not ended, but elevated & transfigured into
another form; that we are not outside, but within, God.
Silent reflection
Please sing the Magnificat and its antiphon as indicated.
Cantors: Where sisters are united in praising God,
There the Lord will bestow his blessing.
Side 1: My being proclaims your greatness,
And my spirit finds joy in you, God my Saviour;
Side 2: For you have looked upon me, your servant, in my lowliness:
All ages to come shall call me blessed.
Side 1: God, you who are mighty, have done great things for me:
Holy is your name.
Side 2: Your mercy is from age to age
Towards those who fear you.
Side 1: You have shown might with your arm,
And confused the proud in their inmost thoughts.
Side 2: You have deposed the mighty from their thrones,
And raised the lowly to high places.
Side 1: The hungry you have given every good thing,
While the rich you have sent away empty.
Side 2: You have upheld Israel, your servant,
Ever mindful of your mercy-
Side 1: Even as you promised our ancestors,
Promised Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants for ever.
All: Give praise to the Father Almighty,
To his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
To the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,
Both now and for ever, Amen.
All: Where sisters are united in praising God,
There the Lord will bestow his blessing.
Intercessions:
Reader: We pray for all members of the Poor Clare Order: that
they may continue to live in the spirit of St Clare & to
witness to the Risen Lord. ……..silence……You, O Lord,
All: are the ground of our being.
Reader: Let us remember in prayer those who share the name
of Clare – (mention names………….) You, O Lord,
All: are the ground of our being.
Reader: May those without shelter be in your guardianship,
God ……..silence……You, O Lord,
All: are the ground of our being.
Reader: May those who are wandering find places of welcome
……..silence……You, O Lord,
All: are the ground of our being.
Reader: We pray for people who have died today – for all who
will die tonight – & for those whose anniversaries occur tomorrow, remembering especially:
Pause for people to add silently or aloud any further intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father.
Leader: Almighty God & Father, in your mercy you led St
Clare to the love of poverty. Help us, by her
intercession, to follow Christ in poverty of spirit that
leads us to share ourselves, our time & what we have,
so that your kingdom of Heaven may be realised in our
day. Through Christ our Lord,
All: Amen.
Leader: Visit, O Lord, our dwelling-place & drive far away all
snares of the enemy. May your holy angels dwell
among us & keep us in peace & let your blessing be
always upon us.
All: Amen.