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First Sunday of Advent
The Jews believed that God's kingdom would not be like a Gentile nation, which was characterized by abusive power and injustice. Instead it would be the moral leader for the whole world, teaching nations how to live in peace. The church sees itself as a continuation of this Jewish ideal. Saint Paul challenged the Church to move out of the darkness and secrecy of its former life. He encouraged the Church to live a life in the light, a model of moral integrity that witnessed its new life in Jesus Christ
The Church's credibility as moral leader is challenged by the claims of survivors of clergy sexual abuse. Soon we will witness how the Church responds to the 150 lawsuits that have been filed against the Catholic Church in northern and central California, as well as the hundreds filed in the courts of San Diego and Los Angeles. As stated by one Catholic priest, "the Church cannot become whole until the victims have received the compassion and justice they deserve."
Our Advent prayer is for the renewal of the Church in its mission to bring justice to the world. We pray that once again it will become the moral leader and example to the world it is called to be. In particular we pray that the Church responds with justice and compassion to the needs of those who have survived clergy sexual abuse.
----Voice of the Faithful
Prayer for a Guilty Church
If the Church with a history of fidelity and infidelity, of knowledge and error, takes seriously the fact that it is only in God's kingdom that the wheat is separated from the weeds, good fish from bad, sheep from goats, holiness will be acknowledged in it by grace. Such a Church is then aware that it has no need to present a spectacle of higher morality to society as if everything in it were ordered for the best. It is aware that its faith is weak, its knowledge dim, its profession of faith halting, that there is not a single sin or failing of which it has not in one way or another been guilty. If the Church itself righteously remains aloof from failures, irreligious and immoral people, it cannot enter justified into God's kingdom. But if it is constantly aware of its guilt and sin it can live in the joyous assurance of forgiveness. The promise has been given to it that anyone who humbles himself will be exalted. (Adapted from On Being a Christian by Hans Kung)
May Fidelity to the Gospel Guide our Actions
God of Love, Father of us all, in wisdom and goodness you guide creation to fulfillment in Christ your Son. Open our hearts to the truth of his gospel, that your justice may guide our lives. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, now and forever. Amen.
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Second Sunday of Advent
The Catholic priest is a sign that God is with us. Catholics know that priests are human, but still see them as sacraments, signs pointing to the God who loves us and who will fulfill his promise of the heavenly kingdom. Priests are like prophets in our midst who by their lives challenge us to live justly and compassionately.
The shortage of priests and the clergy abuse scandals have brought great spiritual harm to the loyal priests who continue to work with the people of God. Many priests are suffering from low morale and a decline in job satisfaction, as well as a deep concern for what happens to the church when they retire.
Our Advent prayer is that our loyal priests receive support and comfort from their bishops, as well as from the communities they serve. We also pray that the hierarchy will listen to the voice of priests as the church struggles with the priest shortage.
--Voice of the Faithful
Emmaus Prayer for Priests
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer for the spiritual renewal of priests. We praise you for their ministry to the Church. Renew them with the gifts of your Spirit. You once opened the Scriptures to your disciples on the road to Emmaus. Now renew your ordained ministers with the truth and power of your Word. In the Eucharist, you gave the Emmaus disciples renewed life and hope. Nourish priests with your own Body and Blood. Help them to imitate in their lives the death and resurrection they celebrate at the altar. Give priests enthusiasm for the Gospel, zeal for the salvation of all, courage in leadership, humility in service, fellowship with one another and with all their brothers and sisters in you. For you love them, Lord Jesus, and we love and pray for them in your Name. Amen.
Prayer for Bishops
Father in Heaven, there is so much to set right, so many dangers to avert, such an enormous task of giving witness to you before the world. As we bring our needs to you, we bring also those of our bishops. May you strengthen and preserve them, enlighten and guide them in the way of true love and service, for your glory and the well-being of us all. May you open their hearts and minds to the concept of collaboration with those of the laity who are asking for greater accountability and transparency from those in positions of power and governance in your Church. May you remove their fear of sharing leadership with the faithful laity who welcomed increased participation in the work of the Church and continue to pray that the proposals of Vatican II may be fully implemented. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Third Sunday of Advent
Catholics are encouraged to be patient because the struggles of this world will not last forever. We are encouraged to keep hope alive and practice our faith in a way that models compassion, rather than being harshly judgmental.
Catholics in the United States have been especially receptive to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. In 1987, researchers concluded that any attempt to roll back the reforms would be severely resisted. Yet today many Catholics are impatient with the Church structure that is less than transparent and precludes laity from more active participation in the Church's temporal life.
Our prayer this Advent is that the laity will continue to advocate for the meaningful participation promised by the bishops in their Dallas Charter. We pray for the grace to continue the process of educating ourselves regarding fulfilling the vision of the Church outlined by Vatican II. We pray for guidance as we continue our efforts to make our own parish a model of consultation and openness. --Voice of the Faithful
Come Holy Spirit
Come Holy Spirit and fill the hearts of your faithful. Enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created and you will renew the face of the earth. Come Holy Spirit and renew the face of the earth. Amen.
Holy Spirit
Here we are in front of you, Holy Spirit. We feel the burden of our infirmities but are united together in your name: come to us, help us, enter into our hearts: teach us what we should do, the path to follow.
Guide our decisions. Do not allow us to offend justice. Do not let ignorance lead us astray. Do not let people or office influence us. Keep us intimately close to you with the gift of your grace, so that nothing may separate us from the truth.
Gathered in our Holy Name, may we faithful generous witnesses of Christ’s message of love and justice.
(Adapted from a prayer attributed to St. Isadore of Seville, 8th Century)
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
Mary is the perfect disciple; always open to God's call and responding with courage and faith. She is the most outstanding example of God's relationship with us. As one writer states, "life-giving and life nurturing she reveals the passionate love of God".
Over the last 30 years, Catholics have been attending Mass less frequently and have been giving less in the collection. Growing estrangement has developed between Catholics and their church. How can this pattern be reversed so that the laity may remain closely connected to the nurturing and life-giving church?
Our prayer this advent is for the healing of our Church. May all concerned engage in the kinds of serious conversation and open problem solving that will repair the erosion of confidence and trust that has become so damaging in our Church. Remembering Mary, we pray for the courage to risk true discipleship and the faith to respond to God's call.
--Voice of the Faithful
God of power and mercy, the image of discipleship is found in your servant Mary. She has a faith that your Spirit prepared, and a love that welcomes all in your name. Trace in our actions the lines of her love and in our hearts the readiness of her faith and courage. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son. Amen
The Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought you intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you do I come; before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! Despise no my petition, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
The Magnificat
My soul rejoices in my God. My being proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit finds joy in God my savior. For he has looked upon his servant in her lowliness; all ages to come shall call me blessed. God who is mighty has done great things for me, holy is his name; his mercy is from age to age on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm; he has confused the proud in their inmost thoughts. He has deposed the mighty from their thrones and raised the lowly to high places. The hungry he has given every good thing, while the rich he has sent empty away. He has upheld Israel his servant, every mindful of his mercy; even as he promised our fathers, promised Abraham and his descendants forever. Amen.
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