Saturday, January 9, 2010

Prayers Submitted as Resources

A Mercy Prayer



Song: Because We Love God, Kathy Sherman, CSJ


Why do you feed the hungry? Why do you comfort those in sorrow? What is the source of your passion, your joy? Why are you calm in a storm?


Why do you hunger for justice? Why do you give your heart away to the weary, the poor, the unloved, the unfree? Why do you do what you do?


Because we love God; because we love God and all that belongs to God. Because we love God we are who we are and we do what we do because we love God.


Why do you forgive those who hurt you? Why do you call the stranger friend? What is the hope that you cling to at night? Why is your dreaming so bold?


Why are you friends with the outcast? Why does your table welcome all? Yes and why does your fire never burn out? Why do you do what you do?


Why do you bless the children? Why are you concerned about the future?

Why do you protect Earth and all her creatures? Why is your vision so wide?


Why do you love without boundaries? Why is your song a song for all?

And why do you dare to believe that all are one? Why do you do what you do?


(CD) A Language of the Heart, Kathy Sherman, CSJ, 2004




All: God of Mercy, lover of those who are poor, pour out your Spirit upon us. You sent Jesus that we might know the depths of your love and mercy for us. May we who have received mercy be Mercy for others.


Side 1: Animated by Catherine McAuley’s passion to serve your suffering people, we have committed ourselves to follow her example. For the sake of the Reign of God, we have embraced the Mercy way of life.

Side2: We ask that you continue to give us hands to heal and soothe, and ears to hear the longing and anguish of those who cry out for your justice. Let our hearts be filled with compassion for the stranger and the outcast.



Intercessions


Response: God of Mercy, hear our prayer.



All: Give us today the strength and courage to transform the compassion of our hearts into acts of peace, mercy, and justice. May what we profess with our lips be proclaimed in our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus and through the intercession of Mary, our Mother of Mercy. Amen.


Adapted: Praying in the Spirit of Catherine McAuley





Mercy Mission Prayer



Leader: As Mercy Associates we share in a mutually enriching relationship between the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and other women and men which empowers a response to the call to Gospel holiness through sharing in the spirit and mission of Mercy. (Mercy Association Identity Statement, MADC 2001)


Impelled by this mission, we commit ourselves to the spiritual & corporal works of mercy revealed to us by Jesus, to:


Side 1 Side 2

Feed the hungry Convert the sinner

Give drink to the thirsty Instruct the uneducated

Clothe the naked Counsel the doubtful

Shelter the homeless Comfort the sorrowful

Visit the sick Bear wrongs patiently

Visit the imprisoned Forgive injuries

Bury the dead Pray for the living & the dead

(Corporal Works of Mercy) (Spiritual Works of Mercy)



Leader: God of Mercy, lover of those who are poor, pour out your Spirit upon us. You sent Jesus that we might know the depths of your love and mercy for us. May we who have received mercy be Mercy for others.


Side 1: Animated by Catherine McAuley’s passion to serve your suffering people, we have committed ourselves to follow her example. For the sake of your Reign, we have embraced the Mercy way of life.


Side2: We ask that you continue to give us hands to heal and soothe, and ears to hear the longing and anguish of those who cry out for your justice. Let our hearts be filled with compassion for the stranger and the outcast.


Intercessions


Response: We are yours, O God, for time and eternity


All: Give us today the strength and courage to transform the compassion of our hearts into acts of peace, mercy, and justice. May what we profess with our lips be proclaimed in our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus and through the intercession of Mary, our Mother of Mercy. Amen.



Adapted: Praying in the Spirit of Catherine McAuley,

Novena for the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy

PRAYER FOR TRANSFORMATION & CONVERSION TO MERCY

(Adapted: Institute Justice Office)


Leader: Source of All Being, enliven us,

Word Incarnate, speak in and through us,

Spirit dwelling within us and among us, animate us we pray.


Through our mutually enriching relationship between the Sisters of Mercy and Associates, we share in the mission and spirit of Mercy and respond to the call to gospel holiness.


L: If our lives have become shallow, All: deepen them.

If our principles have become shabby, repair them.

If our ideals have become tarnished, restore them.

If our hopes have become faded, revive them.

If our loyalties have grown dim, brighten them.

If our values have become confused, clarify them.

If our purposes have become blurred, sharpen them.

If our horizons have begun to contract, widen them.


Recalling the words of Jesus that he is one with his suffering members, we as Associates & Sisters of Mercy respond to the cry of the poor.


L: Where there is poverty, All: let us bring compassionate care.


Where children suffer, let us protect and encourage.


Where women & men are let us act in solidarity.

diminished or alienated,


Where we encounter persons let us embrace them as sisters

different from ourselves, and brothers.


While we minister to individuals let us change systems that

with love & respect, oppress.


While we speak of the Gospel let us continually be converted

of Mercy, to it ourselves.


All: Loving God, we pray we remain centered in and open to your transforming Presence, so that whatever we do, and however we are, all may know it is Jesus Christ whom we serve. Amen.

"Carrying Christ" by Ruth Mary Fox

Into the hillside country Mary went

Carrying Christ, and all along the road

The Christ she carried generously bestowed

His grace on those she met. She had not meant

to tell she carried Christ. She was content

to hide His love for her. But about her glowed

Such joy that into stony hearts love flowed,

And even to the unborn John Christ's grace was sent.

Christ in His Sacrament of love each day

Dwells in my soul a little space and then

I walk life's crowded highway, jostling (women and) men

who seldom think of God. To these I pray

That I may carry Christ, for it may be

Some would not know of Him except through me.

Welcome to Our First Attempt At Blogging

The Coordinating Committee of the MALN is trying to find ways for us to share information and stay connected without the expense of travel and conference calls. We have tried the email approach to sharing prayers. Some of you may be wishing we had not done that as you are inundated with emails. A blog will allow you more control.