Finals of the CCR Gospelypso/Choir competition
November 9, 2021
Are all religions equal?
November 9, 2021
Suggested format for service in parishes and schools, homes, prayer groups…wherever the family of God may be gathered.
Submitted by Archdiocesan Catechetical Office: Andrew Fernandes, Antonett Prince-Trotman, Bernadette Gopaul- Ramkhalawan, Dr Rose-Ann Walker
Opening Hymn: How many times must Christ call to us?
How many times must Christ call to us
Before His message is heard
How many times must He knock at our door
Before we answer His word;
How many times must His grace
be poured out
Before our response will be heard;
CHORUS: The answer my friends must come from within; The answer must come from within.
How many times must My shadow appear
Before you know that I’m there
How many times must I wait alone
Before you show that you care
How many times must I carry my Cross
Before you are willing to share?
CHORUS
Lord, we know you’re calling to us
In every person we meet;
Lord, we know that You’re challenging us
In every cross that we bear;
Lord, we know that your love will be there
To bring your response from within.
CHORUS
Opening Prayer
Father God, we thank You for the gift of life and for Your unconditional love to all humanity. We bring to You today, the poor, the marginalised, the oppressed, and the social outcast.
Grant us the Grace that we need to see You in every one of these people. Send Your Spirit to move us to always be willing to listen, to help, to comfort them in their times of need and to actively seek justice for them and preserve the dignity of all life. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ. Amen.
FIRST READING
Isaiah 58:6–8
Is this not, rather, the fast that I choose: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, breaking off every yoke?
Is it not sharing your bread with the hungry, bringing the afflicted and the homeless into your house; Clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own flesh?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; Your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm:
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be always in my mouth.
- I sought the LORD, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears. Look to him and be radiant, and your faces may not blush for shame. (R)
- This poor one cried out and the LORD heard, and from all his distress he saved him. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he saves them. (R)
- Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the stalwart one who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his holy ones; nothing is lacking to those who fear him. (R)
- The rich grow poor and go hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (R)
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (14:7–14)
He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honour at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honour. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Then he said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbours, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Homily/reflection/song:
Whatsoever you do
Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers,
that you do unto me.
When I was hungry, you gave me to eat;
When I was thirsty, you gave me to drink.
Now enter into the home of My Father.
Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers,
that you do unto me.
When I was homeless, you opened your door;
When I was naked, you gave me your coat.
Now enter into the home of My Father.
Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers,
that you do unto me.
When I was weary, you helped me find rest.
When I was anxious, you calmed all my fears.
Now enter into the home of My Father.
Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers,
that you do unto me.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Response: Lord, Come to the aid of Your people
- We, as Church have been called to walk on a journey together where all are equal and listened to. Help us to listen to the voice of the voiceless, the poor, the vulnerable, the marginalised, the oppressed, the sick, the dying, those who suffer as a result of natural disasters, political tensions, terrorism, and this pandemic. Lord, may we be a voice for these voiceless as we walk side by side with them encouraging them on their journey. (R)
- We pray for national leaders. We pray that our leaders will learn how to identify the root causes of the needs of people and how to work collaboratively to address these needs at both relief and development levels. (R)
- We pray for those who lost their jobs due to Covid-19 placing them and their families on the breadline. Lord, You are the great provider, we pray, Lord, we thank You for the blessing of a vaccine for the virus. Lord Jesus, help us not to exclude people who have chosen not to get vaccinated yet but instead to educate them and clear doubts in their minds. Lord, help us to reach out to those in need with generosity, compassion, understanding and patience. Create opportunities for them to become creative and provide for their families. (R)
- We pray for the migrants on our shores. Lord, You were once a migrant in Egypt and You understand the needs and feelings of a migrant. Lord, help us to understand them, be compassionate to them and make sacrifices to help them to live with dignity. Lord, help us to accept them as our brothers and sisters and truly create a space for them. Lord, strengthen our migrants as they forge to make a better life for them and their families. (R)
- We pray for those who are poor because they cannot find work due to lack of education and skill. Lord, many of these people grew up in unfortunate circumstances and have become part of a vicious cycle. We pray that we may take time to seek them out and create opportunities for the skill growth so that they can earn a living in society. Lord, help us to companion them with true brotherly and sisterly love. We pray also for those displaced as a result of natural disasters, wars, and terrorism that they will find strength and the help they need to once again live in a home and continue to live with joy and freedom. (R)
- We pray for our education system and teachers within. We pray that our education system will create ways to help children to grow in their gifts, talents, and critical thinking. May our schools help each child reach his/her full potential by practicing authentic integral human development. We pray that teachers will help children develop true self-worth and believe in themselves creating in them the desire to live as companions of each other helping those who struggle to keep up. Lord, in this time of pandemic where many children were left behind due to lack of supervision or lack of technology, we pray that you may raise up people who can minister to these children in a special way. (R)
- Lord we pray for all areas of our society that provide aid and support for the poor and vulnerable among us. We pray that Government and NGOs will learn how to work together to support and develop our people so that the dignity of the life will be preserved at all times, and they can be what God meant them to be. (R)
- Lord we pray in a special way for families that each member will love and support each other so that though they may lack materially the effects of their love for each other would outweigh the negative effects of their suffering. Lord, bring healing to those who suffer as a result of their poor and vulnerable conditions. Heal them so they can dream and be empowered to live a better life. Lord, help the poor to vision a brighter future. (R)
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
1st Glorious Mystery
– The Resurrection of Jesus
Our Father
- a) I am the resurrection. (Jn 11:25)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- b) Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live. (Jn 11:25)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- c) And whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (Jn 11:26)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- d) I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, the one who was to come into this world. (Jn 11:27)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- e) Have I not told you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?
(Jn 11:40)
Hail Mary … (twice)
Glory be to the Father
2nd Glorious Mystery – The Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven
Our Father
- a) All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me (Mt 28:19)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- b) Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- c) Baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit (Mt 28:20)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- d) And teach them to observe all the commands I gave you (Mt 28: 20)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- e) And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time (Mt 28: 20)
Hail Mary … (twice)
Glory be to the Father
3rd Glorious Mystery – The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles
Our Father
- a) Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’ (Jn 21:19)
Hail Mary … (twice
- b) The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord (Jn 21:20)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- c) As the Father sent me, so I am sending you
(Jn 21:21)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- d) Receive the Holy Spirit (Jn 21:23)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- e) If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained (Jn 21:23)
Hail Mary … (twice)
Glory be to the Father
4th Glorious Mystery – Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven
- a) Then the sanctuary of God in heaven opened, and the Ark of the Covenant could be seen inside it (Rev 11:19)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- b) Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman, robed with the sun (Rev 12:1)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- c) Standing on the moon and on her head a crown of twelve stars (Rev 12:1)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- d) I will make your name endure forever from generation to generation (Ps 45:17)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- e) So nations will sing your praise forever and ever (Ps 45:17)
Hail Mary … (twice)
Glory be to the Father
5th Glorious Mystery – The Coronation of our Blessed Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven
Our Father
- a) And now bless the God of all things, the doer of great deeds everywhere (Eccl 50:22)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- b) Who has exalted our days from the womb and has acted mercifully towards us (Eccl 50:22)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- c) May God grant us cheerful hearts and bring peace in our time in Israel for ages on ages (Eccl 50:23)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- d) May God’s mercy be faithfully with us
(Eccl 50:24)
Hail Mary … (twice)
- e) May God redeem us in our own times
(Eccl 50:24)
Hail Mary … (twice)
Glory be to the Father
Conclude with short traditional prayers.
