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In order to connect the Year of Prayer at the Eucharist to all aspects of parish life, we are providing a monthly prayer to be used at meetings. This is for any committee meeting, any group meeting or any project which is taking place at the parish. This prayer will change monthly to follow the "themes" of our Year of Prayer at the Eucharist.
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| Monthly
Prayers 2006 – 2007 |
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| April |
Leader:In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Leader reads the opening:We open our prayer today with a reflection on the Communion Rite from the Introduction
to the Order of the Mass, written by the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy USCCB. (2003)
125. “The reception together of the Lord’s Body and Blood in a paschal meal is the culmination of the Eucharist. Those present are made ready to share in this banquet by a rite that leads from the Eucharistic Prayer directly to the Communion. This rite expresses the mutual love and reconciliation that are both the condition and the fruit of worthy communion and the unity of the many in the one symbolized at both the natural and the sacramental level."
This month’s Year of Prayer at the Eucharist focus is the Rite and reception of Eucharist.
“Though each of these rites (Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace, breaking of the bread) is important in itself, in the context of the whole celebration they constitute together a transition from one high point, the Eucharistic Prayer, to another, the sharing in Holy Communion.” (§125 continued)
Another member of the group reads the following: 1 Corinthians 10: 16- 17
This
reading is from the letter to the Corinthians:
“The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in
the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not participation
in the body of Christ? Because the loaf of bread is one, we though
many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.”
All Pause for two minutes of reflection on this reading and
the following questions:
The Communion Rite at Mass is one of unity, peace and solidarity. How is this reflected in our daily lives? Does participation in this ritual really impact how we live?
After the reflection time, ALL pray together:
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Lord Jesus Christ, living bread come down from heaven,
in the Eucharist you give us the gift of yourself.
As we give you praise and thanks for this gift,
help us walk as your faithful pilgrims.
Just as the disciples did in the Gospel,
we implore you, O Lord, teach us to pray!
May our prayer at the Eucharist lift our hearts to you.
May our lives be transformed by this great gift
so that we may become the people you call us to be.
Give us your special grace as we celebrate this Year of Prayer at the Eucharist
and grant us your peace, we pray through your most holy name. Amen.
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more information or if you have questions, please contact: |
Jim Wickman
Pastoral Associate for Liturgy
202-337-2840, ext.
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Judith Brusseau
Director of Religious Education
202-337-2840, ext. 119 |
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