This is the 17th Worship@Home service we have created. When we began, we had no idea the need for these services would extend beyond a month or perhaps two.
Even with limited Masses starting to resume in some areas, it is clear that many families will still not be comfortable or able to attend in-person services for some time. We are tracking the number of families using the services each week, and while the numbers have dropped a lot since we began, we will continue posting services as long as we can.
The Pastoral Center is a small, family-based ministry and business (pictured: Paul, Madeleine, Ann, and Rachel). This is our full-time job and ministry, and it's the way we pay our bills. We do not receive funding from any parish or diocese, except through resource sales (which are now largely suspended indefinitely). You are under no obligation, but we are very grateful for any contributions!
Leader:
┼ In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Leader:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be God forever.
(The response is: Blessed be God forever.)
All: Blessed be God forever.
Leader:
We gather together as a family
to remember Jesus' invitation for us to live life to its fullest.
One with all of our sisters and brothers throughout the world,
let us now listen to God's Word and join in prayer.
All: Amen.
Leader:
As we prepare to hear about God's plan for the world,
let us remember that God works through us and through our love.
Lord Jesus, you take away our fear in times of trouble:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Leader:
Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds after we hurt each other:
Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Leader:
Lord Jesus, you remind us that every person is a child of God:
Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Leader: Let us pray
Leader:
God of Strength,
you have created us to live in freedom and joy
and given us all a dignity that can never be taken away.
May we be strong and courageous,
always working to lift others up
and living with compassion and justice.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Reader 1:
In today’s reading, Jesus helps us understand that following him is not a chore, but a way to make our lives better.
We now do this action prayer together:
May the Lord be on my mind, ┼
on my lips, ┼
and in my heart ┼
as we hear the Gospel today.
A reading from the holy Gospel of Matthew.
Reader 1:
At that moment Jesus said:
My Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
I am grateful that you hid all this from wise and educated people and showed it to ordinary people.
Yes, Father, that is what pleased you.
My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son.
The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son.
But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too.
If you are tired from carrying heavy burdens, come to me and I will give you rest.
Take the yoke I give you. Put it on your shoulders and learn from me.
I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest.
This yoke is easy to bear, and this burden is light.
Reader 1:
At that time Jesus exclaimed:
“I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to little ones.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am meek and humble of heart;
and you will find rest for yourselves.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Reader 2: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Leader: Now let’s pray together to God for what we need.
Reader 2:
For all those who are close to us and those who are far from us
who are still struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic,
that they may find new courage to continue the fight,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2:
We pray for all those who are unjustly treated, hurt, or killed
because of discrimination or hatred,
that they may trust in God’s special care for them,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2:
That we may have the strength and the courage
to speak up and act for the things that Jesus taught,
let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2: For what else and for who else shall we pray?
Leader: Jesus taught us to call God our Father, and so we have the courage to say:
All:
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.
Leader: Let us now offer each other a sign of peace.
Leader: The response is: Lord, bring us closer to you!
All: Lord, bring us closer to you!
Leader:
Lord our God,
we wish we could gather today with our parish community,
but we gather here out of love and concern for others.
You teach us that when two or three are gathered in your name,
you are there.
Together, we pray:
All: Lord, bring us closer to you!
Leader:
Christ Jesus, you are present in a special way
when bread and wine are turned into your Body and Blood.
Since we cannot receive you in this way today,
We ask that you enter our hearts
so that we may receive you spiritually.
Together, we pray:
All: Lord, bring us closer to you!
Leader:
Lord our God,
watch over your family
and keep us safe in your care,
for all our hope is in you.
All: Lord, bring us closer to you!
Leader: Go in the peace of Christ.
All: Thanks be to God.
The Pastoral Center is a small, family-based ministry and business (pictured: Paul, Madeleine, Ann, and Rachel). This is our full-time job and ministry, and it's the way we pay our bills. We do not receive funding from any parish or diocese, except through resource sales (which are now largely suspended indefinitely). You are under no obligation, but we are very grateful for any contributions!
Your parish still has to pay the electric bill and your staff, even when public Masses are cancelled. If you haven't already, sign up for electronic payments or mail in a check today.
How did it go? What would have made it better? Send us an email at resources@pastoralcenter.com to share feedback with us.
Portions excerpted from or adapted from Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest: Leader's Guide © 1993 United States Catholic Conference (USCC), 3211 Fourth Street, NE, Washington, DC 20017-1194 USA. All rights reserved.
© 2020 The Pastoral Center. All rights reserved.