New Year's Mass at St. Francis in Glen RidgeCommunity ChurchesUpdated on Dec 30, 2009 View more like this | Visit GLEN RIDGE, NJ | Contact St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church |
January 1, 2010 Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Opening Prayer
With the help of Mary, the Mother of God,
let us ask for God's blessings
(PAUSE)
Our living and loving God,
to you belong all the ages.
For each of us you want this year to be
a time of grace.
Bless us, that like Mary
we may say yes to you and to your plans
for us and for the world.
Like Mary, may we grow closer to you
and give your Son Jesus to the world,
that those who seek may find in him
your truth, your justice and your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Meditation:
We mark the opening of a new year by looking backwards to stories about other human beginnings - especially the story of Jesus. Jesus' name, in Hebrew (Jehoshua) means "YHWH saves". The story of Jesus announces unambiguously, that God enters human history in a new intimate way!
The texts of the Christmas season draw our attention to the place of Mary in salvation history and to the testimony she is giving us, as the first believer. The good news is, that in Jesus, God continues to save, free, and transform; and that new human beginnings are possible; here, where we are; and now, in our time! God has moved in our lives with God’s transforming love, and so as we end the year we may want to use the following questions to guide our prayerful contemplation of the past year:
Reflection Questions for 2009
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
6. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
7. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
8. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
9. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
10. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
11. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
12. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
13. What was your most challenging area of home management?
14. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
15. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
16. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
Greetings and Peace!
Happy New Year!
It is hard to find the words to describe how beautiful I thought or Christmas Masses were this year. The New Jersey Baroque Orchestra added so much beauty to our Solemn Mass in the Night on Christmas Eve, drawing by their music, our hearts and minds to the great mystery of God’s love Incarnate, that I am sure the angels were envious of our celebrations! Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Our parish is the richer for your wonderful gift of your music to us!
We are hoping to host the New Jersey Baroque Orchestra for a parish benefit concert in the Spring. Anyone who can help with putting the concert together, please see Anthony. We could use some expertise in advertising, marketing, ticket sales, ushers, etc.
Seeing so many of you at Mass this Christmas was one of the greatest gifts I received this year. Thank you all for making this year so special. I have laughed with many of you, cried with some, held out hope for a better time with some of you, you have reached out to me and supported me by your love and prayers, and I with St. Paul, am able to say I give thanks to God for you everyday. We as a parish have welcomed with baptism new members of God’s family, confirmed those who wished to affirm their commitment to God’s love, and joined in marriage many who thought that it was impossible for the Church’s presence at their union, we have born witness to those called to serve at God’s altar at their ordinations, and have called our own to God’s service. We have Incarnated God’s love to the larger community and have supported by prayer, acts of charity, and our presence those who feel that perhaps the Church had left them. We celebrated the Unity of God in the diversity of Religious expression by hosting the local week of prayer for Christian Unity, and have reached out to all who are longing for a deeper spiritual connection. We have offered the Ancient Traditions of the Catholic Church by Word and Sacrament to all who have asked, and in many cases to may who thought these Traditions were forever lost to them. We did all of this because we have been and are being transformed by God’s love for us. In this New Year let us re-commit ourselves to the work God has given our parish to do; spreading the message of the all inclusive, extravagant, unbounded Love of God! Please join us, please!
Start the New Year Out with us and PLEASE JOIN US ON JANURARY 1, 2010 AT NOON FOR MASS FOR THE SOLEMNINTY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD.
God has blessed our small parish with many gifts, not the least of which is the gift of vocations to the Religious life and the priesthood. Our wonderful Director of Music, Anthony and our angelic voiced Cantor, Geety are discerning a call to the Consecrated Life in the Franciscan Community of Mercy. Please keep them in your prayers as they journey with our Vocation Director, Fr. Matthew.
I will be holding our first Spirituality group on Tuesday Jan. 5 at 7:00 P.M. Our first meeting will be here at the rectory in West Orange. Please join us for some important discussions about our spirits and some hot chocolate!
/General Intercessions
With the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us call upon the Lord to pour out his blessings on all God's children and on the world. Let us say: R/ Lord, bless us and keep us.
- Lord, pour out your blessings on the Church, that all the people of God may grow in faith and hope, that there may be unity and cooperation between the leaders and the laity, we pray: R/ Lord, bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless all priests and religious, that they may live the gospel and proclaim it, that their heart may be open to everyone, that they may care especially for the last and the least, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless all fathers and mothers, that they may be faithful and loving to one another as you are faithful and tender to them, and that they may reflect your own love on their children, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless all children and young people, that they may have parents who care, that they may learn at home and in school to become generous and responsible, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless our country, that there may be justice among us, jobs for all, access for all to the wealth of resources in our land, and peace and unity in all our diversity, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless the seekers and doubters, the sick, orphans and widows, those who are sad, all who have to carry heavy burdens in life. Give them hope, make your people show them your love, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
Lord, let this year be to all of us a year of grace, of peace and joy, that we may face the future with hope and live in your love now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
With the help of Mary, the Mother of God,
let us ask for God's blessings
(PAUSE)
Our living and loving God,
to you belong all the ages.
For each of us you want this year to be
a time of grace.
Bless us, that like Mary
we may say yes to you and to your plans
for us and for the world.
Like Mary, may we grow closer to you
and give your Son Jesus to the world,
that those who seek may find in him
your truth, your justice and your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Meditation:
We mark the opening of a new year by looking backwards to stories about other human beginnings - especially the story of Jesus. Jesus' name, in Hebrew (Jehoshua) means "YHWH saves". The story of Jesus announces unambiguously, that God enters human history in a new intimate way!
The texts of the Christmas season draw our attention to the place of Mary in salvation history and to the testimony she is giving us, as the first believer. The good news is, that in Jesus, God continues to save, free, and transform; and that new human beginnings are possible; here, where we are; and now, in our time! God has moved in our lives with God’s transforming love, and so as we end the year we may want to use the following questions to guide our prayerful contemplation of the past year:
Reflection Questions for 2009
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
5. Pick three words to describe 2009.
6. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
7. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
8. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
9. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
10. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
11. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
12. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
13. What was your most challenging area of home management?
14. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
15. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
16. What was the biggest thing you learned this past year?
Greetings and Peace!
Happy New Year!
It is hard to find the words to describe how beautiful I thought or Christmas Masses were this year. The New Jersey Baroque Orchestra added so much beauty to our Solemn Mass in the Night on Christmas Eve, drawing by their music, our hearts and minds to the great mystery of God’s love Incarnate, that I am sure the angels were envious of our celebrations! Thank you, thank you, and thank you. Our parish is the richer for your wonderful gift of your music to us!
We are hoping to host the New Jersey Baroque Orchestra for a parish benefit concert in the Spring. Anyone who can help with putting the concert together, please see Anthony. We could use some expertise in advertising, marketing, ticket sales, ushers, etc.
Seeing so many of you at Mass this Christmas was one of the greatest gifts I received this year. Thank you all for making this year so special. I have laughed with many of you, cried with some, held out hope for a better time with some of you, you have reached out to me and supported me by your love and prayers, and I with St. Paul, am able to say I give thanks to God for you everyday. We as a parish have welcomed with baptism new members of God’s family, confirmed those who wished to affirm their commitment to God’s love, and joined in marriage many who thought that it was impossible for the Church’s presence at their union, we have born witness to those called to serve at God’s altar at their ordinations, and have called our own to God’s service. We have Incarnated God’s love to the larger community and have supported by prayer, acts of charity, and our presence those who feel that perhaps the Church had left them. We celebrated the Unity of God in the diversity of Religious expression by hosting the local week of prayer for Christian Unity, and have reached out to all who are longing for a deeper spiritual connection. We have offered the Ancient Traditions of the Catholic Church by Word and Sacrament to all who have asked, and in many cases to may who thought these Traditions were forever lost to them. We did all of this because we have been and are being transformed by God’s love for us. In this New Year let us re-commit ourselves to the work God has given our parish to do; spreading the message of the all inclusive, extravagant, unbounded Love of God! Please join us, please!
Start the New Year Out with us and PLEASE JOIN US ON JANURARY 1, 2010 AT NOON FOR MASS FOR THE SOLEMNINTY OF MARY, THE MOTHER OF GOD.
God has blessed our small parish with many gifts, not the least of which is the gift of vocations to the Religious life and the priesthood. Our wonderful Director of Music, Anthony and our angelic voiced Cantor, Geety are discerning a call to the Consecrated Life in the Franciscan Community of Mercy. Please keep them in your prayers as they journey with our Vocation Director, Fr. Matthew.
I will be holding our first Spirituality group on Tuesday Jan. 5 at 7:00 P.M. Our first meeting will be here at the rectory in West Orange. Please join us for some important discussions about our spirits and some hot chocolate!
/General Intercessions
With the help of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us call upon the Lord to pour out his blessings on all God's children and on the world. Let us say: R/ Lord, bless us and keep us.
- Lord, pour out your blessings on the Church, that all the people of God may grow in faith and hope, that there may be unity and cooperation between the leaders and the laity, we pray: R/ Lord, bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless all priests and religious, that they may live the gospel and proclaim it, that their heart may be open to everyone, that they may care especially for the last and the least, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless all fathers and mothers, that they may be faithful and loving to one another as you are faithful and tender to them, and that they may reflect your own love on their children, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless all children and young people, that they may have parents who care, that they may learn at home and in school to become generous and responsible, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless our country, that there may be justice among us, jobs for all, access for all to the wealth of resources in our land, and peace and unity in all our diversity, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
- Lord, bless the seekers and doubters, the sick, orphans and widows, those who are sad, all who have to carry heavy burdens in life. Give them hope, make your people show them your love, we pray: R/ Lord, , bless us and keep us.
Lord, let this year be to all of us a year of grace, of peace and joy, that we may face the future with hope and live in your love now and for ever. R/ Amen.
