Sign of the Cross

Greeting 

Praised be God our Father
who, through Jesus, has rescued us from the darkness of sin.
May the light of God's love be with you.

Introduction

As disciples of Jesus, we are called to be like salt and light … people who give flavor and meaning to the lives of others. This is an awesome responsibility. We often fail in carrying it out… and so we pray:

Litany of Praise

Lord Jesus,
you came as salt to give a new flavor to our lives
changing us from self-centeredness to being people for others.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus,
you came as light to overcome darkness and the fear of death.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus,
you entrusted to us the mission
to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Lord, have mercy.

Gloria

Opening Prayer

O God of justice,
you have called your Church
to be the salt of the earth
and the light for the world.

Let the light of your own justice
shine in our lives,
that all may see our good works
and give you the praise and the glory.

We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

Credo

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

P        Called by Christ to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world,
let us pray to the Father for all our needs:

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, hear your people. (Please repeat)

1. For our own parish; (pause)
   that it will be like a city set on a hill, a visible witness to all of the care and compassion of the Lord. We pray:
   
2. For the sick, the depressed and the heartbroken: (pause)
   that the light of Christ may help them discover new meaning in their suffering.
   We pray:
   
3. For Christians everywhere: (pause)
   that the light of their good deeds may be an inspiration to many.
   We pray:
4. For our beloved dead: (pause)
   May the Lord grant them light, happiness and peace.
   We pray:
   

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P      Merciful God,
        help us to keep the light of Jesus burning brightly in our lives
        so that we can help others find their way to you.
        We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, look upon our gifts,
drawn from the good things you have given us,
and a sign of your abundant life.
May they inspire us to
"offer our food to the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the afflicted".
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Optional words before the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer

A short time ago our attention was focused on the Word of God
as we searched for meaning in our lives.

Now our eyes are focused on this table,
as we prepare to receive the sustanance we need on the journey of life.

What our eyes can see - one bread and one cup.
What our hearts can know - we are one body.

In this Spirit we pray:

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

Gathering our prayers and praises into one,
let us offer the prayer Jesus himself taught us:
Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Lord, from the darkness of sin
and let the light of your love shine upon us.
May it lead us forward in joy and hope
as we prepare for the coming in glory
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples:
"Let your light shine before others
so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father in heaven".
Grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom,
where you live for ever and ever.

Exchange of Peace
God says: "Do not hide yourself from your own kin."
So let us offer each other a blessing from the Lord and a sign of peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P      The early Christians
        recognized the life and spirit of Jesus
        in the breaking of the bread.
        In that same faith-tradition,
        we break this blessed bread,
        as a sign of oneness with them.

A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

Behold Jesus, the Wisdom and the Power of God,
who takes away the sins of the world.
Blessed are we who gather around this altar-table.

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion

Lord God,
you have nourished us with your Word and the Bread of Life.
May this Communion give us the strength
to practice what we have heard through the lips of Isaiah:
"Share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless into your house,
so that your light shall break forth like the dawn."
We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May "your faith rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God. ".  AMEN.

May your lives be like salt… giving a Christian flavor to all that you do.  AMEN.

May our Parish be a source of light to all who are searching for God.  AMEN.

Dismissal      

You are light… and you are salt.
Go now and be witnesses of the Gospel.