Spiritual Program

FRIDAY MORNING OPENING SPIRITUAL

A Woman of Faith

League Prayer

All:	Hail Mary…
Leader:	“What must this women, Mary, have been like? This Woman who was chosen by God as mother for His God-Son. She was blessed among women! She was the first creature who was able to say an unconditional yes to God’s will.

Reading: Isaiah 55: 3-8

All:	No one heard the word of God more than Mary; she opened herself completely to it. No one put it into practice more than she; through her it became flesh. Mary is the perfect example of how to listen. Through Mary’s listening, the world became God within us.
Right	Jesus living in Mary, come and live in me. Here is a body to move among people. Reach out again to others.
Left:	Jesus giving in Mary, come and give in me. Here are two hands that are able to give, teach them to share with others.
Leader:	Mary, teach us here today. As Christian women of the Catholic Women’s League, we are called to serve, to hear the word, to live it and to believe. We are called to know that we are deeply loved, and this spirit of love is within us to share. You are waiting for our “yes” released in love. Teach us, Mary to be fully open, loving and forgiving. Help us to serve each other in all we do. This we ask in Jesus’ name.
All:	Amen
All:	Each one of us has a mission to fulfil, a mission of love. At the hours of death, when we come face to face with God, we are going to be judged on love; not how much we have done, but how much love we have put into our actions ¹
Leader:	Blessed Mary, so humble
All:	Obtain for us the blessing of Jesus
Leader:	Blessed Mary, in mourning
All:	Comfort us in our daily trials.
Leader:	Blessed Mary, pure of heart.
All:	Help us have uncluttered hearts.
Leader:	Blessed Mary, lover of peace.
All:	Help us become a peaceful people
Leader:	Blessed Mary, desirous of justice.
All:	Aid us in doing the will of God.
Leader:	Let us pray, Lord, help us to perform our CWL duties with the same response that Mary gave. Help us to use our special talents to help others. Give us the courage to love and understand, to change the things we are capable of, to make this a better world. Helps us to always work together, for ourselves, our parish, our diocese, our province and our country in love. We ask this in Jesus’ name. ²
All:	She is my strength, Most Holy Virgin, privileged one from birth. Her love restores the weakest to citadels of worth. Without fear, I speak to her and even as I start, the words which seem the hardest are closest to my heart. There comes a captured moment in the quietness of day when through the healing silence I somehow hear her say: “Don’t worry, I am with you through loneliness and fear. I will be your confidence. Remember, I am here.” And so I do remember at any time or place the power of my endurance is in her warm embrace. ³
Hymn:	*Hail Mary: Gentle Woman*

_____________

Credits / source:
¹ St. Teresa of Calcutta
² Lynn L’Heureux, Alberta Mackenzie Provincial Council
³ (Kathy Vignoli, printed in The Marian Helpers’ Bulletin, August-September/89)
Kay Allen – Newfoundland and Labrador

FRIDAY AFTERNOON OPENING SPIRITUAL

Prayer for Water ⁴

O God, who created the Earth and all that is in it, we thank you for the abundant blessing of water and its availability in our lives.

You created water to be a source of life for your people. However, our community struggles with ensuring access of this gift to all of your people.

Help us to be better stewards of your creation by being more aware of our misuse of water.

Help us to advocate for public policies and private actions that make water more accessible to all of our global family. Amen

Hymn: Flow River Flow

⁴ Credits / source:: Catholic Health Association of the United States

FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLOSING SPIRITUAL

Psalm 27

All:	The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Right:	The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; before whom shall I shrink?
All:	The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Left:	When evildoers draw near to devour my flesh, it is they, my enemies and foes, who stumble and fall.
All:	The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Right:	Though an army encamp against me my heart would not fear. Though war break out against me even then would I trust.
All:	The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Left:	There is one thing I ask of the Lord, for this I long, to live in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life, to savor the sweetness of the Lord, to behold his temple.
All:	The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Right:	For there he keeps me safe in his tent in the day of evil. He hides me in the shelter of his tent, on a rock he sets me safe.
All:	The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear?
Left:	And now my head shall be raised above my foes who surround me, and I shall offer within his tent a sacrifice of joy. I will sing and make music for the Lord.
All:	The Lord is my light and my help; whom shall I fear? Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Hymn: Christ Be Our Light

SATURDAY AFTERNOON OPENING SPIRITUAL

Psalm 148: Praise to the Lord, the Creator

All:	Alleluia
Right:	Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the heights. Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host.
Left:	Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, shining stars. Praise him, highest heavens and the waters above the heavens.
Right:	Let them praise the name of the Lord. He commanded: they were made. He fixed them for ever, gave a law which shall not pass away.
Left:	Praise the Lord from the earth, sea creatures and all oceans, fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy winds that obey his word;
Right:	All mountains and hills, all fruit trees and cedars, beasts, wild and tame, reptiles and birds on the wing;
Left:	All earth's kings and peoples, earth's princes and rulers, young men and maidens, the old men together with children.
Right:	Let them praise the name of the Lord for he alone is exalted. The splendor of his name reaches beyond heaven and earth.
Left:	He exalts the strength of his people. He is the praise of all his saints, of the sons of Israel, of the people to whom he comes close.
All:	Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Hymn: God Created Earth and Heaven (to the tune of “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON CLOSING PRAYER

CWL Prayer for Renewal ⁵

God of new beginnings, ever faithful God,
we thank You for your constant care for
the women of The Catholic Women’s League of Canada.
We have sought to serve You in faith by service to your people.

Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and with the help of Our Lady of Good Counsel,
we continue to discern Your call to seek justice
and build Your Kingdom on earth each day.

We ask your guidance as we plan the evolution of
The Catholic Women’s League of Canada.
Grant us wisdom, the grace of discernment, and strength.
May each of us open her heart and mind to Your will and welcome the new life You bring to the League.

We ask this through Jesus, Your beloved Son and Our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.

AMEN

⁵ Credits / source: Sr. Susan Scott, CAF

SUNDAY OPENING SPIRITUAL

Hymn: Jesus Christ Has Risen Today

Reading: Acts 10: 40b-43

God raised up Jesus on the third day and granted that he be seen, not by all, but only by such witnesses as had been chosen beforehand by God - by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commissioned us to preach to the people and bear witness that he is the one set apart by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets testify, saying that everyone who believes in him has forgiveness of sins through his name.

Responsory:

Leader: Christ, Son of the living God,

All: Have mercy on us, alleluia, alleluia.

Leader: Christ, Son of the living God,

All: Have mercy on us, alleluia, alleluia.

Leader: You have risen from the dead,

All: Alleluia, alleluia.

Leader: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit

All: Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on us, alleluia, alleluia.

The Good Shepherd – Isaiah 40:10-17

Right:	Here comes with power the Lord God, who rules by his strong arm; Here is his reward with him, his recompense before him.
Left:	Like a shepherd he feeds his flock; in his arms he gathers the lambs, Carrying them in his bosom, and leading the ewes with care.
Right:	Who has cupped in his hand the waters of the sea, and marked off the heavens with a span? Who has held in a measure the dust of the earth, weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?
Left:	Who has directed the spirit of the Lord, or has instructed him as his counselor? Whom did he consult to gain knowledge? Who taught him the path of judgment, or showed him the way of understanding?
Right:	Behold, the nations count as a drop of the bucket, as dust on the scales; the coastlands weigh no more than powder.
Left:	Lebanon would not suffice for fuel, nor its animals be enough for holocausts. Before him all the nations are as nought, as nothing and void he accounts them.
All:	Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

Prayer for Vocations

God our Father, You made each of us to use our gifts in the Body of Christ.

We ask that You inspire young people whom You call to the priesthood
and consecrated life to courageously follow Your will.

Send workers into Your great harvest so that the Gospel is preached,
the poor are served with love, the suffering are comforted,
and Your people are strengthened by the sacraments.

We ask this through Christ our Lord,

Amen

Hymn: Like a Shepherd

SUNDAY CLOSING SPIRITUAL

Prayer of Farewell

Leader:	God of our life’s journeys, we gather here to celebrate the goodness of these presidents and to ask Your blessing as they continue on the road of life. May the love that is in our hearts be a bond that unites us forever, wherever we may be. May the power of Your presence bless this moment of our leave-taking.
Response:	We know that God goes with you.
Leader:	As you journey onward, may you remember always that our love and appreciation for you are etched on our hearts.
Response:	We know that God goes with you.
Leader:	As you experience the pain of change and the insecurity of moving on, may you also experience the blessing of inner growth.
Response:	We know that God goes with you.
Leader:	As you meet the poor, the pained, the stranger on your way, may you see in each one the face of our Christ.
Response:	We know that God goes with you.
Leader:	As you walk through the good times and the hard times, may you never lose sight of the shelter of God’s loving arms.
Response:	We know that God goes with you.
Leader:	As you question your decisions and wonder about the fruits of your choices, may the peace of God reign in your heart.
Response:	We know that God goes with you.
Leader:	We praise and thank you, God of our journey, for our loved ones who are soon to leave. We entrust them to Your loving care, knowing that You are always the Faithful Traveler and Companion on our way. Shelter these loved ones of ours and protect them from all harm and all useless anxiety. May the future be a source of many enriching and transforming moments. Amen.