Prayer for Laetara Sunday March 22
The UISG (International Union of Superiors General) has designated Sunday, March 22 as a Day of Worldwide Solidarity and Prayer for those impacted by the pandemic. We are invited to join in this plea for an end to suffering and death from this pandemic. Please let us join one another in our SCN Prayer which is attached as we pray in solidarity with our Sisters across the world in this day of prayer.
Opening Song: I Am With You On the Journey
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I am with you on the journey and I will never leave you.
I am with you on the journey, always with you. (Kathy Sherman)
Laetare Sunday is a day of hope and light as we travel through a season of darkness. As we stand in solidarity with our suffering world at this time of crisis due to the Covid 19, Coronavirus, we are reminded that in times of such darkness God is with us, God is our light when other lights seem to be dimming. Christ told us in John 8:12 “ I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
In our SCN Congregation during days of darkness we are reminded of our own Mother Catherine Spalding who suffered with the people of her time during the cholera epidemic. She reflected for others the light of Christ as she walked the streets of Louisville, caring for the sick on the wharf and comforting the orphans. We, her followers in the United States, India, Belize, Nepal and Botswana, are called to be the Christ-light for others. We are called to hold in prayer our suffering people across the world. We are called to do what we can to help alleviate the suffering of others,. We may be called to stay home knowing that our sacrifice is for the health of others. We may be called to respond in other ways across our congregation. May we be attentive to the call of the poor.
Scripture 1 John: 1: 5–7 (adapted)
God is Light. Now this is the message that we have heard and proclaim now; God is light and in God there is no darkness at all….If we walk in the light as God is in the light, then we have community with one another.”
Quiet Reflection
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Litany taken from statements of the SCN Constitutions
27 Like Jesus Christ, we live in solidarity with the oppressed, valuing and being valued as persons rather than as possessors, refusing to be enslaved by fear of loss or desire of gain, reverently caring for the talents and resources entrusted to us and sharing unselfishly with others.
Response: Lead us in your light O God
34 We express our solidarity with the oppressed by increasing our awareness of oppression and our part in it, by maintaining simplicity in our personal and communal life style, by accepting powerlessness in the gospel sense and by working toward needed change in social structures.
Response: Lead us in your light O God.
5 Charity leads us to share the burdens of the needy, identifying with them in the struggle to overcome obstacles to growth.
Response: Lead us in your light O God.
8 Awaiting in hope of God’s manifestation, we offer our praise and thanksgiving.
Response: Lead us in your light O God.
Quiet Reflection
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Prayer of the Faithful:
As everything around us speaks of fear and loss, Laetare Sunday ironically calls us to rejoice, even says it twice, in case we don’t hear it the first time. Christ, our light hear our prayers:
That we will walk safely in the light that Our God shines upon us.
Response: Christ be our light
That medical needs be made available to the most vulnerable among us.
Response: Christ be our light
That medical laboratories be equipped with means to test for COVID-19
Response: Christ be our light
That each of us be diligent in the ways that we can do our part by using good hygiene, keeping our social distance when near another person and good cleaning habits where we live and work.
Response: Christ be our light
That those who care for the sick be protected and provide kind and loving care for those who face the realities of this disease.
Response: Christ be our light
That other needs of our world be included in our efforts to address homelessness, unemployment, hunger and the plight of refugees.
Response: Christ be our light
That in our efforts throughout the world during this pandemic encourage a world community that reaches out to one another.
Response: Christ be our light
Rejoice in this moment of world community depending on one another and continue to be confident that Our God is with us. Amen
Please take a few moments and share with us your prayers and responses.
Post your response in the comments at the bottom of this page.
Closing Prayer: Lockdown
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighborhood
so that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their neighbors in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality,
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square, Sing.
Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM
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Closing Song: “Christ Be Our Light” Bernadette Farrell
Longing for light, we wait in darkness
Longing for truth, we turn to You.
Make us Your own, Your holy people
Light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Longing for peace, our world is troubled
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has pow’r to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Longing for food, many are hungry
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us Your bread, broken for others
Shared until all are fed.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in …
Only through the mystery of God can such a tiny – tiny little virus bring out so much love and compassion shared by all mankind.
The unseen enemy is not something new to us
We have been fighting an unseen enemy for over 2000 years.
We also have an unseen helper who will get us through this time of suffering.
I appreciate the peaceful and hope filled message of this prayer service. We missed praying in church last Sunday. This United prayer was a balm for the spirit. Thank you so much for sharing. I will pass it on to others as we continue to pray for the afflicted and for an end to the Corona virus.
Thank you
Thank you. I found it supportive and encouraging to pray together.
Thank you for this prayerful moment full of trust in our caring God and belief in the power of uniting us in prayer. May all be safe.
Thank you for that wave of peace and tranquility. I have been lifted up with so many others.
Thank you for offering this opportunity for community prayer. The experience was a special gift at this time of isolation.
My sister-in-law Roberta Naegele (Bert) shared this with me. What a beautiful way to start my morning prayers with. To know that”the light of the world is Jesus.” Blessing to all of you as you start your day🙏
I am going to share this with my family and friends. Thank you! It bought tears to my eyes. Beautiful!
Beautiful service and so uplifting! All are in my prayers
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you!
Christ be our light … shine in our darkness.
We are better together!
Heart felt gratitude for beautiful spirit filled prayer…
Christ be our Light, shine .
Beautiful prayer service, especially the intercession s, so “now”, appropriate!
Thank you for sharing,
Joy and Peace,
Linda
Thank you so much for this prayer. We pray that this might be a time for the global human family to reassess our system of values across cultures and religions to come to deeper compassion for our interconnectedness.
Thanks so much for this beautiful prayer. I just finished praying it after a long day working at the homeless shelter. It encourages me to be hopeful and positive knowing we are in solidarity with those who are suffering and afraid.
Thank you so much for this. A friend forwarded it to me and I have sent it on. I had forgotten that it was Laetare Sunday, a Sunday I have always really enjoyed. And the prayer service was beautiful reminding us of God’s great love and light in the midst of darkness. May we all rejoice in these moments of grace, and continue to be united in prayer for our world.
This prayer is what we all need right now. What a beautiful prayer! Yes, we need to live in hope. It is good to live in the light.
S. Mary Agnes Cross
Thank you for sharing the spirit of care and compassion and prayer with these two Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in Berkeley California as we join with religious throughout the world today.
Thank you for such a beautiful and inspiring prayer. To be united in prayer across distances, to be united in solidarity with those affected by this pandemic, to be united across the globe… well does my soul good!
Our Assembly theme of ONENESS IN CHRIST has taken on even greater meaning. Thank you!
Blessings and All Good! Just what Dr. God ordered for us to be in prayful moments with others. 💞🙏💖
Christ be our light. Now and always amen 🙏
Thank you for doing your part to cast light into this dark period of our lives. We appreciate your providing this occasion to join you in prayer.
Edna an I agree.
My deep gratitude for enabling all of us across the world to be bonded in this prayer.
Thank you so much for sharing this very meaningful and inspiring prayer. I truly felt God’s love in the unity of all of us praying together. God is so good and prayer is so powerful. We will get through this together. Sending prayers to all of you and all who are selflessly working to help others in any way. God bless us all!
Thank you for the beautiful prayer and united to be with people of God. It is an invitation to have trust in God.
Gratitude for this prayer, for solidarity and community. We are people of the light and this gives great cause to rejoice! At this time of pause, of a great Sabbath may we come to know more deeply that all is connected, all is one and continue to be for and with one another. We continue to pray for those who are ill, those who are dying and their families, for the caretakers, first responders, for the whole community of life.
Blessings,
sJoan
Thank you very much for this prayer service. It is good to be united throughout the world in this time of darkness and to be light for all even in isolation. Rosie and Brenda
As I concluded this very beautiful prayer I truly felt the presence of all my sisters, associates, families and friends throughout our world. It felt so dear and precious a time as I lit five candles representing our members in each country—you all were present here in Silver Spring, MD this evening.
Thank you for being my sisters…as we continue to walk with those most in need at this time in our lives.
And, special thanks to the ones who prepared this prayer.
Lots of love, peace and joy during this challenging pandemic affecting all in the world today.
Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful thoughts of hope and love for the world. In every cloud there is a silver lining.
Many thanks for extending this prayer to all of us! May the light of Christ guide us through these uncertain days. Prayers for all healthcare workers, helpers, decision makers and those in research! May we be as one on this journey!
Gratefully
Sr. Mary Ann Connolly
To pray together around the world, even as we are separated is a gift for all of us. Thank you.
May we continue to be aware of those who are sick and those who are caring for the sick and others who are vulnerable no matter where they are.
Barbara Joseph
Thank you for this beautiful prayer and meaningful way to focus our soulful attention on the great need and great Hope generated by this pandemic. I am deeply grateful.
Thank you for inviting us to be united in prayer and solidarity with all of us and the whole world; to lift up the fear and anxiety of the unknown and to shine a ray of hope. May we continue to be strengthened by “I am the light of world” as the world traverses the dark tunnel.
Thank you for the opportunity to be one of this prayer circle reaching round the world. With hearts bursting with love and concern for our sisters and brothers who are suffering in so many ways. May God bless us all.
Thanks for the beautiful prayer. I found it very inspiring and hopeful. At the same time united with the world in prayer.
Thank You, I miss hugging my grandchildren but they understand it is for my safety. I pray for all of us during this time. I am so grateful to you for providing this prayer service. It has uplifted me more than you will ever know.
Our deep gratitude for this touching and inspiring prayer. Knowing that SCNs and others throughout the world are praying in solidarity today is a strength and a comfort. We experienced ourselves as church and God’s holy people. United in Love.
Susan and Trudi
This prayer a beautiful way to connect with each in faith in this time of vulnerability!
My image as I prayed was God hugging our world, the way God did at creation.
My prayer is that God is still creating and that some unimaginable newness will
come from all this pain, uncertainty and turmoil. Now we can’t see that plan of God but there are tiny glimpses in the loving responses of the people who are reaching out to each other and risking their lives to support each other. Thanks for the prayer that helps us continue to keep trusting while in the dark until we see.
Thank you for this inspiring and meaningful prayer. It help us to strengthen our trust and hope in God. Thanks to all who worked hard to get this appropriate prayer at this time of uncertainty.Praying together as a community (Provincial House,Patna ) helped us to experience oneness and unity among us and across the world.
Thank you ever so much for this beautiful prayer.
Though we are separated by distance, we are strongly united by LOVE and PRAYER in our hearts.
Gratefully,
Barbara
Barbara I think of you often. Don’t know if you remember “Bib” from postulant days but I remember you well. You may know me by “Maris Stella”. I hope you are well! It was good to see your name here. I know that many in our class have died so seeing your name brought a smile to me and I just wanted you to know that.
Hello Bib,
I certainly do remember you. Somehow I will get in touch with you.
I have fond memories of our days. Especially in the dishwasher room!
Love, Barbara
A beautiful, peaceful prayer. Thank those who prepared it. We know God will bring us all into the light from the darkness we are under right now.
With so many praying today at different times we know He will answer our prayer. Peace to all.
So good to be united in prayer throughout our world. How fragile and precious we all are.
Thank you very much for the meaningful prayer service.May our loving God continue to bless and fill you with His love and peace.
The prayer was a moment of global unity . We pray that healing takes place not only in humans but to the whole universe. Thanks for preparing and circulating this oneness at this time of crisis .
Premila ,Vijaya ,Sheela
Thank you for sharing in such an inspiring and uplifting worldwide prayer. May God bless us with His healing power. May we turn back to God with all our hearts and may His love transform our lives.
Many thanks for including the whole world in your prayers. May we continue to pray for all especially our Healthcare workers.
Love & Blessings
Thank you for calling us to be one with our suffering world. Indeed a Holy moment.
Thank you for calling us to be one with our suffering world. Indeed a Holy moment.
Thank you so much for the prayers. Healing mission of Jesus we are in now, may Jesus heal us
Since coming to the Academy in 1950 I have felt a deep bond with Nazareth through the Sisters, classmates & many experiences. Thanks be to God!
Unity is strenght. We are united together in prayer across the globe. Indeed there is a light beyond every cloud. This too will pass away. A test of faith for all humanity.Thank you for calling us to reach out in prayer.
Thank you for inviting us to join you in worldwide prayer. It was very meaningful and appropriate for us(Chatra Community),as we are spending whole day prayers and adoration in front of blessed sacrament.
Thank you for inviting us to join such an inspiring and powerful prayer. We, the Botswana community, are coming together for a meeting this evening. We will use this as our evening prayer together. We believe that God our healer will listen to our cry.
I am really glad that we are together praying for the world and formally of us at this time of need. Let God intervene at this time of great need. Thank you to one and all.
Thank you for the meaningful prayer service. As a community (Snehalayam, Trichy) prayering together made us feel that Surely that God will never leave us.
Thank you for sharing these prayers. My prayer along with these is that after this crisis is over we continue to hold on to the love and charity we are seeing today for generations to come. There will always be challenges.
Thank you for this insightful prayer.yes ,darkness of night always ends with Light of the day.
Thank you for the inspiring and inviting us to be in communion with the whole world.
Thank you for the inspiring prayer service. It gives us a feeling of peace and comfort.
Very meaningful prayer service! May Christ bring his light into the world which is in darkness of this pandemic.
We are blessed to be in communion across the globe. We pray with and for each other and for healing for all. Thank you for the prayer.
I thank God I took time to open this presentation, read, listen and pray.
I pray others receive comfort and encouragement as I did.
Thank You and God Blerss
Thank you for proving this beautiful, peaceful , calming time as we move through this trying time. The SCN Sisters have been in my life in a profound way since I was a child being taught by them. Always hopeful, joyful, and kind ~ I am reminded of their message once again. Thank you!
While yearning for Spring and my parish church Mass I’m reminded that we rejoice on Laetare Sunday, a foretaste of Easter, Heaven and Eternal Spring!
It was heart touching prayer service. May the light of Christ Shine on the Earth as we pray together . Thank you for the prayer service.
Thanks so much for this very meaningful prayer. It is truly life-
giving during these hectic days.
Thank you so much. It means a lot. It is good to be praying in solidarity to overcome the present crisis.
God be with us in this difficult journey showing the light.
Very appropriate and meaningful prayer. Because of “People’s Curfew” we will not be participating in any church service on Sunday. This is a far better prayer, certainly a Eucharist of communion.
Knowing that so many of us across the world are praying unites us and makes us stronger.
Let us hold up our lights to light up our world with kindness and love.
It is a heart touching words, sentences for me. As I read, I paused for a while to listen to God in these reflection. Thank you very much.
Very meaningful and touching prayer
Very touching and meaningful prayer
Words cannot express my gratitude for this posting. I will listen frequently, frequently.
Thank you for this inspiring prayer service. It gives us peace and consolation.
Thank you so much for calling us together in one spirit. The Lord of healer is with us.
Thank you for touching and inspiring prayer service.