Intercessor: Dearest Lord, help us trust that our jar of meal will not be emptied, and that the jug of oil will not fail if we give from our poverty. Inspire us to love our neighbors in need.

Lord, purify our hearts as He is pure.

Dearest Lord, be with our church as we minister to those whose hearts and bodies ache with pain and hunger. Be with our priests, Berto and Hugh, and our lay leaders and staff, as they faithfully determine our path for 2022.

Lord, purify our hearts as He is pure.

Dearest Lord, you ask, “Who gives justice to those who are oppressed and food to those who are hungry?” Be with the leaders of our nation as they determine the future of the American experiment.

Lord, purify our hearts as He is pure.

Dearest Lord, help us to be like the widow who gave in absolute faith in your abiding love as we determine how we will share our time, talent, and treasure in the coming year.

Lord, purify our hearts as He is pure.

Dearest Lord, we praise your magnificent creation — the heavens and earth, the seas and all that is in them — and vow to care for the earth tenderly, as the miracle it is.

Lord, purify our hearts as He is pure.

Dearest Lord, we have faith in your longing to see us healed. Be with those who suffer illness, injury, and the heavy weight of depression, fear, and anger. Be with those recently departed and the families and friends who grieve them. Be with the precious family members and friends we now name, silently and aloud (pause), including our brothers and sisters on the Parish Prayer List:  (please read slowly) …… and those for whom no one prays.   

Lord, purify our hearts as He is pure.