Oh Beloved Holy Mystery: A time of transformation is upon us. Buds are bursting, birds nesting, leaves unfurling. We thank you for the renewal and affirmation of life here on our island. We thank you for one another, for our faith in You. We thank you for peacemakers here and throughout the world. We thank you for all those doing their best to restore health to this sacred planet. We thank you for the improvement in the Covid situation and again express gratitude for all those who have valiantly worked in the trenches during this Pandemic, and express thanks to those who have accommodated their skills to educate and be educated. We thank all those who have kept us fed, especially our local farmers and the Food Bank.
Blessings to all, and gratitude to those who serve on the path of love.
We thank You for our priests, Berto and Hugh, and wish them a safe and refreshing holiday. We thank you for the care and concern of our Bishop Greg, whose diligent guidance has led us safely through this Pandemic journey. We thank you for our Presiding Bishop Michael, who is a beacon of love and justice in our confused world. We ask special blessings on spiritual leaders everywhere. Let your Holy Wisdom illumine the way of peace and help leaders and followers to truly embrace your teaching that we are to love ALL people regardless of race, gender preference, religion, and cultural background.
Blessings to all, and gratitude to those who serve on the path of love.
We ask the special blessings and guidance of the saints who have gone before us, particularly those whose feasts we celebrate this week: Saint Frances of Rome and Saint Patrick of Ireland. May we learn and take heart from their example.
Blessings to all, and gratitude to those who serve on the path of love.
We pray for our political and military leaders. Help them to take appropriate steps to determine which tactics will best serve the world. May we gladly accept any necessary curtailment of resources to bring a resolution to conflict and to help heal the planet.
Blessings to all, and gratitude to those who serve on the path of love.
We pray with special fervor for the people of the Ukraine, the fleeing mothers and children, the valiant soldiers who have stayed to defend their country from unwarranted aggression. And we pray for all those who offer refugees shelter and sustenance. We pray for the aggressors, that they may perceive the way of truth, light, and love. We pray for all those who have died in this war, and their grieving families.
Blessings to all, and gratitude to those who serve on the path of love.
And here, in our own church, we pray fervently for those who choose violence and disrespect as a means of protest, for those suffering from abuse, for the homeless and mentally ill, for the overworked and unappreciated, and all others in need of prayer, including those on our parish prayer list: … and for those for whom no one prays. And now take a few moments to add any special concerns [a moment of silence].
For these and for the departed, especially Rose Beckwith, and those mourning them in our own community, we pray that all may know deep peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.