WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIESIRELAND 2018

DIOCESE OF KERRYLiturgy Resource

for the week of August 19th – 26th

World Meeting of FamiliesThe World Meeting of Families takes place this week. It is an international gathering held every three years addressing family life and faith. The numbers attending have surpassed hopes, with a full house for all venues. It is truly a global event with people from 116 countries having registered.

Opening Mass St. Mary’s cathedral, Killarney at 6.15pm on Tuesday 21st August. Everyone is welcome.

From Wednesday to Friday, a three-day Pastoral Congress is being held in the RDS with presentations, workshops and prayer. Topics include supporting family life, social, economic and environmental justice as well as developing faith in the family context. Having met with the President and civil leaders, Pope Francis will visit the Capuchin Day Centre on Merchant’s Quay. In the Pro-Cathedral, eleven newly married and engaged couples from our diocese will be among those who have been invited to a Papal Audience. The Festival of Families in Croke Park is a concert style evening of faith-sharing, music and dance. Every parish in the country will have families present. On Sunday, coaches from Dingle, Boherbue and Kiskeam will join the 45,000 pilgrims in Knock for the Angelus with Pope Francis. Every Pastoral Area has pilgrims travelling to the Papal Mass in Phoenix Park and a 130 strong diocesan choir from Beara to Ballyduff will be joining others forming the Papal choir.

Liturgy resource August 19th – 26th This booklet provides resources for daily Mass this week of the World Meeting of Families. It continues the momentum encouraging prayer and reflection on family life generated throughout the past year – the Diocesan Assembly “How can parish support family life?”, Praying with your Children booklet, Patricia Kieran’s Public Talk Exploring family and faith, Visit of the Icon of the Holy Family, Praying for and with our families workshops and the Praying for families countdown to WMOF prayer leaflet on www.dioceseofkerry.ie .

Sacred Space in local churchesGod speaks through signs and symbols as well as words

Create a focal point, using the large version of the Icon sent to parishes.

Place a large candle near the Icon to be lit at the start of Mass.

Sunday Mass 19th August 2018Gathering Rite:Reader The largest gathering of families in the world takes place this week. Breaking from protocol, Pope Francis chose that the World Meeting of Families would be held in Ireland, where family is still our most valuable bond of connection. The whole church is invited to

celebrate family life and reflect upon the importance of family in our lives. As we begin the celebration of Mass, let us pause in thanksgiving for our families and ask forgiveness for the times

when we hurt one another.

Homily notes: John 6:51-58 Food for Life

With this gospel it can be hard for us, as it was for those listening directly to Jesus, to understand “how can this man give us his flesh to eat?” And yet what Jesus is offering is food for life. Back in January Pope Francis baptised 34 babies in the Sistine Chapel. He told the parents and congregation gathered there…

“There is just one thing I want to tell you, something that is up to you: the transmission of the Faith can only be done in “dialect”, in the “language” of the family, the “dialect” or “language” used by the father and mother, the grandfather and grandmother. The catechists will come later and develop this first transmission of the Faith, with ideas and explanations. But do not forget this: if the “dialect” is missing, if at home you do not speak the language of love between parents, the transmission of the Faith is not so easy, it cannot be done. Do not forget. Your task is to transmit the Faith, but to do it with the language of the love of your home, the language of the Family”. Pope Francis finished his short homily saying, “Now we will continue with the ceremony and if the children start the concert (by crying), it is because they are uncomfortable or because they are too hot or feel hungry. If they are hungry, feed them. Don’t be afraid. Go ahead and feed them. This too is the language of love.”

The language of love is food for life. May our words and actions be life-giving for all… in our families, our parishes and local communities, in our world.

Prayer of the Faithful:

Priest Nourishing God, you who are with us at every moment of our lives, bend close and hear the prayers of our hearts.

Reader For Pope Francis who encourages us to transmit our faith through loving words and actions in our families. Lord hear us.

Reader For all civil and State leaders, that they may promote more just and caring social policies for the homeless and people on the margins of society. Lord hear us.

Reader For all families in their everyday lives… that through the many delights and struggles, they may know God’s deep love for each one. Lord hear us.

Reader For all students who received their exam results this week, that they may make life-giving choices as they prepare to leave home for college or work.

Reader For the organisers, volunteers and visitors to the World Meeting of Families, that it may be a nourishing celebration of faith and family life. Lord hear us.

Reader For all the intentions we hold close in our hearts….. Lord hear us.

Reader For our dead…. Lord hear us.

Priest Loving God, you offer us food for life when we come to you. Grant these our prayers and help us to make time for you, no matter what is going on in our lives.

Through Christ our Lord,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, forever and ever.

After Communion:

Priest Let us join together in praying:

Family Prayer for World Meeting of Families

God, our Father,We are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,

one family, in the Spirit of your love.

Bless us with the joy of love.Make us patient and kind,

gentle and generous,welcoming to those in need.

Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.

Protect all families with your loving care,especially those for whom we now pray:

[We pause and remember family members and others by name]

Increase our faith,strengthen our hope,

keep us safe in your love,Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share.

This we ask, through Christ our Lord,Amen

Parish notice:On this coming Tuesday evening, right across the country, there will be a time of prayer to Open the World Meeting of Families. In our diocese, Mass will be

celebrated by Bishop Ray in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney @ 6.15pm. All are most welcome.

Monday August 20th Introduction:Frequently Pope Francis calls for a revolution of tenderness in our relationships. As people begin to arrive in Ireland for the World Meeting of Families, may the flame of faith and love that we received from our parents and grandparents, develop into compassion and loving actions for all whom we encounter this week.

After Communion: Prayer for the World Meeting of Families

Parish notice:Tomorrow evening, right across the country, there will be a time of prayer to Open the World Meeting of Families. In our diocese, Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Ray in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney @ 6.15pm. All are most welcome.

Tuesday August 21st

Introduction:Today is the formal start of the World Meeting of Families. Church bells will ring out across the diocese just after 6pm. The sound of bells ringing is an invitation to prayer. May the notes of joy resonate in our homes and among all peoples. For what are you most grateful in your family? What are the faith treasures that you received from your parents and grandparents that you want to pass onto the next generations?

After Communion: Prayer for the World Meeting of Families

Parish notice:

This evening, right across the country, there will be a time of prayer to Open the World Meeting of Families. In our diocese, Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Ray in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney @ 6.15pm. All are most welcome.

Wednesday August 22nd

Introduction:The WMOF three-day Pastoral Congress in the RDS began earlier today. The theme for the day is centred on faith in our families. In Luke’s gospel we will hear the story of the Annunciation and Mary’s response to this unexpected news. Often Mary is portrayed by artists as being utterly serene and calm, surrounded by light and joy. But in Luke’s version we get hints of Mary’s distress and uncertainty. What God is asking is incomprehensible. Mary as a poor, single woman has no status in society. And to be pregnant and unmarried in her village adds to her poverty. Yet without producing solutions, Gabriel twice reassures Mary that God will transform this into blessing for her and for others. Gabriel also communicates that Mary is not alone in this. Faith, our relationship with God is at the heart of our lives…not the dream lives that we would like to have, but in the actual messy realities that are ours. Welcoming God into these spaces is what faith is all about: making space for the newcomer, the unexpected… and trusting that God can bring forth blessings in our homes and communities, for nothing is impossible with God.

After Communion: Prayer for the World Meeting of Families

Thursday August 23rd

Introduction:Love is the focus of today’s programme for the WMOF pastoral congress. In Matthew’s gospel we hear of preparations for a wedding. At the heart of every wedding is a celebration of Love – the love of the couple for one another, the love of family and friends, and of God’s love for us. How do you respond to this invitation to be an active part of God’s love celebration? In his letter The Joy of Love, Pope Francis quotes the Uruguayan poet, Mario Benedetti “I love you, it is because you are/ My love, my companion and my all,/ And on the street, side by side,/ We are much more than just two.” Whether a family of two people or ten, the fruits of love radiate out into the community. Marriage is a wedding of love and justice. The family has a social

mission as domestic church forming us to share, to care for one another in God’s family and in all of creation. It truly is good news, a joy for all the world.

After Communion: Prayer for the World Meeting of Families

Friday August 24th

Introduction:The programme for the final day of the WMOF Pastoral Congress is centred on Hope. We are given this gift by the Holy Spirit. In John’s gospel today, we meet Nathaniel, also known as Bartholomew. It can be a confusing tale for us, however for the original audience, the key to unlocking the puzzle is in the symbol of the fig tree. This was the traditional place where students used to pray. Nathaniel’s whole being is waiting in hope. He is listening to God and recognises the signs he is given. What’s unique about the fig tree is that the fruits appear before the leaves. Faith knows, sometimes before we have all the logical answers. Where do you take the time to cultivate hope? Often it’s about the small gestures in our everyday lives…the sitting under the fig tree, or coming to Mass or washing the dishes… What are you hoping for in your prayer with God?

After Communion: Prayer for the World Meeting of Families

Saturday August 25th Introduction:In his recent letter Rejoice and Be Glad, Pope Francis reminds us that we are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, wherever we find ourselves (RBG #14). This is evidenced in his itinerary today, when on landing in Dublin, Pope Francis will meet the President and civil leaders, calling on all to work for the common good. He then will be meeting with people directly involved in a number of social action projects: homelessness, prisoners… He is holding a special audience with newly married and recently engaged couples encouraging them in their faith and family life. Then he’ll round off the day with an evening on Croke Park for the Festival of Families. If you like, it’s a 3D visual of what we’ll hear in Matthew’s gospel today: If you want to stand out, then step down and be a

servant. Each of us, in his or her own way, is called to be a witness, through small acts of generous love in our own family or for others.

After Communion: Prayer for the World Meeting of FamiliesSunday Mass 26th August 2018

Gathering Rite:Reader We are united today with all those attending prayers in Knock with Pope Francis and those awaiting the Papal Mass in Dublin. The

theme he chose for this gathering centres on the Gospel of the Family, a Joy for all the World. As we listen to God’s Word and

share the Bread of Life, may the gift of this Eucharist deepen the love we share in our families and in our parish community.

Homily notes: John 6: 60 – 69

Over half a million people are making their way to Phoenix Park for the Papal Mass this afternoon. To get there from the different parishes across our diocese requires a lot of commitment and energy. It is a special occasion.

The disciples are struggling in this gospel text we’ve just heard. What is being asked of them is too hard. Jesus hears where they are at and offers them a choice. Commitment is never just a-once-and-for-all moment. It is renewed day after day in the small choices of ordinary living. Commitment to another person or to God is not just a matter of drifting along, but an active choice. Both Jesus and Paul in his letter to the Ephesians spell out the necessity for a good long look at how each one is living her or his life. Paul refers to the marriage relationship, and how in its’ best sense, this reflects God’s love for us. The emphasis is on cherishing not domineering, on support and mutual respect. Love awakens a sense of beauty and dignity in the other. Love goes all out for the other, it doesn’t ask what’s in this for me? And yet we slip into unhelpful patterns from fatigue, boredom, busyness…

Take a moment to reflect on your own relationships… with family, friends, with God. Ask God for what you need to make each relationship more loving. How might Pope Francis’ invitation to use the words “Please, Thank You, I’m Sorry” open healing and life in our relationships?

Prayer of the Faithful:

Priest Loving God, you have committed to always being with us. Open our hearts that we may choose to respond generously to your love. We entrust our prayers to you.

Reader For Pope Francis and all leaders of faith communities, that they may be given the strength to face challenges from all sides in a way that promotes peace-filled dialogue. Lord hear us.

Reader For the work of ACCORD and all who support couples struggling in their family relationships. Lord hear us.

Reader For those experiencing hurt and rejection by the Church. Lord hear us.

Reader For all Christians, that we may responsibly live our faith through care for our common home. Lord hear us.

Reader For all who mourn, that they may be held in God’s tender embrace. Lord hear us.

Reader For all who have died this week… Lord hear us.

Priest Lord you constantly give us opportunities to choose life and recommit through loving words and actions.

Make your home ever deeper in our hearts, That our homes may be places of welcome.This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

After Communion:

Priest Let us join together in praying:

Prayer for World Meeting of Families

God, our Father,We are brothers and sisters in Jesus your Son,

one family, in the Spirit of your love.

Bless us with the joy of love.Make us patient and kind,

gentle and generous,welcoming to those in need.

Help us to live your forgiveness and peace.

Protect all families with your loving care,especially those for whom we now pray:

[We pause and remember family members and others by name]

Increase our faith,strengthen our hope,

keep us safe in your love,Make us always grateful for the gift of life that we share.

This we ask, through Christ our Lord,Amen

Mary, mother and guide, pray for us.Saint Joseph, father and protector, pray for us.

Saints Joachim and Anne, pray for us.Saints Louis and Zélie Martin, pray for us.

Paidir Teaghlaigh do Chruinniú Domhanda na dTeaghlach 2018

A Dhia, ár n-Athair,In Íosa do Mhac is bráithre agus siúracha sinn,

teaghlach amháin, I Spioraid do ghrá.

Beannaigh sinn le haoibhneas an ghrá.Déan foighneach agus cinealta sinn, séimh agus fial.

Bímis fáilteach dóibh siúd ar an ngannchuid.I maithiúnas agus I síocháin go mairimid.

Tabhair aire dos na teaghlaigh uilig le do chúram geanúil,go háirithe iad siúd a bhfuilimid ag guigh orthu anois:

(Cuimhnímís ar bhaill dár dteaghlaigh agus ar dhaoine eile in a n-ainm)

Méadaigh ár gcreideamh,neartaigh ár ndóchas,

coinnigh slán sinn I do ghrá,bímis I gcónaí buíoch as ár gcomhbeatha.

Iarraimíd é seo, trí Chríost ár dTiarna

Amen

A Mhuire, máthair agus treóraí, guígh orainn.A Naoimh Iósaf, athair agus cosantóir, guígh orainn.A Naomh Joachim agus a naomh Áine, guígí orainn.

A Naomh Louis agus a naomh Zélie Martin, guígí orainn.

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www.dioceseofkerry.ie