Repent

Repent

Prayer

Merciful Lord, you create us with a noble purpose, to love you and to love others. Yet, we know that we are not always who we should be. Too often, we fail to live out our sacred calling. Give us the wisdom to stand today with our Jewish sisters and brothers as they celebrate this feast of repentance and atonement. May we have the courage to repent of our sins and failings and rededicate ourselves to fulfilling the noble calling for which you have created us. We pray this in your name. Amen.

Selfless

Selfless

Prayer

Loving God, your Son, Jesus, said that he had come not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many. May the example of Jesus inspire within us a spirit of selfless service. May your Holy Spirit inspire us to not seek personal gain or prestige, status or power, but the opportunity to benefit the lives of others. Fill us with a humble heart that we might offer our lives in service for others. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Service

Service

Prayer

Eternal God, too often in our society we celebrate the grand, the great, and the famous. Such emphasis can tempt us to undervalue our own contribution and significance. Yet, we know it is more often in the simple, the ordinary, and the everyday through which people’s lives are changed and transformed. Strengthen us today to believe in, and act upon, our ability to contribute to the lives of others in simple and ordinary ways. In confidence, we pray. Amen.

Mercy

Mercy

Prayer

God of compassion and care, we thank you for your presence in our midst, for the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, and for this opportunity to celebrate our common call to continue the healing mission of Jesus advanced so faithfully by the Sisters of Mercy. We thank you for the many and diverse efforts in our ministry that contribute to the building of a better world. Strengthen us that we might respond courageously to your call to be laborers in the harvest. Confirm us in our mission, clarify our vision, and deepen our values. Bless us always with your mercy and love. Amen.

Music

Music

Prayer

God of all good things, we thank you today and every day for the many gifts you give to us, for the many blessings you bestow upon us. We thank you today in a special way for the gift of music. Music can stir the soul, can inspire the heart, can stimulate the imagination, and can call to action. Fill our hearts with gratitude and appreciation for all your good gifts. May we strive each day to use them in a way that will bring glory to your name and advance peace among your people. Amen.