Transcript Advent Penitential Service

Advent Penitential Service
Introduction
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit.
Amen.
The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Jesus said,
“I am the light of the
world. Whoever
follows me shall not
walk in darkness, but
have the light of life.”
- (Jn 8:12)
“…though the light
has come into the
world people have
shown they prefer
darkness to the light
because their deeds
were sinful.”
- (Jn 3:19)
Opening Prayer
Let us Pray,
Lord Jesus, Light of the world,
take away our darkness, forgive our sins.
Make us people of light
make us faithful to your word
that we may bring your light
to the waiting world
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen
Liturgy of the Word
A reading from the Letter of St Paul to the Romans
(13:8-14)
Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual
love. If you love your fellow men you have carried
out your obligations. All the commandments: You
shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall
not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed
up in this single command: You must love your
neighbour as yourself. Love is the one thing that
cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the
answer to every one of the commandments.
Besides, you know ‘the time’ has come: you
must wake up now: our salvation is even nearer
than it was when we were converted. The night
is almost over, it will be daylight soon - let us
give up all the things we prefer to do under
cover of the dark; let us arm ourselves and
appear in the light. Let us live decently as
people do in the daytime: no drunken orgies ,
no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no
wrangling or jealousy. Let your armour be the
Lord Jesus Christ; forget about your bodies with
all their cravings.
This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Homily
Reflection and Examination of Conscience
Priest:
A world of darkness is a world of confusion.
So many people are confused about life.
So many people living in darkness.
So many people looking for happiness,
but afraid to let the Light come in.
Are you living in darkness?
Darkness in…
…the moments of self pity and indifference.
…lack of care and compassion.
…selfishness and black moods.
…cruel thoughts; cruel words; cruel actions.
…old grudges stubbornly held.
…half hearted worship.
Priest: Lord have mercy.
All:
Lord have mercy.
Darkness when…
…I refuse to forgive.
…I am bad news for others.
…the doors of my heart are closed.
…I moan all the time.
…I treat others unfairly.
…I am unfaithful to God. to family…to others.
Priest: Christ have mercy.
All:
Christ have mercy.
Darkness in…
…my lack of love.
…my outbursts of anger.
…my ingratitude.
…my abuse of life’s good things.
…the prayerlessness of life.
…my infidelity to the promises of my Baptism.
Priest: Lord have mercy.
All:
Lord have mercy.
Let us in the words of Jesus, ask Our Father to forgive
our sins and bring us to forgive those who sin against
us.
Our Father, who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
Individual Confession and Absolution
The penitents now go to the
priests designated for
individual confession,
confess their sins, receive
penance and are
individually absolved.
During this time people will
be led in prayerful
reflection; music may also
be played.
Proclamation of God’s Mercy
My soul glorifies the Lord
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour
He looks on his servant in her lowliness:
Henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
The Almighty works marvels for me,
Holy is his name!
His mercy is from age to age on those who fear him.
He puts forth his arm in strength
and scatters the proud hearted.
He casts the mighty from their thrones
and raises the lowly.
He fills the starving with good thinks
and sends the rich away empty.
He protects Israel, his servant,
remembering his mercy,
the mercy promised to his father,
to Abraham and his sons forever.
Concluding Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
Your loving forgiveness knows no limits.
You took our human nature
to give an example of humility
and to make us faithful in every trail.
May we never lose the gifts you have given us,
but if we fall into sin
lift us up by your gift of repentance,
for you live and reign for ever and ever.
to the glory of God the Father.
Amen
Blessing
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
Amen.
May he let his face shine upon you and be
gracious to you.
Amen.
May he lift up his countenance to you and give you
peace.
Amen.
Blessing
May almighty God bless you.
The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Let us go in the love and peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
A happy and Holy Christmas
To all our Parishioners