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NATIONAL YOUTH SUNDAY - 23rd November 2008
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We can reclaim the future |
A well attended Youth Sunday Mass demonstrated the musical
talents of some of our young parishioners. After some weeks
of rehearsals, the instruments were in tune and our liturgy
was accompanied by brass, drums and organ.
Atlantic College students read the liturgy of the word, and youth and children together demonstrated through reflection, prayer and artefacts how we can make a difference in our world by reducing our carbon footprint. |
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For anyone interested, we have included below the texts of the Penitential Rite and The Bidding Prayers/Children’s Presentation.
Penitential Rite
Through greed and indifference, human beings have caused untold suffering to the poor, the dispossessed, the hungry and the sick. Our beautiful planet has been damaged almost to an irreversible point. We acknowledge before the Lord those sins and failures of ourselves that have contributed to the evil in the world, and look for His forgiveness and mercy.
Lord Jesus, you call us to live simply, so that others may simply live.
Lord have mercy: Lord have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you call us to live sustainably, caring for our world’s resources.
Christ have mercy: Christ have mercy
Lord Jesus, you call us to live in solidarity with the poor, reaching out to our sisters and brothers.
Lord have mercy: Lord have mercy.
Bidding Prayers / Children’s Presentation
Please sit
Ben
Green issues and environmental concerns remain constantly in the news. Living simply and sustainably reminds us that these aren’t just trendy eco-friendly actions but God-given responsibilities.
As God’s creation, we’ve been given the task of caring for the earth. From east to west, from north to south, we are one global community.
Children bring up the four dolls in national costume (and globe?)
Charlotte
Lord of all, help us to put away prejudice and fear, and learn that we are all one family.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
Ben
Our actions have a consequence not only on ourselves, and on the environment, but crucially on our sisters and brothers all over the world. We have been creating a great carbon footprint.
Children bring up black footprints
Charlotte
Lord of all, teach us reverence for your creation and help us to use it responsibly.
Lord hear us, Lord graciously hear us.
Children bring up fair trade goods (coffee & tea), and replace a black footprint with a green one.
Ben
Our lands and peoples have suffered through over-farming and exploitation of lance.
Charlotte
Lord of all, inspire leaders of industry to act justly and fairly with the peoples of the developing world. Lord hear us,
Lord graciously hear us.
Children bring up a pair of boots and some low energy light bulbs and replace a black footprint with a green one.
Ben
The air we breathe is damaged by wanton excess in manufacturing and exhaust fumes. Walking rather than driving, and saving energy helps reclaim our atmosphere.
Charlotte
Lord of all, send your Holy Spirit to guide world leaders to work for a greener and fairer future. Lord hear us,
Lord graciously hear us.
Children bring up a miniature tree or pot plants and replace a black footprint with a green one.
Ben
It is not enough to conserve what we have. We need to restore the lands we have laid waste; by treating the soil, by landscaping, by planting trees and plants.
Charlotte
Lord God Almighty, we celebrate your wonderful world and we thank you for the gift of your creation. On this National Youth Sunday inspire us, we pray, to Reclaim the Future! Help us to see how our actions today will make a difference tomorrow. And bring us together in faith to make that difference a positive thing, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ our King.
Amen
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