One another, Holy CrossC

September 14, 2025

Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 78 (77); Philippians 2:6-11; John 3:13-17

In the cross our need meets God’s redemption In confidence and hope, we bring the prayers of our hearts for the transformation of the church and the world:

For the Church: that we who were signed with the cross at our baptism, may walk with Christ through the Paschal Mystery and allow God to guide us through all of life's trials: let us pray to the Lord.

For a renewal of faith: that the lifting up of Christ may open our hearts to experience God's great love and lead all to a deeper relationship with Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to love unselfishly: that Christ's example of picking up the cross for us, may empowered us to love as Christ loved and never count the cost: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are being persecuted or discriminated against for their Christian faith: that the cross of Christ will bring them strength and courage to remain faithful and continue to give witness to the Gospel: let us pray to the Lord.

For the ability to accept our vulnerability: that like Christ who emptied himself for us, we may accept our limits, be emptied of pride and the need to control, and allow God to work through us even when we feel weak: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who carry the cross each day; for parents of troubled children; for those struggling with addiction: and for those who have been abused: that Christ who has been lifted up will walk with them through the pain and into new life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have long-term illness or disability and for their families: that they may draw strength from the sufferings of Christ and hope from his resurrection: let us pray to the Lord.

For health and safety in our schools and colleges: that God will protect all students and faculty from violence and disease and help everyone to learn and grow in the coming months: let us pray to the Lord.

For leaders in governments, business, education, and religion: that they may follow the example of Christ and become servants to all the voiceless and marginalized of society: let us pray to the Lord.

For families who are broken and in turmoil: that Christ's example of love and service may guide them toward reconciliation and compassion for one another: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are facing death: that the cross will bring strength and grace to those with terminal illness, those who live in danger of violence, and those who are awaiting execution, and lead them to Christ who is the resurrection and life: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom from war and violence: that the cross of Christ will show the way to peace and new beginnings for all experiencing violence and bloodshed: let us pray to the Lord.

For peace: that the cross of Christ may illumine a new way to settle conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, and South Sudan and open a path toward forgiveness and reconciliation: let us pray to the Lord.

Accept our prayers, God of mercy, in union with Jesus the Christ, who offered his life for our salvation upon the wood of the cross and who now reigns with you in eternal glory forever and ever. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025cb, September 14). Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

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One another, 23C

September 07, 2025

Wisdom 9:13-18; Psalm 90 (89); Philemon 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14:25-33

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:

For the Church: that we may strive to open our hearts to God each day and be vigilant against allowing anyone or anything to displace God as the center of our life: let us pray to the Lord.

For the gift of Wisdom: that the Spirit of God will enlighten our minds and guide us in making loving and life-giving decisions each day: let us pray to the Lord.

For courage: that God will strengthen us as we encounter our daily crosses so that we may give witness to Christ through living the paschal mystery and embracing our new life in Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For a renewal of creativity: that the Spirit of God will inspire us to use the many gifts that God has given us to bring forth new blessings and undreamed-of possibilities for our faith community and all the human family: let us pray to the Lord.

For freedom of spirit: that God will unbind us from past hurts and failures so that we may be free to love, serve and be in relationship: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are suffering for their discipleship or who are imprisoned or persecuted for their faith: that God will heal their pain, strengthen their spirit, and make strong and effective their witness to Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

For a deeper connection with all the people who are in our life: that we may see them with the love that God has for each of them and encourage them to live their life fully: let us pray to the Lord.

For a true appreciation of all of our possessions: that we may accept them as gifts from God, use them to serve God and others, and never be possessed by them: let us pray to the Lord.

For an end to terrorism: that all who feel trapped and burdened by life may seek new ways to address their pain and come to a new understanding of the dignity of human life: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have no food: that God will touch the hearts of those with abundance to share their bounty so that all may experience the reign of God: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are recovering from wildfires, hurricanes or other disasters: that God will ease their suffering, give them hope, and strengthen all who working to assist them: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are held in slavery or human trafficking: that God will break their bonds, heal them, and reconnect them with their loved ones: let us pray to the Lord.

For refugees and those who have fled violence, particularly children:  that God will open the hearts of many to recognize them as sisters and brothers, help them find places of safety, and be welcomed into communities of faith: let us pray to the Lord.

For preservation of our common home: that God will inspire leaders to develop policies and practices that will preserve the natural systems that God designed for the earth so that all may benefit from earth’s resources: let us pray to the Lord.

For all living in the midst of violence and civil discord: that God will open opportunities for peaceful resolution to these conflicts, protect each person from harm, and bring forth justice in these communities: let us pray to the Lord.

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bz, September 7). Twenty-third Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090725.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

One another, 22C

August 31, 2025

Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Ps 68 (67); Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14

Friends in Christ, God invites us to hold the needs of our sisters and brothers as dear to us as our own needs. Loving our neighbors as ourselves, we offer our thanksgivings and our petitions on behalf of the church and the world:

For the Church: that we may recognize the many ways God is present and active in our lives so that we may cooperate with God more fully: let us pray to the Lord.

For openness to God’s invitations: that we may respond to God’s call to eternal life and recognize that salvation comes not from our efforts but as a gift from God: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace of humility: that we may come to a deeper understanding and ownership of our gifts and acknowledge our need for God amidst all our weaknesses: let us pray to the Lord.

For deeper intimacy with God: that we may experience the tenderness of the Good Shepherd who cares for us as we draw closer to God in prayer and service: let us pray to the Lord.

For the grace to be more inclusive: that we may be open to all the gifts that different cultural, ethnic, economic, educational, and age groups bring to our community and work to include these gifts in our ministries and activities: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who exercise authority: that they may follow in the footsteps of Christ in being servants to others and attentive to those in greatest need: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who reach out to the poor and the marginalized: that they may recognize Christ in all whom they serve, honor the dignity of each person, and be sincere in their care and compassion: let us pray to the Lord.

For transformation of our hearts: that we may reach out to those who can never repay us and thereby allow the reign of God to be experienced in our time: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who have experienced abuse: that God's healing love may touch them, heal their deepest selves, and restore them to the fullness of life: let us pray to the Lord.

For healing for all who have experienced violence, particularly for parents who have lost children: that God will comfort all who are grieving, heal all who have been injured, and inspire many to accompany those who are hurting: let us pray to the Lord.

For all recovering from natural disasters: that God will give them strength and patience as they face the challenges of each day and speed the resources which they need to them: let us pray to the Lord.

For Christian Communities facing suffering and persecution, particularly the church in Nicaragua: that God will protect them from harm, help them to be faithful witnesses to the Gospel, and empower them to show forgiveness to their persecutors: let us pray to the Lord.

For the protection of the earth: that God will guide us in being good stewards of God's creation so that all people may experience the blessings that earth brings forth: let us pray to the Lord.

For all who are ill: that God’s love will bring healing and renewal to them, an end to the pandemics, and strength to all who care for the sick: let us pray to the Lord.

For all dioceses and parishes which are reorganizing: that the Holy Spirit will guide the process of transforming structures so that they may accomplish the mission of Christ more fully: let us pray to the Lord.

Hear our prayers, God of power, and through the ministry of your Son free us from the grip of the tomb, that we may desire you as the fullness of life and proclaim your saving deeds to all the world. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025bx, August 31). Twenty-second Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083125.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.