Worship along with us!
Third Sunday in Ordinary January 26, 2025
St. Mary’s uses music by permission from OCP through One License. Our license number is M-400277. All songs used in today’s Mass are used by permission.
INTRODUCTORY RITES************************
Christ Is There
David Haas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXaP8V3EmTg&list=OLAK5uy_la6a063ns8AuOEPs1au6O9ohQzmVdUALA&index=2
When there is goodness, when there is grace
When there is comfort, when there is love
Christ is there, in the midst of rejoicing
Christ is there, Christ is there!
When there is justice, when there is peace,
When there is healing, when there is hope
Christ is there, in the midst of life’s fullness
Christ is there, Christ is there!
When there is suffering, when there is fear
When there is anger, when there is need
Christ is there in the midst of our sorrow
Christ is there, Christ is there!
When there is searching, when there is prayer
When there is silence, when there is song
Christ is there in the midst of our longing
Christ is there, Christ is there!
In the beginning, as in the end
People of laughter, new life and love
Christ is here in the midst of our people
Christ is here, Christ is here!
Greeting
Bishop Tom: Welcome to St. Mary’s of Washington, DC, a parish of the National Catholic Church of North America!
Let us begin,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. +
All: Amen.
Bp. Tom: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
All: And also with you.
Sign of Peace
Bp. Tom: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Bp. Tom: The Peace of the Lord be with you always.
All: And also with you.
Bp. Tom: Let us offer each other a sign of peace.
Penitential Act
KYRIE (SONG)
https://youtu.be/zVGdwb5lnaA?si=jzPcSA2VG4Bp2n-E
Brothers and sisters
let us acknowledge our sins
and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the
sacred mysteries
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart:
Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison
You came to call sinners:
Christe Eleison, Christe Eleison
You are seated at the right hand of the father to intercede for us:
Kyrie Eleison, Kyrie Eleison
Bp. Tom: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
ALL: Amen
GLORIA! (SONG)
https://youtu.be/r1ELP3IfxQo?si=RZM9XAGeNGuE6BD-
Glory to God in the highest!
And on earth peace, to people of good will!
We praise you, we bless you!
We adore you, we glorify you!
We give you thanks for your great glory
Lord God, heavenly king
Oh God almighty Father!
Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten son
Lord God, lamb of God
Son of the Father
You take away the sin of the world,
Have mercy on us!
You take away the sins of the world
Receive our prayer!
You are seated at the right hand of the Father
Have mercy on us!
For you alone are the holy one
You alone are the Lord!
You alone are the most high Jesus Christ!
With the Holy Spirit
In the glory of God the Father!
Amen.
The Collect
Bp. Tom says: Let us pray.
All-powerful and ever-living God,
direct your love that is within us,
that our efforts in the name of your Son
may bring mankind to unity and peace.
We ask this through our Lord
Jesus the Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
ALL: Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD***********************
The first reading is from the Book of Nehemiah
Ezra the priest brought the law before the assembly,
which consisted of men, women,
and those children old enough to understand.
Standing at one end of the open place that was before the Water Gate,
he read out of the book from daybreak till midday,
in the presence of the men, the women,
and those children old enough to understand;
and all the people listened attentively to the book of the law.
Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform
that had been made for the occasion.
He opened the scroll
so that all the people might see it
— for he was standing higher up than any of the people —;
and, as he opened it, all the people rose.
Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God,
and all the people, their hands raised high, answered,
"Amen, amen!"
Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before the LORD,
their faces to the ground.
Ezra read plainly from the book of the law of God,
interpreting it so that all could understand what was read.
Then Nehemiah, that is, His Excellency, and Ezra the priest-scribe
and the Levites who were instructing the people
said to all the people:
"Today is holy to the LORD your God.
Do not be sad, and do not weep"—
for all the people were weeping as they heard the words of the law.
He said further: "Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks,
and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared;
for today is holy to our LORD.
Do not be saddened this day,
for rejoicing in the LORD must be your strength!"
The Word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm
https://youtu.be/wfP_QleHVNg?si=fN5VeW60kHMbL19r
R. (cf John 6:63c) Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and life.
The second reading is from the First Letter to the Corinthians
Brothers and sisters:
As a body is one though it has many parts,
and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body,
so also Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body,
whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons,
and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.
Now the body is not a single part, but many.
You are Christ's body, and individually parts of it.
The Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God
GOSPEL
Bp Tom to Deacon: May the Lord be in your heart and on your lips, that you may proclaim his Gospel worthily and well, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
https://youtu.be/w2fsFwEvvQU?si=GMIvwqwt44tbzUCg
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor,
and to proclaim liberty to captives.
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord is WITH you!
ALL: And also with you!
A Reading from the Holy Gospel, according to Luke
Since many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the events
that have been fulfilled among us,
just as those who were eyewitnesses from the beginning
and ministers of the word have handed them down to us,
I too have decided,
after investigating everything accurately anew,
to write it down in an orderly sequence for you,
most excellent Theophilus,
so that you may realize the certainty of the teachings
you have received.
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,
and news of him spread throughout the whole region.
He taught in their synagogues and was praised by all.
He came to Nazareth, where he had grown up,
and went according to his custom
into the synagogue on the sabbath day.
He stood up to read and was handed a scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
He unrolled the scroll and found the passage where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring glad tidings to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
Rolling up the scroll, he handed it back to the attendant and sat down,
and the eyes of all in the synagogue looked intently at him.
He said to them,
"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."
Bp. Tom: The Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus the Christ
Homily
Profession of Faith
THE NICENE CREED (Pre 2014)
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten not made, one in being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and our salvation he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered, died, and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in fulfillment of the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son
She is worshipped and glorified.
She has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Universal Prayer
General Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful:
Bp. Tom: Father, in our baptism we became brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us bring glad tidings to the poor. Let us proclaim liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord.
We thank you for answering these prayers and petitions which you know are on our hearts and in our minds.
*For our family in the middle east – Jews and Palestinians. For our family in Ukraine. Peace is elusive and seems to be fleeting but seems to be on the verge of success in the land of the Christ. . War has been all that many of know; let them find peace. Hatred is destructive; remove those who would choose to only indoctrinate and rule in hate. Bring Your peace. Your love. Your joy. And let your Spirit be the focus point – not the flash point -- of religious tolerance.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER
*For your church family, that seems to be attacking itself from within by the voices of those who would sow division instead of your message of faith, hope, love, and peace. Let her respond not with anger or hate but be an example as she may boldly stands against those who choose to persecute the poor, the immigrant, or those with different sexuality, especially our LGBTQ brothers and sisters. Let your church uniformly respond with boldness, love, and courage. Let us make room for those who are rejected not just in this holiday season but every day of the year. Let the church not be silent.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For your earthly shepherds who have answered your call. Build them up when they are down; heal them when they are sick; and encourage them when they become discouraged. We pray especially for Pope Francis, my Bishop James Sherlock, Bishop Charlie Braun, Bishop David Lett, Bishop Vicar Gerald Miller, Cardinals McElroy and Gregory, Bishop Sean Rowe, and me your humble servant.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For our military and veterans. We pray for those who have served and who struggle with health and mental health issues. We pray for those who are deployed during these holidays and away from loved ones. Surround them and their families with the legions of angels. Protect them. Comfort them.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For those impacted by the wildfires in the west and weather across the country. Heal their hearts at the losses they are now facing and provide for their comfort. Heal creation that we have abused.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For those who are sick: for Nelson Arnold, Ron Gilroy, Debbie Hanson, Melissa DeWitt Arens, Deb Meyers, Cory Fleming, Fr. Joseph Ruggeri, Bishop Vicar Gerald Miller, Jackie and Gerry Spencer, Donna M. Franco, Ann Carter Haines, Liam Clegg, Charley’s mom: Pat, Frank Vance, Jr.…………………………..as well as those suffering with or recovering from the COVID-19 virus.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For those who have died and the loved ones they have left behind:
Leonard Matarese
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For the intentions of those joining this Mass
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
Bp. Tom: O God, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, for you yourself are the source of all devotion, and grant, we pray, that what we ask in faith we may truly obtain. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST*********************
Oh, How He Sees Us With Love
Sarah Hart
https://youtu.be/TwmizxsaV4o?si=hCzrp0xGacMhanYW
In the moment you spoke my name
from the depths of the earth you brought me
Oh you formed me and fashioned my days
Every minute I live you saw me
Oh let me see through the lens of your heart
to believe what you have from the start
Oh how he sees us with love
Oh how he sees with love
We are his children the ones he adores
Oh how he sees us with love
Oh how he sees us with love.
From the moment my lungs held breath
And I cried out my first song of praise
You've been reveling in the sound
Of the voice that you gave me to raise
Oh let me hear what you’ve heard all along
How your joy resonates in my soul
Oh how he hears us with love
Oh how he hears with love
We are his children the ones he adores
Oh how he hears us with love
Oh how he hears us with love.
For all of these days when I've wandered and strayed
For every moment I've clung to your side
Every mistake every triumph is safe
I am beautifully wonderfully made
Oh how he knows us with love
Oh how he knows us with
We are his children the ones he adores
Oh how he knows us with love.
Oh how he hears us with love.
Oh how he sees us with love.
Prayer over the Offerings
Bp. Tom: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness
we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work
of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.
The people reply: Blessed be God for ever.
Bishop Tom pours wine and a little water into the chalice.
By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
Bp. Tom: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness
we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and
work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.
The people reply: Blessed be God for ever.
Bishop Tom completes additional personal preparatory rites.
Lord God, we ask you to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer you with humble and contrite hearts.
Bishop Tom pours water over his hands and says:
Lord, wash away my iniquity; cleanse me from my sin.
Bp. Tom:
Pray, my brothers and sisters,
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
The people reply:
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands
for the praise and glory of God's name,
for our good
and the good of all God's holy Church.
PRAYER:
Lord, receive our gifts.
Let our offerings make us holy
and bring us salvation.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
Preface Dialogue:
Bishop Tom: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.
Bishop Tom: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Bishop Tom: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. People: It is right to give God thanks and praise.
Father, all powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through his cross and resurrection
he freed us from sin and death
and called us to the glory that has made us
a chosen race, a royal priesthood
a holy nation, a people set apart.
Everywhere we proclaim your mighty works
for you have called us out of darkness
into your own wonderful light.
And so with all the choirs of angels in heaven
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Sanctus ("Holy, Holy"; based on the praise of the Seraphim in Isa 6:3 and Rev 4:8):
https://youtu.be/lk45TmpxPvE?si=QiKNRARhtNx9sNZ9
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of hosts
Heaven and earth are full
Are full of your glory.
Hosana, hosana, hosana in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
Who comes in the name of the Lord
Hosana! Hosana! Hosana in the highest!
Eucharistic Prayer III
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6acfOHQAxzQ&list=PLMQrJzPlip5VSPK7bT1l0une3_XtakE7j&index=10
Epiclesis (calling upon the Holy Spirit):
Father, you are holy indeed, and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, by the working of the Holy Spirit. HOSANA IN THE HIGHEST
From age to age you gather a people to yourself, so that from east to west a perfect offering may be made to the glory of your name. HOSANA IN THE HIGHEST
And so, Father, we bring you these gifts.
We ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit, that they may become the body + and blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.
Institution Narrative (recalling the words and actions of Jesus at the Last Supper; see Mark 14:22-24; Matt 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25):
On the night he was betrayed, he took bread and gave you thanks and praise. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:
Take this, all of you, and eat it:
this is my body which will be given up for you.
When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
Take this, all of you, and drink from it:
this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.
Memorial Acclamation:
Bp. Tom: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
https://youtu.be/GwuuUpEc32s?si=4J8p3Z40RKDFGWu3
When we eat this bread, and drink this cup
We proclaim your love oh Lord,
Until you come again!
Anamnesis, Offering, and Intercessions:
Father, calling to mind the death your Son endured for our salvation, his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, and ready to greet him when he comes again, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favor on your Church's offering and see the Victim whose death has reconciled us to yourself. Grant that we, who are nourished by his body and blood, may be filled with his Holy Spirit, and become one body, one spirit in Christ.
May he make us an everlasting gift to you and enable us to share in the inheritance of your saints, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with the apostles, the martyrs, and all your saints, on whose constant intercession we rely for help.
Lord, may this sacrifice, which has made our peace with you, advance the peace and salvation of all the world. Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth; your servant, Pope Francis, our Bishop James, Bishop Charlie, Cardinals McElroy and Gregory, and me your humble servant with the clergy and the entire people your Son has gained for you. Father, hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you. In mercy and love unite all your children wherever they may be.
Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters, and all who have left this world in your friendship. We hope to enjoy for ever the vision of your glory, through Christ our Lord, from whom all good things come.
https://youtu.be/Pe2vJVWuaPM?si=LSaoiUaQjq19PkDq
Bp. Tom: Through him, and with him, and in him, oh God almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever.
All: Amen. [may be sung more than once]
Lord's Prayer (Sung)
Bp. Tom: Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom as Jesus taught us.
https://youtu.be/Or6x8VtQ5ag?si=1RV0ojHQtgQhqegW
All: Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be your 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 do not let us be led into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
Bp. Tom: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Breaking of the Bread. LAMB OF GOD (SUNG)
https://youtu.be/NzoPtuFJYaQ?si=9PYeU8dZMYXY6MC5
All: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.
Bp. Tom prays quietly: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit your death brought life to the world. By your holy body and blood free me from all my sins, and from every evil. Keep me faithful to your teaching and never let me be parted from you.
Communion
Bp. Tom: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
All: Lord, you have made us worthy to receive you, and when you say the word we are healed
Communion Minister: The body of Christ. Communicant: Amen.
Communion Minister: The blood of Christ. Communicant: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to be separated from You.
COMMUNION SONG
Not as Orphans
Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephen
https://youtu.be/wx91yY7Eg5Q?si=73Te0IOsnkKo6Apd
Do Not let your hearts be troubled
You believe in God, so believe in me.
I will send my spirit to you
So that where you go, I will also be.
REFRAIN
I will be with you.
Abide in my love.
Not as orphans will I leave you.
Not abandoned will you be.
Because I live, you will also live
I remain in you, you remain in me.
In the words that I am speaking
From the father’s heart, who’ve you heard and seen.
Do not fear the coming darkness
It is peace I give. It is peace I leave.
Keep my word now if you love me
Go to all the world, love them in my name.
Where you go I walk before you
And my truth shall live, for I am the way.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION AND BLESSING
Bp. Tom: Let us pray.
God, all-powerful Father,
may the new life you give us increase our love
and keep us in the joy of your kingdom.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
All: Amen.
CONCLUDING RITES************************
Optional Announcements
Greeting and Blessing
Bp. Tom: The Lord be with you.
All: And also with you.
May almighty God bless you,
The Father, + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All: AMEN
Dismissal
Deacon or Bp. Tom: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God!
[Recessional and Closing Song]:
Many and one
Song by Dwight Liles, Sarah Hart, and Steve Angrisano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcx_oZdHlwY&list=PLMQrJzPlip5WLvSq8RED-NFvzhtnsaG0K&index=13
We are many yet we are one
We are separate yet bound in His love
And together we are all His hands and His feet
Bringing mercy and peace to this world
We are many but one
We have fallen but we are forgiven
Broken and scattered but being made whole
By our redeemer, one Lord and Redeemer
One Sheppherd who gathers us all
Gathers us all
We are many yet we are one
We are separate yet bound in His love
And together we are all His hands and His feet
Bringing mercy and peace to this world
We are many but one
We are different
As morning and evening
Each of us living as we have been called
All of us seeking
Each of us reaching to
A Shepherd who gathers us all
Gathers us all
We are many yet we are one
We are separate yet bound in His love
And together we are all His hands and His feet
Bringing mercy and peace to this world
We are many but one
We are brothers and sisters in spirit
Found in all nations that are near to the Lord
Each one belonging, together now longing for
The Shepherd who gathers us all
Who gathers us all
We are many yet we are one
We are separate yet bound in His love
And together we are all His hands and His feet
Bringing mercy and peace to this world
We are many and one
We are one
