Worship along with us!
Triumph of the Cross September 14, 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************************
Take Up Your Cross
Jaime Cortez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l75oelQtlIg&list=PLMQrJzPlip5V12kFBNhMGucMyXznynmrH&index=6
Take up your cross,
Take up your cross,
Take up your cross
And follow me. (2x)
Whoever wishes to come after me
Must deny himself.
Whoever wishes to come after me
Must take up his cross
And follow me.
REFRAIN
Whoever wishes to save his life
Will lose it,
Whoever loses his life for my sake
Will find it.
REFRAIN
Why gain the whole world
But lose your soul? (2x)
REFRAIN
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.
Kyrie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1yjsIygJl4&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=2
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life
Kyrie, eleison. (Lord Have Mercy)
Kyrie, eleison.
Lord Jesus you forgive us our sins
Christe, eleison. (Christ have mercy)
Christe, eleison.
Lord Jesus, you feed us your body and blood
Kyrie, eleison. (Lord have mercy)
Kyrie, eleison.
Bishop Tom: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life!
ALL: AMEN
Glory to God in the Highest!
https://youtu.be/USgdQok5T4c?si=6vIkP032NP7om22N
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 got 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 sins 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
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
God our Father,
in obedience to you
your only Son accepted death on the cross
for the salvation of mankind.
We acknowledge the mystery of the cross on earth.
May we receive the gift of redemption in heaven.
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 THEWORD***********************
The first reading is from the Book of Numbers
With their patience worn out by the journey,
the people complained against God and Moses,
"Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert,
where there is no food or water?
We are disgusted with this wretched food!"
In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents,
which bit the people so that many of them died.
Then the people came to Moses and said,
"We have sinned in complaining against the LORD and you.
Pray the LORD to take the serpents from us."
So Moses prayed for the people, and the LORD said to Moses,
"Make a saraph and mount it on a pole,
and if any who have been bitten look at it, they will live."
Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole,
and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent
looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.
The Word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 78:1bc-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38
https://youtu.be/24v9iWgYGz8?si=nidqbPE5f6qo4ISK
R. (see 7b) Do not forget the works of the Lord!
Hearken, my people, to my teaching;
incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable,
I will utter mysteries from of old.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
While he slew them they sought him
and inquired after God again,
Remembering that God was their rock
and the Most High God, their redeemer.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
But they flattered him with their mouths
and lied to him with their tongues,
Though their hearts were not steadfast toward him,
nor were they faithful to his covenant.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
But he, being merciful, forgave their sin
and destroyed them not;
Often he turned back his anger
and let none of his wrath be roused.
R. Do not forget the works of the Lord!
The second reading is from the Letter of Paul to the Philippians
Brothers and sisters:
Christ Jesus, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
The Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God
Gospel
Alleluia! (Sung)
https://youtu.be/GLxuSYMtUTY?si=HxBlZJW0qyURTWlo
ALL: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you,
because by your Cross you have redeemed the world..
ALL: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Bp. Tom: The Lord is WITH you!
ALL: And also with you!
Bp. Tom: A Reading from the Holy Gospel, according to John
ALL: Glory to you, Oh Lord!
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
"No one has gone up to heaven
except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life."
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Bp. Tom: The Gospel of the Lord
ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
HOMILY
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
Bp. Tom: Father, like our brothers and sisters who experienced death because they failed to keep their eye on the first covenant and the staff of Moses that repelled serpents, we all too often take our eyes off the cross that is how we are gifted everlasting life through your new and everlasting covenant where we are fed the body and blood of Christ.
With those desires on our mind, we ask you for these things that are on our hearts and in our minds.
For the anger, the vile judgements, the hostility, and the encouragement of death and destruction to end. Let us keep our eyes on the cross where we were gifted the Holy Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of God. Called to bear fruit: wisdom and understanding, counsel and strength (fortitude), knowledge and fear of the Lord and piety. These gifts are not to sit idle or be kept in storage. Rather, they are to be put to good use so they will bear much fruit and they will know us by LOVE.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For your earthly shepherds that you have called to help us through this time called “life.” 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 Leo, my Bishop James Sherlock, Bishop Charlie Braun, Bishop Vicars Gerald Miller and Leo Falcon, Bishop David Lett, Cardinals Robert McElroy, Wilton Gregory, and Donald Wuerl; Bishop Sean Rowe, and me your humble servant. Lord, send out new laborers to help with the harvest!
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For peace in the middle east and Ukraine. Stand in the gap and halt the violence and hatred. It has been millennia of struggle, war, and retribution. Change leaders’ hearts or change leaders to free the people that find themselves enslaved on both sides. Let the peace of Christ, that we proclaim at the start of our Mass be a reality.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*For those who serve and have served. If actively stationed, protect them; guide them; strengthen them and comfort those who remain behind. We pray for those who have served and who struggle with health and mental health issues.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
* For all who are ill. May our loved ones in hospitals or suffering at home know healing and peace. May God nourish the bodies that hold pain and loneliness. We pray especially for: 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, Rich Lewis, Ryan Holbert who is having surgery this week…guide the doctors, for John Becker recovering from being hit by a hit-and-run driver. …………………………..as well as those suffering with or recovering from the measles, Covid, flu, and pneumonia.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*That ___________ and all the faithful departed who awaited the Lord with burning lamps may now be welcomed into the eternal wedding feast.
*Evelyn Ann Ward (Ann), son Matt
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
We thank you for the cross. Help us to keep our eyes focus on the prize and not be distracted by what the world would instead promise. We ask this through Jesus, the Lord
ALL: Amen
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST*********************
How Beautiful
Lloyd Larson
https://youtu.be/UliMCDA9VXs?si=8j0DkaFw0mpRQn9C
How beautiful the hands that served
The wine and the bread
And the sons of the earth
How beautiful the feet that walked
The long dusty roads
And the hill to the cross
How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ
How beautiful the heart that bled
That took all my sin and bore it instead
How beautiful the tender eyes
That choose to forgive and never despise
How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ
And as He lay down His life
We offer this sacrifice
That we will live just as He died
Willing to pay the price
Willing to pay the price
How beautiful the radiant bride
Who waits for her Groom
With His light in her eyes
How beautiful when humble hearts give
The fruit of pure lives so that others may live
How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ
How beautiful the feet that bring
The sound of good news
And the love of the King
How beautiful the hands that serve
The wine and the bread
And the sons of the Earth
How beautiful, how beautiful
How beautiful is the body of Christ
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.
The priest 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.
Father 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.
Father pours water over his hands and says:
Lord, wash away my iniquity; cleanse me from my sin.
Bp. Tom:
Pray, brethren (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, may this sacrifice once offered on the cross
to take away the sins of the world
now free us from our sins.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
Preface Dialogue:
Bp. Tom: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you.
Bp. Tom: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Bp. 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.
You decreed that we should be saved through the wood of the cross.
The tree of our defeat became Jesus’ tree of victory;
where life was lost, there life has been restored
through Christ our Lord.
Through him the choirs of angels
and all the powers of heaven
praise and worship your glory.
May our voices blend with theirs
as we join in their unending hymn:
Sanctus ("Holy, Holy"; based on the praise of the Seraphim in Isa 6:3 and Rev 4:8):
https://youtu.be/jTUyM6CwMuI?si=CxtabpXtkNvWNHqL
ALL: Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Eucharistic Prayer 2 for Reconciliation
Epiclesis (calling upon the Holy Spirit):
God of power and might,
we praise you through your Son, Jesus Christ,
who comes in your name.
He is the Word that brings salvation.
He is the hand you stretch out to sinners.
He is the way that leads to your peace.
God our Father,
we had wandered far from you,
but through your Son you have brought us back.
You gave him up to death
so that we might turn again to you
and find our way to one another.
***
Therefore, we celebrate the reconciliation
Christ has gained for us.
We ask you to sanctify these gifts
by the power of your Spirit,
as we now fulfill your Son’s + command
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):
While he was at supper
On the night before he died for us,
He took bread in his hands,
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.
At the end of the meal he took the cup. Again he praised you for your goodness,
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/PsFf09UnoU0?si=31wSiiWu0QoBcyfy
ALL: When we eat this bread. And drink this cup. We proclaim your death, Oh Lord!
Until you come again!
Anamnesis, Offering, and Intercessions:
Lord our God,
your Son has entrusted to us
this pledge of his love.
We celebrate the memory of his death and resurrection
and bring you the gift you have given us:
the sacrifice of reconciliation.
Therefore we ask you, Father,
to accept us, together with your Son.
Fill us with his Spirit.
through our sharing in this meal.
May he take away all that divides us.
May this Spirit keep us always in communion
With Leo our Pope, James our Presiding Bishop, Bishops Charlie, David, Leo, and Gerald, Cardinals Wilton, Donald, and Robert, with me your humble servant, and all the bishops, priests, deacons and all your people.
Father, make your Church throughout the world
a sign of unity and an instrument of your peace.
You have gathered us here
around the table of your Son
in fellowship with Mary, Mother of God, and all of the saints.
In that new world where the fullness of your peace will be revealed,
gather people of every race, language, and way of life
to share in the one eternal banquet with Jesus the Lord.
Doxology and Great Amen:
https://youtu.be/vSY2P9f84f8?si=NN2hmYdZ5dba188q
Through Him with him and in Him
In the unity of the holy spirit
All glory and honor is yours
Almighty Father
Forever and ever!
The people acclaim: Amen
Lord's Prayer (Sung)
Bp. Tom: Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom as Jesus taught us.
https://youtu.be/91YpEdRaUH0?si=RExCyzUv8dtuq4zV
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 lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
Bishop Tom: Deliver us lord from every evil and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus the Christ.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen!
Breaking of the Bread. LAMB OF GOD (SUNG)
https://youtu.be/jUQaqVd185E?si=p_60nf54E3ZWAxAe
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.
Communion
Bp. Tom: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to the supper of the lamb!
All: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and I shall be healed.
Communion Minister: The body of Christ. Communicant: Amen.
Communion Minister: The blood of Christ. Communicant: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
ALL: 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
We Adore Your Cross
Bob Hurd & Ken Canedo
https://youtu.be/pXp1_-3kLkA?si=DdQErP53rdMBm3XK
We adore your Cross, Christ Jesus,
and your resurrection we praise.
On this holy tree of your Passion
you redeemed the whole human race.
We adore your Cross, Christ Jesus.
Adoramus te, Christe.
We proclaim Christ crucified,
a stumbling block and foolishness
but for those who are called,
the power and wisdom of God
For the foolishness of God
is wiser than our wisdom a
nd the weakness of God
is stronger than human strength
To equality with God he did not cling
he did not cling but he emptied himself
becoming the servant of all
He became obedient unto death upon the cross
So God raised him on high and gave him the name above every name
At the name of Jesus all knees shall bend,
all tongues confess
that the crucified one is Lord
of heaven and earth
Prayer after Communion
Bp. Tom: Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ,
you are the holy bread of life.
Bring to the glory of the resurrection
the people you have redeemed by the wood of the cross
We ask this through Christ our Lord
ALL: Amen.
CONCLUDING RITES************************
Optional Announcements
Greeting and Blessing
Bp. Tom: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.
May almighty God keep you from all harm
and bless you with every good gift.
ALL: AMEN
May he set his Word in your heart
and fill you with lasting joy.
ALL: AMEN
May you walk in his ways,
always knowing what is right and good
until you enter your heavenly inheritance.
ALL: AMEN
May almighty God bless you,
The Father, + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
ALL: AMEN
Dismissal
Bp. Tom: Go in peace of Christ!
ALL: Thanks be to God!
Recessional and Closing Song:
Hallelujah Is Our Song
Sarah Hart
https://youtu.be/bbgryIGz3YQ?si=kzSeJI84yMrMC0UC
[Verse 1]
What hope we have
Even in the longest night
For the light will overcome
We will not fear
For we know the sun will rise
Hallelujah is our song
[Verse 2]
What peace we have
Even in this wounded world
Where the battle rages on
We will not fear
For we know who heals our souls
Hallelujah is our song
[Chorus]
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He is risen over all
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah is our song
[Verse 3]
What joy we have
For the stone is rolled away
And the tomb holds nothing now
No sting of death
No power over sin or grave
Hallelujah is our song
[Chorus]
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He is risen over all
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah is our song
[Verse 4]
What love we have
For the One who shed His blood
To redeem His broken ones
Now we shall live
Sinners, we will rise to saints
Hallelujah is our song
[Chorus]
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He is risen over all
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah is our song
Oh Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
He is risen over all
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah is our song
Hallelujah is our song
