Worship along with us!
Second Sunday of Advent December 8, 2024
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************************
Voice In the Wilderness
Michael Joncas
https://youtu.be/09nPw-Uvwr4?si=1aG2YRfffPmOGb9Q
Console my people, the ones dear to me,
Speak to the heart of Jerusalem,
The time of your mourning is ended now,
The Lord of life will come.
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
"Prepare a way for the Lord!"
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
"Make straight a highway for God!"
Ev'ry valley is made a plain,
Ev'ry mountain is leveled
The glory of God shall then be revealed,
And the nations will sing in praise.
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
"Prepare a way for the Lord!"
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
"Make straight a highway for God!"
A voice shouts: "Cry!" O what shall I cry?
All flesh is like grass and its flowers,
The grass may wither, the flower may fade,
But the Word of the Lord is forever.
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
"Prepare a way for the Lord!"
A voice cries out in the wilderness:
"Make straight a highway for God!"
Blessing of the Advent Wreath and Lighting
Let us begin,
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. +
All: Amen.
Responsory:
Bp. Tom: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
ALL: Who made Heaven and earth.
Prayer of Blessing:
Let us pray.
O Lord, stir up our hearts
that we may prepare for Your only begotten Son,
that through His coming
we may be made worthy to serve you with pure souls.
Through the same Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
Sprinkle the Advent Wreath with Holy Water:
Bp. Tom sprinkles the Advent wreath with holy water.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
https://youtu.be/ikEtkfRSUsU?si=tsO7Xyxe84QTFKot
O Come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
REFRAIN
Rejoice, Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to You, O Israel
[Verse 2]
O come, Thou Wisdom from on high
You order all things, mightily
To us the path of knowledge show
And teach us in her ways to go
[Refrain]
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
[Verse 6]
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud, and majesty and awe
[Refrain]
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
[Verse 7]
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave
[Refrain]
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Greeting
Bishop Tom: Welcome to St. Mary’s of Washington, DC, a parish of the National Catholic Church of North America!
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://youtu.be/8_yfVLT3DuI?si=y8h_2-tVrGnzVl_S
Kyrie eleison
ALL: Lord have mercy
Christe eleison
ALL: Christ have mercy
Kyrie eleison
ALL: Lord have mercy
Bishop Tom: May almighty God have mercy on us,
Forgive us our sins,
And bring us to everlasting life.
ALL: AMEN
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
God of power and mercy,
open our hearts in welcome.
Remove the things that hinder us
from receiving Christ with joy,
so that we may share his wisdom
and become one with him
when he comes in glory,
for he lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
ALL: AMEN
LITURGY OF THE WORD***********************
Our first reading is from the Book of Baruch
Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre
that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.
Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
but God will bring them back to you
borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
be filled to level ground,
that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
by the light of his glory,
with his mercy and justice for company.
The word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm
https://youtu.be/9z1U6io-U3o?si=S7UXp7ngbB69RVVe
R. (3) The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,
we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Then they said among the nations,
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tears
shall reap rejoicing.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.
The second reading is from the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians
Brothers and sisters:
I pray always with joy in my every prayer for all of you,
because of your partnership for the gospel
from the first day until now.
I am confident of this,
that the one who began a good work in you
will continue to complete it
until the day of Christ Jesus.
God is my witness,
how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
And this is my prayer:
that your love may increase ever more and more
in knowledge and every kind of perception,
to discern what is of value,
so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness
that comes through Jesus Christ
for the glory and praise of God.
The Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God
Gospel
"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"
Alleluia! (Sung)
https://youtu.be/Sx05U13lh8E?si=zTeZXSXpMHWwHdAW
ALL: Alleluia, alleluia.
Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths:
all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
ALL: Alleluia, alleluia.
Bp. Tom: The Lord is WITH you!
ALL: And also with you!
Bp. Tom: A Reading from the Holy Gospel, according to Luke
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region
of Ituraea and Trachonitis,
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:
A voice of one crying out in the desert:
“Prepare the way of the Lord,
make straight his paths.
Every valley shall be filled
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The winding roads shall be made straight,
and the rough ways made smooth,
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
This is the Gospel, the Good News of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
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
General Intercessions / Prayer of the Faithful:
Bp. Tom: God of patience, show us your wisdom in time, that we may grow to expect your action on your time. Teach us to be gentle and patient with ourselves. Make us receptive to your timing in others. Help us see the long view when we are caught in the frustration of waiting
We thank you for answering these prayers and petitions which you know are on our hearts and in our minds.
*For our Jewish brothers and sisters. For our Palestinian brothers and sisters. For our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. And now for our Syrian family. 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 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 Francis, my Bishop James Sherlock, Bishop Charlie Braun, Bishop Vicar Gerald Miller, Bishop David Lett, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, 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 those who are sick: for Nelson Arnold, Ron Gilroy, Leonard Matarese, Debbie Hanson, Melissa DeWitt Arens, Deb Meyers, Cory Fleming, Fr. Joseph Ruggeri, Bishop David Lett, Rick Ward-Harder, Scott Hedrick, John CJ Boylan, Bishop Vicar Gerald Miller, Jackie and Gerry Spencer, Donna M. Franco, Ann Carter Haines, …………………………..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:
--
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
Father in heaven,
who sent your Son to redeem the world
and will send him again to be our judge:
give us grace so to imitate him
in the humility and purity of his first coming
that, when he comes again,
we may be ready to greet him
with joyful love and firm faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All: Amen
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST*********************
Jesus, Come to Us
David Haas
https://youtu.be/hQ8n5je2msY?si=5BWLhmc-0tiJOqt-
Refrain: Jesus, come to us; lead us to your light.
Jesus, be with us, for we need you.
1. Lord, we come before you, listen to our prayer.
Fill us all with hope and your love.
2. Lord, we come to praise you for your faithfulness through night.
You will be with us; this I know.
3. Lord, you give us wonders, your glory to all. We believe in you; come to us.
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 Bishop 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 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 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 his name,
for our good
and the good of all his holy Church.
Prayer:
Lord,
we are nothing without you.
As you sustain us with your mercy,
receive our prayers and offerings.
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
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
When he humbled himself to come among us as a man,
he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago
and opened for us the way to salvation.
Now we watch for the day,
hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours
when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory.
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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2_ugLRG7xI&list=PLMQrJzPlip5VLndIBRi3G3R_ubvu1L5SK&index=7
ALL: Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Eucharistic Prayer R1
Thanksgiving:
Lord, you are holy indeed,
The fountain of all holiness.
Epiclesis (calling upon the Holy Spirit):
Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy
So that they may become for us.
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus the Christ.
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):
Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks.
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: FOR 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 FOREGIVEN. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
Memorial Acclamation:
Bp. Tom: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
https://youtu.be/qnJ96S8Lpdg?si=-KQVVNhzswLgV3IO
ALL: Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
Anamnesis, (Epiclesis) Offering, and Intercessions:
In memory of his death and resurrection
we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread,
this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
May all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ,
be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, remember you church throughout the world;
make us grow in love,
together with Francis our Pope,
James our bishop,
Bishops Charlie, Gerald, David, Sean, Cardinal Wilton Gregory and me your humble servant,
with all the clergy – priests, deacons, laity.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the hope of rising again.
Bring them and all the departed into the light of your presence.
Have mercy on us all,
make us worthy to share eternal life
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, and with all the saints
who have done your will throughout the ages.
May we praise you in union with them
and give you glory
through your son, Jesus Christ.
Doxology and Great Amen:
Through Him, with Him, in Him,
In unity of the Holy Spirit
All glory and honor is yours
Almighty Father.
For ever and ever.
https://youtu.be/j6oSy0cGFI8?si=iqPifoEKEzkB1NZ6
The people acclaim: Amen
Lord's Prayer (Sung)
https://youtu.be/VGAyBnOXt3g?si=c21vaZJh8RFROXY4
Bp. Tom: Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom as Jesus taught us.
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.
Bp. 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
And the power
And the glory
Now and forever
Amen.
Breaking of the Bread. LAMB OF GOD (SUNG)
https://youtu.be/1z6CbgXPP_w?si=vKXgx0kYPqAsG-_u
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 his supper.
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.
Communion Song
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.
Christ, Be Our Light
Song by Bernadette Farrell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMkfKXLcm5Q&list=PLMQrJzPlip5WCb1Mk1G11QYkEnpNkBmy5&index=8
Longing for light, we wait in darkness
Longing for truth, we turn to You.
Make us Your own, Your holy people
Light for the world to see.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Longing for shelter, many are homeless
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us Your building, sheltering others
Walls made of living stone.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Many the gift, many the people
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another
Making Your kingdom come.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in Your church gathered today.
Prayer after Communion
Bp. Tom: Let us pray.
Father,
you give us food from heaven.
By our sharing in this mystery,
teach us to judge wisely the things of earth
and to love the things of heaven.
Grant 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.
Lord,
have mercy on your people.
Grant us in this life the good things
that lead to the everlasting life you prepare for us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
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:
Ready the Way of the Lord
Bob Hurd
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eucMYVVOB4k&list=PLMQrJzPlip5Xb2Tnwdehnb_ycx5pTOrzi&index=13
Ready the way of the Lord,
Ready the way of the Lord,
A voice cries out in the wilderness,
Ready the way of the Lord.
Let every valley be filled
Let every be filled.
Let every mountain be humbled
Let every valley be filled.
REFRAIN
Here is your God
Coming with your vindication.
Look and behold
The saving power of God.
Desert and waste land will bloom,
Desert and waste land will bloom
Glory and splendor will fill the land
Desert and waste land will bloom.
Those who are blind will then see
Those who are deaf will then hear.
Those who are lame
Will then leap for joy
Those who are mute will then see.
REFRAIN
Strengthen the ones who are weak
Strengthen the ones who are weak
Say to the frightened: Have courage”
Strengthen the ones who are weak
REFRAIN