Worship along with us!
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time August 24, 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************************
Enter the Journey
Mark Friedman & Janet Vogt
https://youtu.be/OWqSaWHhD5g?si=LNYY6v9rUMichDJB
[Refrain]
Enter the journey. Come to the song.
By God you are chosen, by name you are called
to follow the vision, carry the cross.
Enter the journey of faith as the fam'ly of God.
[Verse 1]
Enter the journey, the way may be long.
Enter the journey, yet we are made strong.
God's spirit will guide us, God's gifts will enfold.
Enter the journey of hope!
[Refrain]
[Verse 2]
Enter the journey, though lost and unsure.
Enter the journey, God's peace will be yours.
And all who are thirsting be filled with God's grace.
Enter the journey of faith!
[Refrain - with Descant]
Enter the jour(Come with)ney. (us.) Come to the song. (Sing with us.)
By (Sing)God you are (now,)chosen, by name you are called
to follow the vi~(Walk with)sion, (us.) carry the cross.
(Carry the cross) Enter(on) the journey of faith as the fam'ly of God.
[Verse 3]
Enter the journey, the old and the young.
Enter the journey, the kingdom is won.
By faith now united, as servants we come.
Enter the journey of love!
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://youtu.be/9Ipm5ja3tIc?si=FJvCEpLPxNP-3U2s
You raise the dead to life in the spirit
Kyrie eleison
ALL: Kyrie eleison
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner
Christe eleison
ALL: Christe eleison.
You bring life to those in darkness
Kyrie eleison
ALL: 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/I2waiRrWWMw?si=4qbPP8MVCqki8Lgh
Glory to God in the highest,
sing glory to God! Glory to God in the highest and peace to his people on earth!
Lord God heavenly king
Almighty God and Father
We worship you, we give you thanks
We praise you for your glory!
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Son of the Father
Lord God, lamb of God
you take away the sin of the world,
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
receive our prayer!
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
the Most High Jesus Christ
With the Holy Spirit
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray.
Father, help us to seek the values
that will bring us lasting joy in
this changing world.
In our desire for what you promise
make us one in mind and heart,
Grant 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 Isaiah
Thus says the LORD:
I know their works and their thoughts,
and I come to gather nations of every language;
they shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them;
from them I will send fugitives to the nations:
to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan,
to the distant coastlands
that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory;
and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations
as an offering to the LORD,
on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries,
to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD,
just as the Israelites bring their offering
to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.
The Word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm
https://youtu.be/m0Wic-s5UIg?si=nXIm40PBZq6NMz0D
R.(Mk 16:15) Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
Praise the LORD, all you nations;
glorify him, all you peoples!
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
For steadfast is his kindness toward us,
and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
R. Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.
The second reading is from the Letter of Paul to the Hebrews
Brothers and sisters,
You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children:
"My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord
or lose heart when reproved by him;
for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines;
he scourges every son he acknowledges."
Endure your trials as "discipline";
God treats you as sons.
For what "son" is there whom his father does not discipline?
At the time,
all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain,
yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness
to those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet,
that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.
The Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God
Gospel
Alleluia! (Sung)
https://youtu.be/ArLMMD3QT88?si=vooBbmhMaGgSqR_m
ALL: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.
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 Luke
ALL: Glory to you, Oh Lord!
Jesus passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"
He answered them,
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
'Lord, open the door for us.'
He will say to you in reply,
'I do not know where you are from.
And you will say,
'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you,
'I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last."
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, help us to fit through the narrow door. By our actions – not just by words – will we find the way. And along the way, help us to inspire others to want to follow; want to fit.
With those desires on our mind, we ask you for these things that are on our hearts and in our minds.
*For those who are in the path of or recovering from disasters: send your angels to protect and care for them.. For the first responders who are assisting, give them rest and give them strength. Heal your creation Lord.
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, Frank Vance, Jr, …………………………..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.
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
Thank you for sending your Son to open the door; to invite us to follow. And help us to answer when we hear the door open or the knock. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
ALL: Amen
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST*********************
Jesus Christ, You Are My Life
https://youtu.be/kpLT6Cm0K1o?si=jM638lPLO8lW5ulK
Marco Frisina
Jesus Christ, you are my life
Alleluia, alleluia
Jesus Christ, you are my life
You are my life, alleluia
Be our way, our truth and our life
Form us anew in how you died
We embrace the cross that you bore
And will arise in glory!
Jesus Christ, you are my life
Alleluia, alleluia
Jesus Christ, you are my life
You are my life, alleluia
Take the yoke of violence and war
Open the hearts of rich to poor
Nations bound by terror and fear
Come to embrace your freedom!
Jesus Christ, you are my life
Alleluia, alleluia
Jesus Christ, you are my life
You are my life, alleluia
You are my life, alleluia!
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:
Merciful God,
the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ
made us your people.
In your love,
grant peace and unity to your church
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.
We see your infinite power
in your loving plan of salvation.
You came to our rescue by your power as God,
but you wanted us to be saved by one like us.
We refused your friendship,
but one like us was to restore it
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him the angels of heaven offer their prayers
of adoration
as they rejoice in your presence for ever.
May our voices be one with theirs
In their triumphant hymn of praise;
Sanctus ("Holy, Holy"; based on the praise of the Seraphim in Isa 6:3 and Rev 4:8):
https://youtu.be/AZelcmHoKxo?si=st8vks6IHgCJO0o_
ALL: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord of hosts.
Heaven and earth are filled with your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest (2x)
Eucharistic Prayer 1 for Reconciliation
Epiclesis (calling upon the Holy Spirit):
Father, from the beginning of time
you have always done what is good for us
so that we may be holy as you are holy.
Look with kindness on your people
gathered here before you:
send forth the power of your Spirit
so that these gifts may become for us
the body + and blood of your beloved Son, Jesus the Christ,
in whom we have become your sons and daughters.
When we were lost
and could not find the way to you,
you loved us more than ever:
Jesus, your Son, innocent and without sin,
gave himself into our hands
and was nailed to a cross.
Yet before he stretched out his arms between heaven and earth
in the everlasting sign of your covenant,
he desired to celebrate the Paschal feast
in the company of his disciples.
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 they were at supper
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.
At the end of the meal, knowing that he was to reconcile all
things in himself by the blood of his cross,
he took the cup, filled with wine.
Again he gave you thanks, handed the cup to his friends,
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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q19sFoPbgE0&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=7
ALL: Save us Savior of the world, for by your cross and resurrection you have set us free.
Anamnesis, Offering, and Intercessions:
We do this in memory of Jesus the Christ,
our Passover and our lasting peace.
We celebrate his death and resurrection
and look for the coming of that day
when he will return to give us the fullness of joy.
Therefore we offer you, God ever faithful and true,
the sacrifice which restores us to your friendship.
Father, look with love
on those you have called
to share in the one sacrifice of Christ.
By the power of your Holy Spirit
make them one body,
healed of all division.
Keep us all in communion of mind and heart
with Leo our pope, James our bishop, bishops Charlie, Leo, Gerald, and David; Cardinals Wilton, Donald, and Robert and me your humble servant together with all the priests, deacons, and laity that labor for you.
Help us to work together
for the coming of your kingdom,
until at last we stand in your presence
to share the life of the saints,
In the company of the Virgin Mary and the apostles
and of our departed brothers and sisters
whom we commend to your mercy.
Then, freed from every shadow of death,
we shall take our place in the new creation
and give you thanks
with Christ, our risen Lord.
Doxology and Great Amen:
https://youtu.be/vSY2P9f84f8?si=8TWgYUa_X59emFhh
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/Go48NULI6Gc?si=sp6bX2hqQbgohBal
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/JMZg9P6c6bs?si=isknApNCfmutopQb
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
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
Prayer after Communion
Bp. Tom: Let us pray.
Lord, may this eucharist increase within us
the healing power of your love.
May it guide and direct our efforts
to please you in all things.
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
MUSIC -- Bp. Tom: Go in peace of Christ, alleluia. Alleluia
ALL: Thanks be to God, alleluia. Alleluia!
Recessional and Closing Song:
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!
