Welcome to St. Mary's Church
Fourth Sunday of Lent March 15, 2026
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************************
You Are the Light
Sarah Hart
https://youtu.be/A1amaPGwwa8?si=cO_IuAducBV6jtSv
You are the light that stands alone
In depth of night and eye of storm
Where shadows fall, you enter in
Ignite with hope what dark has dimmed
And though our eyes may fail to see
It is the heart that’s given sight
Through night and storm, to trust in you
Upon our path
You are the light.
You are the word that’s written deep
Within the hearts of all who long
For endless days beyond the skies
For peace on earth, a kingdom come
We sing the name that heals our souls
And share the way, the truth the life
For hearts that long, both lost and found
We speak the word
You are the light.
O you are God who spoke the dawn
The savior-son who came in flesh
To be a lamp for wandering hearts
To steal our darkness by your death
And as you rose, you gave us peace
Your spirit-gift to kindly lead
Sweet mystery, how true your guide
We look to you
You are the Light
Sweet mystery how true you guide
We look to you
You are the light.
Greeting
The fourth Sunday of Lent in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. The term is derived from the opening words of the Latin Mass, “Rejoice (Laetare) Jerusalem” (Isaiah 66:10). The church is called to joyful anticipation of the victory to be won.
Bishop Tom: Welcome to St. Mary’s a parish in communion with St. John the Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community in Washington, DC!
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://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
The Collect
Bp. Tom: Let us pray.
Father of peace,
we are joyful in your Word,
your Son Jesus the Christ,
who reconciles us to you.
Let us hasten toward Easter
with the eagerness of faith and love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus 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 first book of Samuel
The LORD said to Samuel:
"Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons."
As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
"Surely the LORD's anointed is here before him."
But the LORD said to Samuel:
"Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart."
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
"The LORD has not chosen any one of these."
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
"Are these all the sons you have?"
Jesse replied,
"There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep."
Samuel said to Jesse,
"Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here."
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
"There—anoint him, for this is the one!"
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.
The Word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIqFOPy5D5Y&list=PLMQrJzPlip5WsHnzoO-7fgFA_4EOKJq2j&index=3
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The second reading is from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians
Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:
"Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light."
The Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God
Gospel (SUNG)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXynoVaPV5I&list=PLMQrJzPlip5WsHnzoO-7fgFA_4EOKJq2j&index=4
Glory to you, word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Glory to you, word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
The Lord is WITH you!
ALL: And also with you!
A Reading from the Holy Gospel, according to John
ALL: Glory to you, Oh Lord!
As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him,
"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?"
Jesus answered,
"Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world."
When he had said this, he spat on the ground
and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
"Go wash in the Pool of Siloam" —which means Sent—.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.
His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
"Isn't this the one who used to sit and beg?"
Some said, "It is, "
but others said, "No, he just looks like him."
He said, "I am."
So they said to him, "How were your eyes opened?"
He replied,
"The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and told me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.'
So I went there and washed and was able to see."
And they said to him, "Where is he?"
He said, "I don't know."
They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
"He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see."
So some of the Pharisees said,
"This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath."
But others said,
"How can a sinful man do such signs?"
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
"What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?"
He said, "He is a prophet."
Now the Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and gained his sight
until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
They asked them,
"Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How does he now see?"
His parents answered and said,
"We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
We do not know how he sees now,
nor do we know who opened his eyes.
Ask him, he is of age;
he can speak for himself."
His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews,
for the Jews had already agreed
that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,
he would be expelled from the synagogue.
For this reason his parents said,
"He is of age; question him."
So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, "Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner."
He replied,
"If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see."
So they said to him,
"What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?"
He answered them,
"I told you already and you did not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again?
Do you want to become his disciples, too?"
They ridiculed him and said,
"You are that man's disciple;
we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses,
but we do not know where this one is from."
The man answered and said to them,
"This is what is so amazing,
that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners,
but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man were not from God,
he would not be able to do anything."
They answered and said to him,
"You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?"
Then they threw him out.
When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
He answered and said,
"Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"
Jesus said to him,
"You have seen him,
the one speaking with you is he."
He said,
"I do believe, Lord," and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus said,
"I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind."
Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this
and said to him, "Surely we are not also blind, are we?"
Jesus said to them,
"If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, 'We see,' so your sin remains.
Bp. Tom: The Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus the Christ
Homily
Profession of Faith
THE NICENE CREED (Pre-2011)
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, help us not to judge; to judge others by who they are and not WHOSE they are. We are all children of a living God! As we prepare to celebrate the ultimate gift that we receive each time we gather for Mass, let us first ask forgiveness when we have been tempted to blame rather than rejoice. This Lenten season, let us take time to not just forgive others but to forgive ourselves!
We now stand before you with these prayers and petitions and thank you for already knowing and answering.
*March is National Women’s History Month. We thank you for the women in our lives. Often when you look at churches, it is easy to ask, “where are the men?” We honor your mother, Mary, whose “yes” enabled the season that ushered in the ability for us to enter the gates of heaven.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*We pray for peace. War seems to be treated as a game with a volunteer military paying the ultimate price. We ask that drones, missiles, and hostility will cease. We ask for peace. We pray for those who have served and who struggle with health and mental health issues. We pray for those who are now deployed across the world and away from loved ones. Surround them and their families with the legions of angels. Protect them. Comfort them. And we remember those who have died.
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 Leo, my Bishop Charles Braun, Bishop Leo Falcon, Bishop Vicar Gerald Miller, Bishop David Lett, Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop Sean Rowe, and me your humble servant together with all of the priests, deacons and laity serving you this day.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*We pray for those impacted by the weather – rain, flooding, snow storms, ice. We ask protection upon Michael Struve’s daughter, Jennifer and her family, as well as all those affected in Jenison, Michigan and surrounding area from flash floods.
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: Regina Arens, Roger Frazee, Nelson Arnold, Ron Gilroy, Debbie Hanson, Melissa DeWitt Arens, Deb Meyers, Cory Fleming, Fr. Joseph Ruggeri, Bishop Vicar Gerald Miller, Bishop Charlie, 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
*For those who have died:
Rebecca Henricks’ dad – John A. Henricks whose funeral was this past Wednesday.
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
Blessed are we who have the joy of the Lord despite all that humanity brings. We ask all of these things in the name of Jesus our Lord.
ALL: AMEN
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST*********************
With Our Eyes on the Cross
By Greg Walton
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNfEEgMoTGM&list=PLMQrJzPlip5WsHnzoO-7fgFA_4EOKJq2j&index=5
Verse 1
Oh, the riches of this life
Oh, the ways we have been blessed
Oh, the poverty we own
In the things that we possess
You ask us to lay down
All the treasure we have stored
For the treasure of your kingdom
And a narrow road
Refrain
With our eyes on the cross
Eyes on the cross
With our eyes on the cross, we will see
With our eyes on the cross
Eyes on the cross
With our eyes on the cross, we will see
Verse 2
We have more than we could need
All our fill of daily bread
But the Son of righteousness
Has no place to lay his head
And all the world's a feast
But he draws us to a table
Where the greatest and the least
Come as equals
Bridge
We will see no us or them, no slave or free We will see all of our sad divisions cease
In his suffering the walls come tumbling down And we become we
With our eyes on the cross
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, 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 offer you these gifts
which bring us peace and joy.
Increase our reverence by this eucharist,
and bring salvation to the world.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the 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.
He came among us as a man,
to lead mankind from darkness
into the light of faith.
Through Adam’s fall we were born as slaves of sin,
but now through baptism in Christ
we are reborn as your adopted children.
Earth unites with heaven
to sing the new song of creation,
as we adore and praise you fore ever:
Sanctus ("Holy, Holy"; based on the praise of the Seraphim in Isa 6:3 and Rev 4:8):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjpBj4uhtrA&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=6
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
God of Power, God of Might.
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.
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://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:
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 Pope Leo, Charles our Presiding Bishop, with me your humble servant, and all the bishops 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:
Through him, with him, and in him
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
all glory and honor is yours,
almighty Father
for ever and ever.
https://youtu.be/2iQEIXygXB8?si=GXI9bvPM9EIxGv6V
The people acclaim: Amen
Lord's Prayer
Bp. Tom: Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom as Jesus taught us.
https://youtu.be/OTo-RYhcPRU?si=xPBIPJTBcT9wGddo
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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUQaqVd185E&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=9
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.
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.
Amazing Grace/My Chains are Gone
Chris Tomlin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsQ0s05sqOQ
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I'm found
Was blind, but now I see
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace
The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures
My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace
My chains are gone, I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love
Amazing grace
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, who called me here below
Will be forever mine, will be forever mine
You are forever mine
Prayer after communion and blessing
Bp. Tom: Let us pray.
Father,
you enlighten all who come into the world.
Fill our hearts with the light of your gospel,
that our thoughts may please you,
and our love be sincere.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
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.
Father, look with love upon your people, the love which our Lord Jesus Christ showed us when he delivered himself to evil men and suffered the agony of the cross.
Grant 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 to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God!
[Recessional and Closing Song]:
What Wondrous Love Is This
Song by Josh Blakely
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-IT60W3XHM&list=PLMQrJzPlip5WsHnzoO-7fgFA_4EOKJq2j&index=11
What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul
What wondrous love is this, O my soul
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing
To God and to the Lamb, who is the great I Am
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing
While millions join the theme, I will sing
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on
And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be
And through eternity, I'll sing on, I'll sing on
And through eternity, I'll sing on
Third Sunday of Lent March 8, 2026
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************************
In These Days of Lenten Journey
Ricky Manalo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVaF8iRofgE&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=1
REFRAIN: In these days of Lenten journey,
We have seen and we have heard
The call to sow justice in the lives of those we serve.
We reach out to those who are homeless,
To those who live without warmth.
In the coolness of evening,
We'll shelter their dreams,
We will clothe them in mercy and peace.
REFRAIN
We call on the Spirit of Justice
and pray for righteousness' sake.
We will sing for the freedom
of all the oppressed;
we will loosen the bonds of distress.
REFRAIN
Greeting
Bishop Tom: Welcome to St. Mary’s a parish in communion with St. John the Beloved Inclusive Catholic Community in Washington, DC!
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://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
The Collect
Bp. Tom: Let us pray.
Father,
You have taught us to overcome our sins by prayer,
fasting and works of mercy.
When we are discouraged by our weakness,
Give us confidence in your love.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus 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 Exodus
In those days, in their thirst for water,
the people grumbled against Moses,
saying, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt?
Was it just to have us die here of thirst
with our children and our livestock?”
So Moses cried out to the LORD,
“What shall I do with this people?
a little more and they will stone me!”
The LORD answered Moses,
“Go over there in front of the people,
along with some of the elders of Israel,
holding in your hand, as you go,
the staff with which you struck the river.
I will be standing there in front of you on the rock in Horeb.
Strike the rock, and the water will flow from it
for the people to drink.”
This Moses did, in the presence of the elders of Israel.
The place was called Massah and Meribah,
because the Israelites quarreled there
and tested the LORD, saying,
“Is the LORD in our midst or not?”
The Word of the Lord
ALL: Thanks be to God
Responsorial Psalm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRV7uGV0xPg&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=3
R. (8) If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
“Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,
Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works.”
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
The second reading is from the Letter of Paul to the Romans
Brothers and sisters:
Since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
to this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
And hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
For Christ, while we were still helpless,
died at the appointed time for the ungodly.
Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,
though perhaps for a good person one might even find courage to die.
But God proves his love for us
in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.
The Word of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God
Gospel (SUNG)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8nT-wDcE88&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=4
Glory to you, word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
Lord, you are truly the Savior of the world;
give me living water, that I may never thirst again.
Glory to you, word of God, Lord Jesus Christ!
The Lord is WITH you!
ALL: And also with you!
A Reading from the Holy Gospel, according to John
ALL: Glory to you, Oh Lord!
Jesus came to a town of Samaria called Sychar,
near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.
Jacob’s well was there.
Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well.
It was about noon.
A woman of Samaria came to draw water.
Jesus said to her,
“Give me a drink.”
His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.
The Samaritan woman said to him,
“How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”
—For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.—
Jesus answered and said to her,
“If you knew the gift of God
and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink, ‘
you would have asked him
and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, you do not even have a bucket and the cistern is deep;
where then can you get this living water?
Are you greater than our father Jacob,
who gave us this cistern and drank from it himself
with his children and his flocks?”
Jesus answered and said to her,
“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again;
but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst;
the water I shall give will become in him
a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty
or have to keep coming here to draw water.”
Jesus said to her,
“Go call your husband and come back.”
The woman answered and said to him,
“I do not have a husband.”
Jesus answered her,
“You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’
For you have had five husbands,
and the one you have now is not your husband.
What you have said is true.”
The woman said to him,
“Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.
Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain;
but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”
Jesus said to her,
“Believe me, woman, the hour is coming
when you will worship the Father
neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
You people worship what you do not understand;
we worship what we understand,
because salvation is from the Jews.
But the hour is coming, and is now here,
when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;
and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him.
God is Spirit, and those who worship him
must worship in Spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him,
“I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called the Christ;
when he comes, he will tell us everything.”
Jesus said to her,
“I am he, the one speaking with you.”
At that moment his disciples returned,
and were amazed that he was talking with a woman,
but still no one said, “What are you looking for?”
or “Why are you talking with her?”
The woman left her water jar
and went into the town and said to the people,
“Come see a man who told me everything I have done.
Could he possibly be the Christ?”
They went out of the town and came to him.
Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.”
But he said to them,
“I have food to eat of which you do not know.”
So the disciples said to one another,
“Could someone have brought him something to eat?”
Jesus said to them,
“My food is to do the will of the one who sent me
and to finish his work.
Do you not say, ‘In four months the harvest will be here’?
I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.
The reaper is already receiving payment
and gathering crops for eternal life,
so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.
For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’
I sent you to reap what you have not worked for;
others have done the work,
and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”
Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him
because of the word of the woman who testified,
“He told me everything I have done.”
When the Samaritans came to him,
they invited him to stay with them;
and he stayed there two days.
Many more began to believe in him because of his word,
and they said to the woman,
“We no longer believe because of your word;
for we have heard for ourselves,
and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”
.
Bp. Tom: The Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus the Christ
Homily
Profession of Faith
THE NICENE CREED (Pre-2011)
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, thank you for the Sacraments – outward signs that bring inner transformation. We thank you for the gift of forgiveness. When we become so focused on self that we forget others, you offer the healing opportunity. This Lenten season, let us take time to not just forgive others but to forgive ourselves!
We now stand before you with these prayers and petitions and thank you for already knowing and answering.
*March is National Women’s History Month. We thank you for the women in our lives. Often when you look at churches, it is easy to ask, “where are the men?” We honor your mother, Mary, whose “yes” enabled the season that ushered in the ability for us to enter the gates of heaven.
WE PRAY TO THE LORD
LORD THANK YOU FOR HEARING OUR PRAYER
*We pray for those impacted by the spring storms. I pray especially for friends and colleagues recovering in Michigan from early spring tornadoes that claimed multiple lives. Comfort those who have lost and welcome home those on their new journey.
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 Leo, my Bishop Charles Braun, Bishop Leo Falcon, Bishop Vicar Gerald Miller, Bishop David Lett, Cardinal Robert McElroy, Bishop Sean Rowe, and me your humble servant together with all of the priests, deacons and laity serving you this day.
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 now across the world 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 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: Regina Arens, Roger Frazee, 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, John Becker, 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
*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
Blessed are we who have the joy of the Lord despite all that humanity brings. We ask all of these things in the name of Jesus our Lord.
ALL: AMEN
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST*********************
Prayer of St. Augustine
By Ken Canedo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB5m07mM8zY&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=5
REFRAIN
Late, so late have I loved you,
Beauty so ancient and new;
Always you’re near
Yet far from my view.
Humbly, I turn to you.
God, you always were with me,
Yet from you I went astray.
For temptation captured my restless heart
But your love turned night into day.
God, you called ‘til I heard you,
And your radiance helped me see.
I can breathe your fragrance when you are near,
And you touched me, now I am free.
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, 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,
by the grace of this sacrifice
may we who ask forgiveness
be ready to forgive one another.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the 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 asked the woman of Samaria for water drink,
Christ had already prepared for her the gift of faith.
In his thirst to receive her faith
He awakened in her heart the fire of your love.
With thankful praise,
In company with the angels,
We glorify the wonders of your power:
Sanctus ("Holy, Holy"; based on the praise of the Seraphim in Isa 6:3 and Rev 4:8):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjpBj4uhtrA&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=6
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
God of Power, God of Might.
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.
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://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:
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 Pope Leo, Charles our Presiding Bishop, with me your humble servant, and all the bishops 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:
Through him, with him, and in him
in the unity of the Holy Spirit
all glory and honor is yours,
almighty Father
for ever and ever.
The people acclaim: Amen
Lord's Prayer
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 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://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUQaqVd185E&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=9
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.
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.
Come to the Water/I Will Run
John Foley, S.J feat. Matt Maher
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5047C0Lulc&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=10
O let all who thirst,
let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing,
let them come to the Lord:
without money, without price.
Why should you pay the price,
except for the Lord?
And let all who seek, let them come to the water.
And let all who have nothing,
let them come to the Lord:
without money, without strife.
Why should you spend your life,
except for the Lord?
And let all who toil,
let them come to the water.
And let all who are weary,
let them come to the Lord:
all who labor, without rest.
How can the soul find rest,
except for the Lord?
And let all who are poor,
let them come to the water,
Bring the ones who are lade,
bring them all to the Lord:
bring the children without might.
Easy the load and light:
come to the Lord.
I will run to you (3x)
My Lord
I will run to you (3x)
My Lord
Prayer after communion and blessing
Bp. Tom: Let us pray.
Lord,
in sharing this sacrament
may we receive your forgiveness
and be brought together in unity and peace.
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.
The Father of mercies has given us an example of unselfish love in the sufferings of his only Son. Through your service of God and neighbor may you receive his countless blessings.
ALL: AMEN
You believe that by his dying, Christ destroyed death forever. May he give you everlasting life.
ALL: AMEN
He humbled himself for our sakes. May you follow his example and share in his resurrection.
ALL: AMEN
May almighty God bless you,
The Father, + and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All: AMEN
Dismissal
Bp. Tom: Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God!
[Recessional and Closing Song]:
We Belong to You
Song by Trevor Thomson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n6W1Q-ZeLc&list=PLMQrJzPlip5U9-Q2kT0FDKb_pcMMQmPie&index=11
We belong to you, O Lord of our longing,
We belong to you.
In our daily living, dying and rising
We belong to you.
In the waters of your mercy,
When the old becomes the new,
Souls united in the myst'ry:
We belong to you.
Filled with gifts and filled with goodness,
Spirit breathing life into
All who seek to find their purpose:
We belong to you.
When we share the bread you've broken
With the many and the few,
We are blessed and we are broken;
We belong to you.
We are called to share your word, Lord,
In all we say and all we do.
As our journey moves us onward,
We belong to you.
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