+ Weekend Mass at Emu Plains – 5th Sunday of Lent

‘Mass’ at Our Lady of the Way for the 5th Sunday of Lent

Firstly, a message to you from fr Paul about this Parish Blog space.

Well, we haven’t done our main parish prayer and activity this way at Our Lady of the Way before. But I hope it’s helpful in this very unusual time when the church doors are locked and we’re now unable to gather outdoors either. As you might know from the past week of daily posts in this new Parish Blog space, it’s also taking me time to get used to it. I’ve been creating and trying different inclusions such as reflection guides, photos and  visuals, video pieces and voice recordings. Thanks for your patience if there are any glitches – for example, in this post I’m about to attach four separate voice recordings; an Intro about this Mass, the Gospel, the Homily and the Eucharistic Prayer – BUT I don’t even yet know if it will handle four media inserts. The most we’ve tried in a single post this week so far is two! Here’s hoping. 

Anyway, do feel welcome to give some feedback about this new Parish Blog space via a message to the parish office email [email protected]g or to my own email [email protected] – I’m keen to hear if it’s working out okay for you and/or if changes are needed. 

Intro – about this approach to Mass today?

Please click the PLAY button on this first inserted recording below, before returning to the written text for the first part of the Mass

THE MASS

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

• Let’s pause and breathe deeply for about 15 seconds, being reminded of God’s awareness, personally, of each of us right now!
• We’re now invited to take a moment to give thanks for something of goodness we have seen in recent days … if you’re with someone you might like share that … before we pray as follows:

Lord Jesus – you walked this earth as one of us and embraced all that is real for us – the joys, the beauty and the incompleteness and struggle too – Lord have mercy

Lord Jesus – you showed us the power of faith in God through all things – and to be able to call God an intimate name – as you breathed in the love of  ‘Abba’ – Christ have mercy

Lord Jesus – you accompany us and our world in this challenging time with your journey of the cross – and with your surrender in trust – Lord have mercy

May almighty God have gentle mercy on each of us, forgive us of any sin, and bring us to everlasting life, AMEN

Let us pray

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

Gospel

Homily – Voice Recording

Profession of Faith 

Perhaps reading this while in an unusual Parish Blog space of the Mass can enable some part of it to speak to us in a new or particular way – So, let’s reflectively join together in professing our faith

I believe in God,
the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from there He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of Saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting

AMEN

Prayers of the Faithful

• A prayer for our nation and world – and key leaders – at this time  …… Lord hear us
• A prayer for the way in which those who, together, are the Church might be able to especially serve the world that God loves – at this time …… Lord hear us
• A prayer for yourself/yourselves – giving thanks for your goodness and capacity to bring life – at this time …… Lord hear us 
• ?
• ?

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST – Voice Recording

You are welcome to enter into the following Eucharistic prayer, recorded at Our Lady of the Way Church as the local Mass of this weekend.

May we feel united with one another – and with many who break the bread of life and hope across the world; with people who share Sacramental faith in Jesus with us – and with those across beliefs who along with us, put flesh on God’s presence and goodness in all creation. 

Here is the recording for you which goes for 8 minutes

Prayer after Communion

Final Blessing

NOTICES

I hope this rather unusual approach to Mass has been helpful. As I mentioned at the start, you’re most welcome to let us know if this new Parish Blog space is working out okay for you and/or if changes are needed. You can message the parish office email – [email protected]g or direct to my own email – [email protected] 

• If you would like to watch a livestream of Sunday Mass celebrated by Bishop Vincent (also without a physical congregation) – it starts at 10am Sunday 29th March – live on

YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/ParramattaDiocese) and Facebook(www.facebook.com/parracatholic)

• You can also find lots of spiritual resources including Masses online as provided through  the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference – see  https://catholic.org.au/prayathome

• HAPPY BIRTHDAY SATURDAY 28th MARCH to parishioner / senior altar server David Green – Marcia messaged me and spilled the beans that he’s having one of those special birthdays with a ZERO on the end !!! God bless you tons David and with thanksgiving for the way your joy, friendship and encouragement blesses so many people in the community!

• HUMOUR – have a laugh – CHECK OUT THE FRIDAY 27th and SATURDAY 28th posts in this Parish Blog if you’d like a bit of a laugh in the midst of the current challenges.  

• Go gently and every wish of safety and hope to you and your loved ones. 

With friendship in God’s mission to you all on this weekend of the 5th Sunday of Lent – and every good wish for the special or creative way you’ll bring hope and connection to someone this week!

See you in the next post here in our ‘We Belong – Parish Blog’ space. 

fr Paul