IN THANKSGIVING FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN FORUM ON THE CATECHUMENATE

INTRODUCTORY RITE
Hymn Church of God, Elect and Glorious Church of God, elect and glorious, holy nation, chosen race; Called as Gods own special people, royal priests and heirs of grace; Know the purpose of your calling, show to all Gods mighty deeds; Tell of love which knows no limits, grace which meets all human needs. God has called you out of darkness into his most marvlous light. Brought his truth to life within you, turned your blindness into sight. Let your light shine so around you that Gods name is glorified And all find fresh hope and purpose in Christ Jesus crucified. Once you were an alien people, strangers to Gods heart of love; But he brought you home in mercy, citizens of heavn above. Let his love flow out to others, let them feel a Fathers care; That they too may know his welcome and his countless blessings share. Church of God, elect and holy, be the people he intends; Strong in faith and swift to answer each command your master sends: Royal priests, fulfill your calling through your sacrifice and prayer; Give your lives in joyful service, sing his praise, his love declare.
Text: based on 1 Peter 2, James E. Seddon, 1915-1983 1982 The Jubilate Group. All rights reserved. Administered by Hope Publishing Co. Used with permission. Tune: NETTLETON Wyeths Repository of Sacred Music, 1813.

Greeting Leader: All: Leader: All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And with your spirit.

Introduction Leader: As we gather today, we know that we do so in the final weeks of the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. We are facing the dissolution of an organization, we are seeing the end of an era, but we will never be finished with the work that God has called us to do: to walk with our brothers and sisters who seek the Risen Lord and who want to learn about the Catholic faith. It is our duty and our privilege. Let us call on that same God to be with us now.

Opening Prayer Leader: Heavenly Father, From age to age you have gathered a people to your self You sent prophets to sustain your covenant with your chosen people. You sent your Son to redeem us and to tell us of your great love. He sent disciples to preach the Good News of our salvation and countless men and women have since borne witness to this truth. Give us, then, the grace to share our faith with others, to explore your sacred Word, to teach the truths of our Catholic doctrine, and to pray more fervently. Be with the staff and team members as they seek other ways to serve you and to share your word. Renew your gift of life within each of us. Instill in us a deeper appreciation of our own Baptism and Confirmation and a greater reverence for the Eucharist. For in your word and sacraments, you continue to save your people. Grant this through Christ our Lord. All: Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD Reading Ephesians 4: 1-7, 11-13 A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace: one Body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christs gift. And he gave some as Apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the Body of Christ, until we all attain that unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. The word of the Lord. A Litany of Recollection Leader: God has indeed given us prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who have equipped the holy ones for the work of ministry. Let us bring to mind all those who have served the Forum so well over in the past thirty years.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER Invitation Leader: Petitions Minister: Confident in the love of the Father, let us turn to him with our petitions. That those we have accepted into the Order of Catechumens and those we have welcomed as fellow Christians, may be supported by our Churchs prayer and example, we pray...

Response:

Minister:

That those who catechize may faithfully echo down the Word, we pray... For all those who serve as godparents and sponsors, we pray... For all those whom the Church chooses as worthy candidates for the sacraments of initiation and those whom she calls to continuing conversion, we pray... That the scrutinies we celebrate may uncover and heal all that is weak or sinful and strengthen all that is upright and good, we pray... That our celebration of the Easter Sacraments may remind us all of our participation in the dying and rising of Jesus, we pray. That we may always continue to reveal the mysteries of our sacramental life with Christ and his Church, we pray.

Lords Prayer Leader: Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray in the words our Savior gave us. Our Father,...

Collect Leader: Almighty and ever-living God, hear the prayers of your Church. Keep us in your love and continue to sustain those who have received new life in baptism. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. CONCLUDING RITE Greeting Leader: All: Blessing Leader: May the peace of God which is beyond all understanding keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. May almighty God bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit.
Phil 4:7

All:

All: Leader: All:

Sign of Peace Leader: Let us offer one another a sign of Christs peace.