Feast Days and Holidays
 

Leader:  God come to my assistance (+). 
All:  Lord make haste to help me.
 
Leader:  Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
All:  As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever.
 
Opening Prayer
Leader:   Let us pray.  (Pause) Heavenly Father, you brought gladness and light to the world through the birth of your Son by the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Please fill all present especially our mother(s) with holy joy and keep us all safe from harm.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen
 
First Reading: 1 Samuel 1:19-20, 24-2:1
Reader: A Reading from the First Book of Samuel.
Early the next morning they worshiped before the LORD, and then returned to their home in Ramah. When they returned Elkanah had intercourse with his wife Hannah, and the LORD remembered her.  She conceived and, at the end of her pregnancy, bore a son whom she named Samuel. “Because I asked the LORD for him. Once he was weaned, she brought him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine, and presented him at the house of the LORD in Shiloh.  After they had slaughtered the bull, they brought the child to Eli. Then Hannah spoke up: “Excuse me, my lord! As you live, my lord, I am the woman who stood here near you, praying to the LORD.  I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request.  Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD; as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.” Then they worshiped there before the LORD. And Hannah prayed: “My heart exults in the LORD, my horn is exalted by my God. I have swallowed up my enemies; I rejoice in your victory.  The Word of the Lord
All:         Thanks be to God.
 
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23
Reader:  The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord
All:  The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Reader:   Happy the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. 
All:  The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
 
Reader:   Our soul waits for the Lord, who is our help and our shield, for in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust.  
All:  The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Reader: May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us who have put our hope in you.
All:  The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
 
Gospel Luke 1:39-45
Leader: Lord Be with You
All:  And Also with your Spirit
Leader: Brothers and sisters listen to the words of the holy Gospel according to Luke:
During those days Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord^* should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed^* that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” The Gospel of the Lord
All:  Glory to you O Lord.
 
Short Reflection
A member of the group may wish to share some thoughts about God’s role in our lives and on the subject of gratitude for the gift of our mothers.
 
Prayers of The Faithful
Leader: Trusting in our Heavenly Father’s love for us and inspired by Mary’s confidence in God’s will we now offer God our prayers and petitions.
 
Reader:  We pray Lord that your Church may continue to proclaim the sanctity of family life.  We pray to the Lord
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:  We pray Lord that the whole world will come to know that we are all one family with God as our Father and Mary as our mother.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:  We ask you Lord  to protect all mothers.  May all mothers come to know the Blessed Virgin Mary as both model and protector.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:  We ask you Lord to be especially present to mothers in the world who are sick, suffering, or afraid.  Please send your Holy Spirit to comfort them.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader: We ask you Lord to help all expectant mothers to choose life.  Please help them know that you are with them and will help them through any difficulties they may encounter as mothers.  We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
 
Reader:  We ask you Lord to reward all mothers who have died.    Welcome them into your heavenly kingdom where there is no suffering, or tears.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Our Father & Dismissal
Leader: Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.
All:  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 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. Amen.
 
Closing Prayer and Blessing:
Leader: O God, author and sustainer of human life, from your goodness your servant N.____ has received the joy of becoming a mother. 
               
Graciously accept our thanks and give ear to our prayers:  defend this mother and her children from every evil, be their companion along their pathway through life, and welcome them one day into the joy of your eternal home.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:         Amen
 
Leader: May the tender love of the Father, the peace of his Son Jesus Christ, the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit preserve us to live by the light of faith and to reach the promise of eternal happiness.  May almighty God bless us (+), protect us from all evil, and lead us to eternal life.

All:  Amen.

Beginning

Leader:  God come to my assistance (+). 
All:  Lord make haste to help me.
 
Leader:  Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
All:  As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever.
 
Opening Prayer
Leader:   Let us pray.  (Pause) Heavenly Father, you brought gladness and light to the world through the birth of your Son.  Throughout His life on Earth you showed him your fatherly care.  In a special way you chose St. Joseph to play a special role in your Son’s life as his adopted father.  As we celebrate Father’s day today we give thanks to you for St. Joseph and for our own father(s).  Please fill all present especially our father(s) with holy joy and keep us all safe from harm.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen
 
Gospel Mathew 1:18-25
Leader: Lord Be with You
All:  And Also with your Spirit
Leader: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mathew.  Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took his wife into his home. He had no relations with her until she bore a son, and he named him Jesus.  The Gospel of the Lord
All:  Glory to you O Lord.
 
Gospel Mathew 1:18-25
Leader: Lord Be with You
All:  And Also with your Spirit
Leader: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mathew.  When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him.” Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” The Gospel of the Lord
All:  Glory to you O Lord.
 
Short Reflection
A member of the group may wish to share some thoughts about God’s role in our lives and on the subject of gratitude for the gift of our fathers.
 
 
Prayers of The Faithful
Leader: Trusting in our Heavenly Father’s love for us and inspired by St. Joseph’s quiet confidence in God’s will we now offer God our prayers and petitions.
 
Reader:  We pray Lord that your Church may continue to proclaim the sanctity of family life.  We pray to the Lord
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:  We pray Lord that world leaders may put aside all selfish ambition and truly work for world peace.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:  We ask you Lord to protect all fathers.  May all fathers come to know the St. Joseph as both model and protector.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:  We ask you Lord to be especially present to fathers in the world who are sick, suffering, or afraid.  Please send your Holy Spirit to comfort them.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader: We ask you Lord to help all expectant parents to choose life.  Please help them know that you are with them and will help them through any difficulties they may encounter as parents.  We pray to the Lord.
All: Lord hear our prayer.
 
Reader:  We ask you Lord to reward all fathers who have died.    Welcome them into your heavenly kingdom where there is no suffering, or tears.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Our Father & Dismissal
Leader: Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.
All:  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 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. Amen.
 
Closing Prayer and Blessing:
Leader: O God, author and sustainer of human life, from your goodness your servant N.____ has received the joy of becoming a father. 
               
Graciously accept our thanks and give ear to our prayers:  defend this father and his children from every evil, be their companion along their pathway through life, and welcome them one day into the joy of your eternal home. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:         Amen
 
Leader: May the tender love of the Father, the peace of his Son Jesus Christ, the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit preserve us to live by the light of faith and to reach the promise of eternal happiness.  May almighty God bless us (+), protect us from all evil, and lead us to eternal life.
All:         Amen.

Archbishop Carrol  Prayer for the Nation

We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name.

We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation.

We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty.

We pray for his Excellency, the governor of this state, for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability.

We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal.

Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Leader:  God come to my assistance (+). 
All:  Lord make haste to help me.
 
Leader:  Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
All:  As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever.
 
Opening Prayer
Leader:   Let us pray.  (Pause) Heavenly Father, you care for each of your children around the globe.  We praise your loving kindness and your merciful grace.  Today, in a special way, we lift up to you the men and women who defend our country by serving in our nation’s Armed Forces. 
                Heavenly Father, they are far from home and family and many of them are enduring harsh conditions, loneliness and great dangers.  Please help them Lord feel your presence and know of our love for them. 
We beseech you Lord to end all the war and to bring about true peace on earth by inviting all to participate in your strength and in your love.  Please help all soldiers return home to their family and friends.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:  Amen
 
First Reading: 1Samuel 32-51
Reader:                A Reading from the First Book of Samuel (Pause)
            Then David spoke to Saul: “My lord should not lose heart. Let your servant go and fight this Philistine.” But Saul answered David, “You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.” Then David told Saul: “Your servant used to tend his father’s sheep, and whenever a lion or bear came to carry off a sheep from the flock, I would chase after it, attack it, and snatch the prey from its mouth. If it attacked me, I would seize it by the throat, strike it, and kill it. Your servant has killed both a lion and a bear. This uncircumcised Philistine will be as one of them, because he has insulted the armies of the living God.”  David continued: “The same LORD who delivered me from the claws of the lion and the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”
               Saul answered David, “Go! the LORD will be with you.” Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic, putting a bronze helmet on his head and arming him with a coat of mail. David also fastened Saul’s sword over the tunic. He walked with difficulty, however, since he had never worn armor before. He said to Saul, “I cannot go in these, because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then, staff in hand, David selected five smooth stones from the wadi and put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag. With his sling in hand, he approached the Philistine.
                With his shield-bearer marching before him, the Philistine advanced closer and closer to David. When he sized David up and saw that he was youthful, ruddy, and handsome in appearance, he began to deride him. He said to David, “Am I a dog that you come against me with a staff?” Then the Philistine cursed David by his gods and said to him, “Come here to me, and I will feed your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field.”David answered him: “You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have insulted. Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will feed your dead body and the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God. All this multitude, too, shall learn that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves. For the battle belongs to the LORD, who shall deliver you into our hands.”
              The Philistine then moved to meet David at close quarters, while David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. David put his hand into the bag and took out a stone, hurled it with the sling, and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone embedded itself in his brow, and he fell on his face to the ground.  Thus David triumphed over the Philistine with sling and stone; he struck the Philistine dead, and did it without a sword in his hand. Then David ran and stood over him; with the Philistine’s own sword which he drew from its sheath he killed him, and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they fled.  The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23
Reader:                The Lord is my shepherd
All:  The Lord is my shepherd
Reader:                The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff comfort me. 
All:  The Lord is my shepherd
 
Reader:                You set a table before me in front of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Indeed, goodness and mercy will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the LORD for endless days.
All:  The Lord is my shepherd
 
Gospel Mathew 8:5-13
Leader: Lord Be with You
All:  And Also with your Spirit
Leader: A Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mathew. (Pause) When he entered Capernaum, a centurion approached him and appealed to him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, suffering dreadfully.” He said to him, “I will come and cure him.” The centurion said in reply, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed. For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come here,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Amen, I say to you, in no one in Israel * have I found such faith. I say to you, many will come from the east and the west, and will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the banquet in the kingdom of heaven, but the children of the kingdom will be driven out into the outer darkness, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.” And Jesus said to the centurion, “You may go; as you have believed, let it be done for you.” And at that very hour [his] servant was healed.
 
Short Reflection
A member of the group may wish to share some thoughts about God’s role in our lives and on the subject of gratitude for the men and women who protect us by serving in the military.
 
Prayers of The Faithful
Leader: Trusting in our Heavenly Father’s love we now offer Him our prayers and petitions.
Reader:                We pray Lord that your Church may continue to be a voice of peace and will continue to proclaim Your love especially in areas in which she is persecuted.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:                We pray Lord that all world leaders may put aside all selfish ambition and truly work for world peace.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:                We beseech You Lord to protect all of the men and women who serve to protect us and our country.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:                We ask you Lord to be present with those soldiers who have been wounded serving their country.   May they know of Your Love and our appreciation.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Reader:               
We ask you Lord to reward the soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can be free.  Welcome them into your heavenly kingdom where there is no more war, suffering, or tears.  We pray to the Lord.
All:  Lord hear our prayer
 
Our Father & Dismissal
Leader: Let us pray the prayer that Jesus taught us.
All:  Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy 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. Amen.
 
Leader: May almighty God bless us (+), protect us from all evil, and lead us to eternal life.
All:  Amen.

“Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach, the captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted. The captain had asked if he could have a group of army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say he could have one musician play.

The captain chose a bugler, and he asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth’s uniform. This wish was granted, The haunting melody we now know as “Taps,” used at military funerals, was born.

Source: Pulpit Helps (July 2001) article written by:
Diane O. Sides
Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO

A great Catholic Tradition is the Altar of Remebrance.  For the month of November Catholic set aside a space in their homes or church.  By simply placing a few Catholic items on a table like a Cross or a statue of the Blessed Virigin Mary along side photos of family members who have died.  This is a great moment for Catholics to pray for those who have died. 

Jack-o-lanterns are a great way to teach children about their faith.

First you begin by taking out all thy gross and icky seeds and stuff from the pumpkin. This is very similar to what God does with our hearts during the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He removes our sinfulness. Why? He does so in order to help us let His light shine through us much in the same way that we place a candle (or other small light) inside the jack-o-lantern.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mathew 5:14-16)

The Pinata was invented by our Mexican brothers and sisters as away of teaching their children their Catholic faith.

The pinata is normally in the shape of a donkey or a monster because it represents evil and evil is both scary and a stupid choice.

The pinata is brightly colored because evil is often tempting and attractive

The player is blindfolded because we often cannot see evil in our lives

The player swings a stick (a sword) because we are in a battle with evil.

The other people help the player hit the pinata and thus symbolize the Church helping each other defeat evil and sinfulness.

When evil is defeated then everyone gets the sweet reward of heaven.