Prayerful Concerns of Our Parish Community – 4th Sunday of Advent

So that we might continue our prayerful reflection throughout this fourth week of Advent, we include these Prayers of the Faithful from the weekend (Dec 17-18, 2022).

To Ahaz you spoke. To Joseph you spoke. You speak to us, too, often unexpectedly and pointing us in directions we would not have chosen. Help us and those for whom we pray today to recognize the ways you speak today. We pray:

For our Church and our leaders, everywhere, and right here in Maine. Give our leaders the courage to speak humbly and truthfully about the sins of the Church in the past and the ways we have made changes. We pray to the Lord.

We remember the women in the genealogy of Jesus and their daughters today: woman who have been denied their rights, who have had to use their bodies to survive; women despised and held in contempt; women separated and torn from those they love; the daughters of Mary in our world, facing scandal and disrespect, saying “yes” to an unknown future. For them, we pray to the Lord.

For families where there will be few or no Christmas presents this year, for those who lack food or money to heat their homes, for those without homes, for all in need we pray. We pray, too, for all who in their actions and contributions do what they can -and more – to meet these needs, we pray to the Lord.

Fifty years ago this weekend St. Pius Church was dedicated. We pray in gratitude for those who believed in and sacrificed for our community. We pray that today, as we live into a challenging future, we may believe and sacrifice that our mission and life continue, flourish, and grow in service of God’s people, we pray to the Lord.

That women and couples expecting babies will receive the Lord’s blessing and help from those around them, that those facing decisions about their future will receive the gift of wisdom to decide and courage to follow as God reveals that to them, that those who are in a position of changing our community and world to reflect God’s mercy and justice may use their position to advance the good. We pray the Lord.

We pray for those grieving at this special time. Lord console them in their grief. We pray for all who have died, that they have received the Lord’s blessing of eternal life. At this liturgy we especially remember:
4:30 PM William & Michael Jennings by The Jennings Family
7:30 AM  Deceased Members of Julie & Rosaire Dostie’s Family by The Family
9:30 AM  Sylvester & Mary Axmacher by Frank Paul
5:00 PM For the People of the Parish both Living & Deceased
We pray to the Lord.

O God, you have set before us a great hope that your Kingdom will come on earth, and have taught us to pray for its coming; make us ready to thank you for the signs of its dawning, and to work and pray for the perfect day when your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.