A day for Roman Catholics and Anglicans to pray for one another

Dear Members of Conference,

 

Each year we foster a day of prayer for Anglican and Roman Catholic reconciliation. The date agreed upon is the 4 November 2002.

 

Enclosed is short liturgy that has been prepared by AUSTARC to assist parishes to celebrate the occasion. As your appointed co-chair of AUSTARC, I recommend it to you and ask that you circulate it among your parishes.

 

Pope John Paul II has given special emphasis to the work of Ecumenism, and The Pontifical Council for Christian Unity has urged us to work especially on our relationship with the Anglican Church.

 

Yours sincerely in Christ,

 

David Walker
Catholic co-chair of AUSTARC

 

Suggestions for an order of service

 

This order contains suggested texts for the following elements:

 

gathering, invocation or call to prayer

 

a prayer of the day

 

suggested scripture readings

 

prayers of the people

 

closing prayer of blessing

 

To flesh these elements out and form a simple liturgy, consider asking one or two representatives from each tradition to work together to include some of the following ideas.

 

Adapting the texts:

 

adding local petitions to the prayers

 

omitting or adapting some of the existing prayers

 

adding a response to the litany

 

choosing a reading from the life of a saint

 

Adding music or drama

 

choosing a Taizé or Iona chant to include at various points

 

choosing a hymn or song known to both traditions

 

planning dance or a dramatic presentation of one or both bible readings

 

deciding where to use shared silence

 

preparing a simple ritual action to help proclaim the message of the liturgy  

 

Shaping the environment

 

bringing symbols of both traditions into the prayer space

 

arranging furniture into a suitable configuration

 

decorating candles that could continue to be used for on-going prayer in both churches

 

Sharing the ministries

 

allocating speaking roles widely among the people gathered

 

preparing musicians to lead simple singing

 

asking someone from each tradition to tell a personal story or lead a reflection on scripture

 

Texts

 

1. Gathering/Invocation

 

Gather us together, loving God, in company with your saints:
make us one in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Weave us together, loving God, in service to one another:
make us one in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Teach us together, loving God, to grow in truth and unity:
make us one in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Bless us together, loving God, with the gifts to be a faithful community:
make us one in the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

 

2. Prayer of the Day

 

Holy Spirit,
you shine with beauty and power
through the lives of the saints:
Give Anglicans and Roman Catholics the grace of unity,
and knit us together
in the service of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

3. Ministry of the Word

 

Isaiah 58.6-11

 

Psalm 32
suggested response
Rejoice in the Lord, be glad and sing.

 

2 Corinthians 5.14-20 or Ephesians 4.1-6, 15-16

 

Luke 12.32-38

 

4. Prayers of the People

 

Holy Spirit, come and help us grow together
as Roman Catholics and Anglicans.
Pour out your gifts, and draw us together in faith, hope, and love.

 

When Jesus calls us to be his disciples,
help us to find our true family here
and to see one another through his eyes.

 

When we are working together to proclaim the Good News,
help us to recognise each other's gifts
and to build on each other's strengths.

 

When some of us are in trouble or in pain,
help us to watch over each other gently and patiently,
and to bear each other's burdens willingly.

 

When some of us are flourishing and fruitful,
help us to celebrate your bounty with joyful hearts,
and keep us free of both arrogance and envy.

 

When we find ourselves disagreeing or competing,
help us to make room for one another graciously
and to listen for your wisdom in the variety of voices.

 

When some of us stray or fade or turn away from the Church,
help us to understand how the whole community is diminished,
and to search and pray for all to be restored.

 

When we settle too easily for the comforts of a familiar community,
help us to see the needs of the people who do not yet belong,
and to invite them wholeheartedly to join us.

 

When we face a hostile or indifferent world,
help us to take pride in our Christian faith
and to encourage one another to persevere in our ministry.

 

When we are searching for ways to go forward together,
help us to trust that our future is in your hands,
and you will always provide for your Church.

 

5. Blessing prayer

 

Spirit of truth, bless us with eyes to see your grace
in one another's lives. Amen.
Spirit of peace, bless us with ears to hear your wisdom
on one another's lips. Amen.
Spirit of joy, bless us with strength to use your power
in one another's service. Amen.