EARTH DAY PRAYER and RESOURCES

Prayer for the Earth

Most gracious God, we come before you to pray for the wellbeing of the planet. You alone know the full extent of the destruction we have wrought to your beautiful handiwork, and what needs to be done to remedy it. We pray for the people around the globe who suffer because of environmental damage. We pray for the defenseless creatures harmed or made extinct by our selfishness and ignorance. We pray for the oceans, air, mountains, plants, and soil, that life and health may again pulse in them. We pray that we humans have a change of heart and stop harming the planet. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us that we may have the passion and wisdom to work effectively to restore your creation. Guide us in our personal, church and community efforts. Give us strength to continue on with this work when it is difficult and requires sacrifice. Bless the Earth and all its life in every way. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen. (by Carol Meyer, ASC, used with permission)


Resources:
Explore The Earth Charter at www.earthcharter.org
Follow the Earth Charter at https://www.facebook.com/EarthCharter
US Catholic Bishops Renewing The Earth
Canadian Religious Conference Environment Resources
Leadership Conference of Women Religious Resolutions to Action 
 

Hamilton, Ontario and Human Trafficking

It is not about young girls and it is not in cities far removed from our own lives. Download this month's Stop Trafficking newsletter to read about the arrests that recently took place in Hamilton, Ontario. It is the largest human trafficking case in Canadian history. Download the APRIL ISSUE here.  Let us continue to pray for victims of human trafficking.

EASTER INVITATION TO PRAY

  

HE IS RISEN!

 

On this Easter Vigil night, we pierce the darkness with light, we tell our story, we bless water, we welcome new members, we break bread and drink from the cup ... but most of all we REJOICE! With ALLELUIA'S ringing throughout the world, we invite you to pray with us the intercessions and closing prayer of our Easter Liturgy of the Hours. (Taken from People's Companion to the Breviary, Vol. II, Carmelites of Indianapolis)

 Let us pray:

You broke the reign of death, O Christ and we are free! With joyful voice we proclaim:

     Glory and praise to you!

Redeemer of all, enlighten us who still walk in the shadow of death;

     - that with your new life we may conquer our addictions and prejudices.

Risen Savior, you appeared first to women, and sent them with the glad tidings;

     - free all women bound by traditions and cultures that inhibit their human development.

Hallowed Stranger, you appeared this evening to the disillusioned disciples on the road to Emmaus;

     - enkindle our hearts to recognize you in the unlikely circumstances of our lives.

Savior of the world, your message is peace in a world racked with violence;

      - teach us the way of non-violence toward all creation. 

Most merciful, loving God, you have been revealed in Christ Jesus as he rises to bring us the message of forgiveness and all-embracing love. May we who have passed with him from death to life in the mysteries we have celebrated, be signs of your life among us. We ask this through Jesus, our risen Savior.  Amen!

May the knowledge of the Risen Lord's love for you

gift you with a deep sense of HOPE.

HAPPY EASTER from all the CLUNY SISTERS!

HOLY SATURDAY INVITATION TO PRAYER

In this 'in between time' we once again invite you to pray with us the intercessions and closing prayer taken for our evening Liturgy of the Hours for Holy Saturday. (from People's Companion to the Breviary, Vol. 1, Carmelites of Indianapolis)

Let us pray:

Jesus, son of God, come to set us free, lies bound in the earth. All who hoped in him await a new day, and so we pray:

     O Christ, deliver us.

Jesus, you died to set us free;

     - give true freedom to those bound because of race, sex, creed, or way of life.

You died that we might have life to the full;

     - inspire and encourage women in their quest for equality.

You died revealing God's love for us;

     - enlighten those who have no love for themselves; befriend and heal them.

You died leaving your mother in the care of another;

     - bless those who leave all to serve you in their respective ways of life; encourage and comfort their families.

Death released you from the agony of the cross;

     - be present to all who are ill; have pity on the elderly and the dying.

O God, by his life and his death on the cross, Jesus has revealed the depth of your love for us. One in our flesh, he became one in our dying and burial. Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and once again call us to life that we may be on e with him in his resurrection. This we ask through Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever.  Amen!

GOOD FRIDAY INVITATION TO PRAYER

On this Good Friday, we invite you to pray with us the intercessions and closing prayer from our morning Liturgy of the Hours. (taken from People's Companion to the Breviary, Vol. 1; Carmelites of Indianapolis)

 Let us pray:

We adore you, O Christ, for by the wood of the cross, you brought joy to the world: 

     Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus, you were taken prisoner in the darkness of night; all  your friends abandoned you;

     - be with all who are abducted and strengthen all who mourn those who are missing.

You were crowned with thorns and beaten by soldiers;

     - help us to end torture throughout the world; have pity on those so afflicted.

Your face was covered with spittle and you wore a robe of shame;

     -heal the wounds that make us act less than human; remind us that we are made in the image of  God.

You accepted the help of Simon and Veronica;

     -awaken us to the ways that we can help those who are suffering, and be grateful to those who minister to us. 

Carrying your cross, you continued to show concern for others, for those who would come after you;

     -let our burdens make us compassionate toward the burdens of others.

Merciful God, you so loved the world that you sent Jesus to save us. He showed his love for us by his life and his death on the cross. Give us the grace to respond with all our minds and hearts with a love that transforms us into a people worthy of you. Teach us to live in you and for one another as Jesus taught us.

Amen!

HOLY WEEK Reflection from Lent 4.5: Gratitude and Generosity

Follow the link to the Holy Week reflections from Lent 4.5

 Holy Week Reflection: Gratitude and Generosity

Further information and reflections can be found on their website at:

 http://www.earthandspiritcenter.org/lent45/

May Holy Week be filled with blessings for you and your loved ones!

Cluny April Calendar

April's FREEDOM focus is that of freeing all of creation! Join us this month in finding ways we can free and honor all of God's creation. Click on each calendar page to see a larger version!

The link highlighted this month is an issue of Catholic Update on care for God's creation. It can be found at:  Catholic Update