Call to Prayer - Rosary Coast To Coast - October 7, 2018

This is especially dear to me since October 7 is the day I came back into the Catholic Church after many years away.  That was in 1997. The Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary.   

Visit RosaryCoastToCoast.com

Melkite Greek Catholic Eparch Nicholas Samra Visits Our Lady of Perpetual Help

The Melkite Greek Catholic Eparch, Bishop Nicholas Samra, was in town this week to do some teaching for this year's class of Melkite Deacon Candidates.  While here on Sunday, June 2, 2013, he con-celebrated Divine Liturgy at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) in Worcester, MA.  The other clergy joining him were Pastor, Fr. Paul Frechette, Deacon Elias Bailey and Deacon Dennis McCarthy.  The class of Deacon Candidates joined the laity.

There is something grounding about having the Eparch at our church, especially this Eparch.  When I sat next to him after Liturgy downstairs in the church hall, I was greeted and talked with as if I was one of the family.  Bishop Samra is down to earth and humble.  Please pray for him at all times, but especially in the coming week when he travels to strife-ridden Lebanon for meetings.

Having the Deacon Candidates present to pray and chant with the rest of us was also a blessing.  Their deep and loud voices lifted us up.  May God bless their discernment process.

Veneration of the Cross w/Bishop Nicholas Samra &  Deacons in Background

2013 Class of Deacon Candidates Preparing for Divine Liturgy 

The celebration was multi-layered in that OLPH also began its year long celebration of the 90th anniversary as a church community and the 50th anniversary of the church building.  To see more photos, visit the OLPH Facebook Page.

images - Personal photos

God Bless You on This Wonderful Palm Sunday!

"And on the next day, a great multitude that was to come to the festival day, when they had heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried: Hosanna, blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord, the king of Israel." ~John 12:12-13

image - http://blueeyedennis-siempre.blogspot.com/2011/04/palm-sunday.html

How I Wish I Was Mary Magdalene On That Easter Day

Happy Easter!  Alleluia!  Happy Pascha!  Alleluia! 
Christ is Risen!  Alleluia!

Happy Resurrection Day!  Alleluia! 

♪♫♪♫ ♪♫♪♫

Christ is risen from the dead and by
His death He has trampled upon Death and
has given life to those who were in the tomb.

♪♫♪♫ ♪♫♪♫

However you depict it, it is truly awesome!  Jesus saved us from death!

 

 

                     

Glory of Glories!  Christ is Risen!  I'm having Easter dinner with some friends of mine.  I am looking forward to the ham, potatoes, vegetables, salad, homemade bread, coconut cakes and jelly beans.  There have been Easters in the past where I had no perceived reason to celebrate, and no one to celebrate with.  God has been good.  His grace has turned me around and now I truly feel the joy of the Resurrection, especially after a fruitful Lent. 

Each year, I try to carry at least one of my Lenten devotions into Easter Week, or Bright Week, as they call it in the East, and then into the rest of the Liturgical Year.  I do not always manage a 100% incorporation rate, but I have always managed something greater than 0%.  In my prayer these days, I continue to ask Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and God the Father, to help me grow closer to Them by helping me understand the mystery of the Crucified Christ more deeply.  I think They have heard my call.

May you and yours have a Wonderful and Blessed Easter Day.

Kathleen


images - http://theosophical.wordpress.com/category/theology/resurrection-theology/
http://www.turnbacktogod.com/pictures-of-the-resurrection-of-jesus/
http://resurrection-brentwood.org/
http://biblestudycharts.com/Resurrection_Hymns.html
http://josephpatterson.wordpress.com/2011/04/26/the-resurrection-of-christ-our-god-and-the-laws-of-physics/
http://genesiseightseven.blogspot.com/2012/03/common-sense-resurrection.html

Happy Birthday To Us, The Catholic Church

How I wish I was there in the Upper Room with Mary and the Apostles, when the Holy Spirit descended upon them.  When I pray this mystery of the Rosary, I ask God to give me the zeal that was given to them that day, the birth day of our Church.

The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Upon Mary and the Apostles

I just want to be on fire for the Church, because sometimes I feel like I am too mediocre of a Catholic.  I have this fantasy of being like them, spreading the Word in a most profound and everlasting fashion.

The other things I pray for, when I do this mystery of the Rosary, is the gift of tongues, not in a flashy way, but in a way that allows me to muddle through any confusion inherent with language, and come to understand what God is truly trying to tell me through another person.  Likewise, I pray that I be given the ability to speak, such that I touch another person's heart and soul, and we understand one another beyond the verbal level.

Wouldn't you love to be infused with the Holy Spirit?

Happy Pentecost!  Happy Birthday to our Church!

Kathleen

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image - http://adorotedevote.blogspot.com/2007/05/pentecost-veni-sancti-spiritus.html
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250-Year-Old Political Dispute Results In Russia Taking Back Icons

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I was so looking forward to seeing the special exhibition, Dismantling the Treasures from Moscow, at the Museum of Russian Icons in Clinton, MA, but it looks like I won't be able to. Russia has recalled the entire collection, which was on loan to the museum. It's not totally clear why, but it is related to some 250-year-old political dispute between Russia and the U.S., about a collection of Jewish books and documents.

For the full article, click here

I would still recommend a visit to anyone.  It is housed in a refurbished mill building.  The curator personally obtained many of the pieces during several of his visits to Russia, years ago.  The interior decor is nicely done, and the magnifying lens/light at each icon is a tremendous help.  Classy is the word that comes to me.

Piano concerts, education classes, icon painting and egg workshops are also held.  Check out their schedule and visitors' information here


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image - http://www.museumofrussianicons.org/
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Still Wondering What To Give Up For Lent?

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I often find it more challenging to do the kinds of things in the list below, than to give up ice cream or take up walking every day.  I have highlighted the three that have particular meaning and lots of room for practice for me.

A Special Lenten Fast

Give up harsh words - Use generous ones;
Give up unhappiness - Take up gratitude;
Give up anger - Take up gentleness & patience;
Give up pessimism - Take up hope and optimism;
Give up worrying - Take up trust in God;
Give up complaining - Value what you have;
Guive up stress - Take up prayer;
Give up judging others - Discover Jesus within them;
Give up sorrow and bitterness - Fill your heart with joy;
Give up selfishness - Take up compassion for others;
Give up being unforgiving - Learn reconciliation;
Give up words - Fill yourself with silence & listen to others.


May your Lenten season continue to be fruitful.  Peace. +

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images - http://crazy-frankenstein.com/page-6.html

Let Lent Begin

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Praying on Ash Wednesday
Latin Rite

Vegan Fare After Forgiveness Vespers
Eastern Byzantine Rite

In the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church, Lent has begun, as marked by Forgiveness Vespers today.  In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, Lent begins this Wednesday, Ash Wednesday.  Since I have not posted a prayer lately, I thought I would highlight some that can pave our way into our Lenten practices.  I am so ready for Lent!!!


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Blue highlights are passages that went right to my soul when I posted this.

"Father, we thank you for revealing yourself to us in Jesus the Christ, we who once were not your people but whom you chose to adopt as your people. As ancient Israel confessed long ago, we realize that it was not because of our own righteousness, or our own superior wisdom, or strength, or power, or numbers. It was simply because you loved us, and chose to show us that love in Jesus.

As you have accepted us when we did not deserve your love, will you help us to accept those whom we find it hard to love? Forgive us, O Lord, for any attitude that we harbor that on any level sees ourselves as better or more righteous than others. Will you help us to remove the barriers of prejudice and to tear down the walls of bigotry, religious or social? O Lord, help us realize that the walls that we erect for others only form our own prisons!

Will you fill us so full of your love that there is no more room for intolerance? As you have forgiven us much, will you enable us with your strength to forgive others even more? Will you enable us through your abiding Presence among us, communally and individually, to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Name we bear?

May we, through your guidance and our faithful obedience, find new avenues in ways that we have not imagined of holding the Light of your love so that it may be a Light of revelation for all people.

We thank you for your love, praise you for your Gift, ask for your continued Presence with us, and bring these petitions in the name of your Son, who has truly revealed your heart. Amen." - http://www.crivoice.org/cyepiph.html

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And there are the seven penitential Psalms, which are expressive of sorrow for sin..

Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 142 [New American Bible Revised Edition]
 6, 31, 37, 51, 102, 129, and 142 [Septuagint Bible]

Let me print one here, Psalm 6.  I like the Septuagint version with the older English.  There is just something more visceral and soul tapping with that language.

1 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath, neither chasten me in thine anger. 2 Pity me, O Lord; for I am weak: heal me, O Lord; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul also is grievously vexed: but thou, O Lord, how long? 4 Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: save me for thy mercy’s sake. 5 For in death no man remembers thee: and who will give thee thanks in Hades? 6 I am wearied with my groaning; I shall wash my bed every night; I shall water my couch with tears. 7 Mine eye is troubled because of my wrath; I am worn out because of all my enemies.

8 Depart from me, all ye that work iniquity; for the Lord has heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The Lord has hearkened to my petition; the Lord has accepted my prayer. 10 Let all mine enemies be put to shame and sore troubled: let them be turned back and grievously put to shame speedily.


image - http://www.dodekanissaweb.gr/info/cleanmonday.html
http://catholicism.about.com/od/catholicliving/ig/Wordless-Wednesday-Gallery/Ash-Wednesday-2008.htm
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Ronald Reagan on Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation

Today marks the day that Ronald Reagan would have been 100 years old.  In honor of that, author Donald R. McClarey resurrected Mr. Reagan's 1983 essay, Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation.

The essay, and Mr. McClarey's commentary, are wonderfully refreshing, especially in the middle of ProChoice America.  I hope you take time to soak in the goodness of both of these written pieces.

Have a Blessed Sunday,
Kathleen

Oh, how my heart yearns for real adults to be in key positions of power again.


image - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Official_Portrait_of_President_Reagan_1981.jpg
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GMCFL Holy Hour For Life

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HOLY HOUR FOR LIFE

Sponsored by

Greater Marlboro Coalition For Life

Sunday, January 23, 2011

3 pm to 4 pm

Adoration, Benediction, Divine Praises, Hymns

Tri-Lingual (English, Spanish and Portuguese)

Immaculate Conception Parish

11 Prospect Street

Marlboro, MA 01752

Come pray for the dignity of all human life, for reparation of sins and

violations to the human person through all acts of abortion, and for

the full restoration of the legal guarantee of the right to life.

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* This is part of the Archdiocesan's Boston 2011 Holy Hour For Life effort *.

image - http://stlambert.net/groups.html

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In Need of Prayer

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Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on me and on the whole world.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on me and on the whole world.

Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One,

Have mercy on me and on the whole world.

Amen.

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images - http://www.aiwaz.net/panopticon/adoration-of-the-holy-trinity/gi1041c152

http://www.holytrinitysookebc.org/icon.htm

http://www.prayforourleaders.com/WeeklyFamilyNights.html

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Humility and Perseverance

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I am piecing together two articles for a local newspaper.  I say piecing together, because that is what it is.  It is a bit on the painstaking side, calling me to practice the virtues of humility and perseverance.

I know what I want to say, but I don't know how I want to say it.  On second thought, I don't even know what I want to say.  It keeps changing.  I am praying to the Holy Spirit for inspiration, but it is slow in coming.  My guess is that He will come forth more strongly as the deadlines approach.  That's just how He works in my life.

The topics?  They are related to women's issues.  Imagine that.  ;-)  Here is a fitting prayer to help me on my way.  It is from the Publicans Prayer Book from the Melkite Greek Catholic Church's Eparchy in West Roxbury, MA.

O Blessed Theotokos, open the portal of your
deep mercy to us who put our trust in you, so that
we may not be brought to confusion, but through
you may be delivered from adversity; for you are
 the salvation of the Christian fold.  Amen.

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From the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
1833 Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good.


image - http://www.shermankuek.net/2007/12/.

Visiting A Coptic Orthodox Church

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As I experience the Eastern aspects of Christianity, I want to explore more, so I recently attended a Coptic Orthodox Liturgy at St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church in Natick, MA.  They have the Real Presence, but they are not in union with Rome.  We did not receive Communion and I believe they would not have given it to us.

Their Liturgy is more similar to the Eastern Catholic's Byzantine Liturgy than it is to the Roman Catholic Liturgy.  It was beautiful.  The language was a mix of English, Coptic and Arabic.  They had cymbals and a triangle for musical instruments.  Young boys are ordained as deacons and even read the Gospel.  They start out as Reader and progress in levels with time and I imagine, skill. 

Women sit on one side of the main body of the church (nave) and men sit on the other side.  Women also wear chapel veils, something I wish we did more of in the Roman Catholic Church.  The deacons and priest take off their shoes in the altar area, which is central and separated from the choir area and the nave.  The altar is sacred and undefiled.  Shoes might track in dirt.  Also, for Communion, everyone removes their shoes, since they are approaching Jesus and they enter a small area near the altar. 

A fourth reading is done during the Liturgy of the Word.  Along with two Epistles and the Gospel, writings from the saint of the day are read.  I loved the box in which they collected the monetary offering.  It was beautiful with red satin and I believe yellow corded trim.  I also liked the procession done by the priest and deacons with the relics of the saint of the day.  The relics are kept in a ceramic tube and the tube is rubbed with oil and spices before the procession.  Icons of the saint are included and the priest incenses them continually as they walk around the church. 

Their Eucharist is similar to the Greek Melkite Catholic Eucharist.  The bread is leavened.  They are given the Body and Blood of Jesus separately, not by intinction.  The blood is given by spoon.  At the end of the Liturgy, the priest blesses everyone with water.  One last item of interest is the duration.  The Liturgy was three hours long, mostly standing, some sitting, some prostrating or as close to that as you could do where you were sitting.  There was lots of incense and surrounding beauty (icons) to bring everyone more deeply into the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Dear God, please guide us in our ecumenical

efforts with the Coptic Orthodox Church. 

May we all be one some day. +

Here is background information about this Christian church.  The picture is of their current Pope.

The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in Egypt was founded by St. Mark, the Apostle.  It is the official name of the largest Christian church in Egypt.  The term "Copts" is the same as the word, "Egyptians."  "Coptic" is used to distinguish Christian Egyptians from Muslim natives in that country.  The Coptic Orthodox are Oriental Orthodox, who have been its own entity since the Council of Chalcedon which was held in 451 AD.  At that time, they split off due to their different views on the nature of Christ.  Was He all human? all Divine? both human and divine? human and divine as a mix or as two separate natures in one body?

"In terms of Christology, the Oriental Orthodox (Non-Chalcedonian [and Copts]) understand that Christ is 'One Nature--the Logos Incarnate,' of the full humanity and full divinity. The Chalcedonians' [and therefore Roman Catholic] understand that Christ is in two natures, full humanity and full divinity." - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coptic_Orthodox_Church_of_Alexandria  

Another significant difference between the Copts and the Roman Catholics stems from our conflicting beliefs about the Pope's role in the Church.  We believe the Pope, who is a successor of Peter who was the first Pope, has a special primacy or authority and is elevated in dignity above all Popes and Patriarchs in other Christian sects.  We believe he is the Supreme Pontiff, head of all the bishops.  The Copts on the other hand, believe the Pope is a "first among equals."  That is, he has no special authority over the other bishops.

Their Pope is the chairman and head of the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria, as a first among equals. This organization is the highest authority in their Church of Alexandria. It formulates the rules and regulations for the church's faith, order and organization. Their Pope is also the chairman of the church's General Congregation Council. 

The Oriental Orthodox and therefore the Coptic Orthodox, say that their respective patriarchs (like our bishops) and Pope are equal with all Christian bishops, including the Roman Catholic Pope.  On the other hand, Roman Catholics believe that the Pope of Rome is elevated in dignity and jurisdiction not only above the other bishops, but also above the other four Popes and Patriarchs of the Major Apostolic Thrones (Alexandria, Constantinople, Antioch and Jerusalem).  The Coptic Orthodox Church rejects this and our two churches remain independent of each other.

The Coptic Orthodox Pope is currently H. H. Shenouda III.  The Roman Catholic Pope is Benedict XVI..

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images - http://www.stmarkboston.com/
http://www.copticchurch.net/topics/pope


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Total Surrender

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Lord Jesus Christ, please take all my freedom,

my memory, my understanding and my will.

All that I have and cherish, You have given me.

I surrender it all to be guided by Your will.

Your love and Your grace are wealth enough for me.

Give me these, Lord Jesus, and I ask for nothing more.

- Modern version of the Suscipe by St. Ignatius of Loyola

This is a prayer that has provided me much solace ever since someone gave it to me about seven years ago.  Surrendering can be very liberating.

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image - http://norprov.org/spirituality/images/offerssword.jpg
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Face Reality And Move On

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Illegal immigrants are illegal.  It is that easy.

Yes, they have families and yes, they will be separated from them if they are deported, but they should have thought about that beforehand.  That sounds really cold, but it is no different from my son forcing his way into the Girl Scouts.  They have every right to force him out.

Our nation would be so much more productive if people could stick to the basics, accept the fact that they are not going to get their way all the time, and move on with trust in God.

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, patron saint of immigrants, please pray for us.

.image - https://www.ymcadallas.org/images/upload/Get%20a%20move%20on.jpg
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Come Holy Spirit, Fill The Hearts Of Your Faithful

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Happy Pentecost Sunday!  Such a healing and empowering day.  Wouldn't you have just loved to be with Mary and the Apostles when Jesus sent His Holy Spirit down upon them?

"Come Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind.  Help me to know my sins and to be sorry for them.  Renew in me a new spirit."

That is one of my favorite prayers to the Holy Spirit, before Confession, but on a daily basis as well.  I hope your feast day with the Holy Spirit brings a wonderful renewal in your soul.

In Christ,
Kathleen
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image - http://jameswoodward.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/pentecost.jpg

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Preparation of the Holy Gifts

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It's Sunday, so the topic is related to keeping the Lord's Day holy. 

Today, I want to share some of the richness of the Eastern Catholic Church. Leavened bread is used for Communion.  Round loaves are made and baked (in my church, by the Pastor) and then prepared by the Pastor for Communion.  It is called the Preparation of the Holy Gifts.

In the preparation, the priest cuts the loaves (prosphora) up and distributes the pieces/particles on the Diskos (paten) based on what they are allocated for.  Here is an example.
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 Pieces Identified
Starting with top left and going clockwise:
1) Theotokos (Mary, Mother of God)
2) The Lamb (Jesus Christ)
3) The Ranks of the Saints, e.g. Angels, Prophets, Apostles, Hierarchs, Martyrs, Monastics, Holy Unmercenaries, Patron of the Church & Saint of the Day, Saint of Liturgy
4) Particles for the Communion of the Faithful mixed in with those for the Living and the Dead (reposed)


image - http://www.stseraphimschurch.org/images/articlesimages/Diskos.jpg

The ceremony for this preparation is very rich and visceral.  I think I would be transported back in time to the actual Crucifixion, e.g. the thrusting of the lance into the bread.  Please read and see.  It is a little long, but it goes quickly and is worth the read.

PREPARAT ION OF THE HOLY GI FTS
The Priest stands before the Prothesis. The Deacon stands to his right. They bow three times, saying:
O God, forgive me the sinner and have mercy on me (Three times).

The Priest raises his hands, saying:
Priest: You have redeemed us from the curse of the Law by Your precious Blood. By being nailed to the cross and wounded with the lance, You have become for us the fountain of immortality. Glory to you, our Savior.

Deacon: Bless, Master.

Priest: Blessed is our God at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

Five or seven prosphora are used for the Divine Liturgy. The Priest takes what is necessary for the day’s liturgy and prepares the rest as antidoron. For simplification, only one prosphoron need be used.
In the event of a large number of communicants, a second Diskos, or even more, may be prepared for the Communion of the faithful.
Taking the first prosphoron in his left hand and the holy lance in his right hand, the Priest makes the sign of the cross on it with the lance, saying each time:
Priest: In remembrance of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ. (Three times)

The Deacon, standing with reverence at the right hand of the Priest and holding the orarion [Deacon's vestment] with the three fingers of his right hand, points to the prosphoron. At each cutting he says:
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The Priest thrusts the holy lance into the right side of the seal and makes an incision, saying:
Like a sheep, He was led to the slaughter.

Into the left side of the seal, saying:
Like a spotless lamb silent before its shearer, He opens not His mouth.

Into the top side of the seal, saying:
In His humiliation, His judgment was taken away.

And into the bottom side, saying:
And who shall declare His generation?
Deacon: Lift up, Master.

The Priest, thrusting the lance obliquely under the seal, lifts it out, saying:

For His life was taken away from the earth.
And he puts it upside down on the Diskos.
Deacon: Immolate, Master.

The Priest immolates the Lamb by incising a cross in it without cutting it through and says:
Priest: The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is immolated for the life and salvation of the world.

Then he turns the Lamb over with the seal facing up.
Deacon: Pierce, Master.

He pierces it on the right side, below the letters IC, saying:
Priest: One of the soldiers pierced His side with a lance, and at once there poured forth blood and water, and he who saw it bore witness, and his witness is true.

The Deacon pours wine and a little water into the Chalice, saying to the Priest:
Deacon: Bless, Master, this holy union.
Priest: Blessed is the union of Your holy things, at all times, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

The Priest takes a second prosphoron or cuts the triangular portion from the same prosphoron, saying:
In honor and memory of our most highly blessed and glorious Lady the Theotokos and ever‐virgin Mary, through whose prayers do You, Lord, receive this sacrifice upon Your Altar in Heaven.

He places the particle on the Diskos to the left of the Lamb, saying:
At Your right stood the Queen, clothed in an embroidered mantle of gold.

He takes a third prosphoron or cuts a particle from the first one, puts it on the Diskos to the right of the Lamb, starting the first row, and says:
In honor and memory of the great captains of the angelic armies, Michael and Gabriel, and of all the heavenly bodiless powers.

He cuts another particle and places it below the first, saying:
Of the honorable and glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist; of the holy glorious prophets Moses and Aaron, Elias and Elisha, and David son of Jesse; of the Three Holy Youths and the prophet Daniel; and of all the holy prophets.

He cuts another particle and places below the previous, saying:
Of the holy, glorious and illustrious Apostles Peter and Paul and of all the holy Apostles.

He cuts another particle and starts a second row, saying:
Of our fathers among the saints the great hierarchs and universal teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, Athanasios and Cyril, Nicholas of Myra, and all the holy hierarchs.

He cuts another particle and places below the previous, saying:
Of the holy first martyr and archdeacon Stephen, of the holy great martyrs Demetrios, George and Theodore the Recruit, and of all the holy men and women martyrs.

He cuts another particle and places below the previous, saying:
Of our saintly fathers the God‐Bearers Anthony the Great, Euthymios, Sabbas, Onouphrios, Athanasios of Athos, and all our other venerable fathers and mothers.

He cuts another particle and starts a third row, saying:
Of the holy wonderworkers laboring without pay Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon and Hermolaos, and of all the holy ones laboring without pay.

He cuts another particle and places it below the previous, saying
Of the holy and just ancestors of Christ God, Joachim and Ann, of St. N. patron of this holy church (or this holy monastery), of St. N. whose memory we celebrate today, and of all the saints, through whose prayers visit us, O God.

He cuts another particle and places it below the previous, saying:
Of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople.

He takes a fourth prosphoron or cuts a particle from the same one and places it below the holy Lamb saying:
Remember, Master who love mankind, all the Orthodox Bishops, our Father and Bishop N, his honorable presbyterate, the diaconate in Christ, and all the clergy, (in monasteries, our venerable Father Superior N.), our brothers and fellow ministers, priests, deacons, and all our brethren whom in the depth of Your compassion You have called to communion with you, all‐good Master.

He cuts another particle, places it next to the previous and commemorates by name those of the living whom he will, first the bishop who ordained him, if he is still alive.
He takes a fifth prosphoron or cuts a particle from the same one and begins another row, saying:
In memory and for the remission of sins of the blessed founders of this holy church (or monastery).

He cuts another particle, places it beside the preceding one, commemorates the bishop who ordained him, if deceased, and mentions by name those of the deceased whom he wishes, saying:
Remember all our Orthodox fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection to eternal life and in communion with You, O Lord who love mankind.

Then the Priest cuts particles in remembrance of those whom the Deacon wishes among the living and the dead and places them in the appropriate rows on the Diskos.
The Priest cuts a final particle and places it with the other particles saying:
Remember also, Lord, my own unworthiness and pardon my transgressions, the deliberate and the indeliberate.

Individual particles for the Communion of the Faithful can be cut and added to the Diskos at this point.
The Deacon presents the lighted censer to the Priest saying:
Deacon: Bless the incense, Master. Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest: We offer You incense, Christ our God, for an odor of spiritual fragrance. Receive it on Your altar in Heaven, and send down upon us in return the grace of Your All‐Holy Spirit.

The Priest holds the asterisk for the Deacon to cense.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

The Priest opens the Asterisk and places it over the bread on the Diskos, saying:
Priest: And the star came to rest over the place where the Child was.

The Priest holds the veil of the Diskos for the Deacon to cense.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Adorn, Master.

The Priest covers the Diskos with the veil, saying:
Priest: The Lord is King, He has put on splendor; the Lord has put on might and has girded Himself with strength.

He takes the second veil and holds it for the Deacon to cense.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Veil, Master.

The Priest covers the Chalice with the veil, saying:
Priest: Your majesty, O Christ, has covered the heavens and the earth is filled with your praise.

Finally he takes the large veil and holds it for the Deacon to cense.
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord. Cover, Master.

The Priest covers both the Diskos and the Chalice, saying:
Priest: Cover us over with the cover of Your wings; drive away from us every enemy and foe; make life peaceful for us. Lord, have mercy on us and on Your world, and save our souls, for You are good and love mankind.

Taking the censer from the Deacon, the Priest censes the oblations three times, saying each time:
Priest: Blessed are You, our God, who were pleased so to do, glory to You at all times.

The Deacon says each time:
Deacon: Now and always and forever and ever. Amen.

The Deacon takes the censer from the Priest. They both reverently bow three times. The Deacon says:
Deacon: For the offering of these precious gifts, let us pray to the Lord.

Raising his hands, the Priest recites the Offering Prayer:
O God, our God, who sent forth the Heavenly Bread, food for the whole world, our Lord and God Jesus Christ, as a Savior, Redeemer and Benefactor to bless and sanctify us:  be pleased to bless this offering and to accept it on Your Altar in Heaven. In Your goodness and love for mankind, remember both those who offer it and those for whom it is offered. Hold us uncondemned in the celebration of Your divine mysteries, for hallowed and glorified is Your most noble and magnificent name, of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever.
Deacon: Amen.

The Priest concludes the Prothesis, saying:
Glory to You, Christ God, our hope, glory to You.
Deacon: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Give the blessing, Master, in the name of the Lord.
Priest: May Christ our true God, (who is risen from the dead, if it is a Sunday) through the prayers of His all‐pure Mother, of our father among the saints John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, and of all the saints, have mercy on us and save us, for He is good and loves mankind.
Deacon: Amen.
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prayer - http://melkite.org/PDF/LITURGY2009.pdf
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Are You Keeping The Lord's Day Holy?

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"Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day."  It is the third Commandment.
With many women in the workplace, stores and businesses open on Sundays, and families dispersed all over the country, this Commandment can be difficult to follow.  It can be done, though.  Here are some ways.
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1) Attend Mass and maybe even Benediction.
2) No work, even overtime.
3) Refrain from shopping (emergency only).
4) Refrain from unnecessary chores.
5) Read the Bible and/or do Daily Office.
6) Pray the Rosary.
7) Take a leisurely walk.
8) Gather with family and/or friends.
9) Pray.

I do some of these, but with the exception of attending Mass and praying, I do not do them regularly.  I have gotten better at leaving the dishes until Monday, but I do not have young children around and I do not usually host a gathering.  Some Sundays are better than others when it comes to refraining from shopping.  I really have to plan better, i.e. buy certain things a day or two beforehand so that I am not tempted, or if I do need something, go in and shop for and buy that, but not anything else.  As for working on Sundays, that has never been an issue for me, but I do know people who have requested Sundays off when applying for a new job, or who have declined from working overtime on Sundays.  Sacrifice.  It is all about sacrifice and about offering that sacrifice up in union with Jesus on the Cross for the conversion and salvation of all souls.

On a tangent, if you would like a chart of the Scriptural origin of each of the Commandments, go here.  http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/command.htm

Peace in Christ,
Kathleen
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image - http://newmillenia.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/christ_in_glory_icon_poster-p228274422439310090tdcp_400.jpg
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