March 25th- World Day of Prayer for Peace: "This Is Our Call": A Prayer Service

Background Information On Friday the 25th of March, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, Pope Francis has called all Catholics together to pray for peace. As we pray, Pope Francis and other religious leaders around the world will consecrate Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in the hopes of lasting peace. Opening Song: Rivers Of Your Peace by Andrew Chinn and Drew Lane WE GATHER - OPENING PRAYER Reader: Peace be with you. Response: And with your Spirit. Reader: Let us pray. Together: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Reader: Lord God of Peace. Today we gather in prayer with people of faith all over the world. We gather to pray for peace, especially in those places affected by war. As we pray may our voices combine and our hearts beat as one. May your love and mercy flow like a river through the Immaculate Heart of Mary to bring peace to our world. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Response: Amen.

WE LISTEN - THE WORD OF GOD We welcome the Gospel - Gospel Acclamation for Lent, music by Andrew Chinn Reader: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” The Gospel of the Lord. Response: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. WE RESPOND - PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION God of Love and God of Peace, Guided by St Francis of Assisi, we make these prayers of peace together in your name: Reader: Lord, make us rivers of your peace: Reader: Where there is hatred… Response: let us be love Reader: Where there is pain… Response: let us forgive Reader: Where there is doubt…. Response: let us be faith Reader: Lord, make us rivers of your peace: Reader: Where there’s despair… Response: Let us be hope Reader: Where there is darkness… Response: Let us be light Reader: Where there is sadness… Response: Let us be joy Reader: May our prayers be joined with prayers from every land on earth, may we be as one in our prayer and our call for peace. We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus, Prince of Peace, All: Amen WE ARE SENT FORTH - CLOSING PRAYER Reader: We have been called to prayer. And now we are called to move our prayer to action. And so we go forth encouraged to be people of peace by these words from Pope Francis: Lord God of peace, hear our prayer! Help us in this time of need. Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”... Give us courage to work towards peace and say no to violence. Renew our hearts and minds, so that we stand together as sisters and brothers. May our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam! Amen. (Adaptation of Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace - adapted for children’s liturgy) Reader: In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Response: Amen Reader: O Immaculate Heart of Mary… Response: Pray for us. Reader: Go in peace to be peace in the world. Response: Thanks be to God. Closing Song: Sunflowers by Timothy Hart