INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
One week before the Plenary Council, how timely to hear Moses cry out, ‘If only the whole people of God were prophets, and the Lord gave his Spirit to them all!’ and to recall Pentecost Day.
The Council’s base text dares to declare (#198): ‘It is the gift of the Holy Spirit at work in us, as individuals and as the community of disciples which we call the Church, which can guide us as we step bravely into the future, always in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd who is our Way, our Truth and our Life.’
We pray again: ‘Come Holy Spirit of Pentecost, come Holy Spirit of the great South Land, bless and unite all your people in Australia.’ Amen!
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For all participants in the Plenary Council, that they will spend their final week of preparation in the freedom of the Spirit.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, gathered together in the Spirit of Jesus, let us pray for a new heaven and a new earth.
READER
We pray for the world-wide people of God, that all who have been anointed in the Spirit will bear prophetic witness to the call of Jesus. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray on this Migrants and Refugees Sunday for all who have left their homelands, that they will summon us to affirm our common humanity. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for world leaders preparing for November’s climate conference in Glasgow, that they will commit their nations to urgent global action on climate change. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all participants in the upcoming Plenary Council, that they will have the freedom to listen faithfully and speak out boldly. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all children and vulnerable adults who have suffered abuse from church personnel, that they will be heard, believed and responded to justly. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for older persons in our families and communities, that this week’s day of honour (1 October) will lead to deeper appreciation of their gifts and dignity. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for pastoral associates, that their manifold ministry will bring the Gospel home to many and build up the body of Christ. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for children, parents and teachers, that these school holidays will be a time of rest and renewal, even in COVID-restricted states. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will enter into the fulness of the kingdom of God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
God of mercy and power, you cast down the proud and raise up the lowly. Give us the freedom to follow your Son. We ask this through Christ our Lord.