INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
Jesus’ saying, ‘The harvest is rich, but the labourers are few,’ has often been used as a rallying call for vocations to religious life and the priesthood. If once this was successful, that’s no longer the case.
There are in fact many labourers in God’s vineyard who have limited opportunity to put all their gifts at the service of the Gospel. These are the women of the church. Many hold significant positions of leadership in the church’s network of health, education, justice and welfare agencies but not in the church’s formal structures of governance and ministry.
Many Australian Catholics hope that the Plenary Council will begin to prise the doors open to them. Come Holy Spirit, come.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For all the members of the Plenary Council, that they will listen carefully to the voice of the Spirit and speak out with wisdom, courage and faith.
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, every eucharist we celebrate sends us out on mission like the seventy-two dis-ciples. Let us pray for the world to hear that the kingdom of God is very near.
READER
We pray for the world-wide church. May we become the missionary and synodal people of God that Pope Francis is advocating. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the Catholic community in Australia. May this week’s session of the Plenary Council lay open the pathway to rebirth and renewal. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the members of the Plenary Council. May they consider what God is asking of the church in Australia with freedom of heart and boldness of faith. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the ever-increasing millions of people around the world displaced by war, violence, poverty or natural disasters. May the human family come together to give them shelter and sustenance. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the people of the poorest nations that suffer most from global warming and food insecurity. May their appeal for justice not fall on deaf ears. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities this NAIDOC Week (3-10 July). May their rallying cry to ‘Get Up, Stand Up, and Show Up!’ hasten the systemic change they hope for. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all artists, musicians, writers and performers. May they enrich our lives with their gifts and add depth to our common humanity. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who are struggling to stay warm and well this winter in the face of high-er energy costs. May local communities rally to give them practical support. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time. May they be made altogether new in the kingdom of heaven. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
God of mercy and peace, you sent your Son to bring a new world to birth. Send us too as heralds of a new heaven and new earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord.