The Ascension of the Lord Prayer Guide - May 24
This guide is offered for your prayer and reflection. The following does not take the place of, nor necessarily follow the structure of the Mass. Please click on the italicized colored links to listen to audio files of music corresponding to this prayer service. 

We will also be posting a video recording of Mass at St. Richard at about 5pm on Saturday, May 23 at www.strichards.com/at-home.

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While looking intently into the sky during the ascension of Christ, the Apostles were still unsure of what was ahead for them. Jesus assures them that the Holy Spirit will guide and lead them as his witnesses to the ends of the Earth. As his disciples, we share in this mission, emboldened by the knowledge that he is always with us and confident that he will come again.

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SIGN OF THE CROSS
 
 
SONG: Here I Am, Lord
      Vs. 1:  I the Lord of sea and sky, I have heard my people cry.
               All who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
              I, who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright.
              Who will bear my light to them? Whom shall I send?
 
  Refrain:   Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord? 
                  I have heard you calling in the night.
                  I will go, Lord, if you lead me. 
                  I will hold your people in my heart.

  Vs. 3:  I, the Lord of wind and flame, I will tend the poor and lame.
             I will set a feast for them. My hand will save.
             Finest bread I will provide till their hearts are satisfied.
             I will give my life to them. Whom shall I send? (Refrain)
 
 
OPENING PRAYER
     Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with
     devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our
     exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body
     is called to follow in hope. We pray this in Jesus’ name.  Amen
 
 
SCRIPTURE 
     (Please note that, due to copyright licensing, scripture texts are not able to be
      reprinted. Click on the scripture reference below, which will take you to the USCCB site)
 
FIRST READING:  Acts 8: 5-8, 14-17
 
PSALM 47: God Mounts His Throne
   Refrain:  God mounts his throne to shouts of joy,
                  O sing your praises to the Lord!
 
   Vs. 1:   All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God in gladness,
               The Lord we must fear, king of all the earth. (Refrain)
   Vs. 2:  God goes up to shouts of joy, sound the trumpet blast.
              Sing praise to our God, praise unto our king! (Refrain)
   Vs. 3:  God is king of all the earth, sing with all your skill
              To the king of all nations, God enthroned on high! (Refrain)
 
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 3: 15-18   
 
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Easter Alleluia
 
GOSPEL READING: John 14: 15-21
 

MEDITATION: We Are Many Parts
  Refrain:  We are many parts, we are all one body,
                 And the gifts we have, we are given to share.
                 May the Spirit of love make us one indeed; 
                 One, the love that we share, One, our hope in despair,
                 One, the cross that we bear.
 
   Vs. 1:  God of all, we look to you, we would be your servants true,
               Let us be your love to all the world. (Refrain)
   Vs. 2:  So my pain is pain for you, in your joy is my joy, too;
              All is brought together in the Lord. (Refrain)
   Vs. 3:  All you seekers, great and small, seek the greatest gift of all;
              If you love, then you will know the Lord. (Refrain)


UNIVERSAL PRAYER
1.  For the holy church of God: may the power of the Holy Spirit strengthen
        us to live the gospel values, and teach all nations by our word and
        witness. Let us pray to the Lord.
2.  For leaders of communities and governments: may they lead with
        wisdomand reverence, compassion and justice. Let us pray to the
        Lord.
3.  For the poor, the sick, the suffering, and those in need: may they
       know, in our outreach to them, the hope which God gives. Let us pray
       to the Lord.
4.  For courage and strength for those who work for unity within the
       human family in the face of division, hopelessness and despair.  
       Let us pray to the Lord.
5.  For perseverance and health for all who work tirelessly on the behalf of
       others due to the coronavirus. Let us pray to the Lord.
6.  For members of our families and faith communities who are alone or in
       need of our prayers (pause to remember your intentions). Let us pray to the Lord.
7.  We remember all who have died (lift up those who have died), and for
       those who mourn their loss. Let us pray to the Lord.
      
 
LORD’S PRAYER
 

PRAYER FOR PEACE
     Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled
     heart.  Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose
     and walk the path You have laid out for me. I trust your love God, and
     know that you will heal this stress. Just as the sun rises each day against
     the dark of night, may hope rise against anxiety and worry. Through
     Christ our Lord. Amen.
 
BLESSING
      May God bless our days and our deeds with peace, in the name of the
      Father, +  and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 
 
SONG: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
    Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! His the scepter, his the throne.
    Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone.
    Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion thunder like a mighty flood:
    “Jesus out of ev’ry nation has redeemed us by his blood.”
 
    Alleluia! Not as orphans are we left in sorrow now;
    Alleluia! He is near us; Faith believes, nor questions how,
    Though the cloud from sight received him When the forty days were o’er,
    Shall our hearts forget his promise? “I am with you evermore.”
 
 
COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-704119.  All rights reserved.