Hymn
Simple Gifts (Gather 748)
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free, ‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be;
And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed; to turn, turn, will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come ‘round right.
Prayer
Leader:
Leader:
All:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Let us pray as one:
Good and Gracious God,
We come before you as the community of St. Margaret of Scotland,
gathered today to pray a Novena for clarity of mind and heart
during this search for new school leadership.
We ask you, O God, for support and strength,
direction and guidance,
joy and peace
as we seek to claim our gifts and hear your call.
Lead us the way we need to go, as our story unfolds before us.
We make this prayer, filled with hope,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading
The waters of baptism flowed over me
And no original sin was seen.
Rather, the Eye of God beheld
A tiny mass of bones and flesh
soul and spirit
infinite possibility
pure process
new, empty, and free,
free to choosegood or evil
light or darkness
life or death
grace or sin.It was my original union
I was passing through the baptismal waters
being filled with power like unto God’s
and God wept
at the possibility of me.Then somewhere in between my baptism and my daily life
My power like unto God’s became scattered
I forgot my original union with God.
And as I grew
I chosegood or evil
light or darkness
life or death
grace or sin.With my baptism lost
I began to live my life fragmented,
standing on the edge of my baptismal powers
blind to their presence in the depths of my soul.Yet all fragments are finally gathered up
and God does in us wonders
that others are not able to do.So, on a day that felt like baptism
From “A Tree Full of Angels“, by Macrina Wiederkehr, OSB, p. 15
God gave me a glimpse of my hidden splendor,
made me aware of that original union
and my powers that had become scattered.
Now my life is ever spent
in calling home my scattered powers.
Response
Leader:
All:
Leader:
All:
Leader:
All:
At dawn, fill us with your merciful love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Let your deed be seen by your servants,
and your glorious power by their children.
Let the favor of the LORD our God be upon us;
Give success to the work of our hands.
O give success to the work of our hands.
Word of God
You are the salt of the earth.
But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned?
It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.You are the light of the world.
Matthew 5:13-16
A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket;
it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house.
Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.
Questions for Reflection
After leader reads questions aloud, all pause to reflect during one minute of silence.
- In what ways does the SMOS community help you to recall your “hidden splendor” and “call home your scattered powers”?
- What about the St. Margaret’s community is salt and light? How are we called to share it through the ministry of school?
Petitions
Leader: Christ hears and saves all who hope in him. Let us bring him our needs.
That our school will fulfill its mission by celebrating the gifts of the past and embracing the challenges of the future, we pray…
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
That our children will fully develop their gifts and become responsible leaders and caretakers of our community, we pray… R.
That our community will respond creatively to the movements of the Spirit, discerning the signs of the times and interpreting them boldly, we pray… R.
For what else shall we pray?
Individuals may offer intentions.
Prayer of Saint Margaret of Scotland
Leader: Let us recall our mission as together we pray:
Loving God,
You call your people to holiness and create among them models of kindness.
We thank you for the life of St. Margaret of Scotland:
a woman of leadership and hope in a confusing world;
a wife and mother excelling in patience, dedication and love;
a teacher supported and inspired by a life of learning;
a generous friend and a loyal servant to the poor and helpless;
a model of Christian faith and constant prayerfulness.
As we build our faith, help us to grow rich in the values of St. Margaret:
That faith, hope and love might inspire
our presence in the city and neighborhood,
our relationships with family and friends,
our concern for the education of the young,
our care for the poor and the weak,
our community’s prayer in word and sacrament.
Bless our parish and our school;
Let it be for us a community of love and sharing,
and a source of life and grace;
Let it be a witness to our neighbors
of your life, your presence and your love.
Through Christ, Our Lord,
Amen.
Optional, following Novena:
Share your reflections from above questions, focused on the mission value of the day.
- Index cards available at the shared novena, or
- Email PraySMOS@gmail.com
- Comments received may be shared with the community and those who search for our new staff members.