Social Justice Week: 6 to 12 September
Our liturgical gathering each Sunday reminds us of Church as community and as a family united in prayer. The mercy and compassion we receive from God flows out into the rest of our week and into our relationships in our wider community.
Catholic Social Teaching (CST) provides a lens through which we can try to make sense of how our society is being changed, particularly by COVID-19 at this time.
Nine CST principles are summarised HERE
Pope Francis gave his Urbi et Orbi blessing on 27 March 2020 with this insight linked to the extraordinary situation we face as global citizens:
“We have realized that we are on the same boat, all of us fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and needed, all of us called to row together, each of us in need of comforting the other. On this boat... are all of us.”
The principles of solidarity and working for the common good are valuable to keep in mind with the election imminent, and also from our shared experience of the New Zealand COVID-19 levels and our expected response.
Readings for Sunday 7 Sept
1st Reading: Ez 33:7-9
Psalm 95: 1-2, 6-9 Audio link HERE
2nd Reading: Rom 13:8-10
Gospel: Matt 18:15-20
Prayer of the Faithful (choose from the following)
Invocation: E te Ariki …
Response: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou
We pray that all leaders within Aotearoa use their gifts to shape us as a community and uplift the dignity of all.
For fathers: that they will grow in steadfastness and courage to accompany their families with a deepening love for Jesus Christ.
For all those who have nurtured us especially the important men in our lives who have been supportive. Bless those in our world who struggle with the challenge of providing a fair and decent life for their children.
For each of us gathered here: that God might touch our hearts to forgive old resentments and heal damaged relationships.
That our worshipping community recognise the real presence here, as Jesus reveals to us a Father, so making us all sisters and brothers. Draw us closer to you as we care for one another.
In a spirit of trust we may accept and be renewed by God’s gift of unconditional love and mercy. May we generously spread this gift of aroha to all we encounter each day.
Family Liturgy of the Word from the Auckland Liturgy Centre. Click HERE
Formal Liturgy of the Word from the Auckland Liturgy Centre. Click HERE
Social Justice Week: 6th – 12th September 2020
“Today we want to keep dreaming. We celebrate all the opportunities which enable [us] not to lose the hope of a better world with greater possibilities.” Pope Francis, 2015
Each year in September, the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference give us Social Justice Week to consider an issue of social justice in New Zealand. This year the theme is Easy as CST: Unlocking the Church’s Potential. Let us take this opportunity to delve deeper into our Church’s social teaching and consider how we promote love, peace and justice.
For resources and more information visit Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand HERE