Ordinary Time: Winter

Intentions

Throughout Ordinary Time: Winter we are asked to pray for the following intentions:

Peace on Earth
Christian Unity
The Sick and those who care for them
Students and Teachers
The Unemployed

Further Resources

Peace on Earth

especially on 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Background

The World Day of Prayer for Peace is marked on 1 January. As this day is when the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God and it is the beginning of the new year in England and the day is transferred to 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

There maybe a collection for the work of Pax Christi.

Prayer

God of perfect peace,
violence and cruelty
can have no part with you.
May those who are at peace
with one another
hold fast to the good will
that unites them;
may those who are enemies
forget their hatred
and be healed.

Roman Missal

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For peace between nations,
    a lasting peace with justice.
  • For all who work for peace
    may they never forget the victims of war.

Mass Texts

may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics

  • For Peace and Justice

Opportunities and Challenges

  • Places of conflict may often be mentioned in the Prayer of the Faithful what opportunities are there for finding out more about what is involved.
  • Why not include the references for next Sunday's readings in the bulletin.
  • Read the Pope's message for the World Day of Prayer for Peace.
  • Keep up to date with the statements of the Holy See and the Bishops' Conference.

Links

Christian Unity

especially during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: 18–25 January.

Background

The Week of was originally begun in 1908 by the American Episcopalian clergyman Paul Wattson who later became a Catholic. The Week begins on 18 January and ends on 25 January—the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul. Material for the Week of Prayer is prepared in collaboration by Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and The Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches. Each year this material is produced by Christians in a different country.

Prayer

Father
look with love on your people
and pour out upon them the gifts of your Spirit.
May they constantly grow in the love of truth.
May they study and work together
for perfect unity among Christians.

Roman Missal

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For unity among the churches,
    a unity founded on truth and compassion.
  • For the churches to find a common voice,
    to speak on matters that affect the whole of society.

Mass Texts

may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics

  • For Unity of Christians

Opportunities and Challenges

  • How might a parish's chosen intention from the Cycle of Prayer be shared ecumenically both in terms of prayer and action.
  • What regular liturgical celebrations in the parish could other denominations be invited to attend.

Links

The Sick and those who care for them

especially on World Day of Prayer for the Sick — 11 February

Background

11 February is the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. On this the Church all to pray and give attention to the sick and those who care for them. Each year the Holy Father writes a message.

Prayer

All-powerful and ever-living God,
the lasting health of all who believe in you,
hear us as we ask your loving help for the sick;
restore their health,
that they may again offer joyful thanks in your Church.

Roman Missal

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For all who are sick,
    may they be restored to fullness of health.
  • For doctors, nurses and all who care the sick and the dying,
    may they bring Christ's love and compassion to all whom they care for.

Liturgical Texts

may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics

  • Roman Missal: 32 For the Sick (838)
  • Book of Blessings: Orders for the Blessing of the Sick (Chapter 2)
  • Book of Blessings: Order for the Blessing of a New Hospital or Other Facility for the Care of the Sick (Chapter 17)

Opportunities and Challenges

  • Take copies of the parish bulletin to those who are sick and housebound.
  • Ask the sick and the housebound to pray for the needs of the parish, maybe those preparing to receive Sacraments.
  • What support is offered those who visit the sick and housebound?
  • How can the parish through volunteers support the work of the local hospital and other healthcare centres.

Links

Students and Teachers

especially on Education day — 3 Sundays before the 1st Sunday of Lent

Background

The day of prayer for Education is organised ecumenically by the Education agencies of the various denominations. It is celebrated on this day as the theme of readings in lectionary in the Anglican Alternative Service Book was education.

In the Catholic Church material is distributed by the Catholic Education Service. There may be a collection for the Agency on this Sunday.

Prayer

God is the source of all wisdom and knowledge.
Let us ask him to bless those who seek to learn and their teachers.

For students, that the Spirit of God may grant them the gifts of wisdom of understanding.

For teachers, that they may share their knowledge with gentleness, patience, and concern for their students.

Book of Blessings

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For the love of learning,
    may we all desire to grow in our faith in God and our knowledge of the world he created.
  • For teachers, catechists and all who share what God has done;
    may they always be open to deepening their knowledge.

Liturgical Texts

may be used when permitted - see Table of Rubrics

  • Book of Blessings: Orders for the Blessing of those appointed as Catechists (Chapter 4)
  • Book of Blessings: Orders for the Blessing of Students and Teachers (Chapter 5)
  • Book of Blessings: Order for the Blessing of a New School or University (Chapter 13)

Opportunities and Challenges

  • What liturgical skills could be shared between school and parish? The sharing of parish's musical repertoire for example.
  • The Liturgy Office produces a half-termly bulletin about the liturgy for schools: Spirit of the Season.

Links

The Unemployed

especially on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

Background

The Day of Prayer for the Unemployed was organised by Church Action on Poverty. They have recently renamed their day as Poverty Action Sunday. Caritas-Social Action is the agency in the Catholic Church which acts an umbrella for many diocesan and local organisations concerned with poverty and other social issues.

Prayer

O God, the source of human dignity,
in your image every person is fashioned
and by your Son all people are redeemed.

Make us honour the work of your hands,
that we may reverence you in those whom the world considers least
and serve you in all whom society neglects.

Prayer of the Faithful

one of the following may be used or adapted according to local needs

  • For all seeking work or unable to work through disability and illness;
    may they place their trust in the God of hope and new beginnings.
  • For politicians and all who work with the economy;
    may they always remember the poor and those who have least.

Liturgical Texts

Opportunities and Challenges

Links

Cycle of Prayer Logo