Towards Healing Letter.indd - Catholic Diocese of Ballarat

TOWARDS HEALINGSuggestions for Prayer and LiturgyF O R M A S S O N “ TOWA R D S H E A L I N G” S U N DAY• Use the Litany of Healing for the Penitential Rite.• Include one or two of the Intercessions in the Prayers of the Faithful• Use the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation• Have printed copies of prayers available to be taken for further group and individual prayerIntercessionsLord, we pray for the Church: strengthen the Church in thishour of trial, and make her ever more perfectly a sign of theheavenly Kingdom.We pray for our leaders and our ministers: help them tocommit themselves anew to you and to the service of yourholy people.We pray for those who have suffered any abuse at the handsof those entrusted with their wellbeing: may God leadthem in the paths of inner peace and renew them in lovingkindness.We pray also for those who have sinned against theircommitment to care for God’s people, and against the mostvulnerable among us; grant them the gift of true repentance,and a firm resolve to live according to the ways of God.We pray for parents, spouses, brothers and sisters, sonsand daughters, extended family and friends of victims whohave carried a variety of painful crosses connected to theexperience of sexual abuse.We pray for ourselves and all who work to build the Kingdomhere on earth; may God keep us all vigilant in our dedicationto the safety and well-being of those to whom we minister.God of light and goodness, send your Holy Spirit upon us,and strengthen us in your service. Help us to love each othereven as you love us, and to commit ourselves anew to theprotection of all your children, especially the most innocentand vulnerable.A Prayer For Healing (for the victims of abuse)God of endless love,ever caring, ever strong,always present, always just:You gave your only Sonto save us by the blood of his cross.Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,join to your own suffering the pain of allwho have been hurt in body, mind, and spiritby those who betrayed the trust placed in them.Hear our cries as we agonizeover the harm done to our brothers and sisters.Breathe wisdom into our prayers,soothe restless hearts with hope,steady shaken spirits with faith:Show us the way to justice and wholeness,enlightened by truth and enfolded in your mercy.Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,heal your people’s woundsand transform our brokenness.Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace,so that we may act with justiceand find peace in you.We ask this through Christ, our Lord.Amen.+ Bishop John F. KinneyBishop of the Diocese of St. CloudCONCLUDING PRAYERHeavenly Father, grant to us your children of all ages the joyof seeing you in each other. May the adults among us alwaysmirror your protection for our children and young people.And may we all praise you with your Son our Lord, and theHoly Spirit, now and forever.All:Amen.