MaryHelpofChristians

PrayerService
INTRODUCTION
WelcometoourcelebrationonthisfeastofMary,HelpofChristians.Maryisthepatronof
ourowncountry,Australia.WelooktoMaryforherhelp,herprotectionandguidance.We
celebratethemanygiftsGodgivesushereinAustraliathediversityofourpeople,the
beautyofthisland,thevaluesoffreedomandpeacethatwetreasure.
OPENINGPRAYER
Godofall,yougiveusthisbeautifulland,Australia,anditspeople.Wepraythatunder
Marysprotectionwemayliveinpeaceandharmony.Helpustoappreciatetherichness
anddiversityofourownnation.WeaskthisthroughJesusourLord.Amen.
FIRSTREADING
JAMES3:1318
AreadingfromtheletterofStJames

Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your
works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and
selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. Such
wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. For
where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and
wickedness of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then
peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace
of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for*
those who make peace.

TheWordoftheLord.
All:ThanksBetoGod
RESPONSORIALPSALM

Judith13:1820

R:YOUARETHEHIGHESTHONOUROFOURRACE
1. Mayyoubeblessed,mydaughter,byGodMostHigh,
beyondallwomenonearth;
andmaytheLordGodbeblessed,
theCreatorofheavenandearth.R
2. Thetrustyouhaveshown
shallnotpassfromthememoriesofmen,
butshalleverremindthem
ofthepowerofGod.R
3. Godgrantyoubealwaysheldinhonour,

andrewardedwithblessing,
sinceyoudidnotconsideryourownlife
whenournationwasbroughttoitsknees.R

GOSPELACCLAMATION

Lk 1:39-56

Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed are you O Virgin Mary, for your firm believing that the promises of the
Lord would be fulfilled.
Alleluia!

GOSPEL

LK 1:39-56

AreadingfromtheholyGospelaccordingtoLuke
InthosedaysMarysetoutandwentwithhastetoaJudeantowninthehillcountry,where
sheenteredthehouseofZechariahandgreetedElizabeth.WhenElizabethheardMarys
greeting,thechildleaptinherwomb.AndElizabethwasfilledwiththeHolySpiritand
exclaimedwithaloudcry,Blessedareyouamongwomen,andblessedisthefruitofyour
womb.Andwhyhasthishappenedtome,thatthemotherofmyLordcomestome?Foras
soonasIheardthesoundofyourgreeting,thechildinmywombleaptforjoy.Andblessed
isshewhobelievedthattherewouldbeafulfilmentofwhatwasspokentoherbytheLord.
AndMarysaid,
MysoulmagnifiestheLord,
andmyspiritrejoicesinGodmySaviour,
forhehaslookedwithfavouronthelowlinessofhisservant.
Surely,fromnowonallgenerationswillcallmeblessed;
fortheMightyOnehasdonegreatthingsforme,
andholyishisname.
Hismercyisforthosewhofearhim
fromgenerationtogeneration.
Hehasshownstrengthwithhisarm;
hehasscatteredtheproudinthethoughtsoftheirhearts.
Hehasbroughtdownthepowerfulfromtheirthrones,
andliftedupthelowly;
hehasfilledthehungrywithgoodthings,
andsenttherichawayempty.
HehashelpedhisservantIsrael,
inremembranceofhismercy,
accordingtothepromisehemadetoourancestors,
toAbrahamandtohisdescendantsforever.
AndMaryremainedwithherforaboutthreemonthsandthenreturnedtoherhome.

TheGospeloftheLord.
All:PraisetoYouLordJesusChrist

PRAYEROFTHEFAITHFUL

Leader:WepraiseandthankGod,throughMary,forthemanygiftswehaveandappreciate
asAustralians.Wecometoyounowwiththeseprayers.

Reader:WiththehelpofMary,wepraythatwemayembraceandrespectallAustralians.
MayweworktowardsreconciliationwithourIndigenousbrothersandsisters,andlearnto
liveinharmonywithallthosewhoaredifferentfromourselves.(PAUSE).Lord,hearus.
All:Lord,hearourprayer.

Reader:WiththehelpofMary,weprayforthosewhoseekhopeinAustralia,especially
migrantsandrefugees.MaywebeasignoftrueChristianhospitalityandgenerosityto
them.(PAUSE).Lord,hearus.
All:Lord,hearourprayer.

Reader:WiththehelpofMary,wepraythatAustraliansmightbeanexampletotheworld
inourconcernforglobalpeace,humanrightsandjusticeforall.(PAUSE)Lord,hearus.
All:Lord,hearourprayer.

Reader:WiththehelpofMary,weprayforChristianunity;thatallwhofollowChristbe
renewedintheircommitmenttohimandtotheGospel.(PAUSE)Lord,hearus.
All:Lord,hearourprayer.

Leader:Lord,listentoyourpeoplesneeds.UnderthemotherlyprotectionofMary,helpus
toremainfaithfultoyouaswerejoiceinourlandanditspeople.Mary,HelpofChristians
All:Prayforus.

LITANYOFOURLADY
HolyMary,Prayforus.
HolyMotherofGod,Prayforus.
MotherofChrist,Prayforus.
MotheroftheChurch,Prayforus.
Mothermostpure,Prayforus.
Virginmostfaithful,Prayforus.
HelpofChristians,Prayforus.
Queenofangels,Prayforus.
Queenconceivedwithoutoriginalsin,Prayforus.
Queenassumedintoheaven,Prayforus.
Queenofthemostholyrosary,Prayforus.
Queenofpeace,Prayforus.
Queenofthefamily,Prayforus.
(TKWLYear6,page135)

CLOSINGPRAYER
Lord, through this celebration we have been nourished and blessed. Deepen in our
hearts a love for Mary our helper, so that we may find in her protection, the love and
care you have for us. This we ask, in union with your Spirit.
All: Amen.

SUGGESTEDHYMNS
Primary
MaryOurMother(JohnBurlandLetsCelebrate)
OneBody(TrishaWattsAsOneVoiceForKids)
SpiritDream(MonicaBrownOnePeopleOneLand)
GodIsGood(KathyChanAsOneVoiceForKids)
HailMary(JohnBurlandOneFamily)
IWillBlessYouLord(D.OHalloran&M.MillwardAsOneVoiceForKids)
OQueenofAll(MichaelManganMySpiritSings)
SingYourJoy(MichaelManganSingYourJoy)
SpeakLord(MonicaBrownHolyGround)
StandingByTheSouthernCross(MichaelManganSingYourJoy)
WeGiveThanks(MonicaOBrien&TrishWattsAsOneVoiceForKids)
WeWillMakeAPlaceReady(D.OHalloran&M.MillwardAsOneVoiceForKids)
ImmaculateMary(traditionalhymn)
Secondary
ATrustingPsalm(KevinBatesAsOneVoice/Vol1&Gather
AwesomeForever(JamesGarrahyRideOfaLifeTimeEmmanuelWorship)
BeautifulMother(SarahHartDaughtersOfGodOCP)
BlestBeTheLord(DanSchutteAsOneVoice/Vol1)
HailMary:GentleWoman(C.LandryGatherAustralia,SingingtheLiturgy)
JoyfulinHope(M.HerryAsOneVoiceVol.1)
LetGodsDreamBeBorn(K.BatesAsOneVoiceVol.2)
TheMagnificat(PeterKearnyAsOneVoice/Vol1)
YourMerciesAreNewEveryMorning(PatrickKeadyLiftedEmmanuelWorship)
IAmConvinced(NatalieBalinger&PatrickKeadyLiftedEmmanuelWorship)
OpenMyEyes(MannibusanAsOneVoice/1)
SpeakLord(MonicaBrownHolyGround)
TheFullnessOfGod(FrankAndersenEaglesWings)
ImmaculateMary(traditionalhymn)
SalveRegina(traditionalhymn)