Staff Prayer Ritual for the feast of the SACRED HEART: OUTLINE of Ritual We Gather: Welcome

Sign of the Cross Catching Fire Song with the Lighting of the 3 Candles Opening Prayer

We Listen: Scripture Reading Sharing

We Respond: Ritual action (writing our name in the Heart of Christ)

Closing Prayer

We Go Forth: Blessing Dismissal Sign of Peace

The Environment Ideally, set out chairs around a prayer focus – creating a space where people can be present to one another. Three candles are placed near the Bible which rests open at the Scripture Reading for today. More detail below ... You will need:

� a Leader of prayer; a Reader (who will read from the Bible); person(s) to light the candles at the appropriate times in the ritual

� 3 candles (head, heart and hands) + matches

� Individual Cards with the graphic of the Heart (see note in the Ritual) – optional

� Pens

� a Bible (open at the Reading) on a small

table

� Handouts for each staff member

� Full text of the ritual for the Leader

� CD of song, player and a person to organise the music at the appropriate time

Staff Prayer Ritual for the feast of the SACRED HEART: Detail We Gather Welcome & Introduction Leader: This week, we reflect on the love of Christ through a beautiful symbol of love –

the Heart. Let us pause a moment to become more conscious of our own hearts ... We all long for love and acceptance ... Let us open our hearts to the Heart of hearts so that today we will be filled with Love ... pause ...

Sign of the Cross Leader: We begin, as always, with the Sign of God’s Love for us. All: In the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Song Leader: In the words of our song, I invite you to ‘catch fire’ with this love

as we open our hearts in confidence to the Heart of Love.

Jesus, we embrace you and your vision. Teach us prayer, to see God’s presence here And to live out, a life of principle on our journey finding faith with you. With fire in our minds, with fire through our hands, Catching fire in our hearts, we turn to you.

A person lights the ‘head’ candle as the song continues ...

In communion, we build with God and others, an accepting place of welcome for all. We see, with eyes that know no other way the sacredness of every face & moment.

With fire in our minds, etc.

We’re people of purpose and commitment faithful to all those who’ve gone before We’re challenged to be witness in your mission, to transform a world that’s free for all.

With fire in our minds, etc. A person lights the ‘heart’ candle as the song continues ...

And we’re the ones, we are keepers of the flame. We are called to pass on this great story And your life we find deep in our hearts and souls. Oh how it changes everything for us. With fire in our minds, etc. Your spirit fire, draws us to your centre, it animates all that we say and do Together, we will journey with each other knowing we don’t walk the path alone

With fire in our minds, etc. A person lights the ‘hands’ candle as the song continues ...

Leading us, Your guiding light shines through The gift we have to recognize and grow And we celebrate all the richness found among us This power of our own transforming love With fire in our minds, etc.

(Warren Fields and Jill Gowdie 2007)

Opening Prayer Leader: Let us pray ... All: Loving God,

we honour the heart of Jesus, your beloved Son. We remember how he opened his heart in love to all people. Open our own hearts to receive the gifts that continue to flow so richly from the Heart of Christ, who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

We Listen Scripture Reading Reader: A reading from the gospel of Matthew (Matt 11:28-30)

Come to me, all you who labour and carry heavy burdens,

and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon your shoulders

and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart.

Here you will find rest for your souls, for my yoke is easy

and my burden is light.

Leader: I invite you all to spend a few moments in quiet and to take some deep breaths. Imagine that you are ‘being breathed’ by Love rather than breathing all by yourself. You are being breathed by the love of Jesus ... SHORT PAUSE ... (Give enough time to EXPERIENCE ‘being breathed’ by Love)

We Respond Leader: The heart on our handout (or card) represents the gentle, humble Heart of Christ –

overflowing with love for each one of us here today. When you feel ready, take a pen and write your name on one side of the heart. During the next few days, keep this symbol where you can see your name written in the Heart of Christ and be reminded of the depth of love that surrounds you ...

Note to Leader: A larger version of this graphic is found at the end of this prayer – in case you wish to make cards for each staff member. See also the Handout

The Leader takes up a pen and writes on his/her handout (or card) and gives enough time for everyone in the group to do the same.

Closing Prayer Leader: Let us pray ... All: Lord Jesus Christ,

your heart broke open with such a depth of love that you gave your very life for your people. May we love others as you have loved us. Gentle our hearts so that we, too, may bring Life to the world. We ask this prayer in the Spirit of your love. Amen.

We Go Forth Blessing

Leader: May God, who revealed the loving heart of Jesus, bless us with the knowledge that we are so greatly loved.

All: Amen.

Leader: May Jesus Christ, who taught us how to love, nourish our hearts and help us to open them to those in need.

All: Amen.

Leader: May the Spirit of God bring us closer together in the ways of genuine love and breathe new life into our every day.

All: Amen.

Leader: May almighty God bless us, the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Dismissal Leader: Go forth to live and love as the Heart of Christ on earth. All: Thanks be to God! Sign of Peace Leader: Let us put real heart into our relationships with each other as we offer one another

a Sign of Peace.