Opening Responses

CREATOR OF ALL THAT IS MADE.

WHO CALLED EACH ONE OF US INTO BEING –

WHO HAS WRITTEN OUR NAMES

ON THE PALM OF HIS HAND.

WHO CALLS US TO FOLLOW HIM –

ANOINTING SOME AS SHEPHERDS OF HIS PEOPLE

APPOINTED TO LEAD AND PROTECT –

LAYING DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR THEIR FLOCK.

PASTOR TO THE WORLD;

CHAMPION OF THE POOR AND THE OPPRESSED;

SERVANT OF THE SERVANTS OF GOD.

We gather in the companionship of prayer        

coming into the presence of God

to commend our brother John Paul to his mercy

and to pray for the Christian community as it enters a new era..

FROM THE RICHNESS OF OUR TRADITIONS WE GATHER: 

AS PEOPLE OF THE WORD

WE LISTEN TO THE VOICE OF GOD

OFFERING WORDS OF COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT

SOLACE AND CHALLENGE:

WORDS HELPING US TO HONOUR THE PAST

WORDS THAT TURN OUR HEARTS TO THE FUTURE.

Thanksgiving for a life

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the life and witness of John Paul II.

May the saints of God come to his aid –

the angels of the Lord carry him to Abraham’s bosom.

May his soul – and the souls of all the faithful departed

through the mercy of God,

rest in peace.

The Lord says, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

                                                                      Jer 3: 15

Sung Response

The Lord says, “I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.”

Let us have the confidence to turn to God and call upon the Spirit to overshadow the cardinals in conclave and guide them to elect a successor for John Paul.

Pour out your Spirit, Lord and renew the face of the earth.

All-powerful God,

you hold the whole of creation in being

yet treasure the creatures made in your own image and likeness.

May the new pope share your love for all people –

witnessing to the truth of the Gospel –

inspiring people by the manner of his living –

challenging evil – affirming good:

a true shepherd to god’s people.

amen.

And may God bless all involved in the election –

all who hold the election in prayer –

and all whose lives will be touched by the new pope:

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.