Prayer for a New Year of Ministry

Mary: Model of the IHM Charism

Call to Prayer: Every new beginning ignites excitement and enthusiasm and at the same time – challenge. As we start the journey of a new year of ministry, we ask for God’s blessing on all of our endeavors to renew our commitment to the Mission.

The Mission is to bring God’s love and presence to all whom we serve and our IHM Charism is at the heart of that Mission. Charism in its simplest definition is a gift and a grace of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to live the Mission.

As colleagues and fellow disciples, we all share the IHM Charism graces of Love, Creative Hope and Fidelity and we look to Mary as the truest example of that Charism.

May Our Blessed Lady, as mother, sister, companion and first disciple, inspire us her children to share and model the Gospel with JOY.

Leader: May Jesus be the Center of our lives.

All: May Mary be the Model of all that we say and do this year. Glory be to the Father…

Hymn: Hail Mary

First Reflection: The Charism of LOVE calls us to joyful service, kindness, and compassion to everyone. It means being available and selfless at all times and in all circumstances.

First Reading: The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth - Luke 1:39-43, 59

“Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb and Elizabeth, filled with Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said: ‘Most blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.”

Pause for silent reflection

Leader: Mary at Elizabeth’s door…

All: Fill us with love and spontaneous generosity to “go in haste” to attend to the needs of those whom we serve.

Sung Response: Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Ave, Ave Maria.

Second Reflection: The Charism of CREATIVE HOPE trusts that God always holds our hand and will provide us with all the gifts and graces that we need each day.

Second Reading: The Miracle at Cana - John 2: 1-5

“On the third day, there was a wedding in Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servers, ‘Do whatever he tells you.’”

Pause for silent reflection

Leader: Mary, at the Wedding Feast of Cana…

All: Inspire us to “do whatever Jesus tells us” and to be patient and positive as we trust in God’s Divine Providence.

Sung Response: Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Ave, Ave Maria.

Third Reflection: The Charism of FIDELITY invites us to be faithful to the Call of our Baptism and to witness to the Mission with vigor and courage.

Third Reading: The Community of Mary and the Disciples - Acts 1: 13, 14

“When they entered the city, they went to the Upper Room where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James, the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas, the son of James. All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.”

Pause for silent reflection

Leader: Mary, in the Upper Room with the Disciples…

All: Teach us to support our colleagues as you supported the Early Church. Embrace us with your motherly love. Empower us to be faithful to our Baptism and to be zealous for the Gospel message.

Sung Response: Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Ave, Ave Maria.

Closing Prayer: Memorare to Our Lady of Providence

Please pray together: Remember, O most faithful Lady of Providence, that you have been given to us by your Son to be our mother.

We entrust to you our labors; bless them. Show for us the same concern you manifested at Cana, for we trust, that whatever you ask your Son, it will be done.

Pray for us on our pilgrimage, that we may share the faith that marked your life.

Full of confidence in your power before God, We place ourselves, our loved ones, and all our petitions in your providential care. Amen.

Closing Response: Ave, Ave, Ave Maria. Ave, Ave Maria.