First Sunday of Lent

The Readings

Available from the USCCB here.

First Reading Genesis 9:8-15

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9

Your ways, O Lord, are love and truth to those who keep Your covenant.

Second Reading 1 Peter 3:18-22

Gospel Mark 1:12-15

Prayers of the Faithful

• For Pope Francis and all who invite others to hear the gospel of love and mercy; may their message bring hope into the desert of these days, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• For all Christians who seek to find Christ within the isolation of COVID; may we all know the grace of God’s presence through our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and giving, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• For all the sick, the suffering and their caregivers: May they be strengthened with God’s Spirit and encouraged to unite their lives with Jesus’ Paschal Mystery for the salvation of our world, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• For our community gathered here and at home; may our Lenten journey bring us needed repentance, reconciliation and peace, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• For all who are impacted by the cold; may their lives and hearts be warmed by the compassionate care of the community, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
• For Roger Konrardy; Albert, Earl & Dorothy Cady & Family; Jack & Dorothy O’Neill & Family; Honkamp/Wubben Family; Tom Goodman; Mary Makovec; and all who have died, may they be welcomed to the joy of God’s kingdom, Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

A Prayer for During the Pandemic

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We turn to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.