Tagalog

PRISON AWARENESS SUNDAY
(October 29, 2006)

Theme: HEALING AND RESTORING HOPE AND DIGNITY TO THE COMMUNITY”  

Introduction

Christ brings light to those who are in the dark. In the gospel today, he brought light in the life of Bartimeus when he made him see. He healed him, restored his hope and dignity to the community. As Christians, who are called to follow Christ, we are also asked to bring that same light wherever there is darkness.

There is darkness when there is no freedom, when you are abandoned and separated from your loved ones, when you are suffering from loneliness, condemnation and injustices.

Brothers and sisters, it is this kind of darkness that the prisoners and the victims are suffering from. They need to see light…the same light that Christ brought to Bartimeus and to us.

Today, as we celebrate Prison Awareness Sunday, the challenge to bring this light to the prisoners and to the victims is before us. Are we ready to respond?

In this Eucharistic celebration let us ask God to give our community the grace to respond to this challenge by linking our arms with Christ in building Christian Communities to the members if the prison community.

Penitential Rite

Priest: How blind we often have been to God near to us in our world, in our task, in people. We seek now the Lord’s forgiveness. (Pause)

Priest: Lord Jesus, we failed to see the needs of the people in my family. Lord, have mercy.

All: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Jesus Christ, the hunger for warmth, the craving for justice and human dignity of friends and neighbors I did not notice: Christ, have mercy.

All: Christ have mercy.

• That the prisoners and their victims may be a source of the light of Christ to each other as they work together to build Christian communities among themselves. Let us pray…

• That those who are actively involve in prison ministry may continue to bring light in the life of the prisoners and their victims through their steadfast commitment to serve the prison society. Let us pray…

• That we who are gathered in this celebration together with those who are already in prison ministry may link our arms together with Christ and help build Christian communities in the prison society. Let us pray…

Priest: Lord you brought light in our world. By our baptism we are called to share in that light. Always enkindle the light of faith in our life so that we may help dispel darkness and allow your light to shine in our world today. This we ask through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Priest: Lord God of Power and might, receive the gifts we offer and let our service give you glory. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

Prayer After Communion

Priest: Lord of justice and mercy, may the nourishment we have just received in this Eucharistic Celebration empower us to work for the healing of the damaging effect if crime to the prisoners, their victims and our community. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you one God, forever and ever. Amen.

All: Amen.