Feast of the Holy Famiy December 27, 2025

      

   

December 27, 2025

Presider: Karla

Responder: Kath N.

Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87935930592?pwd=qZlKA506MIS9okXQQxBkaKsyhsZJDV.1T

 

Today is Holy Family Sunday and we celebrate not just one holy family but also our entire human family.

Opening Song: Holy Family

 

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=QEFeqsXe3Mo&si=kLJB0qeXum3W9NC9

Opening Prayer:  Chrys

Jesus, Son of God and son of Mary, bless our family. Graciously inspire in us the unity, peace, and mutual love that you found in your own family in the village of Nazareth. Mary, Mother of Jesus and our mother, nourish our family with your faith and your love. Keep us close to your Son, Jesus. St. Joseph, foster father to Jesus, guardian and spouse of Mary, keep our family safe from harm. Holy Family of Nazareth, make our family and home more like yours, until we are all one family, happy and at peace in our true home with you. Amen.

Gratitude Rite Cathy W.

Cathy W. :  Jesus, model of love and compassion.

R: Strengthen us to be your Love in the world.

Cathy W. :  Jesus, our refuge, and our hope.

R: Strengthen us to be your Peace in the world.

Cathy W. :  Jesus, our truth, and our wisdom.

R: Strengthen us to be your Light in the world. 

LITURGY OF THE WORD  Lucia

May the scriptures we read today become living bread. May your spirit empower them to shape us in Jesus’ likeness.

First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14  Lucia

A reading from the book of Sirach.

YHWH sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority is confirmed over her children. Those who honor their father atone for sins; and riches are stored up for those who revere their mothers. Those who honor their parents are gladdened by children, and when they pray, they are heard. Those who revere their parents will live a long life; they obey YHWH, who brings comfort to their parents.

My children, take care of your parents when they are old; do not grieve them as long as they live. Even if their minds fail, be considerate of them; do not revile them in the fullness of your strength. For kindness to parents will not be forgotten, it serves as a sin offering — it will take lasting root.

The Word of God. R. Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm  #128  Marita verses

Response: Happy are those who fear Our God, who walk in God’s ways.

Happy are those who fear Our God / and walk in God's ways!

You will eat what your hands have worked for. / Happy will you be and favored.

R: Happy are those who fear Our God, who walk in God's ways.

You will be like a fruitful vine / in the heart of your house;

Your children like shoots of the olive / around your table.

R: Happy are those who fear Our God, who walk in God's ways.

Indeed, thus will be blessed / the one who fears Our God.

May the Most High bless you from Zion / all the days of your life.

R: Happy are those who fear Our God, who walk in God's ways.

Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21  Patti

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians.

Because you are God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with heartfelt compassion, with kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another; forgive whatever grievances you have against one another — forgive in the same way God has forgiven you. Above all else, put on love, which binds the rest together and makes them perfect.

Let Christ’s peace reign in your hearts since, as members of one body, you have been called to that peace. Dedicate yourselves to thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ, rich as it is, dwell in you. Instruct and admonish one another wisely.

Sing gratefully to God from your hearts in psalms, hymns, and songs of the Spirit. And whatever you do, whether in speech or in action, do it in the name of Jesus our Savior, giving thanks to God through Christ.

The Word of God. R. Thanks be to God.

Alleluia

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=QT39HJoR0GY&si=qV6eM2SNryvAGyF0

Gospel Reading: Matthew 2:13-15,19-23 Karla

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. After the astrologers had left Herod, the angel of God suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph with the command, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Joseph got up, awakened Jesus and Mary, and they left that night for Egypt. They stayed there until the death of Herod, to fulfill what God had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I have called my Own.”

After Herod’s death, the angel of God appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt with the command, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and set out for the land of Israel. Those who had designs on the life of the child are dead.”

Joseph got up, awakened Jesus and Mary, and they returned to the land of Israel. Joseph heard, however, that Archelaus had succeeded Herod as Ruler of Judea, and Joseph was afraid to go back there. Instead, because of a warning received by Joseph in a dream, the family went to the region of Galilee. There, they settled in a town called Nazareth. In this way, what was said through the prophets was fulfilled: "He will be called a Nazarene.”

This is the Good News of Salvation! R. Glory and praise to our Savior Jesus Christ!

Homily

Statement of Faith  Linda and John (alternate verses)

We believe in the Holy One, a divine mystery beyond all definition and rational understanding, the heart of all that has ever existed, that exists now, or that ever will exist.

We believe in Jesus, messenger of the Divine Word, bringer of healing, heart of Divine compassion, bright star in the firmament of the Holy One's prophets, mystics, and saints.

 We believe that we are called to follow Jesus as a vehicle of divine love, a source of wisdom and truth, and an instrument of peace in the world.

We believe in the Spirit of the Holy One, the life that is our innermost life, the breath moving in our being, the depth living in each of us.

We believe that the Divine kin-dom is here and now, stretched out all around us for those with eyes to see it, hearts to receive it, and hands to make it happen.

Sign of Peace Nick

Jesus, you said to your disciples, “My peace, I leave you. I give you peace.” We ask you to look at the faith of those gathered here. Give us your peace and remind us of your unending love that we may spread throughout the world, always and forever.

May the peace of Christ always be with you.

R And also with you

Prayers of the Community  Rita

As we prepare for the sacred meal, we are aware that just as Jesus is anointed, so is each of us. We bring to this table our blessings, cares, and concerns. Please feel free to voice your concerns beginning with the words “I bring to the table….”

We pray for these and all unspoken concerns. Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Karla: Let us pray our Eucharistic prayer with open hearts and hands:

Holy One, from the beginning of time, you have formed families of love, binding us together in your image and calling us to reflect your justice and peace. We give you thanks for the Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, and Jesus—whose story teaches us to embrace radical love, to widen our understanding of family, and to labor for a world where all may thrive. With prophets, peacemakers, saints, and seekers, we join with all revolutionary lovers to praise you as we sing:

Here In This Place by Christopher Grundy

https://youtu.be/uXyu57tR2gk

Epiclesis Karla

I Invite all to bring down the Holy Spirit upon the gifts by extending your hands over your gifts of bread and wine. We are ever aware of your Spirit in us and among us. We invoke your Spirit anew upon these simple gifts of bread and wine, that they may become for us the + Body and Blood of Christ. We call upon your Spirit, present in us at this Eucharistic table. We are grateful for the bread and wine that remind us of our call to be the light of Christ to the world.

All lift your bread.

On the night before he died, Jesus came to table with the women and men he loved. He lifted the bread, spoke the blessing, broke the bread, and offered it to them saying:

All: Take and eat, this is my very self.

All lift your cup.

Then he took the cup of the covenant, spoke the grace, and offered it to them saying:

All: Take and drink. Whenever you remember me like this, I am among you.

Let us recite the Abba prayer Christine

Gracious Spirit, Who loves us like a mother, Whose realm is blooming among us now. We pray that your compassion guide us in every action. Give us what we need for each day and help us to be satisfied with the miracle of that alone. Forgiver, whose embrace brings us to wholeness without our asking, may we reconcile ourselves to one another in humility.

And may we cancel the crushing debts that imprison our neighbors So that communities of joy and health may flourish. May we neither profit from nor ignore evil. But ever work to thwart it with non-violence. As we co-create the realm of peace in this world, now and each day.

Juanita:  Let us share this bread and cup to proclaim and live the gospel of justice and peace, saying You are a part of me, you are my family.

Communion song:  Come to the table

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEpMhdoJ_VA

Prayer after Communion  JayCee and Gerry alternate

O Lord Jesus, you lived in the home of Mary and Joseph in Nazareth. There you grew in age, wisdom, and grace as you prepared to fulfill your mission as our Redeemer. We entrust our family to you.

O Blessed Mary, you are the Mother of our Savior. At Nazareth, you cared for Jesus and nurtured him in the peace and joy of your home. We entrust our family to you.

O Saint Joseph, you provided a secure and loving home for Jesus and Mary, and gave us a model of fatherhood while showing us the dignity of work. We entrust our family to you.

Holy Family, we consecrate ourselves and our family to you. May we be completely united in love that is lasting, faithful, and open to the gift of new life.

Please help us to grow in virtue, to forgive one another from our hearts, and to live in peace all our days. Keep us strong in faith, persevering in prayer, diligent in our work, and generous toward those in need.

May our home, O Holy Family, reflect your example in our daily life. Amen. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, pray for us. Amen

BLESSING

Karla: Please extend your hands in blessing.

With wisdom and courage, let us all go out into the world to grieve together, act against injustice, and love deeply and inclusively. In so doing, we participate in the renewal of the earth, allowing the heart of Christianity to beat for all to hear. Amen.

Closing Song: Canticle of Turning

 

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=F9QeTmRCpW4&si=qZow4rkONnVwbg94