∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

The following presentation is made possible 

By the generosity of the viewers of Sunday mass 

At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago. 

Good morning, and welcome to Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. 

Today we celebrate the second Sunday of Lent. 

My name is Dan Riley, I am joined by Mike Teolus 

And wesley kennard,  and our celebrant 

Is Father Greg Sakowicz, rector of holy name cathedral. 

∫ Immortal, invisible, God only wise, ∫ 

∫ Enlightened, accessible, hid from our eyes. ∫ 

∫ Most blessed, most glorious, the ancient of days. ∫ 

∫ Almighty, victorious, your great name we praise. ∫ 

Good morning, welcome as we continue 

Our Lent journey to the cross with the lord, 

In the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit, amen. 

The lord be with you.  -And with your spirit. 

Our God is loving, compassionate, and always forgiving. 

We are sinners, we take a moment of silence 

And ask forgiveness and the lord’s mercy. 

Lord has mercy. 

-Lord have mercy. 

Christs have mercy. 

-Christ have mercy. 

Lord have mercy. 

-Lord have mercy. 

May almighty God have mercy on us, 

Forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. 

Amen. 

And together let us pray. 

Loving God, who have commanded us to listen 

To your beloved son, be pleased we pray to nourish us 

Inwardly by your word, your spiritual sight made pure, we may rejoice always 

To behold your glory, through Christ our lord. 

Amen. 

A reading from the book of genesis. 

God put abraham to the test. 

He called to him, “abraham.”  Here i am,” he replied. 

Then God said, “take your son isaac, 

Your only one, whom you love, and go to the land of moriah. 

There you shall offer him up 

As a holocaust, on a height that i will point out to you.” 

When they came to the place of which God 

Had told him, abraham built an altar there 

And arranged the wood on it. 

Then he reached out and took the knife to slaughter his son. 

But the lord’s messenger called to him from heaven, 

“Abraham, abraham.” “Here i am,” he answered. 

“Do not lay your hand on the boy,” said the messenger. 

“Do not do the least thing to him. 

I know now how devoted you are to God, 

Since you did not withhold from me your own beloved son.” 

As abraham looked about, he spied a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. 

So, he went and took the ram and offered it up as a holocaust in place of his son. 

Again, the lord’s messenger called to abraham 

From heaven and said, “i swear by me,” 

Declares the lord, that because you acted 

As you did, and not withholding from me your beloved son, 

I will bless you abundantly, and make your descendants as countless 

As the stars of the sky and the sands of the seashore. 

Your descendants shall take possession of the gates 

Of their enemies, and in your descendants 

All the nations of the earth shall find blessing, 

All this because you obeyed my command.” 

The word of the lord. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

∫ I will walk before the lord in the land of the living. ∫ 

∫ I will walk before the lord in the land of the living. ∫ 

∫ I trusted even when i said,  i am sorely afflicted. ∫ 

∫ How precious in the eyes of the lord is the death of the faithful. ∫ 

∫ I will walk before the lord in the land of the living ∫ 

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the romans. 

Brothers and sisters, if God is for us,  who can be against us? 

He who did not spare his own son but handed him over for us all. 

How will he not also give us everything else along with him? 

Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? 

It is God who acquits us, who will condemn. 

Christ Jesus, it is who died, 

Or rather was raised, who also is at the right hand  of God, 

Who indeed intercedes for us. 

The word of the lord. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

∫ Praise and honor to you, lord Jesus Christ. ∫ 

∫ Praise and honor to you, lord Jesus Christ. ∫ 

∫ From the shining cloud the father’s voice is heard. ∫ 

∫ This is my beloved son. ∫ 

∫ Listen to him. ∫ 

∫ Praise and honor to you, lord Jesus Christ. ∫ 

∫ Praise and honor to you, lord Jesus Christ. ∫ 

The lord be with you. 

-And with your spirit. 

A reading from the holy gospel according to mark. 

-Glory to you, o lord. 

Jesus took peter, james,  and john and led them up 

A very high mountain apart by themselves. 

He was transfigured before them. 

His clothes became dazzling white. 

Such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. 

Then elijah appeared to them along with moses and they were conversing with Jesus. 

Then peter said to Jesus  in reply, “rabbi, it is good for us to be here. 

Let us make three tents. 

One for you, one for moses,  and one for elijah. 

He hardly knew what to say, for they were so terrified. 

Then a cloud came casting a shadow over them. 

From the cloud came a voice, “this is my beloved son. 

Listen to him.” 

Then suddenly looking around, he no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them. 

As they were coming down from the mountain, 

He charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone 

Except when the son of man had risen from the dead. 

So, they kept the matter to themselves, 

Questioning what ‘rising from the dead’ truly meant. 

The gospel of the lord. 

This man before a mirror with his wife nearby. He says to his wife, “Honey, I’m feeling so old. 

Hair getting gray, double chin, wrinkles, Bags under my eyes, big gut, feeling so lousy.” He said, “honey, say something to me that’s going to really Uplift me, make me feel good about myself. 

Say something positive to me.” And she says, “You have excelLent eyesight.” 

 

[Laughter] 

 

Sometimes in life, we miss the whole point. The characters involved in today’s readings Could have missed the whole point and deeper meaning If they had not listened. Abraham is called to trust God, to trust life. I need to be grounded in faith, rooted in God, rooted in life. St. Paul to the romans, “if God is for us, who can be against us?” And Peter, James, and John, really all of us searching and sometimes missing the point. 

 

Through death to life, the lord says, “I’m the one who transforms you.” Hope in the midst of our ability or inability to let go. God meets us where we are. Let the lord come to us. It’s okay not to be in control or always have life on my terms. But how do we do this? The following true experience may capture it best. 

 

One day when walking around a lake, I turned around a wooded corner and came suddenly face to face with a doe and her fawn – not more than 10 feet away from me. We both stared at each other for the longest time Before she and her fawn quietly slipped into the woods. It was for me a moment of grace, God’s presence in a transforming way that I still remember and look back on with delight.  

 

One thing I’ve come to realize over the years is that deer are free. When I seek deer on their own terms, hoping against hope, but not expecting or demanding to see them, they eventually will appear. Searching for deer has become a symbol of my own quest for God.  

 

I’ve learned over the years that God is free. I cannot control God. One unexpected moments of joy held me during times of doubt, dryness, and starkness, tolerable and remind me there’s a God who loves me, who will appear in very unpredictable ways. I came to this conclusion recently. God does not need Lent. We do. And Lent is not so much what we do for God. Lent is rather what God does in us if I’m willing to let go and trust like the followers in today’s readings.  

And remember this, no one can go back and start a new beginning. But starting today, we can make a new ending with the help and grace of God. 

 

And together we profess  our apostles creed. 

I believe in God,  the father almighty,  creator of heaven and earth. 

I believe in Jesus Christ,  his only son, 

Our lord, who is conceived by the power of the holy spirit 

And born of the virgin mary. 

He suffered under a pontius pilate, 

Was crucified, died, and was buried. 

He descended to the dead. 

On the third day he rose again. 

He ascended into heaven and seated at the right hand of God, the father almighty. 

He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 

I believe in the holy spirit, the holy catholic church, 

The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, 

The resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. 

Amen. 

With confidence, faith, and joy, 

We bring to the lord our needs, our prayers, our very lives. 

Our response to each prayer will be, “lord, hear our prayer.” 

For our holy father and all members of the clergy, 

May their faith be an inspiration 

To catholics all over the world. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord hear our prayer. 

For those who are recovering from surgery and illness, 

May the lord bring them healing. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord hear our prayer. 

For the young people of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 

May they draw closer to the lord 

During this Lenten season. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord hear our prayer. 

For those who generously share their time, 

TaLents, and treasures with mercy home, 

May the lord bless them for their kindness. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord hear our prayer. 

Loving God, as we continue our Lenten journey, 

We ask you to hear our prayers always made known 

Through Christ our lord. 

-Amen. 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

And pray my sisters and brothers, 

That our sacrifice be acceptable to God, 

The father, the almighty. 

May the lord accept the sacrifice at your hands 

For the praise and glory of his name, 

For our good and good of all his church, amen. 

May this holy sacrifice, o lord, we pray, 

Cleanse us of our faults and sanctify your faithful 

In body and mind for the celebration 

Of the paschal festivities, 

Always through Christ our lord, amen. 

The lord be with you. 

– And with your spirit. 

Lift up your heart. 

– We lift them up to the lord. 

Let us give thanks to the lord our God. 

– It is right and just. 

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, 

Always and everywhere to give you thanks, 

Lord, holy father, almighty and eternal God. 

For after he had told the disciples of his coming death 

On the holy mountain, he manifested them his glory 

To show even by the testimony of the law and the prophets 

That the passion leads to the glory of the resurrection. 

And so, with the powers of heaven and glory, 

We together sing your hymn of praise. 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

∫ Holy, holy, holy lord God of hosts ∫ 

∫ Heaven and earth are full of your glory ∫ 

∫ Hosanna in the highest ∫ 

∫ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord ∫ 

∫ Hosanna in the highest ∫ 

You are indeed holy, o lord, the font of all holiness. 

Make holy therefore these gifts, we pray, 

By sending down your spirit upon them like the dew fall, 

That they may become for us the body and blood of your son, 

Our lord Jesus Christ. 

In the time which we trade and entered willingly into his passion, 

Jesus took bread and giving thanks broke it 

And gave to the disciples 

Saying, “take this, all of you, and eat of it, 

“For this is my body, which will be given up for you.” 

When supper was ended, he took the chalice 

And once more giving thanks, gave to the disciples saying, 

“Take this, all of you, and drink from it, 

“For this is a chalice of my blood, 

“The blood of the new and eternal covenant, 

“Which will be poured out for you and for many, 

“For the forgiveness of sins. 

“Do this in memory of me.” 

(Silence) 

The mystery of faith. 

∫ (Piano music) ∫ 

∫ When we eat this bread and drink this cup ∫ 

∫ We proclaim your death, o lord ∫ 

∫ Until you come again. ∫ 

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his life, 

Death, and resurrection, 

We offer you, lord, the bread of life 

And the chalice of salvation, 

Giving thanks you’ve held us worthy 

To be in your presence and minister to you. 

Humble, we pray, that partaking of the body and blood of Christ 

Be gathered into one 

By the power of the holy spirit. 

Remember, lord, your church spread throughout the world 

And bring her to the fullness of charity 

Together with francis our pope, 

Blase our bishop, with the bishops, clergy, 

Religious brothers and sisters, 

And all who serve in your faith communities. 

Remember also our brothers and sisters 

Who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection 

And all who have died in your mercy. 

In a very special way, 

All the deceased loved ones who’ve gone home to God. 

Welcome them into the light of your face. 

Have mercy on us all, we pray, 

With the blessed virgin mary, mother of God, 

With blessed joseph her spouse, with the blessed apostles, 

And all the saints who have pleased you 

Throughout the ages, merit to be co-heirs to eternal life, 

And may praise and glorify you 

Through your son, our lord, Jesus Christ. 

Through him, with him, and in him, 

O God, almighty father, in the unity of the holy spirit, 

All glory and honor are yours forever and ever. 

∫ (Piano music) ∫ 

∫ Amen, amen, amen ∫ 

With confidence, faith and joy 

We continue our Lenten journey. 

As God’s family, we pray. 

Our father, who art in heaven, 

Hallowed be thy name. 

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, 

On earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread 

And forgive us our trespasses, 

As we forgive those who trespass against us, 

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. 

Deliver us, lord, we pray, from every evil. 

Grant peace in our days, 

That by the help of your mercy, 

We may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, 

As we await in blessed hope 

With the coming of our savior,  Jesus Christ. 

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, 

Now and forever. 

And lord Jesus Christ,  you said to your apostles, 

“Peace i leave you, my peace i give you.” 

Look not upon our sins, but on the faith of your church, 

And grant us peace and unity, 

In acccordance  with your will, 

Who lives and reigns forever and ever, amen. 

May the peace of the lord be with all of you. 

– And with your spirit. 

Let us show the Lord’s peace and joy to those around us. 

For those that are praying at home, 

Maybe residents, from all of us here 

At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 

To each and every one of you, 

God’s blessings, peace, and the lord’s joy. 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

∫ Lamb of God ∫ 

∫ You take away the sins of the world ∫ 

∫ Have mercy on us ∫ 

∫ Lamb of God ∫ 

∫ You take away the sins of the world ∫ 

∫ Have mercy on us ∫ 

∫ Lamb of God ∫ 

∫ You take away the sins of the world ∫ 

∫ Grant us peace ∫ 

Behold the lamb of God. 

Behold him who takes away the sins of the world. 

Bless those called to supper of the lamb. 

Lord, i am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, 

But only say the word and my soul shall be healed. 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

– For those of you at home, 

Please turn to page six in your sunday mass guide 

And join in singing our communion song, 

‘My lord, what a morning.’ 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

∫ My lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ My lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ Oh, my lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ When the stars begin to fall ∫ 

∫ When the stars begin to fall ∫ 

∫ You will hear the trumpet sound ∫ 

∫ To wake the nations underground ∫ 

∫ Looking to my God’s right hand ∫ 

∫ When the stars begin to fall ∫ 

∫ My lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ My lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ Oh, my lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ When the stars begin to fall ∫ 

∫ When the stars begin to fall ∫ 

∫ You will hear the Christian shout ∫ 

∫ To wake the nations underground ∫ 

∫ Looking to my God’s right hand ∫ 

∫ When the stars begin to fall ∫ 

∫ My lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ My lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ Oh, my lord, what a morning ∫ 

∫ When the stars begin to fall ∫ 

∫ When the stars begin to fall. ∫ 

And together our prayer for the children of mercy home, 

Our lady of mercy, we pray that you will guide, 

Protect, and bless all boys and girls 

Who this day have a home  called mercy. 

May they find the father’s mercy 

As you offer them our hearts 

In the name of your son,  Jesus Christ. 

May they seek God’s mercy in action 

Through our love, prayers, and sacrifices. 

And together, let us pray. 

As we receive these glorious mysteries, 

Make thanksgiving to you, o lord, 

For allowing us while still on earth 

To be partakers even now of the things of heaven 

Through Christ our lord. 

Amen. 

The lord be with you. 

– And with your spirit. 

Let us bow our heads and pray for God’s many blessings. 

Bless your faithful, we pray, o lord, 

With a blessing that endures forever 

And keep them faithful to the holy gospel 

Of your only begotten son, 

That they may always desire and at last attain 

That glory whose beauty is showed in his own body, 

To the amazement of the apostles, 

Always through Christ our lord. 

Amen. 

So, we continue our  Lenten journey. 

Our prayers from mercy home, are with you 

To take one day at a time, to trust in God 

Who’s our source, our help, 

The joy who’s with us always. 

And may the blessing of almighty God, 

The father, the son, and the holy spirit 

Descend upon all of us forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

Our celebration has ended. 

Our Lenten journey continues. 

We go in peace. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫ 

∫ There’s a wideness in God’s mercy ∫ 

∫ Like the wideness of the sea ∫ 

∫ There’s a kindness in God’s justice ∫ 

∫ Which is more than liberty ∫ 

∫ There is plantiful  redemption ∫ 

∫ In the blood that has been shed ∫ 

∫ There is joy for all the members ∫ 

∫ In the sorrows of the head ∫ 

∫ Troubled souls, why will you scatter ∫ 

∫ Like a crowd of… ∫ 

– My friends, i just want to thank you 

For the ways in which you support the tv mass here 

At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. 

Let us continue to pray for one another. 

Please consider making an offering 

So that we can keep the tv mass on the air. 

May Gods bless you, your family members, and your friends. 

– The music for the broadcast of ‘Sunday Mass at Mercy Home’ 

Is generously provided by g-i-a publications incorporated 

And its world library publications division. 

∫ (Soft piano music) ∫