Service for victims and survivors of abuse: May 4th 2021

The Conference of Religious held a service to pray for survivors of abuse on May 4th. Those attending virtually were invited to share answers to some questions anonymously which were immediately incorporated into the live streaming of the service.

Here is a link to the service:

https://youtu.be/jahs8UmKOFI

“A church that does not listen...cannot be credible, especially for the young who will inevitably turn away rather than approach.”

(Pope Francis, October 2018 )

ORDER OF SERVICE:

Welcome & Introduction

Opening Hymn: Song For a Young Prophet Chorus: Oh the word of my Lord, deep within my being, Oh the word of my Lord, you have filled my mind. Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you through and through, I chose you to be mine. Before you left your mother’s side, I called to you, my child, to be my sign. Chorus I know that you are very young, but I will make you strong I’ll fill you with my word; and you will travel through the land, fulfilling my command which you have heard. Chorus And everywhere you are to go, my hand will follow you; you will not be alone. In all the danger that you fear you’ll find me very near, your words my own. Chorus

Opening Prayer God of endless love, you sent your Son as our Shepherd to lead us and safeguard us. We are sorry for what some of us did to your children; treated them cruelly, especially when they were in need. We have left them with lifelong hurt. This was not your plan for them. Show us the way to justice and wholeness enfolded in your mercy, through Christ our Lord. Amen

We ask the Risen Lord to walk with us; For those whose trust has been broken Walk with them Lord

For all who have lost hope Walk with them Lord

For all who suffer Walk with them Lord

For all who are sick and in pain Walk with them Lord

For all who are struggling Walk with them Lord

For all who have been hurt Walk with them Lord

For all who are grieving Walk with them Lord

For all who are depressed Walk with them Lord

For all who feel rejected Walk with them Lord

For all who feel isolated Walk with them Lord

For all who are anxious Walk with them Lord

For all who self-harm Walk with them Lord

For all who despair Walk with them Lord

Questions for reflection (Using your mobile phone or web browser, you can now go to www.menti.com and add the passcode 83181972 where you can share your answers to these questions anonymously where they will immediately be incorporated into the live streaming of the service this evening.)

• What hopes do you have for the future? • What help do you need?

• What would you like to say to your Priest, Bishop or Community Leaders?

Quiet Music

We pray together: Let us pray for the survivors of abuse; may they come to know the peace only you can give. Lord hear us, R/ Lord graciously hear our prayer

Let us pray for the families and friends of those abused; may they open their hearts to the truth and find ways of healing. Lord hear us, R/

Let us pray for all in the church, laity and clergy; may their shaken faith be restored by Christ, their strength and hope. Lord hear us R/

Let us pray for our community, may we have the courage to move forward in truth and see the help we need from each other. Lord hear us, R/

Litany of Hope and Trust:

When peace is fragile Stay with us Lord. When tempers are raised Stay with us Lord. When atrocities occur Stay with us Lord. When forgiveness is needed Stay with us Lord. When talks breakdown Stay with us Lord. When agreements are broken Stay with us Lord. When hope seems faint Stay with us Lord. When burdens feel too heavy Stay with us Lord. When we are weak Stay with us Lord. When faith seems difficult Stay with us Lord.

An Act of Humility and Penitence. For the little ones of our community who have been abused, sexually, emotionally or physically; Lord in your mercy; R/ Hear our prayer For the courage to accept with integrity and honesty what has happened in our community; Lord in your mercy; R/ For a spirit of compassion that puts an end to acts of abuse to our little ones; Lord in your mercy; R/ For the gifts of wisdom and compassion in those who minister to the hurting ones; Lord in your mercy; R/ For a renewal of the love that protects the most vulnerable people in our care; Lord in your mercy; R/ God of strength on whom we lean; help us to create an atmosphere which allows us to speak the reality we dare not face. To establish a safe place for those who, in their pain reach out to us, and a community not afraid of the past, nor of walking into the future with hope, through Christ our Lord. Amen

A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to John. (10:11-18) Jesus said; ‘I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd is the one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep. This is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for my sheep.

The Gospel of the Lord R: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

A Sharing from a Survivor of Abuse

Meditation of Acknowledgement of Abuse :

The Good Shepherd carries all people in their pain, confusion and isolatio.

As a community let us take a moment to consider: ¨ Are we prepared like Christ, to carry those in pain, confusion and isolation? ¨ Are we the kind of people the abused can trust? ¨ Are we willing to let them talk and feel, so they can break their silence and uncover their secret? Aware that we have answered these questions before God and each other the Paschal Candle will be lit. Hymn: Eagle’s Wings You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord, who abide in His shadow for life, say to the Lord, "My Refuge, My Rock in whom I trust." And he will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand. The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear; under his wings your refuge, his faithfulness your shield. And he will raise….. You need not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, though thousands fall about you, near you it shall not come. And he will raise …. For to his angels, he's given a command, to guard you in all of your ways, upon their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. And he will raise …

Let us pray as Jesus taught us: Our Father Closing Prayer Father of hope and consolation, be the guardian of all who suffer abuse, send healing for their wounds. Deepen our respect for the dignity of every human life. Heal the brokenness of all victims of abuse, and renew the spirt of all who lament this sin. Through Christ our Lord Amen.

Closing Song; Something Inside So Strong