Hymn
Option I. Guide my Feet (Gather 780)
Guide my feet while I run this race (3x)
For I don’t want to run this race in vain.
Stand by me while I run this race (3x)
For I don’t want to run this race in vain.
Option II. Wisdom, My Road (We Celebrate 847)
- Long before my journey’s start, when in my youth I searched in my heart,
I would pray for her, wait for her, Wisdom, my road, my goal, and my star. - From the blossom to the seed, long has she filled my cup in need,
May I cling to her vine, taste of her wine, Wisdom, my life, my perfect design. - When I stretched my hands to the sky, When in despair my soul raised a cry,
I was saved by her gaze, led in her ways, Wisdom, my love, the light of my days.
Prayer
Leader:
Leader:
All:
+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
Let us pray as one:
Good and Gracious God,
We come before you as the community of St. Margaret of Scotland,
gathered today to pray a Novena for clarity of mind and heart
during this search for new school leadership.
We ask you, O God, for support and strength,
direction and guidance,
joy and peace
as we seek to be lifelong learners in pursuit of knowledge,
wisdom, and understanding.
Lead us the way we need to go, as our story unfolds before us.
We make this prayer, filled with hope,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Reading
We must kindle in the minds of children the ambition to do something more, whether it be in literature, art, science, or work for others; they must give themselves to the great Cause, by self-sacrifice to be in some sort initiated into its spirit, and identified with it, and thus to make it worthwhile for others as well as for themselves that they have lived their life on earth. There is a price to be paid for this, and they must face it; a good life cannot be a soft life, and a great deal, even of innocent pleasure, has to be given up, voluntarily, to make life worth living, if it were only as a training in doing without.
“Janet Erskine Stewart, RSCJ, Educator Par Excellence” by Janet Reberdy, RSCJ
Response
Leader:
All:
Leader:
All:
Leader:
All:
At dawn, fill us with your merciful love;
we shall exult and rejoice all our days.
Let your deed be seen by your servants,
and your glorious power by their children.
Let the favor of the LORD our God be upon us;
Give success to the work of our hands.
O give success to the work of our hands.
Word of God
Attend, my people, to my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in story, drawing lessons from of old.
We have heard them, we know them; our ancestors have recited them to us.
We do not keep them from our children; we recite them to the next generation,
The praiseworthy and mighty deeds of the LORD, the wonders that he performed.God set up a decree in Jacob, established a law in Israel:
What he commanded our ancestors, they were to teach their children;
That the next generation might come to know, children yet to be born.In turn they were to recite them to their children,
that they too might put their trust in God,
And not forget the works of God, keeping his commandments.They were not to be like their ancestors, a rebellious and defiant generation,
Psalm 78: 1-8
A generation whose heart was not constant, whose spirit was not faithful to God.
Questions for Reflection
After leader reads questions aloud, all pause to reflect during one minute of silence.
- At SMOS, how does self-sacrifice for a greater Cause fit into the life of learning?
- As we look for our next school leaders, what are the defining stories and experiences of our history to pass on?
- What does this current moment challenge us to ask of the next principal, for our teachers and staff, and for our children’s learning?
Petitions
Leader: Christ hears and saves all who hope in him. Let us bring him our needs.
That our school will foster a passion for learning and the humble quest for truth in every member of the school community, we pray…
R. Lord, hear our prayer.
That our children will retain the wonder and receptivity of infancy as they advance in the discipline of educational practice toward the integration of a rich intellectual life, we pray… R.
That our community will love learning, not as a badge of achievement or a ticket to financial success, but as a joyful element of fulfilling our potential, unlocking the exceptional within each of us, and supporting virtuous living, we pray… R.
For what else shall we pray?
Individuals may offer intentions.
Prayer of Saint Margaret of Scotland
Leader: Let us recall our mission as together we pray:
Loving God,
You call your people to holiness and create among them models of kindness.
We thank you for the life of St. Margaret of Scotland:
a woman of leadership and hope in a confusing world;
a wife and mother excelling in patience, dedication and love;
a teacher supported and inspired by a life of learning;
a generous friend and a loyal servant to the poor and helpless;
a model of Christian faith and constant prayerfulness.
As we build our faith, help us to grow rich in the values of St. Margaret:
That faith, hope and love might inspire
our presence in the city and neighborhood,
our relationships with family and friends,
our concern for the education of the young,
our care for the poor and the weak,
our community’s prayer in word and sacrament.
Bless our parish and our school;
Let it be for us a community of love and sharing,
and a source of life and grace;
Let it be a witness to our neighbors
of your life, your presence and your love.
Through Christ, Our Lord,
Amen.
Optional, following Novena:
Share your reflections from above questions, focused on the mission value of the day.
- Index cards available at the shared novena, or
- Email PraySMOS@gmail.com
- Comments received may be shared with the community and those who search for our new staff members.
