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A reading from the book of Ruth (1:15-18)
So Naomi said to her, "Ruth, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and
to her god. Go back home with her." But Ruth answered, "Don’t ask me to
leave you! Let me go with you. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live.
Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die,
and that is where I will be buried. May the Lord’s worst punishment come upon me if I
let anything but death separate me from you!" When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined
to go with her, she said nothing more.
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stop and look fear in the face.....you must do the thing you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962)
Dear God, we pray for all human beings, teach us to follow your law, to love one
another as you love us, regardless of sex, race or creed.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for all the sick, lonely and disheartened, may you give them fulfilment in
their lives.
Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
Dear God, answer our humble prayer, give us the grace to seek what we have to do and the strength to do it. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
A reading from the book of Judith (15:12-13)
All the Israelite women came to see her; they sang her praises and danced in her honour.
On this joyful occasion Judith and the other women waved ivy covered branches and wore
wreaths of olive leaves on their heads. Judith took her place at the head of the
procession to lead the women as they danced. All the men of Israel followed, wearing
wreaths of flowers on their heads, carrying their weapons and singing songs of praise.
"Women constitute half of the worlds population, perform nearly two thirds of its work hours, receive one tenth of the worlds income and own less than one-hundredth of the world’s property." (United Nations Report 1980)
Let us pray for all the women who are oppressed in any way. May they be freed from their oppression. Lord, hear us.
Lord, as Mary accepted without question your will; help us to follow your commands stand up for what is right, even if it is difficult. Lord, hear us.
Lord give us the grace to serve you always with joy. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (1:46-49)
Mary said: My heart praises the Lord; my soul is glad because of God my Saviour, for he
has remembered me, his lowly servant! From now on all people will call me happy, because
of the great things the mighty God has done for me.
"A liberated woman is one who feels confident in herself, and is happy in what she is doing. She is a person who has a sense of self … It all comes down to freedom of choice" Betty Ford (b. 1939)
All powerful God, help the governments in the world to value the true worth of women in their countries. Lord, hear us.
May we respect the rights of women, especially those who have been battered or abused. Lord, hear us.
Our Father, source of all good, hear our prayers, inspire us with good intentions and help us to live them out, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A reading from the book of Genesis (17:15-16)
God said to Abraham, "You must no longer call your wife Sarai; from now on her name
is Sarah. I will bless her, and I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she
will become the mother of nations, and there will be kings among her
descendants."‘
"As women we must learn to become leaders in society, not just for our sake, but for the sake of all people." (China Galland)
We pray for all those who work for organisations and charities that help women who are in need, many they bring happiness and hope to those most disadvantaged. Lord, hear us.
Mary cared for Jesus when he was a child, let us join our prayers with hers and pray for all mothers every where that they may show the same dedication and love. Lord, hear us.
Hail Mary …
As we start today God, help us to become more like Jesus in the way we treat our neighbours: may we always act with compassion and love in our hearts and in our relationships with others. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
A reading from the Gospel of Luke (7:5-8)
Jesus said: "You did not welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my
feet since I came. You provided no olive oil for my head, but she has covered my feet with
perfume. I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have
been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love." Then
Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven."
"Women will always fear war more than men because they are mothers" (Natalya Baranskaya)
We pray for those, like Mother Teresa, who dedicate their lives to others. Lord, hear us.
Lord, help us to look after those in our society, especially the most vulnerable. Lord, hear us.
God our Father,
open our hearts so that we may be always guided by your will:
may we always place our trust in you.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
