Sr. Regina Bechtle, SC has once again prepared a prayer service for use on the feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.ELIZABETH SETON: OPEN TO GOD’S NEW GIFTS – January 4 Prayer Service
Sisters of Charity of New York
CALL TO PRAYER
Let us celebrate our saint and our sister, Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton.
Secure in the embrace of God, she ran to meet her grace in each new circumstance of life.
Let us pray for a share of her courageous spirit.
SONG: (select one of the suggestions below, or another of your own preference)
A READING FROM THE GOOD NEWS OF ELIZABETH SETON’S LIFE
In June, 1808, Elizabeth left behind all she had known in New York. On the ship en route to her new life in Baltimore, she wrote:
…To-morrow – do I go among Strangers – No – has an anxious thought or fear passed my mind – No — can I be disappointed – No –…doubt and fear fly from the breast inhabited by him — there can be no disappointment where the Souls only desire and expectation is to meet [God’s] Adored Will and fulfill it. (II, 5)
For reflection and sharing:
As I recall times when I have left behind one phase of life to begin another,
what kept me open to embrace the new?
Two years later in Emmitsburg, difficulties with Fr. David threatened to polarize Elizabeth’s new community. With her entire future uncertain, she wrote:
Everything is now in confusion. When and how it will end God only knows….
I look to no one but God alone. (II, 149)
For reflection and sharing:
Have I ever felt uncertain about my personal future? our communal future?
What steadied my spirit?
In response to the needs of people who were poor, Elizabeth sent sisters to Philadelphia and then to New York. Each new mission brought unforeseen challenges. Elizabeth wrote, encouraging her sisters:
Knowing as I so well know your heart’s desire to serve our Lord, I can say nothing to you but keep well to what you believe to be the grace of the moment. You will so often be at a stand for what is best in a situation so new, but only do your best, as you have always done, and leave the rest to our dear God.
Years later Elizabeth’s dear friend, Elizabeth Boyle, asked herself and her sisters:
Is my heart ready? Are its doors open wide?
For reflection and sharing:
Have I ever felt overwhelmed and “at a stand” in a new situation?
What helped my heart to be ready?
RESPONSE – Psalm 98:
Antiphon: All the ends of the earth have seen the power of God.
1. Sing to Yahweh a new song, for God has done wondrous deeds;
whose right hand has won the victory for us, God’s holy arm. Antiphon
2. Our God has made salvation known, and justice revealed to all,
remembering kindness and faithfulness to Israel.
Antiphon
3. All the ends of the earth have seen salvation by our God.
Joyfully sing out, all you lands, break forth in song.
Antiphon
(David Haas/Marty Haugen, © GIA,adapted)
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION AND THANKSGIVING
(You may wish to mention the names of those, living and deceased, whose openness to the new has especially encouraged or challenged you.
CLOSING PRAYER: Gracious God, the unrestricted readiness of your love impelled your beloved Son to become one of us. Your faithful servant Elizabeth Seton embraced each new moment as a call to see your face and meet her grace. Give us hearts like hers, strong, trusting, and open to your constant invitations. We ask this in the name of Jesus, the One who makes all things new. Amen.
References: Elizabeth Bayley Seton: Collected Writings, Vols. I & II
Music Suggestions: Sing a New Church (D. Dufner, OSB, © 1991); Sing a New Song (D. Schutte, © 1972); Gather Us In (M. Haugen, © 1982) – all in Breaking Bread 2005; No Need (M. Ward), on Open Our Hearts; See, I Make All Things New (F.P. O’Brien), on Maker of Heaven and Earth, GIA
ADDITIONAL READINGS (You may wish to use these at another time.)
I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, …. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold God’s dwelling is with the human race….God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, for the old order has passed away.” The One who sat on the throne said, “Behold I make all things new.” (Rev. 21:1-5)
The new heavens and the new earth are our hope, the hope which fires our energy and our passion for preparing the way. (Charlotte Raftery, SC)
RESPONSE: See, I am doing something new, even now it comes to light;
can you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19)
Is my heart ready? Are its doors open wide? (Mother Elizabeth Boyle)
I see a world where there is neither Jew nor Greek-….
as we celebrate the flow of the river of human history;
where theologies and philosophies embrace-
where hard rock develops the power to hear-
where bridges built over our troubled waters become as many as people.
(Eileen Storey, SC)
RESPONSE: See, I am doing something new, even now it comes to light;
can you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19)
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