THANKSGIVING PRAYER SERVICE
In celebration of the 150th Anniversary of the Daughters of St. Francis de Sales
We give thanks to God always for you all, constantly remembering you in our
prayers.
(1 Thessalonians 1:2)
INTRODUCTION: Good morning and welcome to our Thanksgiving Prayer Service.
Mindful of the abundance we have received from the hands of our friends and lay partners, the
Daughters of St. Francis de Sales are filled with joyful gratitude. We give thanks for countless
blessings received and rejoice that, by your gifts, our lay partners share in the fruits of our life
and apostolate. Through your generosity, we are able to fulfill our vocation of prayer and
service in the Church as consecrated women. Thus, in thanksgiving for the sacrifices and
contributions offered by so many on our behalf, we offer our most precious gift: our prayers.
“To whom much is given, much is expected”, (Luke 12:48). As a Congregation, we consider it
our privilege and obligation to pray with fervor for those who make our life as Daughters of St.
Francis de Sales possible with the mission entrusted to us.
“Almighty and ever-living God, in your holy Name you have called us and gathered us together.
We come before you today, O God, to offer you our praise and thanksgiving.”
(Please all stand)
Let us take a few moments now to give thanks to our God, beginning with the sign of our faith:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
OPENING SONG:
Please join in singing our opening song.
“My Heart’s Thanksgiving”
Refrain:
As I sing my heart’s thanksgiving
and my eyes look heavenward,
How the stars you flung like jewels bid your welcome,
shine your light.
As I marvel at your moonrise,
I’m in awe yet I ask.
“What am I that you should love me,
and hold me as your dearest love of all”.
I.
You crown me with honor and glory,
and you set all things under my feet.
You have made me little less than an angel even if I fly often away. (Ref.)
II.
In my anxious and browbeaten moments, you comfort me,
fill me with peace.
When my foes threaten, dare, and surround me,
you’re my strength you’re my light and my shield. (Ref.)
III.
How exalted Your name is,
O Yahweh and how lofty the work of your hands.
Yet how closely, how dearly you draw me to your love,
your divine majesty. (Ref.)
GOSPEL READING: (Luke 12:54-59)
54
Jesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say
immediately that it is going to rain, and so it does;
55
and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is
going to be hot, and so it is.
56
You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the
sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?
57
“Why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?
58
If you are to go with your opponent before a magistrate, make an effort to
settle the matter on the way; otherwise, your opponent will turn you over to the judge,
and the judge hand you over to the constable, and the constable throw you into prison.
59
I say to you, you will not be released until you have paid the last penny.”
L: The Holy Gospel of the Lord.
ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
REFLECTION / HISTORY OF THE CONGREGATION
c/o Sr. Helen G. Belemide, DSFS
INTERCESSORY PRAYER:
Almighty Father, you taught us to pray not only for ourselves but for people
everywhere. As we gather together today with our brothers and sisters (our lay
partners), we bring our prayers to you with humility and confidence in your goodness
and generosity, so now hear us as we pray,
Lord, hear our prayer.
1. Loving God, look kindly on your servant Pope Francis. You invited him to shepherd
Your flock. Guide and protect him in his daily work. Inspire him in Your ways to embrace
Church unity. Let us pray…
2. Loving God, may your Church remain a steady channel of your grace as we strive to
become truly a foretaste of the richness of your kingdom here on earth in our different
charisms and ministries. We may not turn a blind eye to the needs of our brothers and
sisters, and always renew our commitment to Jesus’ mission. Let us pray…
3. Loving God, preserve our congregation founded by your humble servant Fr. Carlo
Cavina, that each member may be a sign of God’s light and goodness in our world, and
a beacon of hope for the most vulnerable. Let us pray…
4. Loving God, may our lay partners, guided by your wisdom, be humble stewards of
your gifts, and, may they set an example of mercy and generosity by becoming
involved in efforts to distribute the world’s wealth among all of those in need. Let us
pray…
5. Loving God, may all those who suffer from different calamities, illnesses especially
COVID-19, and other life misfortunes, may they trust that God will not abandon the work
of His hands, but will abide with them, sharing their joy and their pain. Let us pray…
6. Loving God, may our friends and family who love us, care for our needs, listen to us in
our desperation, comfort us in our sorrow, advise us with caring concern, and, by their
selflessness, bring us closer to God. Let us pray…
7. Loving God, source of forgiveness and salvation, grant that our relatives and friends
who have passed from this life may, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and of all the saints, come to share your Eternal happiness through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Let us pray…
Most loving God, who unselfishly sent your only Son among us to show us the road to
salvation, we in turn ask for the grace and strength to go forth as missionaries to all we
meet and become enriching grace towards each other. We thank you for your many
blessings, and we ask that you continue to guide us and lead us along the path you
have set before us. We make this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
OUR FATHER (to be sung)
FINAL PRAYER: Most Holy Trinity (Don Carlo Cavina)
