June 8, 2021
Introduction
Leader: The UN General Assembly, by its resolution of December 5, 2008, designed June 8th, as World Oceans Day, at the urging of Canada. Canada is an ocean rich country. We have the world's longest coastline linking three different oceans –Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific. Our oceans are not only home to an immense web of marine life, but they also generate half of the oxygen we breathe, act as thermostats to regulate the Earth's temperature, and support a majority of our planet's biodiversity. The coastal ecosystems that surround our oceans are also important as they support a wide diversity of marine and terrestrial species. As Canadians, we are all connected to our oceans, which are significant to our heritage, culture, and economy, and essential to all life on the planet.
~ Government of Canada website
Water Ritual
[Leader reads these words as water is poured from a pitcher into a large bowl]
Leader: As we fill this vessel with water, let us remember how essential water is to all life on our planet. Let us be grateful for the gift of water in our homes, in our rivers, in our lakes and oceans. Let us resolve to use water with reverence and justice.
Response: Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water.
Leader: Water is the source of all life.
R. Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water.
Leader: It is pure and refreshing. It flows, cleans, and nourishes.
R. Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water.
Leader: Water is a vital element which we must take care of.
R. Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water.
Leader: Through the water cycle we are intimately connected to all of creation.
R. Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water.
Opening Hymn: SONG OF THE WATERS , Tune: LAUDA ANIMA, CBW III #565]
View anew the dark blue ocean,
Whales cavorting, spraying foam;
God at play with deep sea monsters,
Feeling very much at home
Sing a song of laughing waters,
Pulsing through the veins of Earth.
Feel the breath of God move softly,
Gentle mists that brush the skin.
Earth is breathing God’s own spirit,
Life renewed from deep within.
Sing a song of living waters,
Pulsing through the veins of Earth.
Words: © Norman Habel 2001 used with permission
Opening Prayer
Reader #1:
Swirling God, who at the dawn of creation swept over the face of the waters, hover over our oceans and all waterways with your blessed presence. May we cooperate with You, Creator God, to create a prosperous world for each cell and molecule of life below the surface of the ocean waters.
by Reverend Michelle L. Torigian (adapted)
First Reading
Reader #2
In Chapter One of Laudato Si’, in addition to speaking of the current issues affecting the blue planet and our common home, also known as our mother earth, Pope Francis says: “Oceans not only contain the bulk of our planet’s water supply, but also most of the immense variety of living creatures, many of them still unknown to us and threatened for various reasons. What is more, marine life in rivers, lakes, seas, and oceans, which feeds a great part of the world’s population, is affected by uncontrolled fishing, leading to a drastic depletion of certain species. Selective forms of fishing which discard much of what they collect continue unabated. Particularly threatened are marine organisms which we tend to overlook, like some forms of plankton; they represent a significant element in the ocean food chain, and species used for our food ultimately depend on them.” LS #41
Psalm Response
Reader #2:
Sing a new song, for God has done wonderful things! Sing to God all the earth, sing praise and songs of joy! Let the oceans roar and all the creatures that live within it give praise! (Psalm 98 adapted)
Second Reading
Reader #3:
From Book of Job – “But ask the animals, and they will teach you; or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; or let the fish in the sea inform you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of every human being.” Job 12: 7 – 10
Pause for Ponder
Leader: Let us take a few moments to consider what can be done individually and communally to safeguard God’s amazing gift of the world’s oceans so they will be left as an inheritance for future generations?
Intentions
Reader: #4:
Today, on World Oceans Day, let us lift our voices in prayer. The response to our intentions is:
O Source of Living Water, grant us our request.
We pray for the 663 million people who lack access to safe water.
O Source of Living Water, grant us our request.
We pray for the women and children who spend hours each day walking to collect water.
O Source of Living Water, grant us our request.
We pray for a reduction in the overuse of plastics which contaminate our ocean waters.
O Source of Living Water, grant us our request.
We pray for Pope Francis’ intention that politicians, scientists, economists work together to protect the world’s Seas and Oceans.
O Source of Living Water, grant us our request.
We pray that the Spirit of God continues to nudge us to nurture creation, joining together with humans all over this planet to covenant with one another to protect and celebrate the gift of ocean waters.
O Source of Living Water, grant us our request.
Catholic Health Association of America (adapted)
Closing Prayer
Leader: Let us pray-
All: Good and gracious God, we pray for humility to see all the ways we take water for granted. Send your Spirit to change the hearts of those who use water to create strife and conflict. Have mercy on those who are sick or in need because they cannot access safe water. We are thankful for Your gift of water seen in the beauty of waterfalls, placid lakes, rivers that move people and commerce, oceans full of amazing creatures. Give us guidance on how to be better stewards of a finite resource. We ask all of this in Your name. Amen.
~ Catholic Health Association of America
Closing Hymn:
“God Created Earth and Heaven” CBW III #512 verses 1 & 3
or “Let All Things Now Living” CBW III # 534
Credits:
https://www.chausa.org/prayers
Photo: pixabay
