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Words fill our chapel,
their meaning filters
into our hearts.
Make us new, we pray,
be not afraid.
Listen, my daughter,
God alone is enough,
our hearts overflowing
with the inexpressible delight of love.
Sacred space is around us,
sacred space is in us.
Renovate us
as we renovate this chapel,
for all things are changing,
God alone is changeless.
Space is made holy
as we welcome
and promise,
chant praise
and mourn loss.
Carried on the song
of our sisters,
we hold tenderly
the suffering heart
of the world.
We are the space,
we are the love,
in each moment
of every day.
Let us listen
with the ear of our heart.
Let us be lover
and prophet
and peacemaker.
And above all, O God,
let us not forget to be kind.
Amen
© 2004 Benedictine Sisters of Erie |
"Pray always," Scripture says. "Prefer nothing whatsoever to the Work of God," (RB 43:3), the Rule of Benedict insists. "Impossible," we object. And yet, if we keep our souls tied to a consciousness of God as the Rule directs, even in the face of things of apparently greater or more immediate value, then consciousness of God becomes a given. And consciousness of God is perpetual prayer. —Sister Joan Chittister, OSB
Centered in prayer, the Chapel Project Task Force began each and every one of its meetings, interviews and work sessions praying this prayer and singing a verse of the song "All Are Welcome." (Text: Marty Haugen; Tune: TWO OAKS, 9 6 8 6 8 7 1 with refrain: Marty Haugen; ©1994, GIA Publications, Inc.)
Likewise, all community discussions around the chapel project also began with the prayer and the song. Click here for a PDF file of the prayer card.
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