BACCALAUREATE MASS GUIDE March 20, 2013 7:00 A.M REV. FR. MARCELINO C. CORTEZ JR. Celebrant Processional..

Entrance of the Candidates for Graduation, Parents, Faculty etc. INTRODUCTORY RITES Leader: Graduation is an avenue of reflection. It also opens a door for the many opportunities in the future. The four years of hardships and difficulties has culminated today. With eager faces, each of us celebrates this occasion with jubilation and thanksgiving. Today, more than anything else, we offer ourselves before our merciful Father in many ways. We shout our gratitude to Him because all these years, He had given us the inspiration to continue with our hopes. We proclaim His glory as the giver of every good, knowledge and wisdom that the four years had gifted us. On the other hand, we also plead for guidance and endurance. Life after today will be totally different. We shall be facing a more serious task that is working towards the achievement of our desires in life in the fulfillment of His plan for us. What is in store is still uncertain. But with His love, nothing is impossible. With contrite hearts, let our intentions bear productive results. May what our hearts wish be granted; may we continue to search for the knowledge that only comes from God. For in searching so, we will reap the fruits of eternal joy. In this mass, let us also offer our parents who had sacrificed so much for our welfare. Let us also offer our teachers and our school that they will continue to be of better service to the people of this community. Let us also offer our classmates who are not able to make it today. May they be enlightened with the true meaning of hard work and perseverance so that in the end, they would also see the light coming from within. Let us also pray to those who went ahead of us, parents, teachers, fellow students, may they also pray with us in our aim of reaching our own stars. United in spirits and convictions, let us all raise these intentions to the Most High that He will bless this day and make each of us learn our own lessons of life.

Entrance Song: Trust in the Lord Trust in the Lord you shall not die Serve you the Lord, you shall not weaken For the Lords own strength will uphold you You shall renew your life and live. The Lord is our eternal God He neither faints nor grows weary Our hearts He probes from afar Knowing our ways, knowing our ways. Fr. Mars: All: GREETINGS Fr. Mars: May the Father fill your hearts with gratitude today, your graduation. And may the peace and joy of the Lord Jesus Christ in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And with your spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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PENITENTIAL RITES Fr. Mars: Teacher: As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christs love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength. Dear graduates, we your teachers, were given the delicate task of molding you into better persons, but we know that there were times when we were blind to see that you experienced difficulty, we unconsciously built a gap between us, when we were supposed to be your second parents. We are sorry for all our shortcomings. Pray to God with us and for us.. Lord have mercy. LORD HAVE MERCY. To you, our children, and our love for you can never be measured nor be bought; sometimes out of this love we tend to over protect you leaving you with in more room to grow as independent individuals. Or there maybe times when we were laxed, and failed to see and hear your silent plea for help as you begin to see the harsh reality of life. Forgive us for the times when we should have listened, when we failed to give you a shoulder to lean on and when we never showed to you how much we love you. Pray with us as we ask..Christ have Mercy. CHRIST HAVE MERCY.

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Beloved Parents, our families and our teachers, words could never express this gratitude that we feel for you for being there to guide until we reach this particular goal. But there were times when we rebelled against you, when we thought we were wise enough to listen to you, when you tried to help. We have disappointed you many times before. Now, we have realized that all youve done was for us, we ask for your forgiveness and ask our eternal Father for mercy..Lord Have Mercy. LORD HAVE MERCY. May Almighty God Have Mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.

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Opening Prayer Fr. Mars: Lord, come to us; free us from the stain of our sins. Help us to remain faithful to a holy way of life, and guide us to the inheritance you have promised. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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LITURGY OF THE WORD FIRST READING Leader: (Dn 3, 14-20.91-92.95)

A reading from the Book of the prophet Daniel King Nebuchadnezzar said: Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will not serve my god, or worship the golden statue that I set up? Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white hot furnace; and who is he is the God that can deliver you out of my hands. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar. There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If our God whom we serve, can save us from the white-hot furnace and from your hands, O king, that will not serve your god or worship the golden statue which you set up. Nebuchadnezzars face became livid with utter rage against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times more than usual and had some of the strongest men in his army bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and cast them into the white-hot furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar rose in haste and asked his nobles, Did we not cast three men bound into fire? Assuredly, I see four men unfettered and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God. Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel to deliver the servants that trusted in him; they disobeyed the royal command and yielded their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. This is the Word of the Lord. All: Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM: Response: Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; And blessed is your holy and glorious name, Praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages. Response: Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever. Response: Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, Praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. Response: Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you who look into the depths From your throne upon the cherubim, Praiseworthy and exalted above all forever. Response: Glory and praise for ever! Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, Praiseworthy and glorious forever. Response: Glory and praise for ever!

Verse before the Gospel (Ps130,5.7) I hope in the Lord, I trust in his word; With him there is mercy and fullness of redemption. GOSPEL (Jn 8:51-59) Your father, Abraham, rejoiced because he saw my day. Fr. Mars: All: Fr. Mars: All: Fr. Mars: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. A reading from the holy Gospel according to John Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus said to those Jews who believed in Him: If you live according to my teaching, you are truly my disciples; then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. We are descendants of Abraham, was their answer. Never we have been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, You will be set free? Jesus answered them: I give you my assurance, everyone who lives in sin is the slave of sin. (No slave has a permanent place in the family, but the son has a place there forever. That is why, if the son frees you, you will really be free. I realize you are of Abrahams stock. Nonetheless, you are trying to kill me because my word finds no hearing among you. I tell what I have seen in the Fathers presence; you do what you have heard from your father. They retorted, Our father is Abraham. Jesus told them: If you were Abrahams children, you would be following Abrahams example. The fact is, you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I have heard from God. Abraham did nothing like that. Indeed you are doing your father works! They cried, We are not illegitimate children! We have but one father and that is God himself. Jesus answered: Were God your father You would love me, For I come forth from God, and am here I did not come of my own will; It was he who sent me. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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HOMILY PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL Fr. Mars: God our Father, You tirelessly wait for our return, we are offering our every weakness and unworthiness for we put our trust in You. As one family begging for Your mercy, listen to our prayers. Gracious Father, hear our prayer. All: Leader: Gracious Father, hear our prayer. Lord, You are always with the Church. Grant our Church leaders the grace as they bring the good news of hope and consolation to the world. May You give them the strength to be faithful as beacons of justice and love. We pray. Gracious Father, hear our prayer. Lord, You have established civil authorities to promote justice, peace and order for the welfare of all citizens. Grant our government leaders the sincere heart to work for the common good and not for their own selfish interest. We pray. Gracious Father, hear our prayer. Lord, we pray for all families, that each member May live with unfailing love and dedication for one another in the spirit of sacrifice and mutual service, overcoming all forms of conflicts through forgiveness and reconciliation especially this season of Lent. We pray.. Gracious Father, hear our prayer. Lord, You have entrusted us all of Your creation to subdue and multiply. May You give us the grace to overcome the ill effects of climate change due to our negligence. We also pray for all the victims of natural and man-made calamities all over the world. As stewards, empower us to act and restore the balance of nature for the preservation and sustenance of every living creature. We pray Gracious Father, hear our prayer. Lord, You have given us our parents, guardians and teachers to be our guide through their words and examples. Strengthen them in the fulfillment of their duty and may they be shining examples to us in giving priority to moral and spiritual values. We pray. Gracious Father, hear our prayer.

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Lord, we pray for our children who are very dear to us. You know how much we love and care for them. We take pride in their achievements and share in their failures. May they grow in age, wisdom and grace before You and before others so that they become our crown and Your glory. We pray. Gracious Father, hear our prayer. God, our loving Father, You did not abandon us in our sin but offered Your Son for our salvation. Grant that they may not hesitate in our response to Your kindness. All these we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST OFFERTORY PROCESSION Fr. Mars: Leader: With trust and confidence, let us now present our needs to our loving Father, as we offer our gifts before the altar. These offerings symbolize us, the very core of our being. God has given us our lives to grow and develop, to shape and to mould. In gratitude, we present before Him what we have been, what we are now, and what we hope to be. Thank you God, in sharing Your brilliance with us. We are so young, Lord, young and afraid. We are afraid to walk that mile, run that race or climb that mountain lest our youth and inexperience will make us stumble and fall. Yet we draw comfort from your works, Lord; Be not afraid, I go before you always. Let these candles shine our path that we will never be afraid anymore to walk the roads of life. We offer You these flowers A symbol of our complex and delicate personalities, perfumed by Your spirit and made meaningful by Your love. Symbolizes goodness and unselfish devotion of the teachers and administration in transmitting their knowledge and expertise, for our own growth and development. Inspire them Lord, to lead us unselfishly to discover the truth and to mold us to become their care in imitation to the Blessed Mother who offered herself to the service of her Son and His people. Truth hurts, as beauty causes pain. We run, we hide, and we turn away from the TRUTH, afraid that we may be scorched because of our sinfulness. Lord, we offer You this Bible as a symbol of our yearning to be always guided by Your wisdom that we may not go astray. For only Your words Lord, can liberate us from the bonds of unselfishness and sin.

Candles:

Flowers: Rosary:

Bible:

Toga:

We offer You our toga A sign of our thanks for four long years weve been together. If You could speak Lord, it would tell of the happiness and sadness we have shared, the places we have gone together. Most of all, this very uniform had witnessed our growth in You and in the world. So, we give You this toga all those wonderful memories we want to offer memories so beautiful, that they could not be given to anyone but You. We offer You this textbook A symbol of our gratitude for all the knowledge we have learned all these years. May this knowledge teach us true wisdom so that with our lives, we may propagate Your truth and Your life. Dear Father, we offer You these medals as a symbol of our joy and deep appreciation of the gifts and talents You have given us. Lord, we want so much to ask these questions: Did we fail You in not doing our best? Or was our best simply not enough? We never know, Lord, whether we have given our worth or have done justice to what You gave us. Nevertheless, we thank You Lord, for everything; for all that we have been and for all that will be, a prayerful THANK YOU. Lord help us to become what You want us to be. Take Lord, receive the symbol of our years of struggle and hard toil those years were not wanting in pain, in frustrations, disappointments and dreams crushed and unfulfilled. But we do remember the days and classmates, of triumph and glory when we know we have achieved much and won the contest. Lord, make us grow in the knowledge of your truth as we pursue a higher education.

Textbook:

Medals:

Diplomas

Bread and Wine: These offering of bread and wine are signs that we love You and we are Yours. May we give ourselves to You and others without any reservations. Offertory Song: Lord I Offer My Life

All that I am, all that I have I lay them down before you, Oh Lord All my regrets, all my acclaim The joy and the pain Im making them yours (Chorus) Lord, I offer my life to you Everything Ive been through Use it for your glory Lord I offer my days to you Lifting my praise to you As a pleasing sacrifice Lord I offer you my life

Fr. Mars:

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life. Blessed be God forever. By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity. Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation, through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink. Blessed be God forever.

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INVITATION TO PRAYER Fr. Mars: All: Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of all his Church.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS Fr. Mars: Merciful Lord, accept the sacrifice we offer you that it may help us grow in holiness and advance the salvation of the world. We ask this is the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER Fr. Mars: All: Fr. Mars: All: Fr. Mars: All: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hands. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just.

Preface Fr. Mars:

PASSION OF THE LORD I The Power of the Cross Father, all powerful and ever living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks. The suffering of death of your Son brought life to the whole world, moving our hearts to praise your glory The power of the cross reveals your judgment on this world and the kingship of Christ crucified. We praise you , Lord, With all the angels and saints in their song of joy:

Sanctus Holy Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God the power and might Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory Hosanna, Hosanna on high Blessed is He who comes in the name of our Lord Hosanna in the highest, Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, Hosanna on high. MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION Fr. Mars: Father in heaven Do this in memory of me. Let us proclaim the mystery of faith. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection until you come again. Father, we now celebrate Everything that is good. Through Him, with Him, In Him In the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is Yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever. Amen.

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COMMUNION RITE Fr. Mars: All Sing: Trusting in the Fathers love and mercy, let us together sing the prayer Jesus Himself taught us. Our Father Our Father in heaven Holy be Your name Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread Forgive us our sins As we forgive those who sinned against us Do not bring us to the test but deliver us from evil. Deliver us Lord from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever.

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INVITATION TO PEACE Fr. Mars: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give to you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live forever and ever. Amen. The peace of the Lord be with you always. And with your spirit. May the peace of the Lord be with you, your friends and your family too. Let it grow and anywhere you go, may peace of the Lord follow you. Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

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PINNING OF RIBBON Song : (You Raise Me Up) Sing: Lamb Of God Lamb of God You take away The sins of the world Have mercy on us (2x) Lamb of God You take away The sins of the world Grant us Your peace (2x) Fr. Mars: All: COMMUNION All Sing: I See You Lord Im so blessed my Lord I can see you In all the lovely things So fine and true I see you in the beauty Of the flowers and the rain I see you between the lines Of a sweet refrain Im so blessed my Lord I can see you Even when Im lonely and in pain I see you in the beauty Of the stars at night I see you in my life I feel alright Refrain: I see you Lord In sorrow and in happiness I see you in the glory Of sweet success I see you Lord Every hour, everyday I can see you Lord Whenever I pray This is the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, happy are we those who are called to His supper. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

Im so blessed my Lord I can see you In the smile of a baby Sweet and true I can see you in the eyes Of my very best friends I see you in these bonds Just like your love that never ends Repeat Refrain 2x .I pray I can see you Lord Whenever I pray I can see you Lord.

In Moments Like These In moments like these, I sing out a song I sing out a love song to Jesus In moments like these, I lift up my hands I lift up my hands to the Lord. Singing I praise You, Lord Singing I praise You, Lord Singing I praise You, Lord I praise You Thanksgiving Song

Thank You Lord Thank You, Lord, for the trials that come my way. In that way, I can grow each day as I learn to live. And Thank You, Lord, for the patience those trials bring. In the cross there is growing As I learn to share.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Fr. Mars: Let us pray. . (Pause) Lord of mercy, let the sacrament which renews us bring us to eternal life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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THANKSGIVING PRAYER PARENTS, please stand: Almighty Father, we thank You for being with us today, celebrating this Eucharistic banquet in honor of our children. Thank you for making us a part of their life and growth and for sharing with You the task of Molding their hearts and beings. Thank you for their teachers and for all those who in one way or another have helped them to be persons that they are now. Amen. FACULTY AND STAFF, please stand: Lord, we thank You for calling us to be instruments of Your unconditional love for these students. Thank you for making us part of Your grand design for each one of them. This great task of information has challenged us to give the best of ourselves and has in turn helped us realize our own potentials to the maximum. May all that we have done be for Your greater glory. Amen.

GRADUATES, please stand. Loving Father, we are grateful because You called us Your children. Thank you for all the graces that enabled us to respond to Your call; for the talents and gifts You have given us, for the beauty of friendships we have formed even for the sad and painful moments we experienced for through them, we have grown as person. Thank you for being always beside us through the patient and loving guidance of our parents and teachers. Thank you for our school because you have gifted us with a favorable surrounding for growth and learning. As we look forward to college life, be always with us every step of the way. Help us always to remember and put into practice all the values we have learned. May we always desire to please You through our good deeds. May we be like Mary, our Lady who loves You above all things and is always ready to do Your will. BLESSING OF THE GRADUATES, DIPLOMAS, MEDALS, AND CERTIFICATES Student: Fr. Mars, we, the graduating students, present with joy, these diplomas, medals, certificates and other school awards during our high school years. We ask You to pray that they will always remind us of our duty to serve God and our country with zeal and loyalty. God our Father, You are the fountain of knowledge and virtue. Grant that these, Your children, whom You are the fountain of knowledge and virtue. Grant that these, Your children, whom You have filled with divine and human gifts may dedicate themselves to You and Your people their unfailing generosity and love, grant this through Christ our Lord, Amen. (The presider will bless the graduating students by sprinkling them with holy water.)

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CONCLUDING RITE BLESSING Fr. Mars: All: Fr. Mars: The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Bow your heads and pray for Gods blessings. May the Father of mercies bless you with every good gift from on High and may He keep you pure and holy all the time. Amen. May He brings you the Good News of Salvation and always fills you with love for all men and women. Amen.

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May you be strengthened by His love to be able do His will in giving your share in the task of social transformation. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The mass has been offered. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.

CLOSING SONG Finale: THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD

1. The spirit that I send on you To teach the truth and speak in You With mighty hand the earth renew, The spirit of the Lord. Ref: Go forth, dont fear My spirit within you Will be. Your strength Your whole life through.

2. Jesus promised He would sent To each of us a special friend, And tell men of the living source, The spirit of the Lord. 3. Spirit send and spirit blown, To go around the whole world through, To lead and guide us till the end, A witness of His love.

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