Educational Resource Document

The Year of Grace
Pentecost 2012 Pentecost 2013

Parramatta Diocesan parishes and schools celebrating together
A resource to support schools in the Parramatta Diocese
Contents:
Year of Grace Logo explanation

Year of Grace & Faith explained
Bishop Anthonys words on Year of Grace
Definitions of Grace and Faith
Significant Dates & Focus
National prayers for Year of Grace
Prayers for Year of Grace & Faith
Ideas for School/Parish Activities
Candle transparency
Sharing Our Story Unit themes & the connection with the Year of Faith & Grace:
Primary:
Stage 1
Stage 2
Stage 3
Secondary:
Stage 4
Stage 5
Stage 6
Mass Suggestions for the Pentecost launch in 2012

Pentecost Mass PowerPoint
Liturgy of the Word Suggestions for the Pentecost launch in 2012
Liturgy of the Word PowerPoint
Sample of the Book mark which will be available suggest 1 per primary student
Sample of the prayer card which will be available suggest 1 per secondary student
Explanation of the Year of Grace Logo

There is no one symbol or message that the Year of Grace logo is intended to
convey.
It is a bright and stylish image which, in looking at it, has many significant
symbols and connections that can be drawn:
The cross
The sun
A circle that represents the infinity of God
The halo incorporating a cross that surrounds the
head of Jesus in Eastern iconography
The host used at Mass
The monstrance used in Eucharistic adoration
A link with the artistic tradition of our Indigenous people
The earthen, ochre colours of Australia
A diversity of peoples and cultures, gathered into one community
A star-burst
Light
There may be other ways in which the logo speaks to people.
The Year of Grace and Faith explained:

This year past the Diocese of Parramatta has celebrated its silver jubilee since
Blessed John Paul II erected it on 8th April 1986.
In 2012 the whole Church marks another Anniversary: the golden jubilee of the
opening of the Second Vatican Council. Another blessed pope, John XXIII,
gathered the worlds bishops together as one to consider how the Church might
best renew herself and respond to the challenges - both internal and external of
serving God and humanity today. Beseeching a new Pentecost, the Church had
a Gospel confidence that Christ would be with her always and that her mission of
worship and evangelization would be carried forward in new ways.
To mark this the Church in Australia will be celebrating a Year of Grace from this
coming Pentecost (27 May 2012 to 19 May 2013) and the Church throughout the
world will be celebrating a Year of Faith from later in the year (11 October 2012
to 24 November 2013).
Grace might be said to be our experience of God, especially of His free and
undeserved gifts gifts like our very existence, our being redeemed by Christ,
our participating in His word and Sacraments in the Church, our personal
vocation as Gods adopted children. Every God-given opportunity is a grace, from
life itself to our family and friendships, from work and leisure to our participation
in all that is true and good and beautiful.
Faith is our personal response to those divine gifts or graces. It is our saying yes
to them, internalizing them, responding to them. So our two overlapping
celebrations of grace and faith over the coming year will, as Pope Benedict XVI
has said, be a chance for an even fuller conversation to God, to strengthen our
faith in Him and to proclaim Him with joy to the people of our time.
(Most Rev Anthony Fisher op, Bishop of Parramatta. Faith in our Future. 2012)
Invitation to embrace the Year of Grace

Grace is a free gift from a loving God. Grace is a relationship with God that is offered
to everyone. God simply waits for our response. It enables us to be the person we
are meant to be. St Paul tells us that Grace, comes to us through one man, Jesus
Christ as an abundant free gift.
Throughout the coming year we implore you to take every opportunity to strengthen
your relationship with God and that your life will be a reflection of His love to those
you meet on a daily basis.
The Year of Grace committee, as you have heard, has developed a number of
resources and planned events that will help you to celebrate some of the particular
strengths of our Diocese.
We are ethnically diverse as can be seen by attending Mass in any one of our
parishes.
As the fastest growing Diocese in the country we have many families in newly
developing suburbs.
Parramatta Diocese has the highest concentration of Indigenous people in an
urban area.
Through Catholic Care we are mindful of the needs and aspirations of people
with disabilities in our community.
Your support and attendance at these events is a visible sign of living out the
command of Christ to love one another.
As we are asked to put out into the deep and to start afresh from Christ we invite
the Holy Spirit to enlighten our communities to open their hearts to Gods Grace in
the world.
(Diocesan Committee for Year of Grace, 2012)
What do we understand by Grace and Faith?

There are many definitions of Grace and Faith. Although other definitions have been
cited, within this resource the main reference definition will be that used by Bishop
Anthony Fisher in his Pastoral Letter, Faith in our Future. 2012.
Grace might be said to be our experience of God especially of his free and
undeserved gifts gifts like our very existence, our being redeemed by Christ,
our participating in His word and Sacraments in the Church. Every God-given
opportunity is a grace from life itself to our family and friendships, from work
and leisure to our participation in all that is true and good and beautiful.
Bishop Anthony Fisher in his Pastoral Letter, Faith in our Future. 2012.
Faith is our personal response to those divine gifts or graces. It is our saying
yes to them, internalizing them responding to them. Bishop Anthony Fisher in
his Pastoral Letter, Faith in our Future. 2012.
Grace is favour, the free and undeserved help that God gives us to respond to
his call to become children of God. (CCC :1996)
Faith is a gift from God. It can only be born in the intimacy of a mans heart as
a fruit of grace which moves and assists him and as a completely free
response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. (General Directory for Catechesis
55)
Faith is a gift of God, a supernatural virtue infused by him. Before this faith can
be exercised, man must have the grace of God to move and assist him (CCC:
153)
Dates:
The Australian Catholic Church will be celebrating the Year of Grace from Pentecost
2012 to Pentecost 2013 (27 May 2012 to 19 May 2013). The Church throughout the
world will be celebrating a Year of Faith from later in the year (11 October 2012 to
24 November 2013).
Parramatta Diocese will combine the celebration of both of these to make The Year
of Faith and Grace. The launch will coincide with the feast of Pentecost.
Individual schools and parishes will mark the focus of this year according to their own
parish calendars.
Significant Dates and Focus areas

2012
May 27th - Year of Grace Launch
July 1st to September 24th - Vatican 11 documents via Sunday homilies.
Focus:
Our ethnic diversity

Young families with Parramatta being the fastest growing diocese in the country.
Indigenous Australians with Parramatta having the highest concentration of
indigenous people in the urban area.
People with disabilities and other needs to build on last years focus of welcome
and inclusion.
2013
March 17th March 24th
November 1st -
National Event Bringing our wounds to Jesus A celebration of

Repentance
Local event Youth Palm Sunday (Cathedral)
Face of Jesus, Faces we know A celebration of Holiness All
Saints Day.
Prayers for the Year of Grace

The following is the text of national Prayers for the Year of Grace. In reproducing
them, (prayer cards, leaflets, etc.) please include the Year of Grace logo.
Gracious God,
You have blessed this ancient land
with many gifts, especially its people.
We thank you for the Year of Grace,
a time to start afresh from Christ.
You invite us to contemplate the face of Jesus your Son,
that we may experience a new wave of grace, and that the
light of Christ may burn more brightly in our lives.
Attune our hearts and minds
to the presence of your Holy Spirit,
that our Church may be transformed,
our relationships be healed,
and our nation grow in compassion and justice.
With the intercession of St Mary MacKillop,
who showed us new ways of living the Gospel,
we make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Mary, Help of Christians, pray for us.
Alternative:
Jesus, as I contemplate your face,

let me experience your great love for me.
Reveal your saving grace
and give me a grateful heart.
Heal me of my weaknesses and sin
and fill me with compassion for others.
Gift me with the wisdom of the Spirit
and encourage me to be
a faithful witness to the Gospel.
Amen.
Additional prayers for school use

Year of Grace 2012
Infants Prayer (can be said or sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star)
Jesus now I want to be,
Thankful for your gifts to me.
Help me change and help me grow,
So your grace Ill come to know.
Guide me, teach me, heal me too,
As I show my love for you.
Primary Prayer (can be said or sung to the tune of Amazing Grace)
Dear God in this your year of Grace,
Help me reflect and pray,
Believe, seek healing and renew so I will know your way.
Help me to give to all I meet, your love in how I act
And to respond to those in need with respect and generous care.
Help me to show Your Grace to all in the way that I believe
And so all people then will know a faith-filled way to live.
Secondary Prayer
Breastplate of St Patrick
Christ be with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ within me, Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right hand, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie down,
Christ where I sit down,
Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone
Who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone
Who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Christ
Salvation is of the Lord.
May your salvation, be ever with us, Lord.
Ideas for School/Parish Pentecost Activities for the Year of Grace:
Our Father spoken in own language said at the same time

Prayers of intercession in own language
National costumes worn to the launch celebration
National flags hung in the church for the Pentecost Mass launch
Parish Twilight picnic
Parish International Food Festival
Parish Cultural presentation/concert
Icons of Face of Jesus from different cultures
Use of the resources from the websites
Use the Year of Grace liturgy suggestions. From National Planning committee for
the Year of Grace
These activities are suggestions only. They can be undertaken simultaneously to

support parish activities. They are not meant to be taken on by the school as
additional/stand-alone activities.
Candle Transparency
Copy this logo onto an overhead transparency in colour, if possible. Place around plain white candle and
secure at the back with cello tape. Trim the excess transparency.
Family page Grace

Every God-given opportunity is a grace from life itself to
our family and friendships, from work and leisure to our
participation in all that is true and good and beautiful.
Bishop Anthony Fisher in his Pastoral Letter, Faith in our Future. 2012
Read the words of Bishop Anthony written above.
As a family, make a list of all the gifts of Grace which are evident in the
lives of each member of the family. Decorate and display the list in your
home.
Recognise God given Grace in your life

Each evening, focus on a Grace given to your family and give thanks to God.
The evening meal may be a good opportunity for this to take place.
Share a prayer
Dear God,
You give us the free gift of Grace.
The ... family has received the gift of Grace in many ways,
This evening we give thanks for the gift of
Help us to find ways to respond in faith and use this gift to benefit others.
We ask this in your name.
Amen
Family Page Faith

What is meant by Grace and Faith?
By saying Yes to our gifts, we recognize the Grace given to us by God.
Our Faith is when we accept the Grace of God and respond.
Faith is our personal response to those divine gifts

or graces. It is our saying yes to them,
internalizing them responding to them.
Bishop Anthony Fisher in his Pastoral Letter, Faith in our Future. 2012.
Using the words of Bishop Anthony Fisher as a guide, have a family discussion
about when we have said yes to the gifts of Grace given to us by God.
(An example may be that by the Grace of God, our family has good food to eat.
How do we use this gift of God to help those who may need to be helped?)
Our gifts of Grace
Our response in Faith
10
Share a Prayer
Dear God,
We know you have given us your gift of Grace,
Help us to respond in our actions
And to live our faith to those we meet each day.
We ask this through Christ Our Lord.
Amen.
Images of Jesus
Use Google images to find images of Jesus from different cultures. Display or
print some of these images.
As a family, discuss why the images may be important depictions of Jesus for
that particular culture.
Discuss how the images are similar or different from our own image of Jesus.
11
The following table highlights, within the units of Sharing Our Story, where teachers
can make a connection with the year of Grace. The ideal would be for the connection
to be continuous throughout the year.
Stage 1
Stage
Early
Stage 1
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Theme
Connection which can be made with Year

of Faith and Grace
1KC1
Gods gifts to us
Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of Gods

love, our family, our gift of love to others.
1KC2
Gods gift of His

Son
Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of his son

Jesus, who died and rose again.
1KC3
Gods gift of
Love, my family.
Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of my

family, who love me as God loves me.
We can show Gods grace by being a loving
person in my family.
1KC4
God is our
Creator
Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of

the beauty of Creation.
We can show Gods grace by caring for
Creation.
1KC5
We join with
members of
Gods family in
the Church
Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of the

community of the Church.
Members of Gods Church family share his gift
of grace by helping to serve and care for
others.
The priests in our parish help us to live as
good people and share Gods gift of grace.
1KC6
Advent: Waiting
Gods Grace is reflected in how Mary and

Joseph waited for the gift of the baby Jesus.
1KC7
Jesus birth
Gods Grace is reflected in the birth of Jesus,

the gift of His Son.
Living as Jesus
showed us
Gods Grace is reflected in how we give the

gifts we have to others.
1KE
We can show Gods grace by helping those

who need to be helped.
12
Stage 1
Stage
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Theme
Stage 1
11C1
Jesus Our Friend
The Grace of God can be witnessed in our

friends. Jesus is our friend therefore Jesus is a
gift of Gods grace.
11C2
Lent: Growing
Together
Jesus is our friend therefore Jesus is a gift of

Gods grace.
11C3
Easter Triduum:
The Last Supper
The Grace of God is revealed in the gift of His

Son, Jesus. Jesus gave us a very special
means of building our relationship with God, at
the Last Supper.
11C4
Easter Season:
Together
The Grace of God can be seen in the

members of our family.
11C5
Baptism
Grace is a gift of God freely given and

celebrated at the time of their Baptism.
11C7
Senses: A Gift
from God
The many gifts each person receives are

through the Grace of God. Naming the gifts we
have and recognizing the Grace of God.
11C8
Advent: Getting
Ready for Jesus

Mary is full of Gods Grace.
11C9
Christmas:
Celebrating
Jesus Birthday

11C10
Advent/
Christmas

Combined unit
Mary is full of Gods Grace. Gods Grace is

reflected in the birth of Jesus, the gift of His
Son.
11E1
Mission: Sharing
with others as
Jesus showed us
We reveal the Grace of God to others when

we reach out in love to those in need.
12C1
Jesus Helps Me
to Love
Jesus is the greatest gift of Gods Love. He

shows us how to use the Grace of God, our
gifts, in loving others as Jesus did.
12C2
Lent: Being Alone
Jesus is always with us even in times of hurt

and disappointment.

of Faith and Grace
13
Stage 1
Stage
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Theme
12C3
Easter Triduum:
Never Alone
12C4
Easter Season:
Jesus is with Us

of Faith and Grace
We are never really alone. Jesus is our friend,
Jesus is a gift of Gods grace and Jesus is
always with us.
Son, Jesus who is always with us.
12C5
The Pentecost
Story
The Pentecost event is a time when we reflect

on and remember the gift and Grace of the
Holy Spirit. It is also a time of increased
awareness and appreciation of the Christian
community.
12C6
Reconciliation:
Belonging to a
Forgiving
Community
Gods gift of Grace is seen especially in the

Sacraments which are the signs of Gods gift
of love. We can show Gods grace by forgiving
those who need healing.
12C7
Eucharist:
Celebrating Gods
Love
The Sacraments are signs of Gods grace and

love. Participation at Mass is the acceptance
of Gods gift of Grace.
12C8
Advent: Waiting
for Jesus

12C9
Christmas:
Waiting is Over

12C10
Advent Christmas
Combined Unit

12E1
Mission: Loving
God and Others
Like Jesus

14
Stage 2
Stage
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Stage 2
23C1
Jesus Shares His

Gifts
Grace is Gods gift to us. Our sharing of our

gifts with others reveals the Grace of God to
others.
23C2
Lent: Reaching
Out
Jesus shows us how to reveal Gods grace to

others in how he, himself, reached out to
others in loving service.
23C3
Easter Triduum

Son, Jesus.
Theme
Journeying with
Jesus
Connections which can be made with Year

of Faith and Grace
23C4
The Journey to
Emmaus
The disciples witnessed the Grace of God in

the person of Jesus, who they encountered on
the road to Emmaus.
23C5
Sacraments of
Initiation
The Sacraments are signs of Gods Grace.

Initiation into the Christian community reflects
acceptance of Gods gift of Grace.
23C6
Mary: A Woman
of Faith
Mary responded to the Gift of Gods grace in

her life when she said Yes to God. Hail
Mary, full of Grace
23C7
Caring for Gods

Wondrous
Creation
Gods gift of Grace is freely given and is seen

in everything we have i.e. our very life, and
everything in Creation. We respond to the gift
of Grace by respecting and caring for creation.
23C8
Advent: Making
Promises
The Old Testament reveals the promise of

God to send His Son, His gift of love.
23C9
Christmas: The
Promise Comes
True
Grace is a gift from God. Christmas is the

celebration of the birth of Jesus, Gods gift of
His son.
Gods love graces us with the gift of His Son.
23E
Mission:
Reaching out with
Jesus

15
Stage 2
Stage
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Theme
23E1
The Nativity Tree
Grace is a gift from God. Jesus, the Son of

God, is given as a gift of God.
24C1
Talking and
Listening to God
Grace is a free gift of God. God offers this gift

to everyone. We respond to the gift of Grace
with prayer as the way we deepen our
relationship with God by talking and listening.
24C2
Lent: An Invitation
to Believe
The gift of Grace is freely given to us by God.

We are free to respond to the invitation to
exercise faith and to embrace those divine
gifts and graces in our actions.
24C3
Lent Year B:
Practices and
Promises
Lent gives us the opportunity to renew and

revitalise our relationship with God and the
acceptance of His gift of Grace.
24C4
Lent Year C: A
Time for
Reconciliation
Gods gift of Grace is seen in how we relate to

the message of Jesus to forgive and to be
forgiven. Lent is a time to engage with the
message and renew our relationship with God
in acceptance of his gifts.
24C5
Easter Triduum
Passover:
Exodus

Son, Jesus.
24C6
Easter Season
New Life
The Grace of God is revealed to us in the gift

of Gods Son, Jesus.
24C7
Eucharist: The
Structure of the
Mass
The Sacraments are signs of Gods grace and

love. The act of faith, as we enter into the
celebration of the Mass, is the acceptance of
Gods gift of Grace.
24C8
The Bible: A
Special Book
The Grace of God is revealed in the words of

Scripture.

of Faith and Grace
When we live by the words of Scripture, we

accept the gift of Gods Grace.
24C9
Reconciliation:
Gods
Forgiveness and
Healing
Gods gift of Grace is seen especially in the

Sacraments which are the signs of Gods gift
of love. We can show Gods grace by forgiving
those who need healing.
16
Stage 2
Stage
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Theme
24C10
Advent Year A
Prophets of Hope
24C11
Advent Year B
Be a Joyful
Messenger

of Faith and Grace
The prophets foretold of the gift of Gods Son.
We can share the grace of God by being
prophets of Gods love.
We bring the joy of the Christmas message,
the birth of Gods own Son, to all we meet.
24C12
Advent Year C:
Prepare
Scripture tells us how John the Baptist reveals

the promise of God to send His Son, His gift of
love. During Advent we are challenged to
reveal Gods grace to those we help.
24C13
Christmas: A
Time to Gather
Grace is a gift from God. Christmas is the

celebration of the birth of Jesus, Gods gift of
His son.
We gather as a Christian community to
celebrate Gods love and the graces that
accompany the gift of His Son. Faith calls us
to respond.
24E
Mission: Serving
others with Jesus

17
Stage 3
Stage
Stage 3
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Theme
Connections which can be made with

Year of Faith and Grace
35C1
The Parables of
Jesus
The Parables of Jesus give an example to us

of how to respond in love to those in need
and to show the grace of Jesus by our
actions.
35C2
The Way of the

Cross
Lent gives us the opportunity to renew and

revitalize our relationship with God and to
accept of His gift of Grace especially in times
of disappointment.
35C3
Easter Season:
Follow Me
Gods gift of Grace is an invitation to follow

the way Jesus showed us to live. We have
the opportunity to respond in faith and action.
35C4
Stories of the Early

Church
The life and faith of members of the early

church show us how they responded in faith
to the gift of Gods grace.
35C5
Faith Communities
in My Local Area
The life and faith of members of our local

community show us how to respond to the
gift of Gods Grace by helping those in need.
35E2
Mission:
Witnessing and
Proclaiming Jesus
Throughout the
World

35C6
Living the Message

of Jesus
Scripture reveals how to use our gift of grace

to live as Jesus wants us to live. Our
response is our faith in action.
18
Stage 3
Stage
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Theme

36C1
Servant Leadership Gods grace is revealed in the Gift of Jesus

and in the characteristics of Moses as a
servant leader. We respond in faith as we
live by their example.
36C2
Crossroads: Easter
Triduum & Holy
Week
The Grace of God is freely given and is

revealed in the gift of His Son, Jesus. It is
particularly revealed in the actions of Jesus
in Holy Week as he endures His passion and
death which are also freely accepted.
36C3
The Easter
Season:
Gods gift of Grace is an invitation to follow

the way Jesus showed us to live. We recall
the events of Holy Week and reflect on our
faith response. We also reflect on Crossroad
Experiences in our life and recognize Gods
grace as we respond in faith and action.
The Road Ahead
36C4
The Story of the

Catholic Church in
Australia
We recognize the faith responses made by

members of the early Church in Australia.
Identify how the Grace of God is present in
our own local school community.
36C5
Eucharist
Nourishes us for
the Journey
The Sacraments are signs of Gods grace

and love. The act of faith, as we enter into
the celebration of the Mass, is the
acceptance of Gods gift of Grace.
36C6
Stewards of
Creation
Gods gift of Grace is freely given and is

seen in everything we have i.e. our life, and
everything in Creation. We respond to the gift
of Grace by respecting and caring for
creation.
36C7
Sacraments of
Service
Sacraments are signs of Gods grace. Key

symbols and ritual actions within the
sacraments of Holy Orders and Marriage
formalize the call to service and revealing
Gods grace and love to those we serve.
36C8
Advent Year A:
Wake Up and Be
Ready
Scripture reveals the promise of God to send

His Son, His gift of love.
Responding to the gift of Grace is saying
yes and welcoming God into our life.
19
Stage 3
Stage
Sharing
Our Story
Unit Name
Theme

36E1
Heroes for God
We recognize the faith responses made by

members of the Early Church in Australia.
Identify how the Grace of God is represented
in their lives and how we can learn from
them.
36E2
Living and Sharing

in the Mission of
Jesus
Scripture reveals how to use our gift of grace

to live as Jesus wants us to live. Our
response is our faith in action.
36C10
Advent Year C:
The Jesse Tree
The people of the Old Testament point the

way to Gods greatest gift of love, Jesus.
Gods gift of love is reflected in the people in
their lives. To respond to the needs of others
is to show the Grace of God.
36C11
Advent/Christmas
Reflect on the gifts of grace evident in the

people in our lives who have influenced our
growth and development.
Sing and Dance

with Joy
20
Stage 4
Stage
Sharing Our
Story
Unit Name
Theme
Connection
Stage 4
Images of God
Gods gift to us
Gods grace is reflected in the action of God

in the world
The life and

times of Jesus
Gods gift of His

Son
Gods grace is reflected on the gift of his son

Jesus who died and rose again
Literary forms
in the Bible
Gods gift of
tradition
Gods grace is reflected in the tradition of the

church and the scriptures that document the
story
People of the
Covenant
Gods gift if
himself to us
Gods grace is reflected in the gift of Gods

relationship with his people
The Church
Spreads the
Good News
Gods gift of the

Church
Gods grace is reflected in the proclamation

of the Good News
Initiation and
Belonging
Gods gift of our

individuality
Gods grace is reflected in the beauty of our

individuality, created in His image
Reconciliation
Gods gift of
forgiveness
Gods grace is reflected in our experience of

peace and reconciliation
Easter
Experiences
Gods gift of
Jesus Christ
Gods grace is reflected in the revelation of

Jesus Christ as fully human and fully divine
Ways People
Pray
Gods gift of
relationship
Gods grace is reflected in our relationship

with him that is developed through the
experience of prayer
Religion in the
World
Gods gift of
diversity
Gods grace is reflected in the diversity and

tolerance that exists in our world.
21
Stage 5
Stage
Stage 5
Unit Name
Theme
Connection
Reverence
for life
Gods gift of the

strength of the spirit
Gods grace is reflected in the sacredness

of life
Images of
Jesus
Gods gift of Jesus

Christ
Gods grace is reflected in the revelation

of Jesus Christ as fully human and fully
divine
The New
Testament
Gods gift of the

Word
Gods grace is reflected in the

proclamation of the Good News
A call to unity
Gods gift of diversity
Gods grace is reflected in the diversity

and tolerance that exists in our world.
Eucharist
Gods gift of the

Eucharist
Gods grace is reflected in the Eucharist

as the source and summit of Catholic life
Mary and the

Saints
Gods gift of Mary

and the Saints
Gods grace is reflected in the fidelity to

church teaching as reflected in the lives of
holy men and women
Christianity in
the Middle
Ages
Gods gift of
religious life
Gods grace is reflected in the call to

expressions of holiness
22
Stage 6
Stage
Stage 6
Sharing Our
Story
Unit Name
Theme
Connection
Search for
meaning
Gods gift of purpose

and meaning
Gods grace is reflected sacred purpose of

our lives
Jesus of
history Christ
of faith
Gods gift of Jesus

Christ
Gods grace is reflected I the revelation of

Jesus Christ as fully human and fully
divine
Living Texts
Gods gift of the

Word

proclamation of the Good News
Christian
vocation,
leisure and
work
Gods gift of life

A Christian
vision of the
world
Gods gift of hope

proclamation and actions of Jesus Christ
as Hope for our world
Spiritual
pathways
Gods gift of life

Religion in
Australia
Gods gift of diversity
Gods grace is reflected in the role religion

plays in our Australian culture
23
Year of Grace Launch

Suggestions for Feast of Pentecost Mass
General Notes
Contemplate the Face of Christ is a key phrase from Pope John Paul IIs Novo
Millennio Ineunte (NMI) and is a central concern of the Year of Grace. It would be
good to have a prominent icon or image of the face of Jesus, or possibly several of
them in different styles.
The Year of Grace logo may be displayed prominently on a poster or banner, on a
screen, and/or an Order of Service that may be handed out. This may be
accompanied, on screen or in the hand-out, by the comments about the possible
meanings of the logo.
The Paschal Candle will be prominent in the sanctuary and lit. (As the Ordo notes,
after Pentecost Sunday the Paschal candle is now given a place of honour in the
baptistery). Note: The Diocese will have a Year of Grace candle, brought to it from
the Bishops Conference earlier in the month.
If facilities permit, it may be good to screen material from the website (either before
or during the Service) the logo, the interviews with the Bishops, images of the
Ritual at North Sydney, with the Year of Grace candles forming the logo, etc.
The centrality of prayer is a feature of the Year of Grace. An extended period of time
for silent prayer is recommended at key points in the liturgy.
Materials may also be distributed, for use in parishes, schools and homes (e.g.
prayer cards, leaflets). It is recommended these are distributed at the conclusion with
the exception of the prayer card, if it is to be used during the liturgy.
Following the liturgy, an opportunity for exposition may be offered.
24
Introduction
The following from Archbishop Wilsons letter announcing the Year of Grace may be
adapted for local settings:
We call the Catholic people in Australia to a Year of Grace . Like the disciples at
the first Pentecost, we commit ourselves to start afresh from Christ.
For several years the Bishops have been reflecting deeply on the life of the Church in
Australia. We have asked how we can better serve the needs of you, Gods faithful
people, in bringing the peace and good news of Jesus Christ to our nation.
We recognise, firstly, Gods abundant blessings to us. You will know many of these in
your own lives. We have seen them, too, in large public celebrations such as World
Youth Day in Sydney and the Canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
We also acknowledge with sadness that we are a Church in need of healing. There
are many wounds most especially the wounds of abuse which have left not only
those abused but the whole Church in need of healing. There is also the struggle to
defend the dignity of the first Australians and those who come as migrants and
refugees to our shores. We need to extend the hand of friendship to those of other
nations and faiths and to be good stewards of the created world. Most deeply, we
desire for the light of Christ to burn more brightly in the heart of each Australian.
As Bishops, we asked ourselves where we can turn with so many issues confronting
us. Our response in faith is to start afresh from Christ. We make this call, firstly and
most urgently, to ourselves as Bishops. We are resolved, in the words of Pope John
Paul II, to contemplate the face of Christ.
As we address this challenge to ourselves, we invite you to walk this journey with us
in hope.
25
General Intercessions
Leader:
All grace flows from God. Let us now turn to God with our needs and the needs of the
world, confident that our prayers will be answered.
We pray that in all we do we may start afresh with Christ, contemplating the face of
Jesus.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for our nation that all Australians may become more deeply aware of the
grace of God in their lives.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for a recommitment to prayer, that we may be of one mind and heart in
Jesus Christ.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for repentance for the areas in which we have failed, individually and
together, seeking healing and renewal through the grace of Christs forgiveness.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for holiness, cultivating the many gifts of the Spirit and seeking to grow as
disciples of Jesus so as to witness to his resurrection.
Lord, hear us.
Leader:
Dear God, we entrust our efforts in the Year of Grace to the guidance of the Holy
Spirit. Through this renewed commitment, may the Church in Australia be
transformed by the power of Christs resurrection in our lives. We make this prayer
through Christ our Lord.
26
Lighting of the Year of Grace Candle

After Communion, there may a ritual lighting of the Year of Grace candle. In church
setting, it may be lit from the Paschal Candle.
Call to Prayer
As we light the Year of Grace candle, may its light be a sign of Christs promise to
bring us salvation.
The candle is now lit
Let us pray in silence, asking for the grace to start afresh from Christ.
[extended period of silent prayer]
Year of Grace Prayer
Gracious God,
that we may experience a new wave of grace,
and that the light of Christ may burn more brightly in our lives.
we make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
27
A short litany of saints may now be offered

Saint John the Baptist
pray for us.
Saint Joseph
pray for us.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul
pray for us.
The names of other saints may be added, especially local patrons, and of the church
or locality. The litany concludes:
All holy men and women
pray for us.
Opening and Closing Hymn Suggestions
Abide with me (AOV2-128, NLP-4, TiS-586, TS-2)
All you works of God (AOV1-19, GA-397)
Amazing grace (AOV1-29, GA-437, NLP-18, TiS-129, TS-18, TS-1718)
Come down, O Love divine (AOV1-118, CWB-653, GA-375, NLP-43, TiS-398, TS-71)
Now thank we all our God (AOV1-189, CWB-755, GA-425, NLP-166, TiS-106)
O Christ, the great foundation (GA-483)
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (AOV1-78, CWB-789, GA-392, TiS-134, TS-433)
Legend:
AOV As One Voice
GA Gather Australia
CWB Catholic Worship Book
NLP New Living Parish Hymnal
TiS Together in Song
TS
The Source
28
Year of Grace
Liturgy of the Word
General Notes
Contemplate the Face of Christ is a key phrase from Pope John Paul IIs Novo
Millennio Ineunte (NMI) and is a central concern of the Year of Grace. It would be
good to have a prominent icon or image of the face of Jesus, or possibly several of
them in different styles.
The Year of Grace logo may be displayed prominently on a poster or banner, on a
screen, and/or an Order of Service that may be handed out. This may be
accompanied, on screen or in the hand-out, by the comments about the possible
meanings of the logo.
In a church setting, the Paschal Candle will be prominent in the sanctuary and lit. (As
the Ordo notes, after Pentecost Sunday the Paschal candle is now given a place of
honour in the baptistery). Note: The Diocese will have a Year of Grace candle,
brought to it from the Bishops Conference earlier in the month.
If facilities permit, it may be good to screen material from the website (either before
or during the Service) the logo, the interviews with the Bishops, images of the
Ritual at North Sydney, with the Year of Grace candles forming the logo, etc.
The centrality of prayer is a feature of the Year of Grace. An extended period of time
for silent prayer is recommended at key points in the liturgy.
Materials may also be distributed, for use in parishes, schools and homes (e.g.
prayer cards, leaflets). It is recommended these are distributed at the conclusion with
the exception of the prayer card, if it is to be used during the liturgy.
Following the liturgy, an opportunity for exposition may be offered.
Opening Hymn
See attached suggestions
29
Greeting
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.
All: And with your spirit.
Introduction
The following from Archbishop Wilsons letter announcing the Year of Grace may be
adapted for local settings:
We call the Catholic people in Australia to a Year of Grace . Like the disciples at
the first Pentecost, we commit ourselves to start afresh from Christ.
For several years the Bishops have been reflecting deeply on the life of the Church in
Australia. We have asked how we can better serve the needs of you, Gods faithful
people, in bringing the peace and good news of Jesus Christ to our nation.
We recognise, firstly, Gods abundant blessings to us. You will know many of these in
your own lives. We have seen them, too, in large public celebrations such as World
Youth Day in Sydney and the Canonisation of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop.
We also acknowledge with sadness that we are a Church in need of healing. There
are many wounds most especially the wounds of abuse which have left not only
those abused but the whole Church in need of healing. There is also the struggle to
defend the dignity of the first Australians and those who come as migrants and
refugees to our shores. We need to extend the hand of friendship to those of other
nations and faiths and to be good stewards of the created world. Most deeply, we
desire for the light of Christ to burn more brightly in the heart of each Australian.
As Bishops, we asked ourselves where we can turn with so many issues confronting
us. Our response in faith is to start afresh from Christ. We make this call, firstly and
most urgently, to ourselves as Bishops. We are resolved, in the words of Pope John
Paul II, to contemplate the face of Christ.
As we address this challenge to ourselves, we invite you to walk this journey with us
in hope.
30
Opening Prayer
O God, you sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation;
pour out, we pray, the gifts of the Holy Spirit
across the face of the earth
and, with the divine grace that was at work
when the Gospel was first proclaimed,
fill now once more the hearts of believers.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
First Reading
Acts 4:32-4:35
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 117:1-2. 16-17. 22-23. R. v.24
Psalm settings attached
(R.) This is the day the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad.
or
(R) Alleluia.
1.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

for his love has no end.
Let the sons of Israel say:
His love has no end. (R.)
2.
The Lords right hand has triumphed;

his right hand raised me up.
I shall not die, I shall live
and recount his deeds. (R.)
3.
The stone which the builders rejected

has become the corner stone.
This is the work of the Lord,
a marvel in our eyes. (R.)
31
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Open our hearts, O Lord, to listen to the words of Your Son. Alleluia.
Gospel
John 1:14-15, 16-18
Notes for Reflecting on the Word
Acts 4:32-4:35
You may wish to focus on the link between the apostles witness to the resurrection
of Jesus and the great grace of God that is upon the whole community.
In a graced community, the apostles (the leaders, but not only the leaders)
witness with great dynamism to the resurrection of Jesus.
The members of a graced community are of one heart and one mind.
In a graced community, no one is in need.
Grace is Gods gift revealed to believers in Jesus the Christ/Messiah.
John 1:14-15, 16-18

You may like to focus on Jesus as the Christ/Messiah, as the revelation of God, the
source of grace and truth, and link this with the Year of Grace as a time to start
afresh from Christ
Christ/Messiah is a title for Jesus, meaning Gods anointed One.

We know God through our encounter with the Word made flesh who lived among
us. We encounter the Word made flesh in the gospel, in the Eucharist, in the
community, in all that has come into being.
We might attend in this Year of Grace to the fullness of grace, the grace upon
grace we have all received.
32
General Intercessions
Leader:
All grace flows from God. Let us now turn to God with our needs and the needs of the
world, confident that our prayers will be answered.
We pray that in all we do we may start afresh with Christ, contemplating the face of
Jesus.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for our nation that all Australians may become more deeply aware of the
grace of God in their lives.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for a recommitment to prayer, that we may be of one mind and heart in
Jesus Christ.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for repentance for the areas in which we have failed, individually and
together, seeking healing and renewal through the grace of Christs forgiveness.
Lord, hear us.
We pray for holiness, cultivating the many gifts of the Spirit and seeking to grow as
disciples of Jesus so as to witness to his resurrection.
Lord, hear us.
Leader:
Dear God, we entrust our efforts in the Year of Grace to the guidance of the Holy
Spirit. Through this renewed commitment, may the Church in Australia be
transformed by the power of Christs resurrection in our lives. We make this prayer
Lighting of the Year of Grace Candle
There may now be a ritual lighting of the Year of Grace candle. In a church setting, it
may be lit from the Paschal Candle.
33
Call to Prayer
As we light the Year of Grace candle, may its light be a sign of Christs promise to
bring us salvation.
The candle is now lit
Let us pray in silence, asking for the grace to start afresh from Christ.
[extended period of silent prayer]
Year of Grace Prayer
Gracious God,
that we may experience a new wave of grace,
and that the light of Christ may burn more brightly in our lives.
we make our prayer
Amen.
34
A short litany of saints may now be offered

Saint John the Baptist
pray for us.
Saint Joseph
pray for us.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul
pray for us.
The names of other saints may be added, especially local patrons, and of the church
or locality. The litany concludes:
All holy men and women
pray for us.
Closing Prayer
Let us pray
Dear God, Your Son, the Risen Jesus, accompanies us on our way and enables us
to recognise him, as the disciples of Emmaus did, "in the breaking of the bread". May
he find us watchful, ready to recognise his face and run to our brothers and sisters
with the good news: "We have seen the Lord!" We make this prayer through Christ
our Lord.
Blessing
May almighty God bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Spirit.
Dismissal
Go now in peace to love and serve the Lord
Thanks be to God
Closing Hymn
See attached suggestions
35
Opening and Closing Hymn Suggestions

Abide with me (AOV2-128, NLP-4, TiS-586, TS-2)
All you works of God (AOV1-19, GA-397)
Amazing grace (AOV1-29, GA-437, NLP-18, TiS-129, TS-18, TS-1718)
Come down, O Love divine (AOV1-118, CWB-653, GA-375, NLP-43, TiS-398, TS-71)
Now thank we all our God (AOV1-189, CWB-755, GA-425, NLP-166, TiS-106)
O Christ, the great foundation (GA-483)
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven (AOV1-78, CWB-789, GA-392, TiS-134, TS-433)
Responsorial Psalm Suggestions

This is the day (J. Gelineau / R.Proulx Lectionary Psalms: Grail/Gelineau)
This is the day (P. Mason Psalms for All Time)
This is the day (J. OBrien Psalms for Sundays of the Year)
This is the day (C. Smith Responsorial Psalms for the Year)
This is the day (C. Willcock Psalms for Feasts and Seasons)
Legend
AOV As One Voice
GA Gather Australia
CWB Catholic Worship Book
NLP New Living Parish Hymnal
TiS Together in Song
TS
The Source
Other resources
On the following page are two passages from NMI, either or both of which may be
used in the Ritual either by being read out (though not in the same way as a
Reading from the Word of God), or being printed in a leaflet or projected onto a
screen.
36
A FACE TO CONTEMPLATE
16. "We wish to see Jesus" (Jn 12:21). This request, addressed to the Apostle Philip by
some Greeks who had made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for the Passover, echoes spiritually
in our ears too during this Jubilee Year. Like those pilgrims of two thousand years ago, the
men and women of our own day often perhaps unconsciously ask believers not only
to "speak" of Christ, but in a certain sense to "show" him to them. And is it not the Church's
task to reflect the light of Christ in every historical period, to make his face shine also
before the generations of the new millennium?
Our witness, however, would be hopelessly inadequate if we ourselves had not first
contemplated his face. The Great Jubilee has certainly helped us to do this more deeply. At
the end of the Jubilee, as we go back to our ordinary routine, storing in our hearts the
treasures of this very special time, our gaze is more than ever firmly set on the face of the
Lord.
STARTING AFRESH FROM CHRIST

29. "I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Mt 28:20). This assurance, dear
brothers and sisters, has accompanied the Church for two thousand years, and has now
been renewed in our hearts by the celebration of the Jubilee. From it we must gain new
impetus in Christian living, making it the force which inspires our journey of faith. Conscious
of the Risen Lord's presence among us, we ask ourselves today the same question put to
Peter in Jerusalem immediately after his Pentecost speech: "What must we do?" (Acts
2:37).
We put the question with trusting optimism, but without underestimating the problems we
face. We are certainly not seduced by the naive expectation that, faced with the great
challenges of our time, we shall find some magic formula. No, we shall not be saved by a
formula but by a Person, and the assurance which he gives us: I am with you!
It is not therefore a matter of inventing a "new programme". The programme already exists:
it is the plan found in the Gospel and in the living Tradition, it is the same as ever.
Ultimately, it has its centre in Christ himself, who is to be known, loved and imitated, so that
in him we may live the life of the Trinity, and with him transform history until its fulfillment in
the heavenly Jerusalem. This is a programme which does not change with shifts of times
and cultures, even though it takes account of time and culture for the sake of true dialogue
and effective communication. This programme for all times is our programme for the Third
Millennium.
37
Similarly, this passage, duly acknowledged and attributed, from Bill Huebsch
A New Look at Grace may be read aloud, or reproduced in a leaflet or on a screen.
We go along in our lives,
living everyday
in a willy-nilly sort of way
We dont think much about
our common tasks
ideas, conversations
or events.
They just sort of happen .
but
every now and then,
sometimes every day,
or even several times per day,
those plain old words just dont do it.
Then you hear us say,
I just cant tell you how much
or
Words just cant describe how I feel
or
Theres no way I could tell you
And we mean precisely what we are saying:
weve run out of language,
run out of the words we need
to describe certain experiences
in our lives.
these experiences are no longer ordinary,
common day experiences for us.
We begin to identify these experiences as important
Only when we are touched and moved
by the everyday events and people of our lives,
can we be touched and moved by God.
Bill Huebsch A New Look at Grace
38
Acknowledgements
This resource was compiled using resources
and with the collaboration of personnel from:
National Committee for the Year of Grace
(an initiative for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference)
Diocesan Committee for the Year of Grace
Catholic Education Office, Parramatta
2012
39

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The Year of Grace

Pentecost 2012 Pentecost 2013

A resource to support schools in the Parramatta Diocese

Year of Grace Logo explanation

Mass Suggestions for the Pentecost launch in 2012

Explanation of the Year of Grace Logo

There may be other ways in which the logo speaks to people.

The Year of Grace and Faith explained:

Invitation to embrace the Year of Grace

What do we understand by Grace and Faith?

Significant Dates and Focus areas

Our ethnic diversity

National Event Bringing our wounds to Jesus A celebration of

Prayers for the Year of Grace

Jesus, as I contemplate your face,

Additional prayers for school use

Ideas for School/Parish Pentecost Activities for the Year of Grace:

Our Father spoken in own language said at the same time

These activities are suggestions only. They can be undertaken simultaneously to

Family page Grace

Recognise God given Grace in your life

Family Page Faith

Faith is our personal response to those divine gifts

Our gifts of Grace

Our response in Faith

Connection which can be made with Year

Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of Gods

Gods gift of His

Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of his son

Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of my

Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of

Gods Grace is reflected in the gift of the

Gods Grace is reflected in how Mary and

Gods Grace is reflected in the birth of Jesus,

Gods Grace is reflected in how we give the

We can show Gods grace by helping those

Jesus Our Friend

The Grace of God can be witnessed in our

Jesus is our friend therefore Jesus is a gift of

The Grace of God is revealed in the gift of His

The Grace of God can be seen in the

Grace is a gift of God freely given and

The many gifts each person receives are

Gods Grace is reflected in how Mary and

Gods Grace is reflected in the birth of Jesus,

Gods Grace is reflected in how Mary and

Mary is full of Gods Grace. Gods Grace is

We reveal the Grace of God to others when

Jesus is the greatest gift of Gods Love. He

Lent: Being Alone

Jesus is always with us even in times of hurt

Connection which can be made with Year

Connection which can be made with Year

The Pentecost event is a time when we reflect

Gods gift of Grace is seen especially in the

The Sacraments are signs of Gods grace and

Gods Grace is reflected in how Mary and

Gods Grace is reflected in the birth of Jesus,

Gods Grace is reflected in how Mary and

We reveal the Grace of God to others when

Jesus Shares His

Grace is Gods gift to us. Our sharing of our

Jesus shows us how to reveal Gods grace to

The Grace of God is revealed in the gift of His