Moment of Oneness, April 2, 2025 - Prepared by Dennis McDonald

Honoring Holy Darkness

(Author Unknown)

Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81507551772
Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772
To connect by phone dial: +1 646 558 8656

LET’S BEGIN WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE

Opening Prayer: Holy Darkness Prayer

                       

Darkness is a beautiful gift although it is often equated with sin and evil.  The seed in the earth must have darkness in order to grow.  We were fashioned and formed in the darkness of our mother’s womb.  After a day of hard work, it is good to turn off the light and let the darkness bring sleep to our eyes.  Only when it is dark can we see the wondrous night sky with its display of moon, stars and planets. Lovers welcome the darkness as a time to be with the beloved.  In this prayer, we honor the fruitful darkness of our lives, the comforting and restful darkness, and nurturing darkness.

Litany of Praise to Holy Darkness

Dear Fruitful Ground of our Being, when the deep loneliness comes, you cradle us in your enriching dark arms.  In the darkness you teach us to trust in what we cannot see, to hope for that which seems impossible, to have faith in the night of unknowing.  You reveal to us the necessity of patience and the holiness of waiting in the dark as we enter into solitude.

All: We praise you, O Holy Darkness

Dear Fruitful Ground of our Being, in the darkness you cover us with beauty: the poetry of the moon and stars, the loveliness of nocturnal creatures who make music in the forest’s darkness, the mystery of silvery shadows.  You soften the day’s light to show us the light of night.  You give us the gift of rest and sleep.  You send us your night angel to close our tired eyes and breathe dreams and visions into our longing hearts.

All: We praise you, O Holy Darkness

Dear Fruitful Ground of our Being, once upon a time in the holy darkness of our mother’s womb, we waited for birth.  Now we are being born again.  We are growing wings in our sorrow’s darkness and finding new eyes that can see in the dark.  On your black, earth pillow we rest our heads and hearts.  We trust your unseen blessings.

All: We praise you, O Holy Darkness

Dear Fruiting Ground of our Being, all of creation finds life in the watery womb of your darkness.  Deep in the rich black soil of the earth, many happy seeds are cradled in your nurturing womb.  Soon the shell of the seed will crack open, and blessings will rise up out of the darkness.

All: We praise you, O Holy Darkness

Listen to the Song: Holy Darkness, Blessed Night – Dan Schutte

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAeCzCDb9NQ 

Chorus: Holy darkness, blessed night
Heaven's answer hidden from our sight
As we await you, O God of silence
We embrace your holy night (2x)

I have tried you in the fires of affliction
I have taught your soul to grieve
In the barren soil of your loneliness
There I will plant my seed

Chorus

In the deepest hour of your darkness
I will give you wealth untold
When the silence stills your spirit
Will my riches fill your soul
Chorus (2x)

The cord that binds us one to the other cannot be broken---surely not even by death. As we hold their memories in our hearts from this moment, we continue to commit ourselves to always treat the people we serve with a loving caring heart. 

                                    A moment of silence…

Reflection Poem: The Singing Darkness  

                                         

                Far from the city’s lights, the darkness is free to be dark.

    Even the stars creep respectfully into their caves of clouds

    as if to honor the dark.  The trees hold their breath.

    Not even a leaf falls; nothing breaks the silence.

                A nurturing, comforting darkness surrounds me: I lean into it,

    terrified with joy, remembering my birth 

    from the womb of darkness.

                Out of the darkness a song once arose, 

      akin to the song of the first creation.

      In that dark singing womb I ripened, 

      blessed and cradled by the darkness.

                The Singing Darkness filled me with melodies 

      until I became a song.  The Singing Darkness carried me into

      the dawn and sent me forth to sing my own song.

     Tonight, I honor the darkness and sing of the life I was given

     in the holy darkness of my first home, that nurturing, earthy 

     Womb where I grew bright with life and blossomed in God.

The Circle of Life p. 244-245 - Macina Wiederkehr

Pause

Closing Song: O Beautiful Darkness by Velma Frye

https://youtu.be/ZOtsrABkCnA?si=YvbRv0HAKo-3Cux0 

Closing Prayer 

O God, in the quiet darkness of this moment we search for the sacred light that shines on in our darkness.  Just as we find this light in you, O God, help us understand that deep in the recesses of our souls, light shines.  Thank you for all the things the grow in darkness.  To find the light we must go into the dark.  Go with us into all the dark places where we must travel.  Take away our fear of darkness.  Be a lantern for us that we may be lanterns for one another.  Amen.

The Companions' Rosary

THE COMPANIONS’ ROSARY

Praying the Holy Rosary

In Original Blessing Theology

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87530775820

Introduction to The Companions’ Rosary

Saying the Holy Rosary is a special focus of prayer and meditation that provides for each of us a state of contemplation and mystical connection. 

When aligning to the Grace of Mary, we can have a sense of purpose in praying for others and ourselves. It can be a singular and private prayer or a community endeavor. 

For those of us who are becoming steeped in Original Blessing Theology, the traditional prayers of the Holy Rosary can be daunting. When changing the wording to better reflect the concepts of Blessing Theology, it seems important to keep a sense of the timing and inflection of the prayers as we have learned them. 

The Companions' Rosary is an attempt to combine the prayers of the rosary within present-day theology of original blessing. 

To all whom feel called to pray in this way, prayers and blessings to you. May we all continue to connect, in whatever way we can, to the Holy One, to Mary and to each other.  

And so it is.

The Sign of the “Cross”.  A Shield of Protection and Love.

The sign of the cross can impress on us the concept of a theology of sacrifice and atonement.  The sign of the “cross”, here, building on the trinity and St. Paul's greetings, can also be a Shield of Protection and Love.

In the name of Peace (hand at the forehead)

And Love (hand at the heart)

And Grace (The Infinity sign across from one shoulder to the other, and back to the heart.) 

AMEN.

Rose Aglow,

DETrees, 2017

THE COMPANIONS’ ROSARY

Praying the Holy Rosary

In Original Blessing Theology

The Sign of Protection and Love

In the name of Peace and Love and Grace. Amen.

A Simple Companions’ Creed

I believe in the Holy One, Lover, Creator, Enhancer, WHO IS Infinite and Present all at the same time.

Our Field of PEACE in all things.

I believe in Jesus, Friend and Companion, who shows us the Face of God in our human form. 

Our Sign of LOVE in all things.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, Our Heart and Soul, moving within and among us. 

Our Show of GRACE in all things.

I believe in this, our creed, in our communion of angels and saints and in life everlasting.
Amen.

The Prayer of Jesus

(From Miriam Therese Winter)

O Holy One, who is within, around and among us.

We celebrate your many names.

Your Wisdom Come. Your will be done,

Unfolding from the depths within us.

Each day you give us all that we need.

You remind us of our limits, and we let go.

You support us in our power, and we act with courage.

For you are the dwelling place within us,

The empowerment around us,

And the celebration among us,

Now and forever. Amen.

The Hail Mary

Hail Mary, Full of grace, Our God is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother and Friend,

Be with us now, at our hour, and beyond.  Amen.

The Glory Be

Glory and Joy Be to Peace and Love and Grace.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,

World without End. Amen.

Hail Holy Mary

Hail Holy Mary, Mother and Leader, Our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope. You show us how to live with Courage in our convictions. You teach us to stand by each other with unending support and love.

Thank you for being with us now.  Walk this path with us as you did with your son, Jesus. May we follow his example of inclusive love, as you taught him.

O Clement, O Loving, Sweet Mary of Nazareth. Be with us as we look to you.

Praying the Companions’ Rosary

1.   Make the Sign of the Protection and Love.

2.   Say the Simple Companions’ Creed.

3.   On the first bead, say The Prayer of Jesus.

4.   Say The Hail Mary on each of the next three beads.

5.   Say The Glory Be on the fifth bead.

6.   For each of the five decades, announce the Mystery or a special intention then say The Prayer of Jesus

7.   While fingering each of the ten beads of the decade, say ten Hail Marys while meditating on the Mystery or Intention. Then say a Glory Be.

8.   After saying the five decades, say the Hail, Holy Mary.

Diagram from USCCB, Accessed 9-29-19

A PRAYER FOR YOU

For all who say the Companions’ Rosary, a special Blessing from our Lady and Above. The Angels watch over you in Peace, Grace and Love.

With Joy and Appreciation for All,

Deb Trees, 2019

Debra Trees, FCM, ARCWP

The Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

Upper Room Weekend Liturgy, March 29 & 30 - Family Liturgy - Co-Presiders: Dennis McDonald, Kathie Ryan and Denise Hackert-Stoner Mary Theresa Streck

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82512159155 
phone-in for (audio only) Phone Number: (646) 558-8656
Meeting ID: 825 1215 9155

Welcome: Today we will be sharing ideas with our words and with our ideas of wonder. 

Opening Prayer: 

Holy One, you have given us a wonderful life of creation and creatures.  May we always see the “Wow and Whoa” of our amazing world. 

Opening Song:  For the Beauty of the Earth by Andra Moran  https://youtu.be/7r7hh5oK8rc

LITURGY OF THE WORD

Reflection: World of Wonder By Valerie Kaur (PowerPoint) 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zBrwlqt8CmHPDF5MEvOi_7mE_jWZNS7p/view?usp=drive_web 

 

First Reading: Psalm 76 adapted from Nan Merrill 

In loving places, O Beloved, are You known, your love extends to all on earth.

Your home has been established in our soul, your dwelling place in our heart.

For You fill us with wonder!  You, who know our innermost being, You forgive us and raise us up.  From the depths of our soul You call us to Awaken, to grow in harmony and wholeness.

You well up in our hearts with the inward call to liberate and free all of creation.

The community affirms these words with AMEN!

Gospel Acclamation: More Light by Christopher Gundy video by MTStreck

https://youtu.be/a8XaUlqb8t0

Gospel:  A reading from the anonymous author known as John (Jn1:1-5 adapted)

In the beginning, before there was anything, there was a Word.

And that Word was from The Holy One.

And that Word WAS The Holy One.

Through this Word everything came to be, each in its own time, each in its own way.  

In this Word was life; a life that is light for all of creation.

This light shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.

Homily Starter: 

Many of the members of the Upper Room have read or are familiar with Valerie Kaur

and her message of Revolutionary Love. The first reading today is the same message

of Revolutionary love but for youngsters, or each of us who are young at heart.

We call this a family liturgy for a reason…family members are all ages…and we are all

family.

Wonder is our theme for today. In our book world of wonder…there is a line that is

repeated several times. WOW! WHOA! You are a part of me I don’t know. The second

line that is repeated is “I choose to love everything alive.”

Let’s start with the phrase You are a part of me that I don’t know. If we look at the

leaves, birds, shells and sand, the sky and the stars, or pretty much anything in

creation we might realize there is so much to learn from everything we see. For me,

flowers are so amazing, they have so many beautiful and important parts. Or maybe

you have watched ants scurry around carrying pieces of sugar or other kinds of food?

The pieces are sometimes bigger than they are.

And also very important is what happens when we look at people? Do we really know

all about them? Today right after our celebration we will be singing, “Getting to know

you” and three people will be telling us things about themselves we might not know.

Once we get to know each other including all creatures and creation, we may “choose

to love everything alive.” Can you imagine what our world would be like if we each

loved everything that is alive? Maybe there would be an end to bullying or fighting.

We would all get along because we would see we are all so much alike. If we recognize

ourselves in each other and all creation we would choose to love everything. What a

wonderful world we would have!

So maybe now we can share times when you noticed something important in creation,

or something special about a friend, or neighbor, or even something about a stranger

that you never knew. We would love to hear from all our family members, young and

young at heart!

Statement of Faith 

We believe in the Holy One who is in everything we see

And even in everything we cannot see.

As far away as the most distant star and as near as the air we breathe

The Holy One is there, creating everything out of Love.

We believe in Jesus, who showed us the Holy One

In how he lived his life,
He showed us that the Holy One is 

In our lives too.

We believe that we are called to live like Jesus.

We are called to bring peace, and light, healing and kindness,

We are called to be brave and speak up, and help out when 

Others are suffering or things are not right.

We believe that the Spirit of the Holy One

Lives in us and in all of creation.  

We feel the Spirit in the wind, the warm sun,

The cold snow, and we see it in the faces of other people.

We believe that if we live in the Spirit of the Holy One,

If we remember to act with kindness and courage,

We will make the family of the Holy One larger and larger

Until the whole world is at peace.

Prayers of the Community

There are many things we are thankful for, and there are many things that make us feel sad or scared.  Now is the time to bring these things to this table, so that all of us can pray with one another.  We begin our prayers with the words: “I bring to the table.”

We pray for all these things, and for all the prayers that we hold silently in our hearts.  Amen.

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Next we will pray our great prayer of Thanksgiving, called our Eucharistic Prayer: 

O Holy One, you have made us in goodness, given us life and held us in love. Your Spirit lives within each of us; each of us has been given your Spirit of courage and vision, your Spirit of wisdom and truth.

In the power of that same Spirit, we ask that once again your gifts come upon us as we sing your praise:

Holy, Holy, Holy by Karen Drucker video by Denise

https://youtu.be/kl7vmiZ1YuI

(Invite the children, and anyone who would like to, to join in a circle at the table).  

Holy One, we see around us all of your creation.  The trees, flowers, birds, animals and insects sing with joy for your creative power.  We are your creation too, and we thank you for our lives.

We thank you for sending Jesus, our brother, to show us how to live so that your love can show through in the world.  We thank you for your Spirit, which showers your love and wisdom on the earth like rain, and which opens our eyes in wonder.

Please hold your hands out like this… (demonstrate) as we bless the bread and juice. 

Holy One, you blessed the grain in this bread and the fruit in this juice as they grew on the earth. The people who baked the bread and made the juice blessed them with their work.  Today, with your Spirit, we bless them again, as they become gifts of love, light and truth and remind us that we too are blessed with your Spirit.

(lifts bread):  Jesus gathered his friends around a table like this.  He took the bread, and said a prayer of thanksgiving.  Then he broke the bread and shared it with his friends, saying:

Take and eat this bread. Go, share and love one another.

(lifts the cup):
After the meal, Jesus took the cup of blessing.  He said another prayer of thanks, and then he offered his friends the cup saying:

Take and drink of the loving agreement

Made new again through my life in you.

Whenever you remember me like this,

I am among you.

We are one today with all people who have ever lived, all the people and animals we have loved.  With them we ask you, Holy One, for the wisdom to know what is right and the courage to do what is right.

- Help us to be kind to one another.

- Help us to take care of the earth.

- Help us to reach out to people who need our help.

And as we grow, help us to see where your Spirit leads us as our lives unfold in this world of pain and beauty so that we may become wise co-creators of the future.

Like Jesus, we will open up wide all that has been closed about us, and we will live loving lives, for it is through living as Jesus lived, that we awaken to your Light within.

Amen. 

We will pass the plate around the circle.  When the plate comes to you please take a piece of bread and eat it.  As you receive Communion remember the words, “You are a part of me I do not know”

Communion song:  Creation Calls – Are You Listening by Brian Doerksen

https://youtu.be/LwGvfdtI2c0 

Post Communion Prayer

O Holy One, You call us to live in peace and justice.  We will live justly. You call us to be your presence in the world.  We will love tenderly. You call us to speak truth even when it is difficult.  We will be courageous in your presence. 

Let us pray the prayer of Jesus:

O Holy One, who is within, around and among us, 

We celebrate your many names. 

Your Wisdom come. 

Your will be done, unfolding from the depths within us, 

Each day you give us all we need; 

You remind us of our limits, and we let go. 

You support us in our power, and we act with courage. 

For you are the dwelling place within us,  

the empowerment around us, 

and the celebration among us, now and forever.  Amen  

(Miriam Therese Winter) 

BLESSING

Please stand, and hold out your hands in blessing:

Holy One, we ask your blessing on all the children and adults gathered here today, and on all of your creation.  May we walk with joy in the world as we know that you are always walking with us, and thankful for your many gifts. 

All: AMEN

Closing Song:  What a Wonderful World by Playing for Change

https://youtu.be/qdp1LfUkaY4