BLESSING OF THE PEACE PARK

BLESSING OF THE PEACE PARK

The people will gather at the Peace Park, the SPMCI Chorale will render a Meditative Song while the people are approaching and settling down to their own spaces.

Pastor:  Peace be with you!

People: And also with you!

Pastor: We gather here together in this portion of land of the SPMCI where the Peace Park is located. We are thankful for the generosity of Engr. Don and Mrs. Linda Pastrana, advocates of peace and justice who supported this project. This intends to be a peaceful space for people seeking for silence and quietness, to meditate and converse with humility to God and with one another.

People: Our presence manifests our commitment to be the agents of peace and reconciliation, and bearers of hope that we may be one, loving our neighbours as we love ourselves.

All: To God be the Glory!

The pastor will raise hands and then palms down.

Pastor: Pour out your Holy Spirit on this Peace Park of the Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc. Sanctify this place, O God, where individuals, peers, and groups settle personal issues, cultural concerns and matters that affect community relationships and development; and where everyone is encouraged to always speak freely, honestly and in kindness. Thus, we may see the goodness of everybody, learn to listen with our hearts, and understand others point of view, and appreciate the blessings of diversity.

The pastor will raise hand.

By you Spirit, make us one, O God, one with each other, and that through our genuine dialogue and conversation we will be able to manage the conflict, resolve if possible and transform if needed.

The people will response through a song, “MAKE ME A CHANNEL OF YOUR PEACE”.

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is hatred let me bring your love
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord
And where there is doubt true faith in You

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there is despair in life let me bring hope
Where there is darkness only light
And where there's sadness ever joy

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
It is in giving to people that we receive
And in dying that we are born to eternal life

A Concluding Prayer will be offered.

Pastor: Press upon us, God, the imperatives to be life-giving and other affirming so that as neighbours to one another, we will actively participate in the pursuit of peace and attainment of the fullness of life. Amen.

Then the procession will continue towards the venue of the Eucharistic Service.

Prepared by Rev. Jeric C. Cortado, Acting Dean of the College of Theology, Southern Philippines Methodist Colleges, Inc., Kidapawan City, Philippines.