A Liturgy of Welcome

Introduction
Our school and parish make up a faith community that is vibrant, nourishing and
inclusive. We welcome you today as an important part of this community. We are better
because you are here. As we prepare these new members of our school community
for Kindergarten, we pray to God that they will come to know Jesus who is at the centre
of all we do and can live to be like him.

Opening prayer
We welcome next years Kindergarten students and their parents to our Catholic
community. I invite you to pray together.
All: In the name of the Father, the Son and the Hoy Spirit.
All: Faithful Companion, in this new school year I pray:
to live deeply, with purpose to live freely,
with detachment to live wisely,
with humility to live justly,
with compassion to live lovingly,
with fidelity to live mindfully,
with awareness to live gratefully,
with generosity to live fully, with enthusiasm.
Help me hold this vision and renew it daily in my heart.
Amen

The Gospel
Leader: Let us listen to the Gospel according to John
The parable of the Good Shepherd
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter by the door into the fold of the sheep,
but climbs up some other way, he is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the
door is a shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his
voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he puts forth
all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his
voice. A stranger they simply will not follow, but will flee from him, because they do not
know the voice of strangers. This figure of speech Jesus spoke to them, but they did
not understand what those things were which He had been saying to them.
The Gospel of the Lord
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

Reflection
(song and photographs of students)

Prayers of the faithful

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We welcome all into his flock and looks after all under
his care. Jesus is the gently, loving shepherd. And so we pray.

Inspire all those who lead and serve in this church. May they know your guidance and
direction.
Lord, hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer

Guide all those who are called to lead and advocate in the world, may they carry love
with them always.
Lord, hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer

Watch over all those who feel isolated and alone. Calm their fears and lead them into
peace and freedom.
Lord, hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer

Strengthen and encourage all those who seek to serve and protect the vulnerable.
Lord, hear us.
All: Lord hear our prayer

Lord, as we enter into a period of preparation, of wondering and of hope, we ask that
you fill us with your Holy Spirit. Guide us in our decisions and help us to be string
members of this community.

Closing prayer
Dear Lord,
We are your people, gathered together in your name. Fill us with the Holy Spirit as we
take on the task of being more like Jesus and model those actions to the children in
our care.
We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen