CELEBRATION OF EVENING PRAYER

AND TRIBUTE TO RETIREES

INTRODUCTION

This afternoon, we pay tribute to the people who have made a meaningful contribution to our
beloved Saint Michael College.

We are indeed fortunate to have the privilege of sharing their expertise, work ethic and
commitment.

These special people have left a remarkable legacy behind and one which will remain with us for
years to come. Their legacy will remain a lasting tribute to their life’s commitment.

At this moment, let us first take the time to thank the Lord for their life and service and pray for
God’s never-failing blessing upon them as they continue to work for God’s greater glory.

CALL TO SILENCE

INVITATION TO PRAYER

Leader: O God, + come to my assistance.

All: Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

HYMN (Here I Am Lord)

PSALMODY

Antiphon 1: May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 41
Prayer of a sick person

Happy the man who considers the poor and the weak. *
The Lord will save him in the day of evil,
will guard him, give him life, make him happy in the land *
and will not give him up to the will of his foes.
The Lord will help him on his bed of pain, *
he will bring him back from sickness to health.

As for me, I said: “Lord, have mercy on me, *

heal my soul for I have sinned against you.”
My foes are speaking evil against me. *
“How long before he dies and his name be forgotten?”
They come to visit me and speak empty words, *
their hearts full of malice, they spread it abroad.

My enemies whisper together against me. *

They all weigh up the evil which is on me:
“Some deadly thing has fastened upon him, *
he will not rise again from where he lies.”
Thus even my friend, in whom I trusted, *
who ate my bread, has turned against me.

But you, O Lord, have mercy on me. *

Let me rise once more and I will repay them.
By this I shall know that you are my friend, *
if my foes do not shout in triumph over me.
If you uphold me I shall be unharmed *
and set in your presence for evermore.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel *

from age to age. Amen. Amen.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *

and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Antiphon 1: May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace so that you may abound in hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Antiphon 2: Try, then, to imitate God, as children of His that He loves, and follow Christ by
loving as He loved you, giving Himself up in our place.

Psalm 46
God our refuge and strength

God is for us a refuge and strength, *

a helper close at hand, in time of distress:
so we shall not fear though the earth should rock, *
though the mountains fall into the depths of the sea,
even though its waters rage and foam, *
even though the mountains be shaken by its waves.

The Lord of hosts is with us: *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
The waters of a river give joy to God’s city, *
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within, it cannot be shaken; *
God will help it at the dawning of the day.
Nations are in tumult, kingdoms are shaken: *
he lifts his voice, the earth shrinks away.

The Lord of hosts is with us: *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Come, consider the works of the Lord, *

the redoubtable deeds he has done on the earth.
He puts an end to wars over all the earth; †
the bow he breaks, the spear he snaps. *
He burns the shields with fire.
“Be still and know that I am God, *
supreme among the nations, supreme on the earth!”

The Lord of hosts is with us: *

the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *

and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Antiphon 2: Try, then, to imitate God, as children of His that He loves, and follow Christ by
loving as He loved you, giving Himself up in our place.

Antiphon 3: I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.

Canticle: Revelation 15:3-4

Hymn of adoration

Mighty and wonderful are your works, *

Lord God Almighty!
Righteous and true are your ways, *
O King of the nations!

Who would dare refuse you honor, *

or the glory due your name, O Lord?

Since you alone are holy, *

all nations shall come
and worship in your presence. *
Your mighty deeds are clearly seen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, *
and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, *
and will be for ever. Amen.

Antiphon 3: I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.

READING 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

But we feel that we must be continually thanking God for you, brothers and sisters, whom the Lord
loves, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved by the sanctifying Spirit and by faith
in the truth. Through the Good News that we brought, He called you to this so that you should
share the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm, then, brothers and sisters, and keep the
traditions we taught you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ
Himself, and God our Father, who has given us His love and through His grace, such inexhaustible
comfort and such sure hope, comfort you and strengthen you in everything good that you do or
say.

RESPONSORY Narito Ako

TRIBUTE

The retirees proceed to the front and are given lighted candles.

May I request the retirees to come forward.

Leader: Lord, look upon these Your servants whom You called in Your love to walk in
eagerness in the footsteps of Your Son and to serve Your people. Grant that they
may continue with loving perseverance along this way, which leads to You and
which they once began with such joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Message from One of the Retirees

Message of the School President

The community extends their hands over them, while the following prayer is read:

Leader: God our Father, we are here before You as a community formed by Your Spirit in
the name of Your Son, Jesus. We thank You for having brought us together and we
thank You for each of our fellow workers who have walked with us and shared with
us the joys and pains, the ups and downs of the community. Today, most especially,
we thank You for the presence in our midst of
________________________________ who have reached a milestone in their
service in Saint Michael College.
Left Side: They have been Your gifts to us; they have been channels of Your graces, they have
enriched us. Lord, we thank You for them.

Right Side: We ask forgiveness if somehow we had been less than what You called us to be for
them, that You turn whatever pain they have suffered from us into doorways to
greater intimacy with You. We also pray that all of us may be healed of any hurt.

Left Side: We pray You, Father, to send your Holy Spirit to lead them as they continue to
work with us in Your vineyard. May the time they spend with us be a source of
strength and courage to face future challenges.

Right Side: May they always love with the heart of Jesus, may they be permeated with Mary’s
desire to do Your will at all times, and may they always labor with zeal and
conviction.

All: We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You
and the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.

CANTICLE OF MARY

Antiphon: It was not you who chose Me but I who chose you and appointed you to bear fruit
that will remain.

Magnificat (All that I Am)

OUR FATHER

CLOSING PRAYER

Priest: Heavenly Father, only with Your help can we offer You fitting praise and service.
We thank You for having called and sustained us in the following of Jesus, Your
Son and our Brother. May we continue to offer ourselves for the glory of God, the
good of the Church, and the service of neighbour. May we live the faith we profess
and trust Your promise of eternal life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and
ever.

All: Amen.

Priest: The Lord be with you.

All: And with your spirit.

Priest: May the almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.

Priest: Let us bless the Lord.

All: And give Him thanks.

CLOSING HYMN (Servant Song)