Birthday Mass Opening: O God, our loving Father, You are the source of all life, and the

source of all love. You have created each of us with the loving hand of care and the caring heart of love. We ask you to strengthen our belief in the value and worth we each have in your sight. As we recommend Sr. Daisy to you today, the anniversary of the gift of life to her, may she be assured that you do in fact delight in her and her desire to please you with what she would do with her life and gifts does in fact please you. Intercessions: Father, none of your gifts were ever given to us that we might put them into safekeeping. Help us to be willing to invest them and ourselves in pursuit of the deeper values of life and faith that it may truly delight you. Offertory God, who places your trust in human creatures, blessed be your name! In our clumsy hands you have placed the earth and the skies, to design thereon the traits of your countenance. Then place in our hands, wounded with fear, your grace and the revelation of your love. May your spirit release our fears, that in boldness and timidity alike we may return you grace for grace: our life with delight and become for your people bread and life, wine and joy. We make this... Preface: Praise and thanksgiving to you, heavenly Father for you are a God of nearness. Praise and thanksgiving to you, loving Father for providing us with the care and concern of families and communities, friends and directors so that we can all the more experience your creative goodness. Praise and thanksgiving to you, Almighty Father for the variety and difference of each member here and so their beauty and mystery. We thank you for the talents and gifts you have endowed us with and the myriad ways we serve the community whether through

leadership, humour, animation, encouragement, peacemaking, simple caring. As children surrounded and protected by the warmth of a Father's love, we join all creation in rejoicing, in celebrating your great care and concern for us as we sing: Holy, Holy, Holy....
Pref: It is right and just, our duty and privilege always and everywhere to give you thanks and praise, almighty Father. You alone have shown yourself to be the God of life by entering into covenant with all your creatures. You lead the whole of creation to salvation in these signs of your covenantal love ever recurring: from nothing to creation, across flood to mountain-top, through sea to dry land, up from slavery to freedom, off desert to green pastures after fast to feast, from fear and doubt to trust, past war to peace. You care for the world, guiding it from sickness to health, beyond night to day up from seed to blooming tree, from rain to shine, over winter to spring-time, by cross to crown, out of grave to glory.