LITURGY PLANNER – 3rd Sunday of Easter (A)

SUNDAY PREP

CATHOLIC WOMEN PREACHJEFF CAVINSBISHOP GOLKAKNOW BEFORE YOU GOONE MINUTE HOMILYPRIESTS FOR LIFESOCIETY OUR LADY OF TRINITYWORD ON THE WORD

↩️ ↪️ Catholic Women Preach

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Prayers of the Faithful

The following petitions are based on themes from the above video.

Opening Words (Presider)

God our Father, You meet us wherever we are on our faith journeys, embracing our questions and walking with us through the hills and valleys of our lives. You call us into the mystery of faith and the holiness of shared community. Encouraged by the promise of Easter, we bring our prayers to You with confidence.

Petitions (The Faithful)

For the Church: For all ministers of youth and all who journey alongside young people and their families. We pray that the Church may always be a community that welcomes hard questions, refuses to rush toward easy answers, and faithfully breaks open the Word and the Bread to reveal the presence of Jesus. Let us pray to the Lord. (Response: Lord, hear our prayer.)
For the World: For all nations and neighbors, that we may recognize the inherent dignity and humanity in every person. We pray that the entire world may reject the urge to marginalize or dehumanize those in impoverished countries, those escaping war, or our immigrant neighbors, remembering that eating together opens a space for true conversation. Let us pray to the Lord.
For Those with Special Needs: For the person begging on the street corner, for those detained behind thick metal doors waiting for pastoral care, and for everyone suffering from poverty and isolation. We pray that they may always know the comfort of the hymn, "God Hears the cry of the poor," and that the Easter light may penetrate the darkness of their situation. Let us pray to the Lord.
For the Local Assembly: For our community gathered here to share this holy meal, that we may not view it as a simple act but as our central practice of faith. We pray that we may experience the Eucharist not as a linear event, but as the moment where we are nourished and then commissioned to go in peace, to love, and to serve our neighbors on their own journeys. Let us pray to the Lord.

Closing Prayer (Presider)

Heavenly Father, You have nourished us on this path of twists and turns. We pray that our faith story may not be marked by closed doors, but by the Easter joy that breaks down barriers and recognizes Your presence. We ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who journeys with us always. Amen.

↩️ ↪️ Jeff Cavins

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THE WORD THIS WEEK infographics are created using using GOOGLE’S AI Gemini 2.5 Pro. You are free to use the above infographic in any non-profit ministry. Please give credit to TheWordThisWeek.net and Sundays with Ascension video series "Encountering the Word."

Prayers of the Faithful

The following petitions are based on themes from the above video.

Introduction (Presider)

Priest/Presider: Brothers and sisters, as we gather on this Third Sunday of Easter, let us follow the example of the disciples on the Emmaus road. As Jesus drew near to walk with them, let us bring our needs to God, trusting that He desires to restore hope in our lives and in our world.

Deacon or Reader: Our response is: Lord, open our eyes.

For the Church throughout the world: That through the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, she may, like the Emmaus disciples, experience Jesus walking alongside her, and that her heart may burn with the fire of His love. We pray to the Lord. (Response: Lord, open our eyes.)

For those who govern and lead nations: That they may recognize the dignity of all human life and work to restore hope to those who are dejected or let down by society, guiding all people toward peace. We pray to the Lord. (Response: Lord, open our eyes.)

For those in our lives who have lost hope or left the Church: That God, who is in the habit of putting lives back together, will draw near to them, restore their trust in Jesus Christ, and open their eyes to the beauty of the sacramental life. We pray to the Lord. (Response: Lord, open our eyes.)

For this community of faith: That through the ancient practice of Lectio Divina and active participation in the Eucharist, we may encounter the resurrected Jesus daily, allowing Him to interpret the scriptures to us and transform our lives. We pray to the Lord. (Response: Lord, open our eyes.)

Concluding Prayer (Presider)

Priest/Presider: Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to accompany us on our journey, moving us from dejection to joy. Hear the prayers we make today, that our hearts may burn within us as we listen to Your Word and recognize You in the breaking of the bread. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.Pour out your divine mercy upon us, that we may be freed from our burdens and live confidently in your grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

↩️ ↪️ Bishop James Golka

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THE WORD THIS WEEK infographics are created using using GOOGLE’S AI Gemini 2.5 Pro. You are free to use the above infographic in any non-profit ministry. Please give credit to TheWordThisWeek.net and Diocese of Colorado Springs video series.

Prayers of the Faithful

The following petitions are based on themes from the above video.

Priest: Let us bring our needs to God our Father, through the Risen Christ who meets us on our journey and gives us hope.

Deacon or Lector:

Our response is: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the Church, that like the disciples on the Road to Emmaus, we may recognized the Risen Jesus "where two or three are gathered" in His name. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who are distraught and despairing because of life's disappointments and seemingly shattered hopes, that they may feel the companion presence of Jesus walking beside them and restoring their hope. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For a deeper reverence for the Liturgy of the Word, that we may always pay attention and listen when Jesus speaks to us, recognizing that He is just as present in the proclaimed Word of God as He is in the consecrated Bread and Wine. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For our parish community, that as Jesus interacted with the disciples, we may allow Him to actively interact with our lives and "correct our course" whenever we find ourselves walking in the wrong direction. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For the grace of self-examination, that inspired by the wisdom of our African brothers and sisters, we may courageously identify and remove anything in our lives—objects, habits, or attitudes—that are obstacles to our worship or unworthy to be placed on the altar of Christ. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who are preparing to receive the Blessed Sacrament, that as Jesus blessed and shared the bread with the disciples, he may break open our hearts to receive His very life, transforming us for the work of His kingdom. We pray to the Lord. R. Lord, hear our prayer.

Priest: Heavenly Father, you sent your Son to find us when we were lost and to walk with us in our sorrows. In your mercy, hear the prayers we have made. We ask this through Christ our Risen Lord. R. Amen.

↩️ ↪️ Know Before You Go

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THE WORD THIS WEEK infographics are created using using GOOGLE’S AI Gemini 2.5 Pro. You are free to use the above infographic in any non-profit ministry. Please give credit to TheWordThisWeek.net and Dominican Friars, Province of St. Albert the Great.

Prayers of the Faithful

The following petitions are based on themes from the above video.

Priest: On this Road to Emmaus, let us turn to our companion, Jesus, who walks with us in our joys and sorrows. Let us bring our needs to him, trusting that God writes straight with crooked lines.

Lector/Deacon: The response is: Risen Lord, burn within our hearts.

For the Church: That we may always recognize the presence of the Risen Christ on our collective journey of faith, allowing him to deepen our intimacy with him through unexpected breakthroughs. Risen Lord, burn within our hearts.
For ourselves and our personal "Emmaus Walks": When we are confused, dejected, or when things "don't pan out" the way we planned—like a job loss, a setback in recovery, or a struggle with health—that we may perceive the presence of Jesus walking beside us, ready to provide strength. Risen Lord, burn within our hearts.
For a deeper intimacy through the Liturgy: That like the disciples whose eyes were opened in the "blessing and breaking of bread," our eyes may also be opened in the Eucharist to recognize the one for whom we truly hunger, not all those substitutes. Risen Lord, burn within our hearts.
For a hunger for God's Word: That, following Fr. Angel Carl's advice, we may make time daily to sit with the Scriptures, allowing them to melt our hearts and "fire us anew" with true understanding of God’s plan. Risen Lord, burn within our hearts.
For perspective in suffering: That when we feel All Is Lost, we may hear Christ’s fraternal correction, trusting that even the most difficult path leads "One Direction: straight to God's heart." Risen Lord, burn within our hearts.

Priest: Risen Savior, you meet us in the conversation of our lives and feed us from the twin tables of your Word and Eucharist. Grant us the perseverance to continue our Emmaus walk, not just to receive you in communion, but to become communion with you. Who live and reign, now and forever. Amen.

THE WORD THIS WEEK infographics are created using using GOOGLE’S AI Gemini 2.5 Pro. You are free to use the above infographic in any non-profit ministry. Please give credit to TheWordThisWeek.net and Dominican Friars, Province of St. Albert the Great.

↩️ ↪️ 1-Minute Homily

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Prayers of the Faithful

The following petitions are based on themes from the above video.

Priest: Brothers and sisters, we serve a God of infinite majesty who, in his unimaginable love, knows each of us by name. Confident in our immeasurable importance to him, let us bring our needs before him.

Lector/Deacon: Our response is: Lord, in your vast creation, hear our prayer.

For the Church: That all her members, especially those feeling lost or insignificant, may find deep peace and confidence in the Christian truth that they personally matter to God. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, in your vast creation, hear our prayer.
For the World: That in a society often overwhelmed by large numbers and statistics, world leaders and institutions may see beyond the masses to uphold the sacred dignity of each individual life. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, in your vast creation, hear our prayer.
For those questioning their worth: For those who feel isolated in the vastness of creation, or who feel unloved and forgotten. May they receive the grace to know that they are of infinite importance to the God who saw fit to create them. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, in your vast creation, hear our prayer.
For our community: That we may be a living witness to the truth that Christ was "revealed in the final time for you." May we recognize and respect the infinite value in every person we encounter on our small planet. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, in your vast creation, hear our prayer.
For the faithfully departed: That they may now clearly see, in the fullness of God's presence, the eternal love that was established for them "before the foundation of the world." We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, in your vast creation, hear our prayer.

Priest: Heavenly Father, you who created hundreds of billions of galaxies also look with tender care upon the people of this Earth. Hear the prayers we offer today, and strengthen our faith to live as people of infinite worth in your eyes. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Response: Amen.

↩️ ↪️ Priests for Life

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THE WORD THIS WEEK infographics are created using using GOOGLE’S AI Gemini 2.5 Pro. You are free to use the above infographic in any non-profit ministry. Please give credit to TheWordThisWeek.net and PRIESTS FOR LIFE.

Prayers of the Faithful

The following petitions are based on themes from the above video.

Priest: Brothers and sisters, Christ has risen and the kingdom of death has been conquered. Following the example of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, let us ask the Risen Lord to open our eyes and show us the path to full and abundant life.

Lector/Deacon: Our response is: Lord, show us the path to life.

For the Church: That as we journey through this Easter season, we may be filled with the life of the Risen Christ, and that like St. Peter, we may boldly announce the Gospel of Life to the ends of the earth. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, show us the path to life.
For those tempted by a "culture of death": For individuals facing difficult hours who are tempted to look downcast and resort to abortion or euthanasia as solutions. May they recognize that Jesus walks with them through their suffering, and find hope in his conquering of death. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, show us the path to life.
For our nation and world: That our leaders and citizens may choose to walk the "new way," turning away from "futile conduct" and embracing laws and cultural practices that protect and advocate for all our brothers and sisters. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, show us the path to life.
For a spirit of life-giving repentance: That when we are tempted to give death more credit than it deserves, we may be purified by the Holy Spirit, allowing Christ to rescue us from discouragement and dine with us at his altar. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, show us the path to life.
For this worshipping community: That we may accept the call to become advocates for one another, especially those facing the greatest challenges, just as the Holy Spirit is an advocate for us. We pray to the Lord. Response: Lord, show us the path to life.

Priest: Heavenly Father, through the resurrection of your Son, you have opened to us the way of life. Hear these prayers that we offer today. Guide us, feed us, and send us your Holy Spirit, that our hearts may burn within us as we walk this path with you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Response: Amen.

↩️ ↪️ SOLT Liturgy Prep

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THE WORD THIS WEEK infographics are created using using GOOGLE’S AI Gemini 2.5 Pro. You are free to use the above infographic in any non-profit ministry. Please give credit to TheWordThisWeek.net and Society of Our Lady video series "Liturgy Prep."

Prayers of the Faithful

The following petitions are based on themes from the above video.

Priest: Rejoicing in the restored glory of our adoption and looking forward to the day of Resurrection, let us present our prayers to the Lord who continually reveals himself to us.

Lector/Deacon: The response is: Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.

For the Church: That, like St. Peter in the book of Acts, we may boldly proclaim the fulfillment of the prophecies in the death and Resurrection of Jesus, drawing others into the family of God. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For all travelers on the "Road to Emmaus" in our world: When confusion, dejection, or lack of recognition tempt people to walk away from God—like a job loss, a setback in recovery, or a mysterious illness—that they may perceive the Risen Christ walking beside them. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For a deeper hunger for the Scriptures: That when we "take time with the Word daily," our "hearts too might be burned with the recognition of the truth," and fire us anew with understanding. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For a true recognition of Jesus in the Eucharist: That as the disciples recognized Jesus "specifically in the breaking of the bread," our eyes may also be opened in the Eucharist to find the one for whom we truly hunger, and be transformed into him. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For perspective in life’s "crooked lines": That, trusting in the wisdom of our Dominican priest and parishioner, we may recognize "God was there, he was walking with me," even when the path is not clear to our own eyes. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For this parish community of Saint Vincent Ferrer and all who are "Welcome Friends" this Easter: That we may intentionally seek the gifts of Word and Eucharist, becoming "communion with God" and advocates for our brothers and sisters on their own daily walks. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.

Priest: Heavenly Father, you meet us in the confusion of our daily lives and reveal your Son to us through Word and Sacrament. Grant us the perseverance to continue the conversation on the road, so that we may not just receive communion, but become communion with you. Who live and reign, now and forever. Amen.

↩️ ↪️ The Word on the Word

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THE WORD THIS WEEK infographics are created using using GOOGLE’S AI Gemini 2.5 Pro. You are free to use the above infographic in any non-profit ministry. Please give credit to TheWordThisWeek.net and EWTN video series "The Word on the Word."

Prayers of the Faithful

The following petitions are based on themes from the above video.

Priest: Rejoicing in the restored glory of our adoption and looking forward to the day of Resurrection, let us present our prayers to the Lord who continually reveals himself to us.

Lector/Deacon: The response is: Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.

For the Church: That, like St. Peter in the book of Acts, we may boldly proclaim the fulfillment of the prophecies in the death and Resurrection of Jesus, drawing others into the family of God. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For all travelers on the "Road to Emmaus" in our world: When confusion, dejection, or lack of recognition tempt people to walk away from God—like a job loss, a setback in recovery, or a mysterious illness—that they may perceive the Risen Christ walking beside them. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For a deeper hunger for the Scriptures: That when we "take time with the Word daily," our "hearts too might be burned with the recognition of the truth," and fire us anew with understanding. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For a true recognition of Jesus in the Eucharist: That as the disciples recognized Jesus "specifically in the breaking of the bread," our eyes may also be opened in the Eucharist to find the one for whom we truly hunger, and be transformed into him. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For perspective in life’s "crooked lines": That, trusting in the wisdom of our Dominican priest and parishioner, we may recognize "God was there, he was walking with me," even when the path is not clear to our own eyes. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.
For this parish community of Saint Vincent Ferrer and all who are "Welcome Friends" this Easter: That we may intentionally seek the gifts of Word and Eucharist, becoming "communion with God" and advocates for our brothers and sisters on their own daily walks. We pray to the Lord. Lord, grant us the grace to recognize you.

Priest: Heavenly Father, you meet us in the confusion of our daily lives and reveal your Son to us through Word and Sacrament. Grant us the perseverance to continue the conversation on the road, so that we may not just receive communion, but become communion with you. Who live and reign, now and forever. Amen.

LITURGY PLANNING

Liturgy Notes

3rd Sunday of Easter (Year A)

2025 infographic based on Fr. Lawrence's 2017 column

Today’s Gospel of the encounter on the way to Emmaus offers a prime opportunity for some mystagogical preaching on the Eucharist. This rich passage illuminates a number of aspects of the Eucharist that might be the basis of preaching and reflection.

One area, is the link between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The story makes it obvious that Christ is present in both. Does your assembly recognize Christ’s presence in the word as clearly as in the Eucharist? If not, that might determine your focus this week.

On the other hand, if they are used to good preaching, some people may actually respond more powerfully to Christ’s presence in the word than they do to the second half of the Mass. Is there need for some catechesis on the nature and importance of the eucharistic prayer? Does your faith community understand the purpose of the Lord’s Prayer, sign of peace, and Lamb of God as part of the preparation for receiving Communion? Does the assembly understand the meaning of Communion and its communal nature? Do they maintain a common posture and sing the Communion song until all have received? Do most people receive both the body and the blood of Christ? Is there need for reflection on the fullness of these symbols and the reasons that Vatican II restored Communion under both species?

Does the assembly recognize the intimate link between the celebration of the Eucharist and the mission to which they are sent each week? You might print the insights of Pope John Paul II in today’s bulletin: “We cannot delude ourselves: by our mutual love and, in particular, by our concern for those in need we will be recognized as true followers of Christ. (cf. Jn 13:35; Mt 25:31-46) This will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our Eucharistic celebrations is judged” (Mane Nobiscum Domine #28).

Part of the purpose of mystagogy for the newly baptized is to help them integrate their new faith into daily living. That’s also a challenge for all the baptized — no matter how long ago they celebrated that sacrament.

Besides the homily, how might you catechize the assembly regarding the Eucharist? Consider these offerings: Include in the bulletin a full page insert featuring various topics every week during the season. Provide evening reflections with a meal, presentation and discussion.

Along with Easter hymns, what Communion hymns might help people reflect more deeply on the meaning of the Eucharist? What petitions might draw upon the Eucharist itself, praying that we might live more fully what we celebrate on Sunday?

Fr. Lawrence Mick was a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, columnist, workshop leader on parish renewal and the author of many books on the liturgy. He is a long-time contributor to Celebration and other national publications.

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