PRAYER OF DEDICATION

God of all time,

you came in time

that I might learn the ways of love.

As I say farewell to the year that is passing

I thank you for the blessings I have received.

I acknowledge

that there have been times of sorrow

as well as times of joy.

(Pause for a moment to honour experiences of 2016.)

As I cross over the threshold to a new year

I pray for the gifts of good health and contentment

I offer you, in prayer, the deepest desires of my heart.

(Pause for a moment to make a personal prayer.)

I commit myself anew

to living by the ways of faith

in good times and in bad,

in sickness and in health

in poverty and in plenty.

I dedicate myself, my family and those I love

to the care of your Most Sacred Heart.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you.

Holy Child of Bethlehem,

let me shelter you

in the stable of my heart.

May Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of Christ,

whose heart was immaculate in the ways of love,

intercede for us, sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. Amen (Sr Perpetua)