Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

I look forward to the opportunity of being with you on Holy Tuesday to share in Eucharist and renewal of our ordination vows during the Mass of Collegiality.

We will assemble at 11 a.m., March 30, at St. Matthew’s Cathedral, 5100 Ross Avenue, Dallas. The Rt. Rev. Jeffery Rowthorn will be preacher. Box lunch will be provided. Clergy are encouraged to dress in office clericals, and appropriately for the weather. 

The Annual Renewal of Ordination Vows within the context of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is scheduled on Tuesday of Holy Week each year (in order to permit clergy to be in their congregations on Maundy Thursday proper). This is an important time in our ministry shared and All locally resident clergy are expected to attend unless excused by me.

Please confirm your attendance for lunch by noon March 24 to Kim LaNore, at .

This comes with my prayers for a most Holy Lent.

Peace,

+GRS

Mass of Collegiality 

 A Litany for Ministry

God the Father, 

Have mercy on us. 

God the Son, 

Have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, 

Have mercy on us. 

Wehumbly pray that you will hear us, O Lord; and that you will send peace to the whole world, which you have reconciled to yourself by the ministry of your Son, Jesus.

Lord, hear our prayer. 

That you will guide all in civil authority to establish justice and maintain it for all people.

Lord, hear our prayer.

That you will heal the divisions of your visible Church, that all may be one.

Lord, hear our prayer.

That you will grant to your People the forgiveness of sins, and give us grace to amend our lives.

Lord, hear our prayer. 

That you will lead all members of your Church in particular vocation and ministry to serve you in a true and godly life. 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

That you will raise up able ministers for your Church, that the Gospel may be made known to all people. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

That you will inspire all bishops, priests, and deacons with your love, that they may hunger for truth, and thirst after righteousness. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

That you will fill them with compassion, and move them to care for all your people. 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

That by the indwelling of your Holy Spirit, you will sustain those who have been called to the ministry of your Church, and encourage them to persevere to the end. 

Lord, hear our prayer.

That we, with the blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Matthew, and all your saints who have served you in ages past, may be gathered into your unending kingdom. 

Lord, hear our prayer. 

Bishop: O God, as you have always nourished and protected your Church, raise up for us good and faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments, stewards of the mysteries of Christ; and grant that your people, instructed by their teaching and inspired by their example, may be guided to serve truly and to know you more and more as you revealed yourself in Christ Jesus, your Son, our Lord. Amen. 

The Bishop and the people sit.

The Clergy stands for the renewal of vows.

The Renewal of Vows

Bishop: Dear Friends, the ministry we share is none other than the sacrificial   ministry of Christ, who gave himself up to death on the cross for the   salvation of the world. By his gloriousresurrection he has opened for us the way of everlasting life. By the gift of the Holy Spirit he shares with us the riches of his grace. We are called to proclaim his deathandresurrection, to administer the Sacraments of the New Covenant which he sealed with his blood on the cross, and to care for his people in the power of the Spirit.

Do you here, in the presence of Christ and his Church, renew your commitment to your ministry, under the pastoral direction of your bishop?

Answer: I do. 

Bishop: Do you reaffirm your promise to give yourself to prayer and study? 

Answer: I do.

Bishop: Do you reaffirm your promise to minister the Word of God and the Sacraments of the New Covenant that the reconciling love of Christ may be known and received? 

Answer: I do.

Bishop: Do you reaffirm your promise to be a faithful servant of all those committed to your care, patterning your life in accordance with the   teachings of Christ, so that you may be a wholesome example to your people? 

Answer: I do.

The Bishop then stands and makes this affirmation

Bishop: And now, as your bishop, I, too, before God and you, re-dedicate myself and reaffirm the promises that I made when I was ordained. I ask your prayers. 

Bishop and Clergy: May the Lord who has given us the will to do these things, give us also the grace and power to perform them. 

The Peace

BishopThe peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.