Mass – Closure of a Church

This ritual outline follows the usual pattern of a eucharistic celebration, suggesting readings and texts that are particularly suited to the final Mass being celebrated before a church closure.

Before the Concluding Rites, the assembly joins in a prayer of praise and thanksgiving; then a series of prayers and acclamations are prayed and sung at key places in the church. The assembly moves together to each of these places in the church in turn. A musical refrain is sung by the assembly after the prayers at each place. After the solemn blessing and dismissal, suggestions are given for the ceremonial departureand closing of the doors, and for a reception event at which parishioners might continue to share stories.  

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‍INTRODUCTORY RITES

Entrance Hymn

Greeting

‍
‍Presider      In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
‍All                   Amen.

‍Presider      Peace be with you.
‍All                   And with your spirit.

‍Or, if the Presider is not a Bishop,

Presider       In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
‍All                   Amen.

‍Presider       The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
‍All                   And with your spirit.  

‍

‍Introduction and Welcome

‍In these or similar words:

Presider:          
This place carries many memories. For years, people have been baptised in the waters of this font, and become part of the Christian community. Week by week we have gathered to give thanks to God. While there is sadness in the closing of this church, we are grateful for all that it has meant to us. Although this is ourlast celebration in this church, we will continue to hear God's Word and share the Lord's Table. Who we are in God's eyes and what we believe in, cannot be limited by human structures. In a spirit of gratitude, then, let us prepare our minds and hearts to celebrate these holy mysteries and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us boldly into a new future.

‍Sprinkling Rite or Penitential Rite

‍Sprinkling Rite

Presider:          
We mark this occasion with the Sprinkling Rite since it recalls our baptism and membership of the family of God. Even as this church closes, we continue to be united through baptism, to every Catholic parish throughout the diocese, and indeed across the world. Let us ask God to bless this water.

Or:

Presider:          
My brothers and sisters, this water will be used to remind us of our baptism.We remember all those baptised here, from the first person to be baptised in this church, (name of person) in (year of baptism), to the last, (name of person) in (year of baptism). Let us ask God to bless this water and keep us faithful to the Spirit which God has given us.

‍After a brief silence, he joins his hands and continues:

‍God our Father,
you created water to make the fields fruitful and to refresh and cleanse our bodies.
In baptism,
your gift of water washes away our sins and brings us eternal life. We ask you to bless this water,
the source of purification,
as we seek forgiveness of our sins.
Renew the living well-spring of your grace within us and protect us in spirit and body
as we come into your presence with hearts made clean to receive your gift of salvation.We ask this through Christ our Lord.

‍All                Amen.

‍Or:  

Blessing of Water A (RM 1507)

Dear sisters and brothers,
let us humbly beseech the Lord our God to bless this water he has created, which will be sprinkled on us
as a memorial of our Baptism.
May he help us by his grace
to remain faithful to the Spirit we have received.
Almighty ever-living God, who willed that through water,
the fountain of life and the source of purification, even souls should be cleansed
and receive the gift of eternal life;be pleased, we pray, to + bless this water,by which we seek protection on this your day, O Lord.
Renew the living spring of your grace within us and grant that by this water we may be defended from all ills of spirit and body,
and so approach you with hearts made clean and worthily receive your salvation.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

‍The Presider sprinkles the gathered assembly while a hymn or chant is sung.

Presider:          
Lord God,
Creator and giver of life,we thank you for this water which we use in faith.
Wash away the sin that divides us,
make new life spring up within us,and lead us, whole and complete,
into your presence to bless your glorious name.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

‍All                Amen.

‍

‍Or

‍Penitential Act

‍Choose forms from the Roman Missal or compose your own, based on these forms.  

‍Gloria (optional)

Collect

‍
‍Presider :    
Let us pray.
God our Father, through Christ your Son
you have called your people to be one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
Through the Holy Spirit,
unite your people and lead us in your wisdom and truth.
Help us to show forth the living presence of Christ in the world,
and lead us in the ways of goodness and love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

‍All                Amen.  

‍Or
Another appropriate Collect from the Roman Missal.

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‍LITURGY OF THE WORD

‍
‍Choose from the following suggestions or select others from the Lectionary.
Readings of the day must be used if celebrating the liturgy on a Sunday in Advent, Christmas, Lent or Easter.

‍First Reading

‍
‍Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
‍I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

‍Isaiah 40:1-11
‍God consoles his people.

‍Isaiah 60:1-6
‍All peoples will walk in your light.

‍Ezekiel 34:11-16
‍As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view, so shall I keep my sheep in view.

‍Hosea 2:16-17, 21-22
‍I will betroth you to me for ever.

‍
Responsorial Psalm

‍Psalm 22
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Psalm 26
R. The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Psalm 66:2-3, 5, 7-8
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!

Psalm 95:1-3, 7-10
R. Proclaim his marvellous deeds to all the nations.

Psalm 117:22-23, 25-26, 28
R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

Psalm 144:1-2, 8-11, 13-14
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.

Luke 1:47-55
R. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

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‍Second Reading

‍
‍Philippians 3:8-14
‍All I want is to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and to share in his sufferings.

‍Romans 8:31, 38-39
‍Nothing can separate us from God's love in Christ.

‍1 Corinthians 1:3-9
‍I never stop thanking God for you.

‍1 Corinthians 3:9-11,16-17
You are the temple of God.

‍Ephesians 1:3-14
‍Before the world was made, he chose us in Christ.

‍Ephesians 2:19-22
‍Through the Lord, the whole building is bound together as one holy temple.

‍1 Peter 2:4-9
‍As living stones, you will be built into a spiritual temple.  

‍

‍Gospel Acclamation and Gospel

1.
‍Ezekiel 37:27

‍Alleluia, alleluia!
My dwelling place shall be with them, says the Lord,
and I will be their God and they will be my people.
Alleluia!

Matthew 6:25-34
‍Do not worry about tomorrow.

‍

2.
‍John 6:63, 68
‍Alleluia, alleluia!
Your words, Lord, are spirit and life;
you have the words of everlasting life.​
Alleluia!

John 4:19-24
‍True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.

‍

‍3.
‍John 15:9, 5
‍Alleluia, alleluia!
Remain in my love, says the Lord;
all who live in me and I in them will bear much fruit.
Alleluia!

John 15:1-8
All who live in me, and I in them, bear fruit.

‍

4.
‍John 8:12
‍Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!

John 20:19-23
‍As the Father sent me, so I send you: Receive the Holy Spirit.

‍

5.
‍John 8:12
‍Alleluia, alleluia!
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
the one who follows me will have the light of life.
Alleluia!

Matthew 5:13-16
‍You are the light of the world.

‍

6.
‍Mark 1:17
‍Alleluia, alleluia!
Come, follow me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of my people.
Alleluia!

‍Mark 1:14-20
‍I will make you fishers of people.

‍

‍7.
‍Matthew 4:19
‍Alleluia, alleluia!
Come follow me, says the Lord,
and I will make you fishers of my people.
Alleluia!

Luke 5:1-11
‍They left everything and followed him.

‍

8.
‍cf Luke 24:32
‍Alleluia, alleluia!
Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us:
make our hearts burn with love when you speak.
Alleluia!

Luke 24:13-35
‍They recognised him at the breaking of the bread.

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‍Homily
‍

Prayers of Intercession

‍

Presider:    
‍Dear friends, confident that God is with us in times of joy and in times of trial, let us bring our prayers before the Lord.

For the Pope and for our local bishop/s. May God bless them with the courage to lead the Church with wisdom, integrity and compassion. In hope, we pray.
‍All               Lord hear our prayer.

‍
‍For all who have faithfully served this community through preaching, teaching, prayer and pastoral care. May their example inspire us to loving service. In hope, we pray.
‍All               Lord hear our prayer.

‍

‍For the founders of this community, and for the generations of past parishioners who have given witness through their faith-filled and generous actions. May the seeds of faith sown here continue to bear lasting fruit. In hope, we pray.
‍All               Lord hear our prayer.

‍

‍For this community of faith, that we may have courage to move forward with confidence, trusting in the Lord’s providence. In hope, we pray.
‍All               Lord hear our prayer.

‍

For all those in Australia and beyond who are experiencing change and transition. May disappointment be eased, fear dispelled and new life flourish. In hope, we pray.
‍All               Lord hear our prayer.

‍

‍For all those who have died, especially members of this parish community. Grant them a place at the table in God’s heavenly kingdom. Lord hear us.  
‍All               Lord hear our prayer.

‍

Presider:
Lord God, wherever two or three are gathered in your name you are there.
Hear our prayer and give us the strength to continue living and working in your name
wherever you choose to lead us.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.

‍All               Amen.  

‍

‍LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

‍
‍Preparation of the Offerings  

‍Prayer over the Offerings  

‍The Eucharistic Prayer

‍Preface for the Dedication of a Church (RM 1285) (or another from the Roman Missal)

‍The Communion Rite

‍Prayer after Communion

‍As the communion rite concludes and the assembly are singing the communion song, ministers remove the altar cloth and lighted altar candles.

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‍PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

‍
|Presider:
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the life of the Gospel in this community through the worship life in church.

‍The following prayer might be prayed aloud by the whole assembly, or by several different readers from the parish who each take turns to read a section.

We give thanks for the Word proclaimed in Spirit and in Truth, the prayers prayed,
the songs sung, the singers and the musicians,
the bread and the wine,
the water and the children,
the teachers and the preachers,
the confirmations & affirmations,
the marriages and the promises,
the funerals and the comfort,
the laughter, the tears, the hopes and the fears,
and the sighs too deep for words.

Such things turn a building into a house of worship.
Such things make the distance between heaven and earth seem slight.
Lord we give thanks
that what has taken place in this house of worship has sent ripples of hope into the community,
things we know of and much hidden from us,
yet signs nevertheless of your love that has led us out to serve as we have been served
to love as we have been loved
to forgive as we have been forgivento trust that God has used us despite our shortcomings.

Today while we acknowledge the passing of the season of this house of worship,
we pray that your hand will continue to guide us and bless us in the new season upon us.
Help us to be attentive to you, as we seek to serve you in this community.
In the quiet, we reflect on our time in this building
and we remember with gratitude those with whom we have shared and are no longer with us…

‍(a moment of silence)

‍With a clear understanding that our God is not confined to buildings made by human hands, we the people of this church and community, grateful for our heritage and mindful of the sacrifices of those who have gone before, dedicate ourselves anew to the service of God in Spirit and Truth, and to the service of all people in the spirit of Christ, as we close this church of _______, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

‍All                Amen.

‍Prayer composed by Rev. Martin Stewart for the closure of St Stephen’s in Christchurch, NZ.

‍https://marttherev.wordpress.com/2016/05/12/decommissioning-prayer/

‍Or        Hymn of Thanksgiving

Or         Michael Weldon, Struggle for Holy Ground: Reconciliation and the Rites of Parish Closure, Liturgical Press, 2004, p 203 or 214.

Or         CCCB Sunday Celebrations of Word and Hours - Litany of Praise p 244

Or        The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) (Lect Vol 1 p.89)

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‍Prayer over Church Spaces

‍
‍The assembly moves together to each of these places in the church in turn. A musical refrain is sung by the assembly after the prayers at each place.The refrain might be chosen from the following suggestions, or a suitable alternative used instead.

‍My soul rejoices in God, my Saviour CWBII 212
Tell out, my soul (one verse each time) CWBII 213
I will bless you all my life, Lord CWBII 182In Faith and Hope and Love CWBII 520In the Lord, I'll Be Ever Thankful CWBII 522
My Peace be Upon You Forever CWBII 558
Sing Praise to the Lord all our Days CWBII 602  

‍

‍Baptismal Font

Reader 1:        
This baptismal font
has been the place of rebirth.
By water and the Holy Spirit we have received new life and become God’s own children.

Reader 2:        
We pray for all who have been baptised in this saving font,
that, by their way of life, they may continue to give glory to God’s name.

Pause for silent prayer.

Presider:          
Lord God,
You have created us in your own image and sanctified us through baptism.
You have been the source of hope for your people.
Make us always and everywhere conscious of your gift and of our Christian dignity.

‍All:                  
Here we have professed our faith in the presence of the community.
Here our sins have been forgiven.
May we grow in union with Christ and rise to new life in him.

‍Sung refrain

‍

‍Presidential Chair

Reader 1:        
This chair has been the placewhere pastors of this community have proclaimed the word and celebrated the sacraments.

Reader 2:        
We pray for those who have presided in Christ’s name and led this community of faith in loving service.

‍Pause for silent prayer

Presider:          
Lord Jesus, you are the good Shepherd
who gathers the scattered sheep into one fold.
Guide your people along the right path and lead us to our heavenly home.

‍All:                  
Here we have been inspired with the word of truth.
Here we have been called to serve.
May we walk in your ways all the days of our life.

‍Sung refrain  

‍

‍Ambo

Reader 1:        
From this place, the word of God has been proclaimed.
We have listened, we have responded.
At this table we have been nourished by the word of life.

Reader 2:        
We pray for all the faithful who have gathered around this table and received the Word in their hearts.

‍Pause for silent prayer

Presider:                      
O God, your word is spirit and life
and the lamp that guides our feet.
Stir in us your Holy Spirit to enflame our hearts to live the good news.

‍All:                  
Here we have been nourished by the living word.
Here we have heard Christ speak to us not as strangers but as friends.
May the Word of God truly become for us spirit and life.

‍Sung refrain

‍

‍Altar

Reader 1:        
From this altar, the table of the Eucharist, we have been fed:
the table of our unity, a banquet of plenty,and a source of the Spirit.

Reader 2:
We pray for those who have gathered around this altar, offered their gifts,
poured out their prayers
and shared in the banquet of the Lord.

‍Pause for silent prayer

Presider:        
Lord God, in the sharing of one Bread and Cup,
this altar has been a symbol of communion and peace.
We praise and thank you for the gift of your Son whose Body and Blood we have received.

‍All:                  
Here we have celebrated Christ’s death and resurrection.
Here we have broken and shared the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation.
May we be transformed into the likeness of Christ. ‍

Sung refrain

‍
Cross and Devotional Objects

‍Reader 1:
This Cross, these Stations, and these devotional objects
have been a sign of protection, comfort and strength
to the people of this community.

Reader 2:      
We pray for those who have spent time
in prayerful contemplation before these objects, and fostered a love of Christ in their hearts.

‍Pause for silent prayer

Presider:          
Lord God,
your Son reconciled us to you by suffering on the cross and then returned to you in glory.
May your people who have looked upon these sacred objects shoulder their own crosses
in the spirit of the Gospel until their journey ends.

‍All:                  
Here we have bowed down in adoration.
Here we have pondered Christ’s saving love and mercy.
May the cross be our comfort in trouble,
our refuge in the face of danger, our safeguard on life's journey.

Sung refrain

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CONCLUDING RITES

Presider:
‍‍Let us pray.
Lord God, you are our refuge; our eternal home is in you.
For ____ years, this church building of _________ has been a source of grace and blessing.
As we leave this place of worship,
we thank you for all the blessings that you have given us.
Protect us on our pilgrim journey and keep us faithful to you.Guide us to new places of worship,so that we may continue to give glory to your name.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
‍Amen.  

‍

‍Solemn Blessing and Dismissal

‍Presider           The Lord be with you.
‍All                   And with your Spirit.

Priest or or Deacon:       Bow down for the blessing.

Presider:      (RM 714)      
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
‍Amen.

‍May he let his face shine upon you and show you his mercy.
Amen.

‍May he turn his countenance towards you and give you his peace.
‍Amen.

‍And may the blessing of almighty God,the Father, and the Son,+ and the Holy Spirit, come down on you and remain with you for ever.
‍Amen.

‍Presider (or Deacon)     Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
‍All                   Thanks be to God.

‍

Recessional Song

‍If there is a parish banner, this can be carried out of the assembly in procession with the cross, candles, altar cloths, ministers, and presider.

‍As the people leave in procession, each member of the community may be invited to kiss the altar.

‍Ceremonial Departure and Closing of the Doors

‍

‍Outside the Church

Presider:
With thanks to God for all the good accomplished here, I declare the church of __________  now closed.  
‍

When the lights have been switched off and the doors and windows closed, people should be advised that the church is now closed. People should not re-enter the church. A sense of finality is important.

Some options might include a procession to another place, or a final song.

The Mass may also end in silence with parishioners invited to remain in the church for as long as they wish. After the last person exits the church, the doors are then locked.

Variations to the rites may be appropriate, especially after local circumstances and needs are considered carefully.

‍Reception

‍
‍The procession could continue to the hall for a reception.

If there are church bells, they could be rung during this movement.

Displays of parish history, photographs, albums, and story-telling should continue to be shared.

‍A prayer card with important dates in the history of the parish, or perhaps a small bottle of holy water from the font would be meaningful gifts to send home with those present.

‍Additional speeches and addresses might be given at the reception.

‍