Fathers Day Assembly 2014

WE GATHER

Introduction:

Welcome to our Fathers Day Assembly. We would especially like to welcome all fathers,
step-fathers, grandfathers, uncles and those who are like fathers to us.

(pause)

We gather here today in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Fathers Day has become a day of celebration and remembering in almost all countries
around the world.

It has become a day to not only honor our fathers, but all men who act as a father figure-
stepfathers, uncles, grandfathers, and other significant adult males. We also remember
the Fathers who have been called to their Heavenly home. We honor all these special
men on Fathers Day.

Please join us as we sing Hey Dad, I Love You.
Song: Hey Dad I love you. Michael M.
WE LISTEN
Reader: Let us listen to the story of the Prodigal Son and remember how much God, our
Heavenly Father loves us all.
Reader: There was a man (point to father)
Who had a son (point to son)
The younger son went to his father one day and said
Son: I want to leave home.
Chorus: Really, son?
Reader: The father said
Father: I love you son!
Reader: He was sad to let him go but he divided his money and gave it to each of his
sons. His son left home.
Chorus: Make good choices, son.
Reader: And so his son took all he had and left for a far-off country. While he was
there he wasted all his money.
Chorus: Bad choice, son!
Reader: After he had wasted his money, the son had nothing.
Chorus: Oh dear!
Reader: So he went and got a job feeding pigs. He was so hungry that he wanted to
eat the pigs food!
Chorus: Yuck!
Reader: But no one gave him anything. The son thought for a while and said
Son: Ill go back to my father and tell him I am sorry I wasted all of his money. No
one is hungry there. Perhaps hell let me work for him.
Reader: And so the son set off for home. (Children wave)
All the time the father had waited for his son to come home. Now here he
was walking down the road. When they hugged the son said.
Son: Father, Im sorry! Please forgive me!
Father: My son I thought you were lost but now you are found. Let us celebrate your
return home!
Chorus: Woo Hoooo! Lets party!

Reflection:

Thank you God for giving dads the gift of forgiveness.
Thank you God for giving dads the gift of patience.
Thank you God for giving dads the gift of kindness.
Thank you God for giving dads the gift of playfulness.
Thank you God for giving dads the gift of knowledge.
Thank you God for giving dads the gift of courage.
Thank you God for giving me the gift of my dad.


Prayers of the Faithful:

Reader 1: Let us pray for Fathers everywhere. The response is Heavenly Father,
hear our prayer.

Response: Heavenly Father, hear our prayer.

Reader 2: We thank you for fathers, Grandfathers and people who are like fathers
to us- for their love, care, guidance, encouragement and wisdom.
Response.

Response: Heavenly Father, hear our prayer.

Reader 3: For those whose fathers have died and whose fathers are sick. We pray
for comfort and support. Response

Response: Heavenly Father, hear our prayer.

Reader 4: For Fathers who are separated from their families. We pray for patience
and ways to build positive relationships. Response

Response: Heavenly Father, hear our prayer.

Reader 5: For fathers and Grandfathers who are role models to us- may they
continue to draw us closer to your loving care. Response

Response: Heavenly Father, hear our prayer.

Reader 5: For priests and religious who become fathers to their church family. May
you bless them with a generous spirit of love. Response.

Response: Heavenly Father, hear our prayer.

Reader 6: God of compassion hear the prayers that we have prayed out loud and in
our hearts. Always remind us of your unchanging love as we pray the
prayer Jesus gave us. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen

Reader 6: Together let us pray the Our Father.

All: Our Father

Reader: We will now recite a special poem about fathers.

What Makes a Dad (A Story for Fathers recited by the Year One children)
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so,
He called it ... Dad



A gift for Fathers:

Reader: We would like to present all our fathers, grandfathers and those who are
like fathers to us, with a special gift.

Liturgical Dance (Beautiful Boy John Lennon)

# Children take a small gift to all fathers at the Prayer Assembly


WE GO

Reader: We ask that all of the fathers, step-fathers, grandfathers and those who are
like fathers stand. (pause)
Can all of the students raise their hand towards these men as we pray for
Gods blessing for them. (pause)
The response after each prayer is Amen

Child: Loving God, we ask your blessing for all Fathers here and for those who cannot be
with us today.

All: Amen

Child: May your Holy Spirit constantly inspire them with justice and mercy, wisdom and
strength, patience and love.

All Amen

Child: May they receive your grace and may they come to experience you through the
care and love they give to us.

All: Amen.

Child: And may Almighty God bless all of us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen

Final Song: Celebrate Fathers Day As One Voice