An Act of Faith to close the Year of Faith

Priest: Brothers and Sisters the Year of faith is closed, but the door of faith remains open.

Priest: O Good Shepherd You know and call each of us by name All (sung): Like a shepherd he feeds his flock, And gathers the lambs in his arms. Holding them carefully close to his heart, Leading them home.

Priest: We have heard your voice and have entered the sheepfold through the Door of Faith All (sung): Like a shepherd he feeds his flock, And gathers the lambs in his arms. Holding them carefully close to his heart, Leading them home.

Priest: Dear brothers and sisters, through Baptism we received the gift of Faith, so in Faith we renew the promises made at our baptism All (sung): This is our Faith, this is the Faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus. Priest: And so I ask you....

Priest: Do you renounce sin, so as to live in the freedom of the children of God?

I do. Lord, all we want is to live in the freedom you offer. We want to reject the unloving choices we have made, and the sinful failures to love others.

We commit ourselves to feeding the hungry, to giving drink to the thirsty, and to welcoming the stranger, to clothing the naked, to caring for the sick and to visiting the prisoner.

Priest: Do you reject the lure of evil, so that sin may have no mastery over you?

I do. Lord, we admit that some weaknesses have a hold on us: Lord, we renew our commitment this day to turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.

By this promise, we commit ourselves to greater courage to act justly, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly in your presence.

Priest: Do you reject Satan, the author and prince of sin?

I do. Lord, as we renew these promises we now promise to you, and to our sisters and brothers who depend upon our faithfulness, that we renew our commitment to reject all that is contrary to the Gospel, so as to enable your reign among us.

Priest: Do you believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth?

I do. Lord, you made us and give us life every day. Lord shepherd us, and guide us with your loving hands.

Priest: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was born of the Virgin Mary, suffered death and was buried, rose again from the dead, and is seated at the right hand of the Father?

I do. Lord, you made us and give us life every day. Lord shepherd us, and guide us with your loving hands.

Priest: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?

I do. Holy Spirit of Jesus, Jesus promised not to leave us orphans. We so desire to be enkindled with the fire of your love, that we might be renewed in courage.

We believe in and renew our commitment to your work among us. We want to contribute to the unity that you desire for us. We promise to be merciful, for we have known your mercy.

As this Year of Faith concludes, we still seek to journey along your paths through the Door of Faith.

Priest: And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has given us new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins, keep us by his grace, in Christ Jesus our Lord, for eternal life. Amen.

All (sung): This is our Faith, this is the Faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it, in Christ Jesus.