Santa Maria del Mar Catholic Church
Flagler Beach, FL 32136
Chau Thien Phan, web minister

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
at Santa Maria del Mar
January 18-25, 2009
Theme: That they may become one in your hand.
(Ezekiel 37:15-19, 22-24a)
(This is a work in progress, started on Sunday, July 30, 2006*.)  Updated November 20, 2008

Calling all Christians in Flagler County/Palm Coast
We are now exploring the possibility of a county-wide interdenominational celebration for January 18-25, 2009 in conjunction with the Year of St. Paul (June 29, 2008-June 29, 2009), and we earnestly ask you to consider joining us in planning for it. We envision celebrating events at churches of different denominations, so that members of various congregations can have inter-church visitations.
In order to unite with one another, we must love one another; in order to love one another, we must know one another; 
in order to know one another, we must go and meet one another. Testament of Cardinal Mercier
I want to come and meet with you in person, and look forward to hearing from you. Please e-mail Dr. Chau Phan, coordinator.
In 1908 at Graymoor in Garrison, New York, the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement held the first Church Unity Octave and have prayed for Christian unity, "without ceasing," ever since. Today, Christians around the world celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity together, with the encouragement of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission.
Components for the 2009 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and beyond
The focus of this year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is on Christians who are persecuted around the world
Scriptural basis for Christian Unity

Jesus' prayer for his disciples:

That they all may be one, as You, Father, in me, and I in You; 
that they also may be one in us: 
that the world may believe that You have sent me. 
(Ut omnes unum sint sicut tu Pater in me et ego in te 
ut et ipsi in nobis unum sint 
ut mundus credat quia tu me misisti.) 
John, 17:21.

See full text of John 17

*The Apostle Paul on unity:

I, a prisoner for the Lord,
urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received,
with all humility and gentleness, with patience,
bearing with one another through love,
striving to preserve the unity of the spirit
through the bond of peace:
one body and one Spirit,
as you were also called to the one hope of your call;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all,
who is over all and through all and in all.
(St. Paul to Ephesians, 4:1-6;
Roman Missal: Second reading, Sunday, July 30, 2006)

I urge you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
that all of you agree in what you say, 
and that there be no divisions among you, 
but that you be united in the same mind and in the same purpose. (St. Paul to Corinthians 1:10)

Other passages from the New Testament:

  • John 17:9-11
  • John 10:16  one fold
  • John 15:5  the vine
  • I Cor 1:10-6  let there be unity of mind
  • Gal 3:27-28  all have been baptized in Christ
  • Ephesians 4:1-6, 15-16 unity in the mystical body
  • Gal 1:6-9  if another gospel...
  • John 13:35  by this will all know you are my disciples
  • Acts 4:32  one heart and one soul
  • Acts 20:29  scattered sheep
  • John 10:12  scattered sheep
Please say this prayer often, and daily from January 18 to 25
Let us pray
for all our brothers and sisters 
who share our faith in Jesus Christ,
that God may gather and keep together in one Church
all those who seek the truth with sincerity.

Almighty and eternal God, 
you keep together those you have united.
Look kindly on all who follow Jesus your Son.
We are all consecrated to you by our common baptism.
Make us one in the fullness of faith, 
and keep us one in the fellowship of love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.
From the Roman Missal: Good Friday Solemn Intercessions: V. For the unity of Christians

Preparations for 2009:
One Hundred and One Years of 
Praying for Christian Unity

General Information

Worship Services 
Ecumenical Dialogues
Young man dedicates years to walk the world for Christian unity
VATICAN CITY, April 22, 2008 (CNS) -- While the church officially dedicates a week every year to pray for Christian unity, one young man has dedicated two years to try to heal divisions by walking across the world. Samuel Clear, 29, said when he asked friends and family whether he should circle the planet promoting prayer for unity one of them replied the idea was "too stupid to be anything but from the Lord." After he began his journey on foot 492 days ago from Cabo Branco in Brazil, Clear reached Rome and spent time April 21 speaking with Vatican officials from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity about his mission. Clear told Catholic News Service he was inspired to walk the world not as a pilgrim but as a missionary inviting people to pray for Christian unity. He also asked people he met to join his "walk4one" initiative in which Christians set their clock, watch and cell phone alarms for 4:01 as a reminder to pray daily. Born on the Australian island of Tasmania, Clear had been working for the Catholic youth ministry, Youth Mission Team Australia, before he set out on his journey. See: http://www.ymt.com.au/walk4one/index_2.php
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