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Rise up, Jerusalem, and come forth; the glory of God dawns upon you; over you God's splendour is revealed.
Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you.
Today we honour those who brought the Gospel to our land: our mothers and fathers, apostles to their children–who kept alive in family a love of Christ and Church. Today we call to mind the hardship and toil that our ancestors accepted so freely, to raise on this ground a wondrous house of God. Today we praise their steadfast faith that overcame the many trials and frustrations that blocked their path and caused them pain.
Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you.
How good it is to praise the God who builds Jerusalem, who heals the broken - hearted, and binds up their wounds.
Today we offer thanks for our fishers, farmers and sealers, and all those valiant men and women who freely gave of their poverty to endow this building with riches. Today we honour their leaders, our bishops, especially Bishop Fleming, whose vision inspired this Church, and Bishop Mullock who completed it. Today we voice praise for all who built this holy temple: architects and engineers, artists and construction workers; men, women, and children who toiled without wages; whose hands created a monument to God's glory.
Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you.
Exult, Jerusalem, look about you and see; sons and daughters come from afar to nourish themselves at your altar, and spread your word throughout this land.
Today we recall the countless priests from our own island and throughout the world who served you in this temple, and tended to your people night and day. Today we recognize the many religious orders who brought the light of Christ to these shores, and fanned it into a flame in the hearts of your people. Today we acknowledge the zealous missionaries who went forth from these shores, to bring the knowledge of Christ to far - off lands and so to share with others the blessings of this place.
Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you.
Glad was I when they said to me: "Let us go to the house of the Lord." And now, Jerusalem, our feet stand within your gates.
Today we honour parishioners of times past whose devoted efforts kept this house a noble building, and whose faithful worship made it sacred. Today we celebrate the parishioners of the present day, who gather within these walls as the Body of Christ, to voice to God their constant prayer of praise. Today we pray for parishioners yet to come, that they may ever discover in this hallowed space the dwelling place of God and the home of the Church.
In your midst, Jerusalem, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in the presence of God's people, we offer our sacrifice of praise.
Let the people praise you, O God; let all the people praise you.
Amen.
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Text: Most Reverend Raymond J. Lahey, D.D.
Brother J.B. Darcy, C.F.C.
Music: Kathrine E. Bellamy, R.S.M.
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