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Presider’s Page for 2 August (Ordinary Time 18)

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘The King of Love my Shepherd is’; ‘Take and Eat’; ‘Colours of Day’
Opening Comment
Great wonders are proclaimed in today’s Liturgy. God’s love and God’s care for humanity are made manifest.
Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves to listen and share, let us recall God’s bountiful mercy (pause) Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Bountiful and compassionate God,
you place in the hands of your disciples the food of life.
Nourish us at your holy table,
that we may bear Christ to others
and share with them
the gifts we have so richly received.
We make our prayer 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.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Isaiah 55:1-3 — Contains the Lord’s invitation to those in need to have their thirst satisfied.
Romans 8:35, 37-39 — Paul beautifully describes the boundless love of Christ.
Matthew 14:13-21 — Jesus sees to it that the hungry are fed, despite his own grief at the death of John the Baptist.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) The Lord is kind and full of compassion, so we bring our prayers to God in confidence:

  1. That we may appreciate God’s goodness to us (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. That good people may defend those who suffer (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. That Christians may help to feed the hungry (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. That we may welcome immigrants in Ireland (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. That vulnerable and homeless people may be protected (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. That those on holidays may come home refreshed (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for those who have died (especially N and N) and all who have been lost in tragic accidents, that the grieving may realise that nothing can separate us from God’s love (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God our creator, you are close to all who call on you from their hearts:
Continue to show us your compassion and love, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
O Lord,
sanctify these gifts;
receive them as an offering in spirit and in truth
and make of us an everlasting gift to you.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
[In communion with the whole Church,
we have assembled on this day which you have made holy,
and, rejoicing that you have made us a new creation in your risen Son, we pray:]
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..
Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with Francis our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.
Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
 Through him and with him and in him…….
Prayer after Communion
Lord,
surround with your constant protection
the people you renew by this eucharist,
and in your never-failing care for us
make us worthy of eternal redemption.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
 

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