Presider’s Page for 17 May (Sixth Sunday of Easter)

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Opening Comment
Each Sunday in Easter time, we celebrate the gifts we receive in Baptism and Confirmation. We rejoice that the Spirit is our Advocate, who continues to support us in the difficulties of life, and particularly in this pandemic.

Penitential Rite
As we gather for this celebration, we rely on the Spirit’s help in our weakness (pause)
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Faithful God,
who love us in Christ Jesus,
send your Spirit of truth to dwell within us,
that we may always reject what is false,
live by the commands of Christ,
and be true to the love you have shown us.

Grant this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 — Describes the continuing successes in the early Church, and the giving of the Spirit to new believers.
1 Peter 3:15-18 — Peter writes that Christians should be able to give a reason for the hope that is in them.
John 14:15-21 — Jesus repeats his commandment of love, and promises the gift of the Spirit.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) The works of God are tremendous, so with confidence we make our prayers known.

  1. For Pope Francis and all our leaders in faith —that the Spirit may inspire them in these difficult days (pray quietly in your heart for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us
  2. For people paralysed by fear of COVID-19  —that God may give them courage (pray quietly in your heart for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us
  3. For our friends who are sick, in hospitals or nursing homes —that the Spirit may help them each day (pray quietly in your heart for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us
  4. For health professionals,  carers and all who support those afflicted— that the Spirit may renew their courage every day (pray quietly in your heart for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us
  5. For people who work in shops and who keep them stocked — that they may be rewarded for keeping our country going (pray quietly in your heart for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us
  6. For those who couldn’t celebrate Confirmation because of the pandemic — that the Spirit may console and strengthen them (pray quietly in your heart for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us

The Presider prays for the dead: For our brothers and sisters who have died (especially N & N),  that they may be raised to life in the Spirit (pray quietly in your heart, then….) Lord, hear us

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of love and compassion, you never reject our prayer: let your good Spirit guide us each day, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
let our prayers and offerings rise before you,
that we whom you have cleansed in baptism
may respond worthily to the mystery of your great love.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Easter IV)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
that we should always sing your glory, Lord;
but we praise you with greater joy than ever
in this Easter season
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.

In him a new age has dawned:
the long reign of sin is ended,
a broken world has been restored,
and life for us is once again made whole.

Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory::Holy, holy, holy…..

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III
Lord, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure offering may be made
to the glory of your name.

And so, Lord God, we humbly pray
by the power of your Spirit sanctify these gifts
we have brought before you,
that they may become the body + and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.

On the night he was handed over to death,
he took bread and gave you thanks and praise;
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 and praise,
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…..

Calling to mind, Lord God
the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and eagerly awaiting the day of his return,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.

Look with favour on your Church’s offering
and see the Victim by whose sacrifice
you were pleased to reconcile us to yourself.

Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
may be filled with his Holy Spirit
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.

Let him make us an everlasting gift to you,
that we may share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
[Saint Brendan the Navigator], and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.

Lord, may this sacrifice
which has made our peace with you
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N.,
all bishops, priests, and deacons,
all ministers of your Church,
and the entire people your Son has gained for you.

Merciful Father,
hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you,
and unite to yourself all your children
now scattered over the face of the earth.
Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters
and all who have left this world in your friendship.
We hope to enjoy with them your everlasting glory,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you give the world everything that is good.

Through him, with him, In him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
All-powerful and ever-living God,
in the resurrection of Christ you restore us to eternal life.
Increase within us the effects of this Easter mystery
and pour out in our hearts the strength of this saving food.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Christ Be Beside Me’; Spirit of the Living God’; ‘Ubi Caritas (Taizé)’.

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