Presider’s Page for 16 August (Ordinary Time 20)

Opening Comment
Everyone is welcome in God’s house, everyone who loves God’s name. We gather to experience the warmth of this embrace.

Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves, let us call to mind our sins, remembering God’s compassion for sinners: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom: Lord, have mercy.
You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness: Christ, have mercy.
You will come in glory with salvation: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of the nations,
to your table all are invited
and in your family no one is a stranger.

Satisfy the hunger
of those gathered in this house of prayer,
and mercifully extend to all the peoples on earth
the joy of salvation and faith.

Grant this 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 56:1, 6-7 — God’s laws are simple to understand: even foreigners can live by them. Our God is the god of all people.
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 — Paul longs to see the Jews realise that Jesus is their Messiah, even though he admits God’s plan is beyond our understanding.
Matthew 15:21-28 — The Canaanite woman was persistent, a reminder that persistent faith is fruitful.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) God sheds his light on us, so we bring our prayers with confidence:

1. That people everywhere may work for justice (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. That everyone may feel welcome in God’s house (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. That Christians may fight prejudice (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. That we may show kindness to people from other countries (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. That our schools may be safe places for pupils and teachers (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. That all who suffer, in mind, body or spirit, may be healed (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For our brothers and sisters who have died (especially N & N) that they may come to God’s holy mountain, along with those whose faith is known to God alone (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Gracious God, all the nations find their help in you: teach us to trust in your love as you grant our petitions, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
in this wonderful exchange of gifts
accept the offerings you have given us,
that we in turn may receive the gift of yourself.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IV
Father most holy,
it is right for us to give you thanks,
it is right to give you glory,
for you are the one God, living and true.
Before time began and for all eternity
you dwell in unapproachable light.

Source of life and goodness, you have created all things,
that they may abound with every blessing
and rejoice in the radiance of your light.

Countless hosts of angels stand before you
and gaze upon your splendour;
night and day they serve you
and worship you without end.

We join with them
and, giving voice to every creature under heaven,
we acclaim you and glorify your name: Holy, holy, holy….

Father most holy, we proclaim your greatness:
all your works show forth your wisdom and love.
You formed man and woman in your own likeness
and entrusted the whole world to their care,
so that in serving you alone, their Creator,
they might be stewards of all creation.
Even when they disobeyed you and turned away from your friendship,
you did not abandon them to the power of death,
but extended your hand in mercy,
that all who search for you might find you.

Again and again you offered the human race a covenant
and through the prophets nurtured the hope of salvation.

Father, you so loved the world
that in the fullness of time
you sent your only Son to be our Saviour.
Made flesh by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary,
he lived as one of us in all things but sin.

To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation,
to prisoners, freedom,
and to those in sorrow, joy.
In order to fulfil your purpose
he gave himself up to death,
and by rising from the dead
he destroyed death and restored life.

And that we might live no longer for ourselves
but for him who died and rose for us,
he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,
as his first gift to those who believe,
to complete his work on earth
and renew the world in perfect holiness.

Lord God,
we pray that the same Holy Spirit may sanctify these gifts:
let them become the body + and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that we may celebrate the great mystery
which he left us as an everlasting covenant.

When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you,
Father most holy,
having loved his own who were in the world,
he loved them to the end.
While they were at supper,
he took bread and said the blessing;
he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

In the same way he took the cup filled with wine;
he gave you thanks and, giving the cup to his disciples, 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….

And so, Lord God,
we celebrate the memorial of our redemption:
we recall Christ’s death and his descent among the dead;
we proclaim his resurrection and his ascension to your right hand;
and, looking forward to his coming in glory,
we offer you the sacrifice of his body and blood,
an offering acceptable to you,
which brings salvation to all the world.

Lord, look upon the sacrifice
which you yourself have prepared for your Church;
and by your Holy Spirit
gather all who share this one bread and one cup
into one body, a living sacrifice in Christ,
to the praise and glory of your name.

Lord, remember those for whom we make this offering:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N., and all bishops,
the priests, deacons, and other ministers of your Church,
those who take part in this offering,
those here present, all your people,
and all who seek you with a sincere heart.

Remember those who have died in the peace of Christ
and all the dead whose faith is known only to you.

Merciful Father, grant that we, your children,
may enjoy the inheritance of heaven
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and all your saints.
There, together with all creation,
set free from the corruption of sin and death,
we shall sing your glory
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bless the world with all 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
God of mercy,
through this holy eucharist
you make us one body in Christ.
Fashion us in his likeness here on earth,
that we may be ready to share his company in heaven,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

Songs  ‘All the ends of the earth’; ‘Glory and Praise to our God’; ‘Sing a New Song’.