Presider’s Page for 8 November (32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time: Prisoners’ Sunday)

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Songs at Mass (Suggestions)
‘Sing a New Song Unto the Lord’; ‘My Soul is Longing for your Peace’; Abide with Me’; ‘Be Not Afraid’; ‘Christ be our Light’.

Opening Comment
At this time of year, our deceased relatives and friends are often in our minds. Our faith tells us that we needn’t grieve over them like people with no hope. We remember them with love, and entrust them to God’s care.
• Today is “Prisoners’ Sunday” in Ireland

Penitential Rite
As we begin to celebrate God’s enduring mercy, let us call to mind our moments of unfaithfulness: (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 1998 ICEL Missal)
Brighten your Church, O God,
with the promise of your kingdom
and waken our hearts to its light.
Bid us hasten with faith undimmed
to greet the bridegroom’s return
and to enter the wedding feast.

We ask 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
Wisdom 6:12-16 — Wisdom is a gift freely given to those who seek it. Wisdom never disappoints.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 — We’re assured that we needn’t grieve over the dead like people with no hope.
Matthew 25: 1-13 — A warning against complacency: we need to be ready, to ‘stay awake.’

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) My sisters and brothers in Christ, God’s love is better than life, so we present our prayers to the Lord:

  1. On this Prisoners’ Sunday, we remember for prisoners and their families (pray quietly a moment, then…..) Lord, hear us.
  2. For prison officers — that they may show sensitivity and respect (pray quietly a moment, then…..) Lord, hear us.
  3. For all Christians — that we may receive the gift of wisdom (pray quietly a moment, then…..) Lord, hear us.
  4. For people fearful of COVID-19 — that they may have courage (pray quietly a moment, then…..) Lord, hear us.
  5. For those who feel lonely in lockdown — that friends may keep in touch with them (pray quietly a moment, then…..) Lord, hear us.
  6. For all who grieve — that God may console them (pray quietly a moment, then…..) Lord, hear us.

The priest prays for the dead of the locality: For all we have lost to death (especially N&N who died recently, and those whose anniversaries occur, N&N), that their hope in God may be rewarded (pray quietly a moment, then…..) Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) O God of endless love, in the shadow of your wings we find refuge: hear the prayers we humbly make, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
look with favour on the sacrifice we offer,
that the passion of your Son,
which we celebrate in these mysteries,
may become the pattern of our lives.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time IV)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

His birth brought the human race a new beginning;
by his suffering he wiped away our sins;
by rising from the dead he opened the way to eternal life;
and by his ascension to you, Father, he unlocked the gates of heaven.

And so we join the throng of saints and angels
as they sing the unending hymn of your praise:

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
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, 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
Strengthened by this holy food, O Lord,
we give you thanks and seek your mercy,
that, through the outpouring of your Spirit,
those who have been touched by the power of this sacrament
may continue to live in sincerity and truth.
We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING (Masses offered for the Dead)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing……

With surpassing love God has created us
and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
given us the hope of rising again.
May the God of all consolation
send down upon you every grace and blessing.
R. Amen.
To us who are living may God grant forgiveness of sins
and to the dead a place of light and peace.
R. Amen.
May all of us live eternally with Christ,
who has truly risen from the dead.
R. Amen.

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