Presider’s Page for 28 November (First Sunday of Advent, Year C)

Opening Comment
Advent begins today. During these days, we look forward, waiting in hope. We watch for the end times, when Christ will come in glory, Christ who was born for us just over 2,000 years ago.

Advent Wreath Blessing (may take the place of the Penitential Act)
Let us pray (pause)
Father, all powerful Lord of Light, bless + our wreath of evergreens.
May the increasing light of these candles brighten our minds and hearts
to be steadfast in faith, joyful in hope and untiring in love,
so that we are ready again to receive in true peace Jesus, the Light of the World,
who lives and reigns with you, for ever and ever. Amen. (Sprinkling follows, and lighting of first candle.)

Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
God our Saviour,
you utter a word of promise and hope
and hasten the day of justice and freedom,
yet we live in a world forgetful of your word,
our watchfulness dulled by the cares of life.

Keep us alert. Make us attentive to your word,
ready to look on your Son when he comes with power and great glory.
Make us holy and blameless, ready to stand secure
when the day of his coming shakes the world with terror.

We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings (Year C)
Jeremiah 33:14-16 Jeremiah’s prophecy looks to the day when a son of David will bring salvation. Christians see this fulfilled in Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 to 4:2 Grow in love, says Paul; be blameless when the Lord comes in glory. Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Jesus warns his followers to be vigilant.

BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Because God is faithful and loving, we can bring forward our intentions with confidence.

For believers, that we may be ready when the Lord comes (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

For those who are sad, that we may be nice to each other (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

For people in need, that this Advent we may help them (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

For those who suffer from COVID-19, that they may have hope (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

For healthcare workers, and those who test for COVID-19 (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

On World AIDS Day this week, we also remember people with HIV and AIDS  (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For all who have died (especially N and N), including people who died from an AIDS-related disease, that all the dead may have peace and rest in the Kingdom (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord, you are a true friend to those who revere you: be our support in all our needs, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Accept, Lord, our offerings,
chosen from among your many gifts,
and let this present expression of our reverence
become for us the pledge of eternal redemption.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (ADVENT I)
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.

When first he came among us
in the lowliness of human flesh,
he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago
and opened for us the way to salvation.
Now, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours,
we watch for the day
when Christ will come again in majesty and glory.

And so, with angels and archangels,
with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending chorus of praise: Holy, holy, holy…

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III (from 1998 ICEL Missal, with Advent interpolation)
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, in joyful expectation
we celebrate the advent of your Christ;
and, raising up our heads to behold the redemption that is near at hand
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 Francis Xavier], 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……..

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord our God,
grant that in our journey through this passing world
we may learn from these mysteries
to cherish even now the things of heaven
and to cling to the treasures that never pass away.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

Solemn Blessing for the Season of Advent (from 1998 ICEL Missal)

Bow your heads for God’s blessing.

May God the almighty and merciful
bless you by the light of Christ’s coming,
and enrich your lives with every grace.
R. Amen.
May God make you steadfast in faith,
joyful in hope,
and untiring in love all the days of your life.
R. Amen.
May God reward you with eternal life
when our Redeemer comes again in glory.
R. Amen.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’; ‘Maranatha’; ‘Wait For The Lord’; ‘Christ be our Light’.