The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring us and guarding us. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.
• Ireland’s ‘Day for Life’ is celebrated today, with the theme: ‘Caring for the Older Person’.

Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us call to mind our sins: (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 for your people: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God, the rock of our salvation,
whose gifts can never fail,
deepen the faith you have already bestowed
and let its power be seen in your servants.
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
Habakkuk 1: 2-3, 2:2-4 In difficult times, faithfulness sustains people.
2 Timothy 1: 6-8,13-14 The Spirit is powerfully present with us.
Luke 17: 5-10 The importance of having faith.

BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us make our prayers known to God our creator.

1. For an end to war and hatred (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
2. For the care of those excaping from terror in Ukraine (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
3. For a greater respect for the earth, our common home (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
4. For a new belief in the value of older persons  (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
5. For older people who suffer from pain or loneliness (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
6. For those who are sick – that we may be healed (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For our friends who have died in Christ (especially N and N), that all those we have lost to death may be part of God’s flock forever (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God you are our rock, you made us and know all our needs, listen to our prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
accept the sacrifice
which we celebrate at your command
and offer as a sign of our faithful service.
Through its power accomplish within us
the holy work of your redemption.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time 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.
Through the mystery of his cross and resurrection
he freed us from the yoke of sin and death
and called us to the glory that has made us
a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people set apart to proclaim your mighty works,
for you have called us out of darkness
into your own wonderful light.
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 II (with interpolation for Sunday morning)
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
Almighty God,
may the bread we have broken
and the cup we have tasted
fill us with life and gladness
and transform us into the Christ we have received,
for he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

REFLECTION: Pope Francis has recently offered a positive perspective on the value and worth of older persons. In his Catechesis on Old Age, he writes, ‘The alliance between generations, which restores all ages of life to the human, is our lost gift and we have to get it back. It must be found, in this throwaway culture and in the culture of productivity.’ He invites us to listen to the dreams of older women and men and to learn from their wisdom (Joel 2:28). Older persons have a different rhythm to life from which we can learn. He continues, ‘The arrogance of the time on the clock must be converted into the beauty of the rhythms of life.’

SONGS FOR TODAY’S MASS
The Lord’s My Shepherd; Ag Críost an Síol; Eagles’ Wings; Holy God, We Praise Thy Name.