Penitential Rite
As we prepare to listen to John the Baptist’s message of repentance, let us call to mind our own need to repent (pause): I confess ..
Opening Prayer (Alternative for Year A, from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Your kingdom is at hand,
O God of justice and peace;
you made John the Baptist its herald
to announce the coming of your Christ,
who baptises with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Give us a spirit of repentance
to make us worthy of the kingdom.
Let complacency yield to conviction,
that in our day justice will flourish
and conflict give way
to the peace you bestow in Christ.
Grant 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 A)
Isaiah 11:1-10 Isaiah looks forward to the coming of a messiah, who will restore harmony and justice.
Romans 15:4-9 Paul reminds us that the scriptures were written to teach about God’s promises.
Matthew 3:1-12 John the Baptist’s call to repentance is described by Matthew.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers before God, who has pity on the weak.

1. For a spirit of repentance among us, we pray … (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. For peace in our world, we pray … (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. For an end to fighting, we pray … (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. For peace in our families, and forgiveness, we pray … (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. For all children, as they wait for Christmas, we pray … (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. For the people who are homeless and hungry, we pray … (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For those we have lost to death (especially N and N), … (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, you save the poor when they cry to you, hear the prayers of all your people, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the gifts (Alternative version, from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord,
in your goodness
be pleased with our prayers and offerings
and, since we can merit nothing of ourselves,
come to our rescue with your mercy.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
PREFACE (ADVENT I) (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
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 I (The Roman Canon) (1998 ICEL Missal version)
All-merciful Father,
we come before you with praise and thanksgiving
through Jesus Christ your Son.
Through him we ask you to accept and bless + these gifts
we offer you in sacrifice.
We offer them for your holy catholic Church:
watch over it, Lord, and guide it,
grant it peace and unity throughout the world.
We offer them for Francis our Pope,
for N. our Bishop,
and for all who hold and teach the catholic faith
that comes to us from the apostles.
Remember, Lord, your faithful people,
especially those for whom we now pray [N. and N.].
Remember all of us gathered here before you.
You know that we believe in you
and dedicate ourselves to you.
We offer you this sacrifice of praise
for ourselves and those who are dear to us;
we pray to you, our living and true God,
for our well-being and redemption.
We pray in communion with the whole Church,
with those whose memory we now honour:
especially with Mary,
the glorious and ever-virgin mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and God,
with Joseph, her husband,
the apostles and martyrs,
Peter and Paul, Andrew,
[James, John,
Thomas, James, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude;
with Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus,
Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus,
John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian,]
and with all the saints.
By their merits and prayers
grant us your constant help and protection.
Lord, accept this offering from your whole family.
Grant us your peace in this life,
save us from final damnation,
and count us among those you have chosen.
Bless and approve our offering,
make it acceptable to you,
an offering in spirit and in truth:
let it become for us
the body and blood of your beloved Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
The day before he suffered
he took bread in his sacred hands,
and looking up to heaven
to you, his almighty Father,
he 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
And so, Lord God,
we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son:
we, your holy people and your ministers,
call to mind his passion,
his resurrection from the dead,
and his ascension into glory;
and from the many gifts you have given us
we offer to you, God of glory and majesty,
this holy and perfect sacrifice,
the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation.
Look with favour on these offerings
and accept them as once you accepted
the gifts of your just servant Abel,
the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchizedek.
Almighty God,
command that your angel carry this sacrifice
to your altar in heaven.
Then, as we receive from this altar
the sacred body and blood of your Son,
let us be filled with every grace and blessing.
Remember, Lord, your servants who have died
and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith,
especially those for whom we now pray [N. and N.].
Grant them and all who sleep in Christ
a haven of light and peace.
For ourselves, too,
sinners who trust in your mercy and love,
we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs,
with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas
[Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter,
Felicity, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy,
Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia,]
and all your saints.
Welcome us into their company,
not considering what we deserve,
but freely granting us your pardon
Through Christ our Lord you give us all these gifts,
you fill them with life and goodness,
you bless them and make them holy.
Through him, with him, in him…..

Prayer after Communion  (Alternative, from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord,
you have nourished us with the food of life.
Through our partaking of this sacrament
teach us to judge wisely the things of earth
and to cherish those of heaven.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Solemn Blessing (Advent) (Alternative, from 1998 ICEL Missal)
We rejoice at the coming of the Saviour in our flesh,
and we await his return again in glory.
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; The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor; The Lord Will Heal the Broken Heart; Christ be our Light.