Advent begins today; the season is at its shortest this year. During these first two weeks, the Church focuses on the end of time, when Christ will come in glory. Then, for the last week of Advent, we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Advent Wreath Blessing (shorter form)
Let us pray (pause for silent prayer)
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.)

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Rend the heavens and come down,
O God of all the ages!
Rouse us from sleep,
deliver us from our heedless ways,
and form us into a watchful people,
that, at the advent of your Son,
he may find us doing what is right,
mindful of all you command.

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 B)
Isaiah 63:16-17, 64:1, 3-8 — Isaiah regrets that God’s people stray, but affirms that God is the potter, and we are all the work of his hand.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9 — Paul thanks God for the graces received by the Christians in Corinth, and prays that they will remain steady.
Mark 13:33-37 — Be on your guard, says Jesus, because the Master may come unexpectedly.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Because we believe God that will come to our help, we present our prayers:

1. For believers everywhere, that this Advent may help them prepare to meet Christ  (everyone pauses and prays quietly). Lord, hear us.
2. For all who look forward to Christmas, that Christ may be part of their celebration (everyone pauses and prays quietly). Lord, hear us.
3. For people who have no peace, especially those in Ukraine and the Holy Land, that war may soon be a distant memory for them (everyone pauses and prays quietly). Lord, hear us.
4. For homeless families in Ireland, that Christians may open their hearts to vulnerable people (everyone pauses and prays quietly). Lord, hear us.
5. For the elderly, that they may be able to share their wisdom and their faith with young people (everyone pauses and prays quietly). Lord, hear us.
6. For those who suffer from anxiety and depression, that they may know the Lord’s healing power (everyone pauses and prays quietly). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For all the members of this community who have died (especially N and N), and for the homeless people who have died in Ireland this year, that God’s light may shine on them and on all we have lost (everyone pauses and prays quietly). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of hosts, your hand protects your chosen people: listen to our prayers, we ask you, through Christ our Lord. Amen

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
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) (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:

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,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.

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.

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’; ‘Maranatha’; ‘Wait For The Lord’; ‘Christ be our Light’.