Throughout these summer months, trees, plants and grasses grow and flourish. Our faith is also to grow and flourish during these Sundays of Ordinary Time. The green vestments worn by the celebrant signify continuing growth in faith.
• Today is celebrated as Father’s Day, so in the Mass we remember and pray for the fathers of our community. Today is also DAY FOR LIFE in Ireland and Britain.

Penitential Rite
We call to mind ways we have failed to show love in our families, remembering also the Lord’s forgiving love (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…

Opening Prayer (Alternative version, from 1998 ICEL Missal)
O God,
at whose bidding the seed will sprout
and the shoot grow toward full stature,
hear the prayer of your assembled people.

Make us trust in your hidden ways,
that we may pray with confidence
and wait for your kingdom now growing in our midst.

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
Ezekiel 17:22-24 The Lord raises a great tree to himself, humbling all other trees considered great. This tree is an image of the mustard tree mentioned in the Gospel
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 Christains are always full of confidence, which is built on the Lord.
Mark 4:26-34 Jesus presents two parables with images of growth in creation, which echo the growth of faith.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider): We turn to the God of love and ask for help

1. That Church leaders may help us to keep our faith fresh (pause, then…) Lord, hear us.
2. That all who are at the end of their lives may receive compassion and hope (pause, then…) Lord, hear us.
3. That immigrants and refugees may be welcomed by the Christians of Europe (pause, then…) Lord, hear us.
4. That farmers and gardeners may be rewarded for their work with creation (pause, then…) Lord, hear us.
5. That young people sitting exams may have God’s help (pause, then…) Lord, hear us.
6. That our fathers may be blessed on this Father’ Day (pause, then…) Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For all the faithful departed (especially N & N), and remembering too the fathers who have died, that God the loving Father may reunite us with all whom we have loved in eternal life (pause, then…) Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of love and kindness, we rejoice in your protection: give us the grace we need, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
In these gifts, O Lord,
you provide humankind
with the food that nourishes
and the sacrament that gives us life.
Grant, we pray, that our minds and bodies
may never lack this strength and support.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time II)
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.

Out of compassion for us sinners
he humbled himself to be born of the Virgin.
By suffering on the cross, he freed us from unending death;
by rising from the dead, he gave us eternal life.

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 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
Lord,
as the communion we have received
prefigures the union of all the faithful in you,
so may its power
bring unity and peace to your Church.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

BLESSING FOR FATHERS (from the CCCB Book of Blessings 1981)
Lord Jesus, our brother,
we praise you for saving us.
Teach us to love you and your Father
by keeping your commandments.

Bless + these fathers,
and deepen their love for their wives and families.
By their work and example and prayer,
may they lead their children to you,
you who live and reign with the Father and Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever. Amen.

And may the blessing of almighty God……

Songs at Mass (Suggestions): ‘How Great Thou Art’; Here I am, Lord’; ‘Sweet Heart of Jesus’; ‘Let us Build the City of God’.