Whoever eats the flesh of the Lord and drinks his blood will live for ever. We celebrate Jesus’ promise, believing we will share the eternal destiny of all who have this divine life in them.

Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves to celebrate these sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins (pause)
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood. Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Wise and gracious God,
you spread a table before us
and nourish your people with the word of life
and the bread from heaven.
In our sharing of these holy gifts,
show us our unity in you
and give us a taste of the life to come.

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
Proverbs 9:1-6 — Wisdom is depicted in female form, inviting the foolish to be fed from her table and thus become wise.
Ephesians 5:15-20 — Paul tells Christians to give good example and to bless God for everything.
John 6:51-58 — Jesus is the Bread of Life: whoever eats this bread will live for ever.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Those who revere the Lord lack nothing, so we bring our prayers to God with confidence.

1. For all who celebrate the Eucharist this weekend — that we may appreciate the Bread of Life we share.For those who feel unworthy to receive Communion — that they may realise that God never deserts them.

   For people who find faith hard — that the good lives of Christians may bring them to Christ.

   For all who sing at Mass — that they may one day join in the beautiful music of heaven.

   For peace in our troubled world — that world leaders may bring nations back from the brink of war

   For those receiving exam results this week — that they may make good choices

   The Presider prays for the dead: For our brothers and sisters who have died (especially N & N), that having eaten the Bread of Life, they may live forever (pray quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord our God, those who seek you lack no blessing: hear the prayers we make in faith, and continue to help us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the gifts
Lord God,
in this wonderful exchange of gifts
accept the offerings you have given us,
that we in turn may receive the gift of yourself.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Holy Eucharist 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.
He is the true and eternal priest,
who founded this memorial of his unending sacrifice.
He gave himself to you as victim for our deliverance,
and commanded us to make this offering in his memory.
As we eat his body, given for us,
we grow in strength.
As we drink his blood, poured out for us,
we are washed clean.
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)
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,
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,
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
God of mercy,
through this holy eucharist
you make us one body in Christ.
Fashion us in his likeness here on earth,
that we may be ready to share his company in heaven,
where he lives and reigns for ever and ever.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions): ‘One Bread, One Body’, ‘All are Welcome ‘, ‘Take and eat’, ‘I Am the Bread of Life’.