As we move from summer to autumn, we praise God who sustains us all year round. We ask for help with new undertakings and perseverance with continuing projects, knowing that nothing will work well without God’s grace.

• Today is World Day for the Care of Creation, the first day of the Season of Creation (1 Sept to 4 October).

Penitential Rite
As we make a new start, we remember moments of failure in the context of God’s everliving mercy (pause):
I confess….

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Father of light,
giver of every good and perfect gift,
bring to fruition the word of truth
sown in our hearts by your Son,
that we may rightly understand your commandments,
live your law of love,
and so offer you worship that is pure and undefiled.

Grant 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
Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 — Moses tells the people of Israel to keep faithful to God’s law.
James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27 — For the Sundays of September, the second reading will be from the letter of James. This is a collection of popular moral teachings, similar in style to the Sermon on the Mount. The faith is explained in a simple, down-to-earth way.
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 — Having read from John’s Gospel for the last few Sundays, we resume the continuous reading of the Gospel of Mark today. Jesus reminds the religious leaders that what’s on the inside of people is more important than externals.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to the Lord with confidence:

1. For a deep respect for creation — that all people may care for our common home (pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
2. For Pope Francis — that God may sustain him as he travels to East Asia this week (pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
3. For all church leaders — that they may avoid Jesus’ words of condemnation (pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
4. For Christians — that they may show their faith by helping the poor (pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
5. For all who lack food, clothing and shelter — that their human dignity may always be respected (pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
6. For our community, as parish activities resume after the summer break — that God may be with us, as we make a new start together (pray quietly). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For the faithful departed, especially those who died over the summer months: (pause to remember the recently deceased) and for N. and N. whose anniversaries occur: that our loved ones may live in the presence of the Lord (pray quietly). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God our creator, your love for your people has no end: hear our prayers and give us your supporting grace, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the gifts
Lord,
may this eucharistic offering
bless us always with your saving grace
and accomplish in our lives
the redemption that it signifies.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE: Sundays in Ordinary Time 1
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 (III)
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, 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, 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
God of blessings,
we have been fed at this table
with the bread of heaven.
Give us this food always,
that it may strengthen your love in our hearts
and inspire us to serve you in our brothers and sisters.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord

Solemn Blessing (Start of a new year in parish life)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
The priest says the solemn blessing with hands outstretched over the people.
May God, the source of every blessing,
grant you the fullness of grace
and keep you safe throughout the coming year.
R. Amen.
May God safeguard the purity of your faith,
give you an unwavering hope
and a love that patiently endures to the end.
R. Amen.
May God order your works and days in peace,
listen to your every prayer,
and lead you safely to eternal life……

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions): ’Be Thou my Vision’; O The Word Of My Lord’; ‘Christ be Our Light’; ‘Now Thank We All Our God’.