Presider’s Page

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: From the days when the Jewish people wandered in the desert to this very day, God has been food to the hungry and meaning to those who lose their way. We celebrate our Lord’s loving-kindness.

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: United with Christians all over the world, we acknowledge one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God as our Father. We worship as one family, and pray for greater charity and love among all the baptised.

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: Our God is like a shepherd who always looks after the flock: the Lord cares for us in all our needs.

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: God has blessed us in very many ways: God has showered grace upon us. During today’s gathering, we give thanks to the Lord for all we have received.

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: As weak and sinful people, we gather to ask the Lord’s mercy. We know his grace is sufficient for us. Together, we praise and thank our God for the constant care we receive.

Bidding prayers etc for the Sundays of July are given below, beginning with next Sunday. After the suggestions for Sunday 29 July, you’ll find texts to help you welcome summer visitors from abroad.

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: On this first Sunday of July, we give thanks to God for all the gifts we enjoy. We rejoice in God’s saving power: death itself is in his hand and all the living depend on God alone.

Just three birthdays are celebrated by the Church in the Liturgy each year – that of Jesus at the winter solstice, his mother’s on 8th September and that of his cousin John the Baptist near midsummer’s day. John’s birthday comes just after the longest day of the year, when the light begins to decline — just as Jesus’ birthday is after the shortest day, when days begin to lengthen. The placing of these two feasts summarises John the Baptist’s mission: ‘I must decrease, he must increase.’

We celebrate Trinity Sunday today. The feast gives us an opportunity to reflect on the mystery of God, who creates, redeems and makes us holy.

Today we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the second climax of the Easter season. We celebrate ‘the great beginning of the Church’, the day the Holy Spirit first came to confused and frightened disciples.

Parishes and communities organising Exam Masses may find these resources useful

Opening Comment The Ascension of the Lord is celebrated today. The Church also calls this Sunday ‘World Communications Day’. As he left his disciples, Jesus sent them out to spread…

Opening Comment We gather in the love of God, redeemed in the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are people with a mission, challenged to grow in love each day….

Like branches of one tree, we are held together by our faith in Christ. Because we are all part of this one living plant, we come together in thanksgiving and praise to celebrate this Fifth Sunday of Easter.

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often called Good Shepherd Sunday, because the readings are about the care we receive from Christ, our true shepherd, a care Christians are invited to copy. Today is also the day of prayer for vocations.

Throughout the Easter season, the Church continues to announce and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…

An Opening Comment for Sunday’s Mass, short introductions to the readings and sample Prayers of the Faithful are provided to help the hard-pressed presider (with page numbers given to help find the way around the new Missal); this page can be printed out and read from by the presider at the altar.

Opening Comment: In just over ten days time, the Sacred Paschal Triduum will begin, at sunset on Holy Thursday. Today we pray for all the adults and children who will…