Liturgy

Opening Comment During this month of October, we thank God for the beautiful gift of life, as we answer the missionary call to spread the Good News to the world….

All are welcome in the house of the Church: “anyone who is not against us is for us”. All are invited to gather to worship God our Saviour.

We gather this Sunday to remember the passion and death of Jesus, and to celebrate his resurrection with joy. He calls us to move beyond rivalry and conflict, to be true followers of the Christian way.

In our journey through life we walk the path Jesus walked, so it is hard for us to escape suffering, no more than he could. We remember his suffering and death, knowing that it brought him glory and that it will do the same for us.

God’s healing power was seen in the ministry of Jesus, and continues in the sacraments, in advances in medicine and in the work of the caring professions. Today we pray for strength, trusting that God will continue to show compassion to the whole world.

Greetings the presider might use at the start of Mass are given here in the more popular European languages, together with a phoenetic version for ministers not fluent in the languages. The suggested script reads: ‘Dear friends who are holidaying with us, we are delighted to welcome you among us.’

Opening Comment 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,…

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: We gather as people who have chosen to serve the Lord, chosen to walk the Christian way. We worship God who leads us on — and ask for strength to continue as we have begun.

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: 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.

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: On this late summer feastday, we worship God who brought the Virgin Mary into glory. She entered heaven because of the victory over death won by Jesus: we hope to share this destiny.

OPENING COMMENT FOR MASS: We gather together as friends, called by the Lord to forgive each other as quickly as God forgives us.

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.