Presider’s Page for 16 July (15th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

We gather as pilgrims on a journey, asking God to keep us steadfast until we reach our eternal home. In the Spirit, let us worship God who cares for us according to our needs.

Penitential Rite
Because the seeds of faith may not have fully taken root in our lives, let us call to mind our sins (pause):
I confess …

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of the heavens,
God of the earth,
all creation awaits your gift of new life.
Prepare our hearts
to receive the word of your Son,
that his gospel may grow within us
and yield a harvest that is a hundredfold.
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
Isaiah 55:10-11 — The first reading and Gospel both describe the sowing of seeds of faith and the production of a successful crop in our lives.
Romans 8:18-23 — Paul tells us that our sufferings here can’t be compared with the glory awaiting us.
Matthew 13:1-23 — Jesus uses the parable of the sower and explains it.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) My friends, the Lord crowns our lives with goodness, so we present our intercessions with confidence:

1. That all the members of the Church may hear God’s word and understand it. (Pause for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us.
2. That new converts may be firmly rooted in the Word of God. (Pause for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us.
3. That those whose faith is weak may be strengthened by God’s love. (Pause for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us.
4. That people who have strayed from the faith may re-discover the beauty of Christian life. (Pause for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us.
5. That farmers may be happy with this year’s crop. (Pause for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us.
6. That those who are far from home may experience kindness. (Pause for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead For our friends who have gone before us in death (especially N and N) that they may share the glory awaiting all believers. (Pause for a moment, then….) Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God our creator, you provide for the earth and for all who live, listen to the prayer we make to you today, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
look kindly on the gifts of your Church gathered in prayer,
and grant to the faithful who will receive them
an increase in holiness and grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time V)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

All things are of your making,
all times and seasons obey your law.
But you fashioned the human family in your own image
and set us over the world in all its wonder,
that we might be stewards of your creation,
praising you day by day
for the marvels of your might and wisdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

And so, with all the angels and saints,
we sing the joyful hymn of your 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,
[Our Lady of Mount Carmel]
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
Nourished by these holy gifts,
we pray to you, Lord,
that each time we celebrate this mystery
your work of salvation may grow within us.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Songs for Mass (Suggestions) ‘How Lovely on the Mountains’; ‘Ag Críost an Síol’; ‘Now Thank We All Our God’.