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.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
In every age, O God,
you give your people freedom
to walk in faith
or to turn away.
Grant us grace
to remain faithful to your Holy One,
whose words are spirit and life,
Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18 — Given a choice by Joshua, the people of Israel decide to serve the Lord, thus renewing the covenant.
Ephesians 5:25-32 (omitting first two sentences in Lectionary and beginning ‘Husbands should love their wives…’) — St Paul uses images from the husband-wife relation ship, as it was viewed in his time, to represent Christ’s love for the Church.
John 6:60-69 — After hearing Jesus describe himself as the bread of life, some of the disciples stopped following him. But Peter spoke for the loyalty of those who remained.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Sisters and brothers, the Lord is close to the broken-hearted, so let us pray for God’s assistance.

1. For the gift of faith,  that we may not be slow to accept what Christ has taught (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. For the gift of courage, that those who have difficulty believing may continue to search for truth (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. For the gift of true love, that all married people may be as close to each other as Christ is to the Church (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. For the gift of wisdom, that students and teachers returning to school at this time of year may have the strength they need (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. For the gift of peace, in a troubled world, peace with justice for all (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. For the gift of God’s help and grace for all who are sick or in any difficulty (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For the gift of eternal life for our dead (especially N & N), that the message of eternal life may be fulfilled for them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord our God, you save those whose spirits are crushed: hear our prayers and give us the gifts we need, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the gifts
Lord,
by the offering of Christ,
made once and for all,
you adopted a people as your own;
graciously bestow on your family, the Church,
the gifts of unity and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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

You so loved the world
that you gave your only Son as our Redeemer.
You sent him as one like ourselves,
though free from sin,
that you might love in us what you love in Christ.
Your gifts of grace, lost when we disobeyed you,
are now restored by the obedience of your Son.

And so we join the angels and saints
in the joyous hymn of your praise: Holy, holy, holy…

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
[In communion with the whole Church,
we have assembled on this day which you have made holy,
and, rejoicing that you have made us a new creation in your risen Son,
we pray:]

Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
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,
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…..

Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with Francis our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.

Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.

Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.

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
Complete within us, Lord,
the healing work of your mercy,
and by your grace transform and strengthen us,
that we may please you in all that we do.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Be Thou My Vision’; ‘Blest be the Lord’; ‘Shepherd Me O God’; ‘On Eagles Wings’.