Presider’s Page for 1 December (First Sunday of Advent)

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Songs at Mass (Suggestions): Christ, Be our Light; O Comfort My People; O Come, O Come, Emmanuel; Maranatha.

Opening Comment
The season of Advent begins today. During the next 24 days we will look forward in hope. We will watch for the end times, when Christ will come in glory, Christ whose birthday we will celebrate very soon.

Penitential Rite
Entering this time of waiting, let us remember God’s faithfulness as we call to mind our sins (pause)
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom: Lord, have mercy.
You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness: Christ, have mercy.
You will come in glory with salvation: Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer for Year A (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of majesty and power,
amid the clamour of our violence
your Word of truth resounds;
upon a world made dark by sin
the Sun of Justice casts his dawning rays.

Keep your household watchful
and aware of the hour in which we live.
Hasten the advent of that day
when the sounds of war will be for ever stilled,
the darkness of evil scattered,
and all your children gathered into one.

We ask this through him whose coming is certain,
whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings (Year A)
Isaiah 2:1-5 Isaiah gives a prophecy of a time of peace when all people will worship the one God. Romans 13: 11-14 Paul advises the Romans to live decent lives. Matthew 24: 37-44  We’re told to stay alert, because we don’t know when the Master is coming.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Knowing that God is listening, let us make our prayers known.

  1. That every country may look after the very young, especially those who are suffering (we pray quietly for this intention). Lord, hear us.
  2. That people suffering with HIV/AIDS may receive care and support (we pray quietly for this intention). Lord, hear us.
  3. That the people of Syria may soon have peace (we pray quietly for this intention). Lord, hear us.
  4. That refugees may be protected (we pray quietly for this intention). Lord, hear us.
  5. That Christians may be ready to meet Christ when he comes (we pray quietly for this intention). Lord, hear us.
  6. That people who are anxious at this time of year may find peace (we pray quietly for this intention). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for all who have died: For our friends who have died (especially N and N), that eternal rest may be theirs (and for all those who have died from HIV/AIDS) (we pray quietly for this intention). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Loving God, you want what is best for your people, hear our prayers and help us in our needs, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Accept, Lord, our offerings,
chosen from among your many gifts,
and let this present expression of our reverence
become for us the pledge of eternal redemption.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (ADVENT I) (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
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.

When first he came among us
in the lowliness of human flesh,
he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago
and opened for us the way to salvation.
Now, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours,
we watch for the day
when Christ will come again in majesty and glory.

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  (from 1998 ICEL Missal, with Advent interpolation)
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, in joyful expectation
we celebrate the advent of your Christ;
and, raising up our heads to behold
the redemption that is near at hand
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,
[Saint John the Baptist], 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……

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord our God,
grant that in our journey through this passing world
we may learn from these mysteries
to cherish even now the things of heaven
and to cling to the treasures that never pass away.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

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