Gathering together in the Lord’s house, we bring simple gifts into God’s presence – our love, our care for each other, our worshipping hearts and voices. We ask for the grace to continue to show love through the coming week.

Penitential Rite
As we prepare to celebrate, let us call to mind moments when God’s grace lifted us up this week, and moments when our failings let us down (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 for your people: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
God, our provider,
you are the orphan’s hope
and the widow’s bread.

Strengthen our faith,
that with simplicity of heart
we may come to trust in you alone
and hold back nothing in serving you.

Grant 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
1 Kings 17:10-16 — A poor widow’s hospitality to Elijah the prophet is rewarded.
Hebrews 9:24-28 — Christ offers his sacrifice once and for all. When he comes in glory, he will reward those who wait for him.
Mark 12:38-44 — Unlike the showy religious leaders, the poor widow gives with generosity of heart.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) The Lord raises up those who are bowed down, so let us bring forward our prayers with confidence.

1. For all religious leaders — that their faith may be genuine and sincere (pause 10 seconds for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. For Christians — that we may be generous to the poor (pause 10 seconds for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. For our civic leaders — that they may work for justice and peace (pause 10 seconds for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. For a world at war — that there may be peace in Ukraine, Myanmar, Africa and the Middle East (pause 10 seconds for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. For vulnerable people — that the powerful may try to protect the poor (pause 10 seconds for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. For ourselves — that we may love people who are different from us (pause 10 seconds for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for those who have died: For all who have died, particularly those who have lost their lives through war or violence, (for N and N who died recently, and those whose anniversaries occur, N and N) that all the dead may enjoy eternal salvation (pause 10 seconds for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord, you support those in sorrow or pain: help us in all our needs, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
look with favour on the sacrifice we offer,
that the passion of your Son,
which we celebrate in these mysteries,
may become the pattern of our lives.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

Preface (Christian Death 3)
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.

He is the salvation of the world,
the life of the living,
and the resurrection of the dead.

Through him the hosts of angels adore you
and rejoice in your presence for ever.
May our voices join with theirs
in the triumphant chorus of 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,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
[St Leo the Great] 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
Strengthened by this holy food, O Lord,
we give you thanks and seek your mercy,
that, through the outpouring of your Spirit,
those who have been touched by the power of this sacrament
may continue to live in sincerity and truth.
We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING (The Dead)

Bow your heads and pray for God’s blessing.

With surpassing love God has created us
and in the resurrection of Jesus Christ
given us the hope of rising again.

May the God of all consolation
send down upon you every grace and blessing.
R. Amen.

To us who are living may God grant forgiveness of sins
and to the dead a place of light and peace.
R. Amen.

May all of us live eternally with Christ,
who has truly risen from the dead.
R. Amen.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Be Thou My Vision’; ‘Ag Críost an Síol’; ‘On Eagle’s Wings’; ‘Be Not Afraid’; ‘Abide with Me’.