We’re two thirds of the way through Advent. Traditionally, today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing’: the pink candle is lit on the Advent wreath. The reason for celebration today is that the day of the Lord’s coming is very near.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
O God, most high and most near,
you send glad tidings to the lowly,
you hide not your face from the poor;
those who dwell in darkness you call into the light.

Take away our blindness,
remove the hardness of our hearts,
and form us into a humble people,
that, at the advent of your Son,
we may recognise him in our midst
and find joy in his saving presence.

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
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 — Isaiah’s message forms the basis for the Magnificat, which follows it as today’s Responsorial Psalm.
I Thessalonians 5:16-24 — We have plenty to be happy about, says St Paul: God has called us. God will not fail us.
John 1:6-8, 19-28 — John the Baptist was the focus of the Gospel last Sunday, and again today. This time his actions are described by St John.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Let us pray to our generous God, who fills the starving with good things.

1. For Pope Francis, on his 87th birthday today — we ask a blessing (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. For those who follow Christ — we ask the gift of joy (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. For all the world — we ask the gift of new hope (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. For Gaza and Ukraine — we ask the gift of peace (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. For people whose hearts are broken — we ask the gift of comfort (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. For the homeless and the hungry — we ask that they get help (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for those who have died For those who have died (especially N and N) — we ask that they may rejoice in God eternally, with Mary and the saints (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of generous love, your mercy continues to embrace the world: hear the prayers of your people, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord,
may the continual offering of the eucharistic sacrifice
carry out the mystery of our redemption
and accomplish your saving work among us.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (ADVENT II) (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.

He is the one foretold by all the prophets,
whom the Virgin Mother awaited with love beyond all telling,
the one whose coming John the Baptist heralded,
and whose presence he proclaimed.
This same Lord invites us to prepare with joy
for the mystery of his birth,
so that when he comes
he may find us watchful in prayer,
our hearts filled with wonder and praise.

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,
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 (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
We implore your mercy, O Lord,
that the power of these divine mysteries may free us from sin
and prepare us for the approaching feast of Christmas.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

Solemn Blessing for the Season of Advent (from 1998 ICEL Missal)

Bow your heads for God’s blessing.

We rejoice at the coming of the Saviour in our flesh,
and we await his return again in glory.

May God the almighty and merciful
bless you by the light of Christ’s coming,
and enrich your lives with every grace.
R. Amen.
May God make you steadfast in faith,
joyful in hope,
and untiring in love all the days of your life.
R. Amen.
May God reward you with eternal life
when our Redeemer comes again in glory.
R. Amen.

SONGS AT MASS ‘O Come Emmanuel’; ‘Christ Be Our Light’; ‘Walk in the Light’.