Presider’s Page for 18 March (Fifth Sunday of Lent)

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SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions): ‘Praise to the Holiest’; ‘Grant to us O Lord’; ‘Be Not Afraid’; ‘Make me A Channel of Your Peace’.

Opening Comment
In just over ten days time, the Easter Triduum will begin, at sunset on Holy Thursday. Today we pray for all the baptised for whom Easter brings renewal: may we be fit and ready to renew our promises when this Lent is over.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
In our hearts, O God,
you have written a covenant of grace,
sealed by the obedience of Jesus your Son.
Raise us up with Christ,
the grain fallen to earth
that yields a harvest of everlasting life.
Bring us to glorify your name
by following faithfully where he has led.

We ask this through Christ, our deliverance and hope,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
holy and mighty God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Jeremiah 31:31-34 — A promise of a new covenant, a ‘new deal’ between God and all people, built on love and forgiveness.
Hebrews 5:7-9 — Jesus is the perfect model for us to imitate, because he shows us what obedience is all about.
John 12:20-30 — Jesus explains that he does God’s will always, even by dying. But in his death, his glory is seen.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to God, the source of mercy and compassion.

  1. For all who are preparing to celebrate baptism this Easter (pause a moment for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. For obedience to the will of God among the followers of Christ (pause a moment for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. For Christians being persecuted for their faith today (pause a moment for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. For the continuing faithfulness to God’s word of our brothers and sisters of the Jewish faith (pause a moment for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. For those who hunger and thirst, in many nations, today (pause a moment for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. For the people in need in this community, particularly our sick (pause a moment for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For all who have gone before us in faith, especially N & N (pause a moment for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of mercy and compassion, you give new heart to your people: hear the prayers we make in faith, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Almighty God,
listen to our prayers:
as you have instructed your servants in the Christian faith,
so purify their hearts by the power of this sacrifice.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

PREFACE (Lent II)
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 set aside this season of grace for your people
to renew and purify their hearts,
so that, freed from all harmful desires,
they may live in this passing world
with hearts set on the world that will never end.

Now, with all the angels and saints,
we praise your glory without end: 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.

[SEASON OF LENT
And so, Lord God, in this, the acceptable time,
we celebrate the lenten days of salvation;
turning back to you in repentance
and to one another in reconciliation,
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 Patrick, Saint Joseph], 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
We ask, almighty God,
to be numbered always among the members of Christ,
whose body and blood we share
in this sacrament of unity.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

BLESSING
God of salvation,
let your Son’s passion and death
be for your people
protection from evil in this life
and the sure hope of glory
in the life to come.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

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