SONGS AT MASS: Christ Be Beside Me; Spirit of the living God; Ag Críost an Síol ; Bring Flowers of the Rarest…

Opening Comment
The Ascension of Jesus will be celebrated next Sunday. As the Easter Season moves towards its second climax at Pentecost, we take heed of the Lord’s final words to his disciples, and look forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit to the Church.

Penitential Rite
As we prepare to listen to the Lord’s words, we rely on the Spirit’s help in our weakness: (pause)
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Great and loving Father,
your will for us in Jesus
is the peace the world cannot give;
your abiding gift
is the Advocate he promised.

Calm all troubled hearts,
dispel every fear.
Keep us steadfast in love
and faithful to your word,
that we may always be your dwelling place.

Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead,
who lives and reigns with you now and always
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 15: 1-2, 22-29 An early controversy in the Church concerned whether Jewish observances should bind those who were not Jewish by birth: today’s reading describes how this dispute was settled.
Apocalypse 21: 10-14, 22-23 In John’s vision, the light of God’s presence in heaven is so bright that every other light seems pale in comparison
John 14: 23-29 The Lord speaks of the gifts available to belivers – the gift of peace, the gift of the Spirit.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) As God’s people gathered in prayer, we present our needs to our loving Father:

1. That nations thirsting for peace may receive the Spirit’s gift of harmony (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. That Russia’s cruel war in Ukraine may come to an end (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. That Ukranian refugees may continue to be safeguarded and protected (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. That the Church in China may be guided by the prayers of Our Lady Help of Christians (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. That young people recently confirmed may feel the Holy Spirit close to them (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. That those preparing for exams may have God’s grace in abundance. (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For our brothers and sisters who have died (especially N and N) that the gates of the new Jerusalem may open wide to receive them (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion  (by the Presider) O God of power and might, you graciously bless your people: give us confidence that our needs are heard and answered, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
let our prayers and offerings rise before you,
that we whom you have cleansed in baptism
may respond worthily to the mystery of your great love.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Easter 2)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
that we should always sing your glory, Lord;
but we praise you with greater joy than ever
in this Easter season
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.

Through him the children of light rise to eternal life
and the gates of heaven are unlocked
to receive his faithful people.
For his death is our ransom from death
and in his resurrection all are raised to new life.

Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory: Holy, holy, holy

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sundays)
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……

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

All-powerful and ever-living God,
in the resurrection of Christ you restore us to eternal life.
Increase within us the effects of this Easter mystery
and pour out in our hearts the strength of this saving food.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING (Easter Season)
May the God who has redeemed you and made you adopted children
through the resurrection of his only Son
bless you and fill you with joy.
R. Amen.
May the God who has bestowed on you
the gifts of redemption and lasting freedom
make you heirs of eternal life.
R. Amen.
May the God who joined you to Christ’s resurrection
by faith and baptism
lead you to live justly
and so bring you to your home in heaven.
R. Amen.