Presider’s Page for 19 May (Fifth Sunday of Easter)
Songs: Jesus Christ is Risen Today; This is My Will; Love is His Word; Walk in the Light; Colours of Day; [Bring Flowers of the Rarest].
Opening Comment
We gather to praise God who raised his son Jesus from the dead. We celebrate this victory over sin and death, and pray for enthusiasm as we try to pass on the Good News.
Penitential Rite
As we prepare ourselves to celebrate God’s love for us, let us call to mind times we have failed to show love: (pause) I confess…
Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
We behold your glory, O God,
in the love shown by your Son,
lifted up on the cross
and exalted on high.
Increase our love for one another,
that both in name and in truth
we may be disciples of the risen Lord Jesus
and so reflect by our lives
the glory that is yours.
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 14:21-27 Paul and Barnabas complete their missionary journey, encouraging their new converts to persevere.
Apocalypse 21: 1-5 In the new Jerusalem awaiting believers, there will be no more mourning or sadness.
John 13: 31-35 Jesus instructs his followers to love one another.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) With confidence, let us bring our needs to our great and compassionate God.
- That our leaders may put fresh heart into all people of faith (pause for a moment’s reflection). Lord, hear us.
- That the Church in Africa may be a sign of hope for the continent (pause for a moment’s reflection). Lord, hear us.
- That the elections to the European Parliament may produce a harvest of peace, with justice for all (pause for a moment’s reflection). Lord, hear us.
- That migrants and refugees seeking safety in Europe may be welcomed (pause for a moment’s reflection). Lord, hear us.
- That politicians may work for the common good at all levels (pause for a moment’s reflection). Lord, hear us.
- That young people receiving First Communion this month may always treasure the Bread of Life (pause for a moment’s reflection). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead: For the dead and for our own departed ones (especially N & N) that they may take their place in the new Jerusalem, where mourning and sadness is no more (pause for a moment’s reflection). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider): Great and loving God, you are compassionate to all your creatures, help us according to your will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer Over The Gifts
O God,
through the wonderful exchange of this sacrifice
you have made us sharers in your own divine nature;
grant that our daily lives
may faithfully reflect the knowledge of your truth.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Preface (Easter V)
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.
By offering his body on the cross,
he brought to completion the sacrifices of old.
By commending himself into your hands for our salvation,
he showed himself the priest, the altar, and the lamb of sacrifice.
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, AND WITH HIM, AND IN HIM……
Prayer after Communion
Lord,
remain close to the people
you have enriched with these heavenly mysteries,
and grant that we may pass from our former ways
to new life in the risen Christ.
We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, the 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.