Presider’s Page for 24 March (Third Sunday of Lent)

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Songs at Mass (Suggestions) ‘Christ be Beside Me’; ‘Yahweh, I Know You Are Near’; ‘Praise To The Holiest In The Height’; ‘Though The Mountains May Fall’.

Opening Comment
Today, as we gather to listen to the Lenten call to repentance, we worship our God of kindness who, like a patient gardener, always gives people a second chance.

Penitential Rite
We recall the areas of life where we most need to experience God’s compassion: (pause) I confess…

Alternative Opening Prayer (1998 ICEL Missal)
God of salvation,
we stand before you on holy ground,
for your name is glorified
and your mercy revealed
wherever your mighty deeds are remembered.

Since you are holy and forbearing,
turn us from every rash and shallow judgement
to seek the ways of repentance.

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
Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15 God reveals his name to Moses, who removes his sandals, a sign of his deep respect for God’s power.
I Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12 Paul draws lessons from Jewish history, warning people to be careful.
Luke13:1-9 The Gospel combines a call to repentance with a reminder of God’s willingness to give us a second chance.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our needs to our compassionate and loving God.

  1. For Pope Francis and all the leaders of the Church, that they may preach with mercy (Pause for 10 seconds and pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
  2. For an end to the war and trouble, especially in Syria (Pause for 10 seconds and pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
  3. For the people of New Zealand, suffering after the terror attacks (Pause for 10 seconds and pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
  4. For Christians, Jews and Muslims, children of Abraham — that we may draw closer in love and friendship (Pause for 10 seconds and pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
  5. For all who rely on our prayers, our neighbours, families and friends (Pause for 10 seconds and pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
  6. For victims of natural disasters, and all who die in accidents — that God may comfort their families (Pause for 10 seconds and pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for all the dead (especially N and N) that they may enter the heavenly rest that all people seek (Pause for 10 seconds and pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of mercy and compassion, hear the prayers we make, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the gifts
Through this sacrifice of reconciliation
grant in your mercy, Lord,
that we who seek pardon for our own sins
may also learn to forgive one another.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our 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, holy…..

OR: Eucharistic Prayer I for Reconciliation (with its own preface.)

Holy Father,
compassionate and good,
it is right to give you thanks and praise,
for you never cease to call us
to a new and more abundant life.

Though we are sinners,
you constantly offer us pardon
and ask us to trust in your mercy alone.

Time after time, when we broke your covenants,
you did not cast us aside;
but through the incarnation of Jesus, your Son,
you bound the human family to yourself
with a new and unbreakable bond.

In Christ you give your people
a season of reconciliation and grace:
a time to draw new breath
for our journey back to you,
a time to open our hearts to your Spirit
and respond to the needs of all.

In wonder and gratitude
we join our voices with the choirs of heaven,
as we proclaim with joy the power of your love
and sing the endless hymn of your glory: HOLY HOLY HOLY

From the beginning, O God,
all you have done for the human family
you have done for our good,
that we may be holy, as you yourself are holy.

Look with kindness, then,
on your people gathered before you.
Send forth your Spirit in power,
that these gifts may become for us
the body + and blood of Jesus Christ, your beloved Son,
in whom we too are your children.

When we were lost
and our hearts were far from you,
you showed the depth of your love:
your Son, who alone is the Just One,
gave himself into our hands
and was nailed to the wood of the cross.
Before he stretched out his arms between heaven and earth
as the lasting sign of your covenant,
he desired to celebrate the Passover
in the company of his disciples.

While they were at table,
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.

At the end of the meal,
knowing he would reconcile all things in himself
by his blood poured out on the cross,
he took the cup filled with wine;
again he gave you thanks,
and, handing the cup to his friends, he 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……

We remember Jesus Christ, our Passover and our lasting peace,
we celebrate his death and resurrection,
we await the blessed day of his return.
And so we present to you, God ever faithful and true,
the offering that restores the world to your grace.

Merciful Father,
look with love on those you draw to yourself
through their sharing in the sacrifice of Christ.
By the power of your Spirit,
may they become the body of your risen Son,
in whom all divisions are healed.

Keep us in communion of mind and heart,
together with Francis our Pope and N. our Bishop.
Help us to work for the coming of your kingdom,
until at last we stand in your presence
and take our place among the saints,
with the Virgin Mary and the apostles,
and with our departed brothers and sisters,
whom we commend to your mercy.

Then, in the glory of your new creation,
freed from the sting of death,
we shall sing to you the hymn of thanksgiving
which rises from Christ the living Lord. THROUGH HIM ………

Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you feed us in this life with bread from heaven,
the pledge and foreshadowing of future glory;
grant that the working of this sacrament within us
may bear fruit in our daily lives.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

Solemn 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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