There’s a reminder of the two great commandments in today’s celebration: we are called to love God and our neighbour: friend, visitor and stranger alike.

Penitential Rite
Let us call to mind times we have failed to show love, remembering that God never fails to love and forgive us (pause)
I confess…

Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Your love, O God, is boundless.
We who were strangers
have been made your children.
We who were defenceless
have been brought into your household.

Keep us mindful of your deeds of mercy,
that we may love you with our whole heart
and love our neighbour as ourselves.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
1. The people of Israel are reminded that in bad times they depended on the kindness of strangers. They should therefore treat the weak and helpless with compassion.
2. Paul praises the people of Salonika for their good Christian living, which they had learned from him.
3. Jesus discloses the greatest commandment — love of God and neighbour.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider)We can take refuge in the Lord, so let us bring forward our prayers.

1. For all who follow the Christian way, that their love for each other may shine out (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. For those parts of the world  battered by war and violence, that the Lord may grant peace (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. For the weak and oppressed, that they may enjoy the protection of the strong and powerful (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. For those finding it hard to pay their debts, that God may protect and save them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. For refugees and strangers, that Christians may show love and care (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. For widows and orphans, that they may experience compassion and justice (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For the faithful who have departed this life (especially N and N), that our God of love and compassion may embrace them in peace (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, you are our strength, our fortress, our saviour: hear the prayers we make in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
God of majesty,
look with favour on the gifts we offer,
and grant that this expression of our service
may be directed above all to your glory.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time 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,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Out of compassion for us sinners
he humbled himself to be born of the Virgin.
By suffering on the cross, he freed us from unending death;
by rising from the dead, he gave us eternal life.

And so, with angels and archangels,
with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending chorus of praise: Holy, holy…..

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.

[SUNDAY MORNING ONLY: “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, 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
Lord,
may your mysteries accomplish within us
the salvation they embody,
that we may come to possess in truth
what we celebrate now under sacramental signs.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Christ be Our Light’; ‘Christ be beside me’; ‘The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor’; ‘To Do Your Will’.