What is asked of us is simple – to love God and our neighbour. But without God’s grace, even these simple demands can seem beyond our grasp.

Penitential Rite
We gather here to rejoice in God’s compassion and to ask for the strength we need : (pause)
You were sent to heal the contrite: Lord, have mercy.
You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.
You plead for us at the right hand of the Father: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord our God,
you are the one God and there is no other.

Give us grace to hear and heed
the great commandment of your kingdom,
that we may love you with all our heart
and love our neighbour as ourselves.

We make our prayer 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
Deuteronomy 6:2-6 — The central command given to the Jewish people is desribed: to love God above all else.
Hebrews 7:23-28 — What many priests did in former times, Christ does now: he is our ideal high priest.
Mark 12:28-34 — Jesus repeats the commandment precious to Jews, and speaks of the importance of love of neighbour.

BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, the Lord is our fortress, our saviour. Let us tell our needs with confidence.

1. For all who follow Christ — that their love of God and neighbour may be clearly visible (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. For peace in the world — that the language of love may prevail everywhere(pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. For Catholics — that our minds may be open to new possibilities and new ways of being the Church (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. For those who share the priesthood of Jesus — that they may show his courage and compassion (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. For all who feel grief in November — that the bereaved may experience God’s comfort (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. For victims of violence, at home and abroad — that Christ may heal broken hearts (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For those we have lost to death (especially N and N, and all those who have died since last November)(pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, our rock and our strength, in you we take refuge: hear our prayers and give us the help we need, we ask you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the gifts
Lord God,
let this sacrifice
be a pure and spotless offering to you,
and let it bring to us
the rich outpouring of your mercy.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE II  (Saturday evening Mass)
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, holy…

PREFACE IX (Sunday Mass)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

From sunrise to sunset this day is holy,
for Christ has risen upon us today
and scattered the darkness of death
with light and life that will not fade.
This day the risen Lord assembles us,
unfolds for us your word,
and breaks for us the bread of life.
And though the night will bring this Sunday to a close,
you call us to live in endless light,
the never-ending Day of the Lord.

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

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
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, 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,
increase within us the work of your saving power,
that our lives may be renewed by these holy mysteries
and your grace may prepare us for the blessings they promise.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Songs at Mass (Suggestions): ‘Be Thou My Vision’; ‘My Soul is Longing for Your Peace’; ‘Be Not Afraid’; ‘Abide with Me’.