We gather to praise God and to ask for help and grace. We know the difficulties that can come when we try to live the right way. Often the road of life is like the way of the cross.

• Creationtide, celebrated in both Catholic and Orthodox churches each year, began on Friday 1 September and continues till 4 October, the feast of St Francis of Assisi (Full resources on catholicbishops.ie).

Penitential Rite
Let us call to mind our moments of failure, conscious that God’s grace raises us up: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
O God,
whose word burns like a fire within us,
grant us a bold and faithful spirit,
that in your strength we may be unafraid
to speak your word
and follow where you lead.
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

Jeremiah 20:7-9 — Jeremiah describes the difficulties preaching the word brought him.
Romans 12:1-2 — Paul believes we must offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God.
Matthew 16:21-27 — Jesus warns of the suffering discipleship will involve.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, let us bring our prayers to God, who has always been our help.

1. For the beauty of creation and the gift of the earth, our common home, we give thanks (short pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. For the survival of our planet and the well-being of humanity, we pray (short pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. For people suffering after the wildfires of this summer (short pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. For the grace to work for the good of all people (short pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. For those who struggle with illness, of spirit, mind or body (short pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. For priests taking up new appointments  — that God may help them (short pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays the dead: For the faithful departed (especially N and N), that sharing the cross of Christ they may also share his victory over death (short pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) O Lord our God, your love is better than life: come to our help, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer over the gifts
Lord,
may this eucharistic offering
bless us always with your saving grace
and accomplish in our lives
the redemption that it signifies.
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, holy….

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III
Lord, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure offering may be made
to the glory of your name.

And so, Lord God, we humbly pray:
by the power of your Spirit sanctify these gifts
we have brought before you,
that they may become the body + and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.

On the night he was handed over to death,
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.

When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks and praise,
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…..

Calling to mind, Lord God
the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and eagerly awaiting the day of his return,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favour on your Church’s offering
and see the Victim by whose sacrifice
you were pleased to reconcile us to yourself.
Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
may be filled with his Holy Spirit
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.

Let him make us an everlasting gift to you,
that we may share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
[Saint Gregory the Great], and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.

Lord, may this sacrifice
which has made our peace with you
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N.,
all bishops, priests, and deacons,
all ministers of your Church,
and the entire people your Son has gained for you.

Merciful Father,
hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you,
and unite to yourself all your children
now scattered over the face of the earth. †

Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters
and all who have left this world in your friendship.
We hope to enjoy with them your everlasting glory,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you give the world everything that is good.

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
God of blessings,
we have been fed at this table
with the bread of heaven.
Give us this food always,
that it may strengthen your love in our hearts
and inspire us to serve you in our brothers and sisters.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

Solemn Blessing of the Passion of the Lord (reflecting the theme of the Gospel)

Bow your heads for God’s blessing.

In the passion of his only Son,
God, the Father of mercies,
has given you the supreme example of love.
May he bless you beyond measure
for your service of God and neighbour.
R. Amen.
May God grant you eternal life
through the death of Jesus Christ,
which has freed you from eternal death.
R. Amen.
May God inspire you to imitate the humility of Christ
and bring you to the glory of his resurrection.
R. Amen.