We gather in the love of God, redeemed in the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are people with a mission, challenged to grow in love each day. We ask God for divine help with this mission, today and during the coming week.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of all nations,
in the gift of your Son
you have embraced the world
with a love that takes away our sin
and bestows perfect joy.

Grant to all who have been reborn in baptism
fidelity in serving you
and generosity in loving one another.

We ask 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 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48 — Peter once believed that the message of salvation was only for Jews. But in this part of the story of the early Church, he sees the Holy Spirit given to Cornelius, a Roman. As a result, he preaches that all can be baptised.
I John 4:7-10 — The sign that we know God is that we love each other.
John 15:9-17 — We are called to lay down our lives for each other, as Jesus did for us.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Sisters and brothers, let us pray to the Lord of love.

1. For the Church, that all who are part of it may be known by their love for each other (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. For people who follow Christ, that they may care for their neighbours who suffer, especially the sick and the poor (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. For men and women of good will, that they may reject the culture of indifference and look after those in need (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. For those who seek the truth, that the Spirit may help them to find it, in Jesus (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. For children receiving First Communion this month, that they may be full of grace (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. For people who suffer in mind or body, that the love of friends and neighbours may remind them of God’s care (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For those whose sufferings are over — for all our dead, (especially N & N), that they may experience eternal life and love in heaven (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Ever-loving God, we sing a song of praise to your name, for you have worked wonders: continue to guide your people, and hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
let our prayers and offerings rise before you,
that we whom you have cleansed in baptism
may respond worthily to the mystery of your great love.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Easter IV)
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.
In him a new age has dawned:
the long reign of sin is ended,
a broken world has been restored,
and life for us is once again made whole.
Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory: 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,
[Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice], 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
All-powerful and ever-living God,
in the resurrection of Christ you restore us to eternal life.
Increase within us the effects of this Easter mystery
and pour out in our hearts the strength of this saving food.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Jesus Christ is Risen Today’, ‘Love is his Word’, ‘This is my will’, ‘Sing a New Song Unto the Lord’, ‘Bring Flowers of the Rarest’.