Presider’s Page for 17 March (Lá ‘le Pádraig)

0 Comments
|

Opening Comment
Today, we pause from our lenten penances to honour Patrick, the apostle of the Irish. In our celebration of this solemn feast, we worship God, creator, redeemer and sanctifier, who brought our ancestors into the Christian fold through the preaching of St Patrick.

Alternative opening prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord God,
in your loving providence
you sent the holy bishop Patrick
to preach your glory to the people of Ireland;
grant through his merits and prayers
that all who rejoice in the name of Christian
may proclaim your wonderful deeds to all the world.
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  
Jeremiah 1:4-9 — The call to bring God’s message is daunting, particularly to youthful messengers. But God’s help is close at hand.
Romans 10: 9-18 God’s word has been spread to every nation, without distinction; with the help of apostles like Patrick, it has gone to the ends of the world.
Mark 16:15-20 — Christian disciples are protected from every danger, as Patrick was: the Lord works with them

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Because God’s love for us is strong, we can present our needs with confidence.

  1. That the leaders of the Church in Ireland may have the courage and wisdom of Patrick (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. That peace and reconciliation may grow among Irish people (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. That the civic leaders of Ireland may bear witness to Christian values: honesty, generosity and compassion (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. That Irish emigrants may have the help they need, particularly those who feel lonely or lost (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. That the people who enter Ireland as refugees and asylum-seekers may experience friendship and support (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. That the people of this parish may have the blessings of heaven today, particularly those who are sick (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: That our loved ones who have gone on the way of truth (‘ar shlí na fírinne’) may enter the promised land of heaven (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of all nations, you are faithful to your people: hear the prayers we bring on the feast of Patrick and grant them, we implore you, through Christ our Lord. Amen

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Be Not Afraid’; ‘Christ Be Beside Me’; ‘Hail Glorious St. Patrick’.

Join the Discussion

Keep the following in mind when writing a comment

  • Your comment must include your full name, and email. (email will not be published). You may be contacted by email, and it is possible you might be requested to supply your postal address to verify your identity.
  • Be respectful. Do not attack the writer. Take on the idea, not the messenger. Comments containing vulgarities, personalised insults, slanders or accusations shall be deleted.
  • Keep to the point. Deliberate digressions don't aid the discussion.
  • Including multiple links or coding in your comment will increase the chances of it being automati cally marked as spam.
  • Posts that are merely links to other sites or lengthy quotes may not be published.
  • Brevity. Like homilies keep you comments as short as possible; continued repetitions of a point over various threads will not be published.
  • The decision to publish or not publish a comment is made by the site editor. It will not be possible to reply individually to those whose comments are not published.