Presider’s Page for St Stephen’s Day (Feast of the Holy Family)
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) Christmas Carols; “In The Bleak Mid Winter”; “Ubi Caritas” (Taizé); “Servant Song”.
OPENING COMMENT
On the day after Christmas Day, Irish people traditionally honour St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. This year, we also reflect on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, whom St Stephen loved so much that he gave his life for the message of forgiveness that Jesus brought. We pray that these qualities will be seen in our families.
PENITENTIAL RITE
In this Sunday’s Mass, we give thanks to God for the love we experience in our families, and call to mind times we have fallen short, as we remember our sins: (pause)
I confess …
ALTERNATIVE OPENING PRAYER (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
As your sons and daughters, O loving God,
we come before you in thanksgiving,
called and united by your eternal Word.
Teach us to ponder the mystery of Nazareth,
that we may always find in you
the source of our strength
and the unity of our families.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Word made flesh,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
in the splendour of eternal light,
God for ever and ever.
SCRIPTURE READINGS
Samuel 1:20-22, 24-28 Hannah presents her child to the Lord, just as Mary and Joseph later did for Jesus.
1 John 3:1-2, 21-24 As God’s children love is lavished on us. We are called to pass on this love to each other in our families.
Luke 2:41-52 The annual visit by the Holy Family to Jerusalem is described, and Mary’s finding of her child among the wise men there.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) God looks with love on all of creation, so we bring our prayers with confidence.
- For all the members of the Christian family — that there may be peace among us (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
- For homeless families, and refugees — that they may be protected (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
- For the families of this community — that Christ may be at the centre of every home (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
- For familes where there is hurt or difficulty — that there may be forgivensss and healing (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
- For those who suffer because of COVID this Christmas — that they may get better (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
- For all our parishioners in hospital or in nursing homes — that we may always pray for them (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For those who have died recently (especially N and N),and for all we have known who have died during 2021. whom we remember now (pause and pray) that the light of heaven may be theirs. Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God our creator, your strength sustains your people all their days, hear our prayers and stay with us throughout the New Year, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
We beg you, Lord,
accept the sacrifice which makes our peace with you
and, through the prayers of Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
and of blessed Joseph, her husband,
unite our families in your grace and peace.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
PREFACE OF CHRISTMAS 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.
In the great mystery of his birth,
the God we cannot see
has now appeared in human form.
The one begotten before all ages
begins to live in time.
He has come to raise the fallen world,
to make creation whole again,
and to lead humanity from exile
back to your heavenly kingdom.
And so, with all the angels and saints,
we sing the joyful hymn of your praise: HOLY HOLY HOLY
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (from 1998 ICEL Missal, with interpolation for Sunday morning)
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
Merciful Father,
you have refreshed us with this heavenly sacrament.
Grant us the grace to follow closely
the example of the Holy Family,
that, after the trials of this present life,
we may be welcomed into their company for ever.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING for St Stephen’s Day (Optional)
May God the Father,
who called us together
to celebrate the feast of Saint Stephen,
bless you, protect you,
and keep you in peace.
R. Amen.
May Christ the Lord,
who revealed in the saints
the power of the paschal mystery,
make you faithful in witnessing
to his risen and glorious life.
R. Amen.
May the Spirit,
who is the source of all holiness,
make of you a true communion
of faith and love.
R. Amen.