Presider’s Page for 1 August (18th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Opening Comment & Penitential Rite
From the days when the Jewish people wandered in the desert to this very day, God has been ‘food to the hungry’ and ‘meaning to those who lose their way’. We celebrate our Lord’s loving-kindness and call to mind moments when we forgot his mercy (pause):
You raise the dead to life in the spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to sinners: Christ, have mercy.
You give light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.
Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord, giver of lasting life,
satisfy our hunger through Christ, the bread of life,
and quench our thirst with your gift of belief,
that we may no longer work for food that perishes,
but believe in the One whom you have sent.
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.
Alternative Opening Prayer — from the Mass ‘IN TIME OF PANDEMIC’
Almighty and eternal God,
our refuge in every danger,
to whom we turn in our distress;
in faith we pray
look with compassion on the afflicted,
grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners,
healing to the sick, peace to the dying,
strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders
and the courage to reach out to all in love,
so that together we may give glory to your holy name.
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
Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15 On their way to the Promised Land, the Jews wondered whether the Lord had abandoned them. But God heard, and fed them with quails in the evening and manna every morning.
Ephesians 4:17, 20-24 Paul tells the people of Ephesus to put aside their old ways and live a new life.
John 6:24-35 In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus fed the five thousand. In this Sunday’s Gospel, he urges those he fed to reflect on their hunger and to work for food that will last for ever: the Bread of Life.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) My friends, let us bring our intercessions to God, who always provides for us in our needs.
- For all who are Christian — that God may keep us hopeful (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the hungry people of the world — that God may protect them (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For Travellers and all who wander like the Jews in the desert — that God may keep them safe (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people suffering today because of COVID-19 — that they may get better (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the success of the vaccine programme, at home and abroad (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people on holidays this month — that they may be safe (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For those whose Christian journey is over and for all our dead (especially N & N) that eternal life may be theirs (remembering especially those who have died tragically in the past few days, and those lost in drowning accidents) (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, you have never failed to nourish your people in their needs: hear our cries and grant our prayers, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
O Lord,
sanctify these gifts;
receive them as an offering in spirit and in truth
and make of us an everlasting gift to you.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time III)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
We know that your boundless glory is shown in this,
that you, the most high God,
came to the rescue of our mortal nature.
In our very weakness you found a remedy:
that nature which led to our downfall
became the means of our salvation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him the hosts of angels adore you
and rejoice in your presence for ever.
May our voices join with theirs
in the triumphant 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,
surround with your constant protection
the people you renew by this eucharist,
and in your never-failing care for us
make us worthy of eternal redemption.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Mass in Time of Pandemic)
O God, protector of all who hope in you,
bless your people, keep them safe,
defend them, prepare them,
that, free from sin and safe from the enemy,
they may persevere always in your love.
Through Christ our Lord.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) “I am The Bread Of Life”; “Come To The Water”; “One Bread, One Body”; “How Great Thou Art”.