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Presider’s Page for 14 June (‘Corpus Christi’ – the Body of Christ)

Opening Comment
Today’s liturgy invites us to reflect on what we have missed these last three months — the weekly gathering of the Body of Christ for Sunday Mass, and the sharing in the Body of Christ in Holy Communion. As we celebrate Corpus Christi today, we pray for a greater appreciation of these gifts.
Penitential Rite
Entering into this celebration, we praise God who sustains us all our days (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, Year A)
The bread you give, O God,
is Christ’s flesh for the life of the world;
the cup of his blood
is your covenant for our salvation.
Grant that we who worship Christ in this holy mystery
may reverence him in the needy of this world
by lives poured out for the sake of that kingdom
where he lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16 — Contains Moses’ reminder of how God sustained his people in the desert with the gift of manna.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 — Paul reminds us that in sharing the bread of life at Mass, we become one body.
John 6:51-58 —  In the Gospel, Jesus says he himself is the living bread for believers.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers before the Lord, whose sons and daughters are blessed.

  1. That our belief in the presence of Christ may grow stronger when next we can receive Holy Communion (pause a moment for quiet prayer/reflection) Lord, hear us.
  2. That First Communion children may soon share the Bread of Life (pause a moment for quiet prayer/reflection) Lord, hear us.
  3. That those who rarely join in the Mass, may be drawn into the on-line community of faith (pause a moment for quiet prayer/reflection) Lord, hear us.
  4. That all who are hungry in a world of plenty may be fed (pause a moment for quiet prayer/reflection) Lord, hear us.
  5. That people suffering as a result of COVID-19 may realise that God is close to those in distress (pause a moment for quiet prayer/reflection) Lord, hear us.
  6. That all those who have served our country well over these months of pandemic may receive a just reward for their labours (pause a moment for quiet prayer/reflection) Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For those have gone before us in faith (especially N & N), and for the people whose lives have been ended by coronavirus, that they all may be raised up at the last day (pause a moment for quiet prayer/reflection) Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider):  God of infinite generosity, you sent your Son to share our burdens and our hopes, to be our life and strength: hear the prayers we make in his name, who lives and reigns with you, forever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Gracious Lord and God,
bestow upon your Church
the blessings of unity and peace,
of which these offerings
are the sacramental sign.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST 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.
He is the true and eternal priest,
who founded this memorial of his unending sacrifice.
He gave himself to you as victim for our deliverance,
and commanded us to make this offering in his memory.
As we eat his body, given for us,
we grow in strength.
As we drink his blood, poured out for us,
we are washed clean.
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 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 Jesus Christ,
bring us one day
to that eternal union with your Godhead,
which is prefigured here on earth
by our sharing in your sacred body and blood.
You live and reign for ever and ever.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions): ‘One Bread, One Body’; ‘See Us Lord About Thine Altar’; ‘I am the Bread of Life’.

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