Presider’s Page for 14 May (Fifth Sunday of Easter)

Opening Comment
Today’s liturgy puts the life-giving words of Jesus before us. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the one in whom we can place all our trust. Because we believe these things, we gather to praise God.

Penitential Rite
Trusting in divine forgiveness, let us call to mind our sins: (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 (as given for Year A in the 1998 ICEL Missal)
We have beheld your glory, O God,
in the face of Christ Jesus, your Son.
Enliven our faith,
that through Christ we may put our trust in you.
Deepen our faith,
that in Christ we may serve you.
Complete our faith,
that one day we may live with you
in that place which Christ prepares for us,
where he lives with you now and always
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 6:1-7 — This describes the selection of the first deacons, a response to a pressing need in the early Church.
1 Peter 2:4-9 — Peter writes about our calling as Christians.
John 14:1-12 — Jesus describes himself as our saviour, the one who prepares a place for us.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) The Lord looks on those who revere him, so let us make our prayers known to him.

1. That Christians in Africa may work for justice and peace (pray quietly, then …) Lord, hear us.
2. That those suffering because of famine may be fed (pray quietly, then …) Lord, hear us.
3. That deacons may be good servants of God’s people (pray quietly, then …) Lord, hear us.
4. That children receiving First Communion this month may be blessed (pray quietly, then …) Lord, hear us.
5. That people at risk may be protected (pray quietly, then …) Lord, hear us.
6. That those anxious about dying may be consoled by the Lord’s words (pray quietly, then …) Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For all who have left this world, in the hope of rising again (especially N & N), that they may be where Christ is, eternally (pray quietly, then …) Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Father in heaven, we place all our hope in you, as we entrust these prayers to your love, confident that you will grant them, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
O God,
through the wonderful exchange of this sacrifice
you have made us sharers in your own divine nature;
grant that our daily lives
may faithfully reflect the knowledge of your truth.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE OF EASTER II
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.

Through him the children of light rise to eternal life
and the gates of heaven are unlocked
to receive his faithful people.
For his death is our ransom from death
and in his resurrection all are raised to new life.

Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory: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,
remain close to the people
you have enriched with these heavenly mysteries,
and grant that we may pass from our former ways
to new life in the risen Christ.
We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING VII (Easter Season)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
The priest says the solemn blessing with hands outstretched over the people.
May the God who has redeemed you and made you adopted children
through the resurrection of his only Son
bless you and fill you with joy.
R. Amen.
May the God who has bestowed on you
the gifts of redemption and lasting freedom
make you heirs of eternal life.
R. Amen.
May the God who joined you to Christ’s resurrection
by faith and baptism
lead you to live justly
and so bring you to your home in heaven.
R. Amen.

And may almighty God bless you…….

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions): ‘Be Not Afraid’; ‘May Your Love Be Upon Us, O Lord’; ‘Take and Eat’; ‘Bring Flowers of the Fairest’.