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Presider’s Page for 14 September (Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

Opening Comment
The Exaltation of the Cross is celebrated each year on 14 September, when in AD 335 a church marking the site of the crucifixion was first dedicated in Jerusalem. We honour the cross today and reflect on its meaning in our lives.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)

Lifted up among us, O God,
is Jesus the crucified:
sign of your steadfast love
and pledge of your will to save.
To those who look upon the cross with faith
grant healing of soul and life eternal.
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
Numbers 21:4-9 The bronze serpent Moses put on a pole, with the power to cure, is a symbol of the cross of Christ.
Philippians 2:6-11 Understanding the humility of Jesus and his glory gives us a balanced picture of the meaning of Jesus’ life and death.
John 3:13-17 Jesus compares himself to the bronze serpent lifted up by Moses in the desert.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider): Because our God is full of compassion, we can bring our prayers forward with confidence:

  1. For the members of the Church — that we may glory in the cross, where our salvation was won (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. For all people of goodwill — that they may respect the cross, a symbol dear to Christians (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. For Christians suffering persecution — that the one who died on the cross may encourage them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. For those whose sufferings bring them an experience of Calvary — that Jesus may transform their pain to glory (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. For the sick who are dangerously ill — that the cross of Christ may bring them comfort and hope (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. For those whose lives have been lost through war, famine and disease — that Christ may liberate them from the chains of death (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for those from the community who have died (N and N), that they may be brought to eternal life by the Christ’s victory on the cross (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Compassionate God, you forgive your people’s sins and spare them: hear the prayers we lay before you under the shadow of the cross, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions): “Were you there…?”; “When I Behold the Wonderous Cross “; “The Old Rugged Cross”; “Take and Eat”.

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Presider’s Page for 17 January (Second Sunday in Ordinary Time)

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Now that the Christmas season is behind us and we are moving into the New Year, the liturgy challenges us to reflect on what following Christ means. In the light of the Mother and Babies Home report published this week, there is sadness in our hearts as we gather, as well as an awareness of the suffering COVID-19 is causing in our communities. We pray the Lord to be close to the broken-hearted.

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