Presider’s Page for 15 April (Easter 3)

Opening Comment
We’re two weeks into the Easter season now, but the Good News of the season continues to reverberate in the Liturgy. Joyfully we worship God who raised our Saviour from the dead.

Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves to celebrate this mystery, let us call to mind our sins: (pause):
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of life,
in your risen Son
you reveal your abiding presence among us
and summon those reborn in baptism
to lives of worship and service.

Fill this assembly with reverence
as we come before you in prayer.

Grant us courage and zeal
in bearing witness before the world
to your Son, Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead,
who lives and reigns with you now and always
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 5:27-32 Peter and the apostles are reprimanded for teaching about Jesus.
Apocalypse 5:11-14 John shares his vision of heaven.
John 20:1-19 Jesus’ third appearance to the disciples is described.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) God rescues us from all our distress, so we bring our prayers with confidence:

1. That the Christians who suffer for their faith may have courage (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
2. That all missionaries may have the conviction and zeal of the early disciples (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
3. That fishermen and all who work on the sea may have divine protection (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
4. That small farmers may receive a just reward for their precious labour (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
5. That those who cook and serve food may themselves be sustained by the creator of all (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. That the vision of heaven given in the Scriptures may inspire the ill and comfort the dying. (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: That all who have died may join those gathered around the throne of the Lamb
(especially N & N). (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) O Lord, you listen and have pity on your people: let your help guide us all the days of our life, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
receive the gifts of your joyous Church.
You have given us cause for great happiness on earth;
grant us the consummation of that joy in heaven.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Easter 2)
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 morning only)
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 …..

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Protect with loving-kindness, Lord,
the people you have renewed
through the paschal mystery of Christ,
and grant them this reward:
the resurrection of the body to glory everlasting.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SOLEMN BLESSING (Easter Season)
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.