Presider’s Page for 18 September (Ordinary Time 25)
SONGS FOR TODAY’S MASS
Sing a New Song; The Lord hears the Cry of the Poor; Be Not Afraid; Praise my Soul the King of Heaven.
Opening Comment
We gather to worship the Lord of glory, asking for help to be God’s servants before all else.
Penitential Rite
Before we listen to God’s challenging Word, let us call to mind our sins, relying on the divine mercy: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have given us the consolation of the truth: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, leading us into everlasting life: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God our Saviour,
you call us into your service.
Make us wise and resourceful:
children of the light who continue your work in this world
with untiring concern for integrity and justice.
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
Amos 8: 4-7 A warning to treat others justly.
1 Timothy 2: 1-8 Paul reminds us to offer prayers for everyone.
Luke 16, 1-13 We cannot be slaves both of God and money.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Since the Second Reading emphasises the value of intercessions, make these a point of focus in this Mass. Remind people that the Prayer of the Faithul is their time of prayer, particularly in the moments of silence provided after the intentions are announced. Emphasise those moments of silent prayer.
Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, St Paul advises that we pray for everyone, as this will please God our Saviour. Let us bring forward our needs with confidence.
- For all who minister in the Church (we pause and pray quietly in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- For religious tolerance, and an end to persecution (we pause and pray quietly in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- For our leaders and everyone in authority over us (we pause and pray quietly in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- For those who have been unjustly treated in any way (we pause and pray quietly in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- For fine weather, that the harvest may be saved (we pause and pray quietly in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- For people in difficulty, particularly those in need in this parish (we pause and pray quietly in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for all who have died (especially N and N) (we pause and pray quietly in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of glory and majesty, you stoop from the heights to lift up the poor: hear the prayers of all who praise you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Take to yourself, O Lord, the gifts your people offer,
that in this holy sacrament
we may enter the mystery
which we profess with devotion and faith.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time V)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
All things are of your making,
all times and seasons obey your law.
But you fashioned the human family in your own image
and set us over the world in all its wonder,
that we might be stewards of your creation,
praising you day by day
for the marvels of your might and wisdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
And so, with all the angels and saints,
we sing the joyful hymn of your praise: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I (The Roman Canon)
All-merciful Father,
we come before you with praise and thanksgiving
through Jesus Christ your Son.
Through him we ask you to accept and bless + these gifts
we offer you in sacrifice.
We offer them for your holy catholic Church:
watch over it, Lord, and guide it,
grant it peace and unity throughout the world.
We offer them for Francis our Pope,
for N. our Bishop,
and for all who hold and teach the catholic faith
that comes to us from the apostles.
Remember, Lord, your faithful people,
especially those for whom we now pray [N. and N.].
Remember all of us gathered here before you.
You know that we believe in you
and dedicate ourselves to you.
We offer you this sacrifice of praise
for ourselves and those who are dear to us;
we pray to you, our living and true God,
for our well-being and redemption.
We pray in communion with the whole Church,
with those whose memory we now honour:
especially with Mary,
the glorious and ever-virgin mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord and God,
with Joseph, her husband,
the apostles and martyrs,
Peter and Paul, Andrew,
and with all the saints.
By their merits and prayers
grant us your constant help and protection.
Lord, accept this offering from your whole family.
Grant us your peace in this life,
save us from final damnation,
and count us among those you have chosen.
Bless and approve our offering,
make it acceptable to you,
an offering in spirit and in truth:
let it become for us
the body and blood of your beloved Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
The day before he suffered
he took bread in his sacred hands,
and looking up to heaven
to you, his almighty Father,
he gave you thanks and praise;
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 and praise,
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
And so, Lord God,
we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son:
we, your holy people and your ministers,
call to mind his passion,
his resurrection from the dead,
and his ascension into glory;
and from the many gifts you have given us
we offer to you, God of glory and majesty,
this holy and perfect sacrifice,
the bread of life and the cup of eternal salvation.
Look with favour on these offerings
and accept them as once you accepted
the gifts of your just servant Abel,
the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
and the bread and wine offered by your priest Melchizedek.
Almighty God,
command that your angel carry this sacrifice
to your altar in heaven.
Then, as we receive from this altar
the sacred body and blood of your Son,
let us be filled with every grace and blessing.
Remember, Lord, your servants who have died
and have gone before us marked with the sign of faith,
especially those for whom we now pray [N. and N.].
Grant them and all who sleep in Christ
a haven of light and peace.
For ourselves, too,
sinners who trust in your mercy and love,
we ask some share in the fellowship of your apostles and martyrs,
with John the Baptist, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas,
and all your saints.
Welcome us into their company,
not considering what we deserve,
but freely granting us your pardon
Through Christ our Lord you give us all these gifts,
you fill them with life and goodness,
you bless them and make them holy.
Through him, with him, in him…..
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord,
support with your unfailing help
those you nourish with this sacrament,
that we may feel the power of your redemption
in the celebration of the eucharist
and in the conduct of our lives.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.