Presider’s Page for 19 April (Easter 2 – Divine Mercy Sunday)
Opening Comment
Even though Easter Week is now behind us, today’s liturgy is still filled with Jesus’ resurrection. We continue to celebrate that great event for the next six weeks, until Pentecost Sundayon the last day of May, the fiftieth and final day of Easter.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of life,
source of all faith,
through the waters of baptism
you have raised us up in Jesus
and given us life that endures.
Day by day refine our faith,
that we who have not seen the Christ
may truly confess him as our Lord and God
and share the blessedness of those who believe.
Grant this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 2:42-47 — For the whole season of Easter, the first reading comes from the Acts of the Apostles; today’s segment describes how the early Christians lived.
1 Peter 1:3-9 — In the second reading, Peter sets out the reasons for our hope.
John 20:19-31 — Contains the story of Thomas coming to terms with Jesus’ resurrection.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) My friends, let us give thanks to the Lord, whose love has no end, as we bring forward our petitions.
- That the Church may be united with Pope Francis in this time of pain for the world (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That those suffering because of COVID-19 may find healing and peace (pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
- That those who work in hospitals and nursing homes may be kept safe from every danger (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That families unable to be with their loved one at the final moments of life may have God’s grace to strengthen them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That chaplains and all who provide spiritual care may be sustained by a deep faith (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- That those involved in funerals at this time, especially priests and funeral directors, may carry out their role with love and dignity (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead: That those who have died recently (especially N & N) may share the victory over death won by Christ, and all who have died because of COVID-19 (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God our strength, the resurrection of Jesus renews our hope: listen to our petitions and help us, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Receive, Lord, the gifts of your people
that, having confessed your name
and been cleansed in the waters of baptism,
we may come to eternal happiness.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Easter I)
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
on this Easter day
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world.
By dying he destroyed our death;
by rising he restored our life.
Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory: Holy, Holy…..
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III (from 1998 ICEL Missal, with Easter Octave interpolation)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure offering may be made
to the glory of your name.
And so, Lord God, on this most sacred day,
we celebrate the glorious resurrection of your Son;
and, exulting in his mighty victory over death,
we humbly pray:
by the power of your Spirit sanctify these gifts
we have brought before you,
that they may become the body + and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.
On the night he was handed over to death,
he took bread and 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…..
Calling to mind, Lord God
the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and eagerly awaiting the day of his return,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favour on your Church’s offering
and see the Victim by whose sacrifice
you were pleased to reconcile us to yourself.
Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
may be filled with his Holy Spirit
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.
Let him make us an everlasting gift to you,
that we may share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
[Saint Thomas], and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.
Lord, may this sacrifice
which has made our peace with you
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N.,
all bishops, priests, and deacons,
all ministers of your Church,
and the entire people your Son has gained for you.
Merciful Father,
hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you,
and unite to yourself all your children
now scattered over the face of the earth.
Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters
and all who have left this world in your friendship.
We hope to enjoy with them your everlasting glory,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you give the world everything that is good.
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
Grant, all-powerful God,
that the paschal mystery we have shared
may never cease to touch our hearts
with the force of its saving grace.
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.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions)
‘Jesus Christ is Risen Today’; ‘All on an April Evening’, ‘The Light of Christ’, ‘Christ is Alive’.