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Presider’s Page for 2 May (Fifth Sunday of Easter)

Songs at Mass (Suggestions): ‘Christ is Alive’, ‘All on an April Evening’, ‘Ag Críost an Síol’, ‘How Great Thou Art’.
Opening Comment
Like branches of one tree, we are held together by our faith in Christ. Because we are all part of this one living plant, we come together in thanksgiving and praise.
Penitential Rite
In joy and gratitude, we praise God who saves us (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)
O God,
you graft us onto Christ, the true vine,
and, with tireless care,
you nurture our growth in knowledge and reverence.
Tend the vineyard of your Church,
that in Christ each branch may bring forth
to the glory of your name
abundant fruits of faith and love.
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 9:26-31 — Saul, a former persecutor of Christians, preaches at Jerusalem for the first time after his conversion.
I John 3:18-24 — Living God’s way involves not just words, but genuine love.
John 15:1-8 — Without a life-giving connection to Christ, our faith will wither and fade. Christ invigorates us.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Praising God for the wonders of creation, we bring our prayers to the Lord.

  1. For all the baptised,  that we may never be separated from Christ, the true vine (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. For people suffering with COVID-19, particularly those in India and Brazil (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. For the success of the vaccine programme, both here and abroad (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. For a safe re-opening of our society (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. For all who are sick, at home or in hospital (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. For those who face exams this summer, that God may be with them (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For all whose pilgrimage on earth is over, (especially N & N), that they may reach their final destination, at the Father’s house (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God our creator, we praise you for your mighty deeds: hear the prayers your faithful people make, 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.
[Sunday morning only:
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 7 (Easter Season)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
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.

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Seamus Ahearne shares two personal letters he wrote to the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles Brown, about the nuncio’s refusal to accept an invitation from the ACP to meet with us.

“You will meet the formal church in your work. People will dress up. All the Liturgies will be done beautifully. You will be invited to a celebrating Church. I would suggest that the church you need to meet is the one on the ground; the informal one; the broken one; the hurting one; the one where most people have walked away; the one where lives are messed up totally.”

“Your job is much too important for you to opt out of hearing the views of a very serious and passionate group – the ACP. How can you shape the Church in Ireland if you are dismissive of the experience of those who know the scene best?”

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