Presider’s Page for 25 August (Ordinary Time 21)

SONGS for Today’s Mass: Praise the Lord All You Nations; All That I Am; Take and Eat; Sing a New Song Unto the Lord.
Opening Comment
Our God is a gracious God, who throws open the doors to the Kingdom to all of humanity.
Penitential Rite
We praise and worship this generous God of ours: even our sins will not deter God’s forgivensss: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom: Lord, have mercy.
You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness: Christ, have mercy.
You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
To the banquet of your kingdom,
O God of the nations,
you have invited people of every race and tongue.
May all who are called to a place at your table
come by the narrow way
to the unending feast of life.
We make our prayer 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
Isaiah 66: 18-21 Isaiah dreams of the time when all the nations will accept God’s message and be gathered together.
Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13 Suffering is interpreted as a way of being trained to do what is right.
Luke 13: 22-30 Salvation is open to all people, but many now first will be last into the kingdom of God.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring the needs of the Church to our God of love and faithfulness.

1. That missionaries who struggle may not give up (we pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
2. That those who preach the gospel may work with courage (we pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
3. That all the peoples of the earth may learn to live in friendship (we pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
4. That Christians may live the Gospel, in faith, honesty and love of neighbour (we pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
5. That teachers and students going back to school may look forward to a making a new start  (we pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.
6. That people in need may have the support of friends and neighbours (we pray quietly for this). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: That all who have preceded us in death (especially N. and N.) may take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Faithful God, strong is your love for all people: hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
by the offering of Christ,
made once and for all,
you adopted a people as your own;
graciously bestow on your family, the Church,
the gifts of unity and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time VI)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
In you we live and move and have our being.
Each day we experience the wonders of your love,
and receive even now a pledge and foretaste of life eternal.
Possessing the firstfruits of the Spirit,
through whom you raised Jesus from the dead,
we hope to enjoy his paschal victory for ever.
And so, with all the angels and saints,
we sing the joyful hymn of your praise: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III
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, 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 Louis, King of France], 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….
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Complete within us, Lord,
the healing work of your mercy,
and by your grace transform and strengthen us,
that we may please you in all that we do.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.