Presider’s Page for 21 July (Ordinary Time 16)
Our God is like a shepherd who always looks after the flock: the Lord cares for us in all our needs.
Penitential Rite
The Good Shepherd lifts our drooping spirits, so we can bring our sins and seek forgiveness (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)
Compassionate God,
from far and near you gather your Church into one.
Safeguard the unity of your flock
through the teaching of Christ the Shepherd,
that all your scattered children may find in him
the guidance and nourishment they seek.
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
Jeremiah 23:1-6 — Shepherds who neglect their flocks are condemned, as God promises to intervene for the sake of the people — just as a good shepherd would do.
Ephesians 2:13-18 — Christ, by his blood, ends hostility and brings people together.
Mark 6:30-34 — Jesus encourages the apostles to rest, but takes pity on the people also.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Like a shepherd, the Lord continues to care for us, so we pray with confidence:
- For the pastors of God’s people, that they may be good shepherds (pray in your heart for this, then….Lord, hear us).
- For farmers and all who care for animals, that they may have the reward of their labour (pray in your heart for this, then….Lord, hear us).
- For people who feel lost, that the teachings of Christ may help them find direction (pray in your heart for this, then….Lord, hear us).
- For priests and ministers who work hard in their parishes, that they have time for rest and recreation (pray in your heart for this, then….Lord, hear us).
- For those who help others to pray and reflect, that the Spirit may be with them in their ministry (pray in your heart for this, then….Lord, hear us).
- For our families and friends, and for all who asked our prayers, that our care may remind them of the Good Shepherd’s love for them (pray in your heart for this, then….Lord, hear us).
The presider prays for the dead: For those whose life in this world is over (especially N & N) that they may dwell in God’s house forever (pray in your heart for this, then….Lord, hear us).
Conclusion (by the Presider)
O God, our Shepherd, your goodness and kindness help us every day:
Hear our prayers and be with us in our needs, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
O God,
you have fulfilled the many offerings of the Old Law
in the one, perfect sacrifice of the New.
Receive the gifts of your servants
and bless them as you blessed the sacrifice of Abel,
so that what each of us has offered to your honour and glory
may advance the salvation of all.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time VIII)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
When sin had scattered your children afar,
you chose to gather them back to yourself
through the blood of your Son and the power of the Spirit.
Thus a people made one by the oneness of the Trinity
shines forth as your Church,
the body of Christ and the temple of the Spirit,
to the praise of your manifold wisdom.
And so we join the multitude of angels
in their joyful chorus of praise: Holy, holy, holy…
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
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,
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.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’; ‘Oh The Word of My Lord’; ‘Be Not Afraid’; Yahweh I Know You Are Near’.
Greeting visitors
If continental visitors attend Mass during their summer holidays, the presider might welcome them in their own language.
(In Dutch): ‘Beste vrienden, die bij ons uw verlof komt doorbrengen, wij zijn blij u hier te begroeten
(Phonetically) ‘Best-eh freend-en, dee by uns oo fer-lof come-teh door-breng-en, vigh zine bligh oo here tuh buh-ghroot-in.’
(In French): Chers amis qui venez passer vos vacances chez nous, nous sommes heureux de vous acceuillir parmi nous.
(Phonetically) ‘Shares am-ee key venay passay vo va-kawnce shay noo, noo soms uru de vooz a-cow-year parmee noo.’
(In German): ‘Liebe Freunde, Sie kamen um Ihre Ferien hier zu verbringen. Wir freuen uns, Sie bei uns aufzunehmen.’
(Phonetically) ‘Leeba froy-unda, zee cam-en um eere fair-ee-en here tsoo ver-bring-en. Veer froy-en unts, zee by unts owf-zoo-name-in.’
(In Italian): ‘Cari amici, che venite a passare le vostre vacanza qui da noi, siamo felici di accogliervi nella nostra communità.’
(Phonetically) ‘Caree amee-chee, kay vay-nee-tay ah pass-ah-ray lay voss-tray vah-can-za kwee da noy, see-amo fay-lee-chay day akol-ee-err-vee nellah noss-trah com-oo-nee-tah.
(In Spanish): ‘Quiero dar una bienvenida muy especial a los visitantes españoles. Deseo que tengan unas vaccaciones felices entre nosotros.
(Phonetically) ‘Ki-er-oh dar oona be-en-ven-eeda mo-ee espes-ee-al a lows visi-tant-eys e-span-yole-es.
Des-ay-o kay ten-gan oon-as vack-ass-ee-owen-es fe-lee-th-es en-tray nose-ot-rose.’