Presider’s Page for 24 May (Ascension of the Lord)
Opening Comment
We celebrate the Ascension of Jesus today. We remember his sending out of the disciples, and his promise to remain with us always, reassuring words for this dark time.
Penitential Rite
Assured by Christ’s words, we renew our trust in his continuing help (pause):
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of majesty,
yours is the power that raised Christ from death,
yours the glory that exalted him to your right hand.
By the mystery of the ascension,
sustain our hope
as we bear witness to our baptism.
By the perpetual outpouring of your Spirit,
confirm your Church
in its mission of salvation.
Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead,
who lives and reigns with you now and always
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 1:1-11 — Luke describes the Ascension: this excerpt is taken from the very beginning of the book of Acts.
Ephesians 1:17-23 — Paul interprets the event as Christ’s exaltation at the right hand of the Father.
Matthew 28:16-20 — Matthew’s description of the command to make disciples of all nations, given at the Ascension.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) With confidence, we bring our prayers before God, the Most High.
- For Christians frightened by fear of the coronavirus— that God’s Spirit may console them (pause and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For all of us as we struggle to believe — that Christ’s presence may sustain us, always (pause and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For children who have should have received First Communion this month — that Jesus may be close to them, till they can receive the Bread of Life (pause and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For those who work in the world of communications — that their efforts may continue to serve humanity (pause and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For those who organise parish newsletters, websites and Facebook pages — that they may be rewarded for all they do to keep us together (pause and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For absent friends, and all those we have lost contact with — that God’s Spirit may bring us to get ack in touch (pause and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead (remembering all those who have died with COVID-19, and grieving families): For those whose life in this world has ended (especially N & N), that where Christ has gone, they may soon follow (pause and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God most high, king of all the earth, you care for all you have made: hear these prayers we make in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
We offer you this sacrifice, Lord,
on the feast of your Son’s ascension,
begging that through this holy exchange of gifts
we may rise with him to the joys of heaven.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Ascension of the Lord 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
in this Easter season
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
Today the Lord Jesus,
the King of glory, who has conquered sin and death,
ascended to the highest heavens
while angels gazed in wonder.
He is the mediator between God and humankind,
judge of the world and Lord of heavenly powers.
He has not abandoned our human condition
but has filled us with hope
that where he, our head, has gone before us
we, his members, shall follow after.
Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory: Holy, holy, holy…..
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I - The Roman Canon (with interpolation for the feast)
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.
As we celebrate that most holy day
when your only Son our Lord
lifted up to the glory of heaven our mortal nature,
which he had made his own,
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,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Almighty and eternal God,
you have entrusted to us here on earth
the mysteries that foreshadow heaven.
Draw our gaze upward
where Christ, who shares our human nature,
sits in glory at your right hand
and lives and reigns with you for ever and ever.
SOLEMN BLESSING
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
The priest says the solemn blessing with hands outstretched over the people.
On this day Christ, the only Son,
passed into the highest heaven
to take his place with the Father in majesty
and to open the way for us.
May almighty God grant
that, where Christ is, you also may be.
R. Amen.
May God grant
that when Christ comes to judge the world
his face may shine upon you in lasting mercy.
R. Amen.
May God grant you the joyous fulfilment of Christ’s promise
to remain with you even to the end of time.
R. Amen.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Let The Earth Rejoice And Sing’; ‘Now the Green Blade Rises’; ‘Praise to the Holiest in the Height’; ‘Bring Flowers of the Fairest’.