Presider’s Page for 25 September (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Day for Migrants & Refugees)
Today’s readings remind us that God is on the side of the poor, defending their rights. Providentially, today is also the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
Penitential Rite
We gather to praise God’s justice and beg God’s mercy, as we call to mind our sins: (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 of justice,
hear our cry and save us.
Make us heed your word to the prophets;
rouse us to the demand of the gospel
and impel us to carry it out.
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
Amos 6: 1, 4-7 Amos warns the wealthy about their selfishness.
1 Timothy 6: 11-16 Paul gives Timothy tips on being a disciple of the Lord Jesus.
Luke 16: 19-31 A reminder that wealth can insulate us from seeing the needs of others.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) We bring our prayers to God, who provides for the poor and oppressed.
- That leaders of nations may protect the earth from climate change (pause for quiet prayer in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- That every country may welcome migrants and refugees (pause for quiet prayer in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- That the war in Ukraine may end and that its people may be safe from harm (pause for quiet prayer in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- That all who follow Christ may have compassion for the poor (pause for quiet prayer in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- That people who are sick may know God is close to them (pause for quiet prayer in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
- That we may be true friends to those who need us (pause for quiet prayer in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead: For all who have died (especially N and N), hat they may be raised up at the last day. We pray too for migrants and fefugees who died while stranded at borders, or fleeing through deserts, mountains or seas, that they may rest in the bosom of Abraham (pause for quiet prayer in our hearts). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of righteousness, you are just to the poor and oppressed: listen to our prayers, we ask you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
God of mercy,
look with favour upon our offering,
and in this eucharist open to us the source from which all blessings flow.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time VII)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
You so loved the world
that you gave your only Son as our Redeemer.
You sent him as one like ourselves,
though free from sin,
that you might love in us what you love in Christ.
Your gifts of grace, lost when we disobeyed you,
are now restored by the obedience of your Son.
And so we join the angels and saints
in the joyous 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 Finbarr, of Cork], 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…..
COMMUNION REFLECTION (Pope Francis’ prayer for World Day of Refugees and Migrants)
Lord, make us bearers of hope, so that where there is darkness, your light may shine, and where there is discouragement, confidence in the future may be reborn.
Lord, make us instruments of your justice, so that where there is exclusion, fraternity may flourish, and where there is greed, a spirit of sharing may grow.
Lord, make us builders of your Kingdom, together with migrants and refugees and with all who dwell on the peripheries.
Lord, let us learn how beautiful it is to live together as brothers and sisters. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Gracious God,
let this holy mystery restore us in mind and body,
that we who proclaim the death of Christ
and are joined to his suffering
may become co-heirs with him in glory,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
SONGS FOR TODAY’S MASS
Lord of all Hopefulness; Ag Críost an Síol; O The Love of My Lord; Praise My Soul the King of Heaven.
Further Resources for World Day of Migrants and Refugees may be downloaded from the Vatican website: migrants-refugees.va