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Presider’s Page for 26 July (Ordinary Time 17)

Songs at Mass (Suggestions) ‘Lord of All Hopefulness’; ‘Be Not Afraid’; ‘Go Tell Everyone’.
Opening Comment
God has given us many gifts, including the promise that we will share in Christ’s glory. We give thanks for these treasures, as we continue on our journey to the fullness of the kingdom of heaven.
Penitential rite
To prepare ourselves for this act of worship, let us call to mind our sins and God’s faithfulness: (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)
God of eternal wisdom,
you alone impart the gift of right judgement.
Grant us an understanding heart,
that we may value wisely
the treasure of your kingdom
and gladly forgo all lesser gifts
to possess that kingdom’s incomparable joy.
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
1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 — Solomon is offered any gift he chooses and opts for the gift of wisdom.
Romans 8:28-30 — Paul explains that God turns everything to good for those who love him.
Matthew 13:44-52 — Jesus describes the kingdom of heaven using many parables.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers before our God of wisdom and love:

  1. That we may receive the gift of wisdom (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  2. That people who feel anxious may have peace (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  3. That the young may answer the call to serve (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  4. That those in charge may be as wise as the great King Solomon (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  5. That those who are sick because of COVID-19 may find new strength. (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  6. That St Patrick may pray for Irish people, on this Reek Sunday (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: That those whose life on earth is over may reach their eternal home in heaven (especially N & N) (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of wisdom and love, your will is wonderful indeed: hear the prayers we make and help us live by your precepts, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
accept these offerings,
which we have drawn from your bountiful goodness,
that by the working of your grace
these sacred mysteries may sanctify our lives on earth
and lead us to the joys of life eternal.
We make our prayer 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, [Saints Joachim & Anne]
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,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We have shared, Lord, in the sacrament
which is the lasting memorial of your Son’s passion.
Grant, we pray,
that this gift of his surpassing love
may bring us closer to our salvation.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People (In Time of Pandemic)
O God, protector of all who hope in you,
bless your people, keep them safe,
defend them, prepare them,
that, free from sin and safe from the enemy,
they may persevere always in your love.
Through Christ our Lord.

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3 Comments

How bishops are appointed remains a very topical item of interest. That the system of choosing bishops remains problematic and a cause of concern cannot be ignored.
Robert Mickens, writing in the National Catholic Reporter, gives his observations on the process in the light of remarks made by Pope Francis to newly appointed bishops.
“‪Francis says he wants to promote a healthy decentralization of the church. And it is hard to think of anything that currently is more centralized that Rome’s appointment of bishops around the world.”
“‪If Francis is right and the holy people of God really do have a “scent” — or God’s “nose” — for what is right and good in a bishop, then we must find a way to include them more fully in the selection process.”

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