Presider’s Page for 26 September (26th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
• Today is the Church’s 107th World Day of Migrants and Refugees (observed annually since 1914). Resources from the South African Catholic Bishops Conference, some included below, may be found on www.vatican.va
Opening Comment
All are welcome in this place: anyone who is not against us is for us. All may gather here to worship God our Saviour.
Penitential Rite (from South African Catholic Bishops Conference)
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries (pause)
For all the times we have failed to welcome the strangers among us: Lord, have mercy.
For wars and conflicts that create trauma for so many people throughout the world: Christ, have mercy.
For the abuse and lack of respect suffered by refugees, especially the women and children: Lord, have mercy.
Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Pour out your Spirit, O God, over all the world
to inspire every heart
with knowledge and love of you.
Grant that we who confess Jesus as Lord
may shun whatever is contrary to this faith
and give witness to your love
that has saved us in Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from South African Catholic Bishops Conference)
O Lord, to whom no one is a stranger, and from whose help no one is ever distant, look with compassion on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, on segregated persons and on lost children; restore them, we pray, to a homeland and give us a kind heart for the needy and for strangers. Through our Lord Jesus Christ …
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Numbers 11:25-29 — Moses is asked to prevent some followers from acting as prophets, but declines. God’s gifts are for all, not just a few.
James 5:1-6 — James condemns the rich, those who perceive they have no need of God.
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 — Jesus teaches his followers to recognise people who are helpful, and shows them how to deal with obstacles to faith.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, let us make our needs known to the Lord.
- For people with power — that they may serve the poor (pause for a moment’s prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For church leaders — that they may stand up for refugees (pause for a moment’s prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For a good harvest this year — that the hungry may be fed (pause for a moment’s prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For rich people — that they may remember to share (pause for a moment’s prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For migrants far from home — that they may be warmly welcomed (pause for a moment’s prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those who work to support refugees — that they may not give up (pause for a moment’s prayer). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For those who have died (N and N), including all the departed refugees — and all our people who have gone before us in faith, that they may receive the reward of their labours (pause for a moment’s prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Eternal God, you give wisdom to those who rely on you: send us the grace we need each day, we beseech you, through Jesus 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 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 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. AMEN.
Prayer after Communion (from South African Catholic Bishops Conference)
O Lord, who have renewed us with the one Bread and the one Chalice, grant that in sincerity of heart we may show true compassion towards strangers and the abandoned, and that all of us may deserve to be gathered at last in the land of the living. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Mass in Time of Pandemic, 2020)
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.
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Be Thou My Vision’; ‘The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor’; ‘One Bread, One Body’; ‘How Great Thou Art’.