Presider’s Page for 1 September (Ordinary Time 22)

SONGS for Today’s Mass: The King of Love My Shepherd Is;  Love is His Word; A Íosa Glan Mo Chroíse; Holy God.
Opening Comment
Who gets the places of honour in God’s house, the pushy or the humble? The Word of God this Sunday teaches us that the humble are the ones who find favour with God.
• Today is the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Penitential Rite
Knowing that we rely on God for everything, let us worship with all our hearts and humbly acknowledge our sinfulness: (pause)
You were sent to heal the contrite: Lord, have mercy.
You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.
You plead for us at the right hand of the Father: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (1998 ICEL Missal)
God and judge of all,
you show us that the way to your kingdom
is through humility and service.
Keep us true to the path of justice
and give us the reward promised to those
who make a place for the rejected and the poor.
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
Ecclesiasticus (Sirach) 3: 17-20, 28-29 A profound humility follows the awareness that all is God’s.
Hebrews 12: 18-19, 22-24 The new Jerusalem is accessible to all who believe in Jesus.
Luke 14: 1, 7-14 Contains a warning against arrogance.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) To God, who defends the poor and hears their cry, let us bring our prayers.

1. That we may follow the leadership of Pope Francis and care for the earth, our common home (we pray in our hearts for this).  Lord, hear us.
2. The the pope’s visit to East Africa this week may bring peace, hope and reconciliation (we pray in our hearts for this).  Lord, hear us.
3. That politicians may work to protect the earth from exploitation and lasting damage (we pray in our hearts for this).  Lord, hear us.
4. That we may respect and love all of creation (we pray in our hearts for this).  Lord, hear us.
5. That the crippled, the blind and the lame may receive care and kindness (we pray in our hearts for this).  Lord, hear us.
6. That those going back to to school may learn wisdom and patience (we pray in our hearts for this).  Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For all the faithful departed,  (especially N. and N.) that they may reach their heavenly home, in the city of the living God. Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Father of the orphan, defender of the poor, you give new life to your people: hear our prayers and bring us to repentance, through Christ our Lord. Amen
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
may this eucharistic offering
bless us always with your saving grace
and accomplish in our lives
the redemption that it signifies.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time I)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through the mystery of his cross and resurrection
he freed us from the yoke of sin and death
and called us to the glory that has made us
a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people set apart to proclaim your mighty works,
for you have called us out of darkness
into your own wonderful light.
And so, with angels and archangels,
with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending 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
God of blessings,
we have been fed at this table
with the bread of heaven.
Give us this food always,
that it may strengthen your love in our hearts
and inspire us to serve you in our brothers and sisters.
We ask this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.