Presider’s Page for 28 July (Ordinary Time 17)
United with Christians all over the world, we acknowledge one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God as our Father. We worship as one family, and pray for greater charity and love among all the baptised.
• Today is World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, being the Sunday closest to the feasts of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us recall times we have failed in love (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)
O God,
you open wide your hand,
giving us food in due season.
Out of your never-failing abundance,
satisfy the hungers of body and soul
and lead all peoples of the earth
to the feast of the world to come.
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
2 Kings 4:42-44 — Elisha insists that the people be fed, and God multiplies the food so that all can share in it.
Ephesians 4:1-6 — Paul writes from prison, calling Christians to greater unity and charity.
John 6:1-15 — St Mark’s Gospel is read on most Sundays this year. However, between now and the end of August, the Gospel most weekends will be from Chapter Six of John’s Gospel, which presents Jesus as the Bread of Life. In today’s opening section, Jesus feeds the five thousand.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) My friends, God is aware of the needs of all people, so we can present our intentions with confidence:
- For all the followers of Jesus, that we may grow in unity and charity (pause and reflect). Lord, hear us.
- For our brothers and sisters who are hungry, that the world may provide food for the starving (pause and reflect). Lord, hear us.
- For farmers who grow crops to provide food, that they have the weather they need (pause and reflect). Lord, hear us.
- For bakers, and all who provide us with bread, that God may bless their work (pause and reflect). Lord, hear us.
- For older people and grandparents — that they may have the respect they deserve (pause and reflect). Lord, hear us.
- For all who go on pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick today, that they may travel safely and find new strength (pause and reflect). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For the faithful departed (especially N & N) (and remembering especially our grandparents who have died) that eternal peace may be theirs and that God may comfort the grieving (pause and reflect). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) You open wide your hand, O Lord, and grant our desires: hear the call of your people and be with us in our needs, 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, the grandparents of Jesus],
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.