Presider’s Page for 31 January (Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Opening Comment
We come together [on-line] to listen to God’s word, believing that Jesus teaches us with authority: we have been rescued from sin and darkness, and given the hope of heaven.
Collect for the Mass in Time of Pandemic (2020)
Almighty and eternal God,
our refuge in every danger,
to whom we turn in our distress;
in faith we pray
look with compassion on the afflicted,
grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners,
healing to the sick, peace to the dying,
strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders
and the courage to reach out to all in love,
so that together we may give glory to your holy name.
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.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Faithful God,
your Holy One, Jesus of Nazareth,
spoke the truth with authority,
and you confirmed his teaching by wondrous deeds.
Through his healing presence,
drive far from us all that is unholy,
so that by word and deed
we may proclaim him Messiah and Lord
and bear witness to your power to heal and save.
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
Deuteronomy 18:15-20 — A prophet is promised to the people, to speak in God’s name. Christians see this prophecy fulfilled in Jesus’ preaching.
I Corinthians 7:32-35 — Paul seems to be downplaying marriage, but his passion is for the Kingdom. He wants his followers in Corinth to give undivided attention to the Lord, before all else.
Mark 1:21-28 — Jesus teaching makes a deep impression on people when he takes on the forces of evil.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) As the people belonging to God’s pasture, let us bring our prayers before the Lord who saves us.
- For those who are finding this lockdown hard (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the people in our families and communities who suffer from depression (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For everyone affected by COVID-19, especially those in hospitals and nursing homes (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For our Catholic Schools, that they may be communities of faith and resilience (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the survivors of Mother & Baby homes, and everyone who has suffered because of Ireland’s lack of compassion in the past (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For justice for the oppressed and abused (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For those who have died recently (especially N and N), and all our dead, that they may dwell in the Lord’s house forever (Pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God our shepherd, you gently lead your people by your hand: hear the prayers we make and graciously answer them, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS (Mass in Time of Pandemic, 2020)
Accept, O Lord, the gifts we offer in this time of peril.
May they become for us, by your power,
a source of healing and peace. Through 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 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 (Mass in Time of Pandemic, 2020)
Prayer after Communion
O God, from whose hand we have received
the medicine of eternal life,
grant that through this sacrament
we may glory in the fullness of heavenly healing.
Through Christ our Lord.
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): ‘All People That On Earth Do Dwell’; ‘Holy God We Praise Thy Name’; ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’; ‘Here I Am, Lord’.