Presider’s Page for 31 July (18th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

God’s Word calls us to recognise the transience of life, to keep our eyes on what is lasting.

Penitential Rite
We gather to ask God’s help and to praise God for forgiving our failures: (pause)
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
O God,
the giver of every gift that endures,
only by your grace can we rightly understand
the wonder of life
and why it is given.
By the word of your Son
challenge our foolishness,
confront our greed,
and shape our lives
to the wisdom of the gospel.
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
Ecclesiastes 1: 2; 2: 21-23 The Preacher tells us that it is easy to fall into the trap of vanity.
Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11 Leave sin behind, says Paul, and look to Christ. He is a model worth imitating.
Luke 12: 13-21 St Luke’s warning against greed is accompanied by a reminder of what it means to follow Christ: we must be always prepared.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Let us ask our God of endless generations to help us in our needs of today.

That church leaders may live the simple life they preach (pause). Lord, hear us.

That the wealthy may share with those who are hungry and poor (pause). Lord, hear us.

That men and women who work too hard may rest this summer (pause). Lord, hear us.

That there may be peace and forgiveness in families (pause). Lord, hear us.

That those who suffer, in mind or body, may have peace (pause). Lord, hear us.

That all the people in holidays may travel safely (pause). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For all our people who have died (especially N. and N.)
that they may enter heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand. (Pause) Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, you have been our refuge, from one generation to the next:
hear your people’s prayer today, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
O Lord,
sanctify these gifts;
receive them as an offering in spirit and in truth
and make of us an everlasting gift to you.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Ordinary Time IV)
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.
His birth brought the human race a new beginning;
by his suffering he wiped away our sins;
by rising from the dead he opened the way to eternal life;
and by his ascension to you, Father, he unlocked the gates of heaven.
And so we join the throng of saints and angels
as they sing the unending hymn of your praise: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II
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 N. 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, AND WITH HIM, AND IN HIM……

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord,
surround with your constant protection
the people you renew by this eucharist,
and in your never-failing care for us
make us worthy of eternal redemption.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Suggested Songs at Mass: Be Thou My Vision; O The Love of My Lord; Glory and Praise to Our God; Holy God.