Presider’s Page for 4 July (14th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Opening Comment
God calls us together for praise and worship today. As weak and sinful people, we gather to ask the Lord’s mercy. We know that divine grace is sufficient for us. Together, we praise and thank our God for the constant care we receive.
Penitential Rite
Let us call to mind the healing power of God, who takes away our sins: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you healed the sick: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgave sinners: Christ have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you gave us yourself to heal us and bring us strength: Lord, have mercy.
Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of the prophets,
in every age you send the word of truth,
familiar yet new,
a sign of contradiction.
Let us not be counted among those who lack faith,
but give us the vision
to see Christ in our midst
and to welcome your saving word.
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.
Alternative Opening Prayer — from the Mass ‘IN TIME OF PANDEMIC’
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.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Ezekiel 2:2-5 — The prophet is inspired to speak out, even though God knows the people may not listen.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 — Paul writes about his frailty, which makes him rely all the more on God’s grace.
Mark 6:1-6 — Like many other prophets before him, Jesus finds no acceptance in his home town.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, let us ask God to have mercy on us and hear our prayers.
- For today’s prophets — that may have the courage of the prophets of old (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For all Christians — that we may have the courage to speak against evil (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For people who feel weak — that God’s grace may lift them up (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those who suffer because of COVID-19 (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For our friends and cousins in America, on their Independence Day today (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those who have time off work — that God may help them to rest (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For our friends who have died, (for N who died recently and N whose anniversaries occur) (and for Irish people who died in past wars or on service of the United Nations) that all our dead may have eternal peace in God’s presence (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord our God, our eyes are fixed on you till you show us your mercy: Let your grace stay with us each day, and listen to the prayers we make, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
let the offering we dedicate to your name
cleanse us and reshape us day by day
with the new life of your kingdom.
We ask this through Jesus 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 withFrancis 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
In this eucharist, Lord,
you have filled us with every blessing.
Grant that we may hold fast to your saving gifts
and never cease to sing your praise.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Mass in Time of Pandemic)
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): ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’; ‘Be Not Afraid’; ‘Eat This Bread’; ‘Lord of All Hopefulness’