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Presider’s Page for 4 October (Ordinary Time 27)

Opening Comment
October is Mission Month. In two weeks time we will honour the work of missionaries on Mission Sunday; throughout the month, we pray that all may have ‘abundant life’, the theme of this year’s Mission Sunday. • Today is Day for Life in Ireland, with the theme “Cherishing Life, Accepting Death” •

Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
Creator God,
in Christ you call man and woman
to the fullness of glory
for which you created them in your image.
Heal our hardened hearts,
renew our obedience to your spoken will,
and conform our lives to your gracious design.
Grant 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
Genesis 2:18-24 — Includes the second creation story given in the Bible: we are taught here that man and woman are meant to be together.
Hebrews 2:9-11 — On most Sundays between now and the feast of Christ the King, the Second Reading will be from the Letter to the Hebrews. This was written about AD 80, to show the people of the time that Jesus fulfilled the needs of Jews and Greeks alike.
Mark 10:2-16 — Jesus instructs his followers about family life, repeating the teaching given in Genesis and telling all to be as trustful as little children.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) The Lord blesses us all our days, so let us ask for help and strength.

  1. For all who follow Christ, that they may have the trustfulness of little children (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. For the Synod on the Family, which begins in Rome today, that God’s Spirit may be with those who are part of it (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. For people joined together in the Sacrament of Marriage, that God’s grace may continue to work in them, especially in difficult times (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. For children, that they may grow wiser each day and show us the way to the Kingdom of God (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. For single people, the widowed and separated, that they may be blessed with good friends on their journey through life (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. For people who are gravely ill, that every moment of life may be cherished and that death may be accepted, when it comes (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For our friends whose days in this world are over (especially N and N), that they may enter their heavenly homeland with joy (pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) O Lord our God, you bless those who trust in your ways: hear the prayers we make in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Love is His Word’; ‘Ag Críost an Síol’; ‘Ubi Caritas (Taizé)’; ‘Make me a channel of your peace’.

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