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Presider’s Page for 7 April (Fifth Sunday of Lent)

Suggested Songs: ‘Come Back To Me’; ‘God of Mercy and Compassion’; ‘Grant To Us O Lord’; ‘Make Me A Channel of Your Peace’.
Opening Comment
We gather to worship our compassionate God, who heals our sinfulness and challenges us to leave our sinfulness behind.
Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us call to mind our sins: (pause)
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy.
You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy.
Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of power,
God of mercy,
you bring forth springs in the wasteland
and turn despair into hope.
Look not upon the sins of our past,
but lift from our hearts
the failures that weigh us down,
that we may find refreshment and life
in Christ, our liberator from sin,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
holy and mighty God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Isaiah 43:16-21 The challenge to begin anew from today’s Gospel (the story of the woman taken in adultery) is also seen in this reading from Isaiah.
Philippians 3:8-11 Paul urges the people of Philippi to keep straining ahead for the prize of glory.
John 8:1-11 Jesus meets the woman taken in adultery, treating her with justice and compassion.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) We bring our needs to God, who works marvels for us

  1. That politicians may be wise as they prepare for Brexit (pause and pray for 10 seconds). Lord, hear us
  2. That God may help doctors who work in war zones (pause and pray for 10 seconds). Lord, hear us
  3. That Christians being persecuted may stay strong in faith (pause and pray for 10 seconds). Lord, hear us
  4. That we may be slow to judge and quick to understand (pause and pray for 10 seconds). Lord, hear us
  5. That believers may support people who are sick or weary this Lent (pause and pray for 10 seconds). Lord, hear us
  6. That homeless families and children in Ireland may be looked after (pause and pray for 10 seconds). Lord, hear us

The Presider prays for the dead: That all who have died in Christ may enter his saving presence (especially N and N) (pause and pray for 10 seconds). Lord, hear us
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, you deliver your people in every trial: hear the prayers we make, through Christ our Lord.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Almighty God,
listen to our prayers:
as you have instructed your servants in the Christian faith,
so purify their hearts by the power of this sacrifice.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
PREFACE (Lent II)
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 set aside this season of grace for your people
to renew and purify their hearts,
so that, freed from all harmful desires,
they may live in this passing world
with hearts set on the world that will never end.
Now, with all the angels and saints,
we praise your glory without end: HOLY, HOLY
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III (with interpolation for Lent)
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.
[SEASON OF LENT
And so, Lord God, in this, the acceptable time,
we celebrate the lenten days of salvation;
turning back to you in repentance
and to one another in reconciliation,
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,
[Saint John Baptist de la Salle], 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…..
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
We ask, almighty God,
to be numbered always among the members of Christ,
whose body and blood we share
in this sacrament of unity.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING (Season of Lent)
God of salvation,
let your Son’s passion and death
be for your people
protection from evil in this life
and the sure hope of glory
in the life to come.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.
 
 

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Seamus Ahearne has been reflecting on his life’s vocation and work, and “has been thinking” and thankfully writing for us.
As always his thoughts are a wonderful antidote to the often banal, myopic, clichéd and uninspiring writing that is done about church and religion in Ireland.
His words challenge all of us to find new ways of ministering to each other.

“there is an absence of gratitude. There is a crudity in our public discourse. How can there be Eucharist if we don’t come in humility to say thanks to God? If we don’t stop to be aware of the ‘gracefulness’ of life; if we don’t stop in utter amazement at the very mystery of life in nature, in people, in moments. If we don’t look at a baby and become more human; if we don’t look at a leaf and become more human; if we don’t look at the exuberance of a child for First Communion and become more human; if we don’t look at the act of faith of two lovers in marrying and become more human; if we don’t see the selflessness of parents and become more human; if we don’t see the prayerfulness of our faithful and become more human.”

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