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Presider’s Page for 7 December (Advent 2)

Opening Comment
John the Baptist is the focus of the liturgy on the Second Sunday of Advent each year. His challenge to us to ‘prepare a way for the Lord’ is at the heart of the Advent message. We worship the one who will surely come to us.

 

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
With tender comfort and transforming power
you come into our midst,
O God of mercy and might.
Make ready a way in the wilderness,
clear a straight path in our hearts,
and form us into a repentant people,
that the advent of your Son
may find us watchful and eager for the glory he reveals.
We ask this through him whose coming is certain, whose day draws near:
your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

 

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11— Isaiah proclaims joyfully that God is coming with power, to gather us, like a shepherd.
2 Peter 3:8-14 — According to St Peter, everything is coming to an end, so we must live good lives while we wait.
Mark 1:1-8 — Mark’s Gospel begins with a message of repentance, preached by John the Baptist.

 

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) The Lord will make us prosper, so we present our prayers to God:

  1. For a spirit of repentance among all believers, we pray (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. For peace with justice, particularly where it most lacking, we pray (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. For reconciliation between people who are at war, we pray (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us
  4. For children, as they prepare to welcome Christ, we pray (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. For parents, that they may pass on the precious gift of faith (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. For all who are in need, particularly those we think of now (long pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the departed: For those who have been taken from us in death (especially N and N), we pray (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of mercy, your help is near for those who trust in you: hear the prayers we make in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

PREFACE OF ADVENT I  (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
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.
When first he came among us
in the lowliness of human flesh,
he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago
and opened for us the way to salvation.
Now, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours,
we watch for the day
when Christ will come again in majesty and glory.
And so, with angels and archangels,
with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending chorus of praise: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

 

SOLEMN BLESSING (SEASON OF ADVENT — from 1998 ICEL Missal)

After the greeting of the priest, the deacon or, if there is no deacon, the priest
may say the following invitation or similar words.
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
The priest says the solemn blessing with hands outstretched over the people.

We rejoice at the coming of the Saviour in our flesh,
and we await his return again in glory.
May God the almighty and merciful
bless you by the light of Christ’s coming,
and enrich your lives with every grace.
R. Amen.
May God make you steadfast in faith,
joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of your life.
R. Amen.
May God reward you with eternal life
when our Redeemer comes again in glory.
R. Amen.

The priest concludes, using one of the following forms of blessing.
A May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.
R. Amen.
B May the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
come upon you and remain with you for ever.
R. Amen.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions): ‘Let The Valleys Be Raised’; ‘’Wait for the Lord’; ‘O Come, O Come Emmanuel’; ‘Christ, be our Light’.

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On the day after Christmas Day, Irish people traditionally honour St Stephen, the first Christian martyr. This year, we also reflect on the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, whom St Stephen loved so much that he gave his life for the message of forgiveness that Jesus brought. We pray that these qualities will be seen in our families.

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