Presider’s Page for 28 April (Second Sunday of Easter)

Opening Comment
Even though Easter Week is now behind us, today’s liturgy still overflows with the joy of Jesus’ resurrection. We continue to celebrate that great event for the next six weeks, until Pentecost Sunday on the 9th June, the fiftieth and final day of Easter.
Penitential Rite: In the light of the resurrection of Jesus, let us renew our trust in the divine mercy: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, youi forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (1998 ICEL Missal)
God of life,
source of all faith,
through the waters of baptism
you have raised us up in Jesus
and given us life that endures.
Day by day refine our faith,
that we who have not seen the Christ
may truly confess him as our Lord and God
and share the blessedness of those who believe.
Grant this through Jesus Christ, the resurrection and the life,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Acts 4:32-35 — During the Easter season, the first reading each Sunday is from the Acts of the Apostles, the story of the growth of the early Church. Today’s reading describes how the first disciples interpreted the Christian ideals.
1 John 5:1-6 — Believing that Jesus is the Christ is what marks out a Christian. This faith becomes visible in love.
John 20:19-31 — Jesus appears on the evening of his resurrection, and helps those who doubt to believe.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) My friends, let us give thanks to the Lord, whose love has no end, as we bring forward our petitions.

1. That the unity of the Church may grow (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
2. That God may help our pope and all the bishops (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
3. That all believers may have life and have it to the full, through the power of Jesus (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
4. That those who doubt may be convinced by the strong faith of Christians (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
5. That any divisions in our communities may be overcome (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
6. That those in need may experience friendship and practical care (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: That those who have died recently (especially N & N) may share the victory over death won by Christ (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God our strength, the resurrection of Jesus renews our hope: listen to our petitions and help us, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Receive, Lord, the gifts of your people
that, having confessed your name
and been cleansed in the waters of baptism,
we may come to eternal happiness.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Easter I)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
that we should always sing your glory, Lord;
but we praise you with greater joy than ever
in this Easter season
when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.
He is the true Lamb who took away the sins of the world.
By dying he destroyed our death;
by rising he restored our life.
Therefore, the universe resounds with Easter joy,
and the choirs of angels sing the endless hymn of your glory: Holy, holy, holy….
Eucharist Prayer III (With Easter interpolation)
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.
EASTER
And so, Lord God, on this most sacred day,
we celebrate the glorious resurrection of your Son;
and, exulting in his mighty victory over death,
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 N.], 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
Grant, all-powerful God,
that the paschal mystery we have shared
may never cease to touch our hearts
with the force of its saving grace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING (Season of Easter)
May the God who has redeemed you and made you adopted children
through the resurrection of his only Son
bless you and fill you with joy.
R. Amen.
May the God who has bestowed on you
the gifts of redemption and lasting freedom
make you heirs of eternal life.
R. Amen.
May the God who joined you to Christ’s resurrection
by faith and baptism
lead you to live justly
and so bring you to your home in heaven.
R. Amen.