Presider’s Page for 9 July (Ordinary Time 14)

Opening Comment
There is much good news in today’s Gospel. We’re told we can bring all our troubles to Jesus and find rest. God will make our burden light. We praise God for the care promised us.
(In Ireland: Today is the National Day of Commemoration of those who died in past wars or on service of the United Nations.)

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.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
by whose gracious will
the mysteries of the kingdom are revealed to the childlike,
make us learn from your Son humility of heart,
that in shouldering his yoke
we may find refreshment and rest.
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.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Zechariah 9:9-10 — Peace will come, not through the instruments of worldly rulers, but through the gentleness of God.
Romans 8:9, 11-13 — Paul tells us that life is given to us through the gift of the Spirit, so we must not live unspiritual lives.
Matthew 11:25-30 — A promise of rest for the overburdened: Jesus refreshes and renews all who seek him.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) The Lord is kind and full of compassion, so we bring our prayers with confidence:

1. That Christians may learn to trust in God’s gentle support (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
2. That leaders of nations may work for peace (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
3. That the people of Syria and Iraq may be delivered from violence and danger (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
4. That this year’s marching season in the north of Ireland may pass off peacefully (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
5. That all who labour and are overburdened may find rest (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.
6. That those who suffer in body, soul or spirit may be healed by Christ (pause and pray). Lord, hear us.

The Presider prays for the dead: For all Irish people who have died in war or in the service of the United Nations,
(and for N. who died recently and N. whose anniversaries occur), that they may be raised to eternal life with Christ.(pause and pray). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of compassion and faithfulness, you raise up all who are bowed down: hear the prayer we make to you this day, through Jesus 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 with Francis 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.

Songs at Mass (Suggestions) ‘Be Still and Know that I am God’; ‘Come to Me’; ‘I will never forget you my people’.

GREETING VISITORS
If continental visitors attend Mass during their summer holidays, the presider might welcome them in their own language.

(In Dutch): ‘Beste vrienden, die bij ons uw verlof komt doorbrengen, wij zijn blij u hier te begroeten (Phonetically) ‘Best-eh freend-en, dee by uns oo fer-lof come-teh door-breng-en, vigh zine bligh oo here tuh buh-ghroot-in.’

(In French): Chers amis qui venez passer vos vacances chez nous, nous sommes heureux de vous acceuillir parmi nous. (Phonetically) ‘Shares am-ee key venay passay vo va-kawnce shay noo, noo soms uru de vooz a-cow-year parmee noo.’

(In German): ‘Liebe Freunde, Sie kamen um Ihre Ferien hier zu verbringen. Wir freuen uns, Sie bei uns aufzunehmen.’ (Phonetically) ‘Leeba froy-unda, zee cam-en um eere fair-ee-en here tsoo ver-bring-en. Veer froy-en unts, zee by unts owf-zoo-name-in.’

(In Italian): ‘Cari amici, che venite a passare le vostre vacanza qui da noi, siamo felici di accogliervi nella nostra communità.’ (Phonetically) ‘Caree amee-chee, kay vay-nee-tay ah pass-ah-ray lay voss-tray vah-can-za kwee da noy, see-amo fay-lee-chay day akol-ee-err-vee nellah noss-trah com-oo-nee-tah.

(In Spanish): ‘Quiero dar una bienvenida muy especial a los visitantes españoles. Deseo que tengan unas vaccaciones felices entre nosotros. (Phonetically) ‘Ki-er-oh dar oona be-en-ven-eeda mo-ee espes-ee-al a lows visi-tant-eys e-span-yole-es. Des-ay-o kay ten-gan oon-as vack-ass-ee-owen-es fe-lee-th-es en-tray nose-ot-rose.’