Presider’s Page for 12 April 2020 (Easter Sunday in Pandemic)

Thanksgiving over (lit) Paschal Candle (where the Easter Vigil has not preceded) (adaptation for a unique occasion)
On this, your day of grace, O holy Father,
accept this Easter candle,
a solemn offering,
a sacrifice of praise,
this gift from your most holy Church,
that it may persevere undimmed,
to overcome the darkness of this time.
May the Morning Star which never sets
find this flame still burning.
Christ is that Morning Star,
who rose to shed his peaceful light on all creation
and lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. R/. Amen.
In the light of this Easter Candle we pray: In the name of the Father …..
Opening Comment & Gloria
This Easter morning we gather for a most unusual Easter celebration. Pandemic threatens to overwhelm, yet the Church insistently proclaims: Christ is risen! We still celebrate the central mystery of our faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He suffered on the cross and died for us, but now he has conquered death and fear! Filled with the spirit of Easter joy, let us proclaim the might and glory of God, as we sing (say) Glory to God in the highest …
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
On this most holy day, Lord God,
through the triumph of your only-begotten Son
you have shattered the gates of death
and opened the way to everlasting life.
Grant, we beseech you,
that we who celebrate the festival of the Lord’s resurrection
may rise to a new and glorious life
through the quickening power of your Spirit.
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
Acts 10:34, 37-43 — Peter sums up the whole Paschal Mystery – the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. Colossians 3:1-4 — We too can share the glory of Christ. (Or as an alternative: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 — We should celebrate Easter by putting aside any trace of wickedness in us.)
John 20:1-9 Very early on the first day of the week, the empty tomb is found by Mary Magdalene, and from that discovery comes faith in the resurrection. (Or, if not read at Easter Vigil, as an alternative: Matthew 28:1-10 The angel tells the women that Jesus is risen: then they meet him and hear his message, not to be afraid.)
BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Let us give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love has no end! He answered the prayers of his Beloved Son: he will help us in our needs too.

1. That all Christians may have their hope renewed at Easter  (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
2. That those suffering because of COV-19 may have peace and new strength (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
3. That healthcare professionals may have God’s grace to sustain them (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
4. That chaplains and all who support the dying may be protected from sadness and despair (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
5. That the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, and religious leaders, may continue to inspire the world to endure (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
6. That the people of our community may grow strong in love and practical solidarity (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: That those who have died may share in the resurrection: those who died recently, those whose anniversaries occur and those lost to COVID-19 (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God our Redeemer, you lead your people from defeat to triumph: grant our prayers, through Christ our Risen Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Filled with Easter joy, O Lord,
we offer you the sacrifice
by which your Church is wonderfully reborn
and is nourished with the food of life.
We make our prayer 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
on this Easter day
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…..
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III  (from 1998 ICEL Missal, with Easter Octave 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.
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,
[All Saints of Ireland], 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, 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
Eternal God,
watch over your Church with unfailing care,
that we who have received new life
through the paschal mystery of Christ
may come to the glory of the resurrection.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING (Easter)
On this solemn feast of Easter,
having followed the Lord Jesus in his suffering,
we celebrate the joy of his resurrection.
May God the almighty bless you
and mercifully protect you from the peril of sin.
R. Amen.
May the God who restores you to eternal life
in the resurrection of Christ
complete in you the gift of immortality.
R. Amen.
Through the grace of Christ
may God lead you
to the banquet of lasting joy.
R. Amen.
 SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Jesus Christ is Risen Today’, ‘A New Hymn of Praise’, ‘This is the Day’.