14th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – C

Greeting

My brothers and sisters:

the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Intro and Litany of Praise

Jesus sent out his disciples as bearers of peace….  healing…. and the good news of salvation to others.  But we must first possess these gifts before we can share them with others.  Let us turn in prayer to the Lord,

the Prince of Peace, from whom all good gifts come.  (pause)

Lord Jesus, you comfort us as a mother comforts her child:  

Lord, have mercy.

Through your cross and resurrection you bring peace to the world:  

Christ, have mercy.

You empower us to cure the sick and announce the kingdom of God;  

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

A    Boundless, O God, is your saving power;

your harvest reaches to the ends of the earth.

Fill our hearts with zeal for your kingdom

and place on our lips the tidings of peace.

Grant us perseverance as heralds of the gospel

and joy as disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  AMEN

B    As a mother comforts her child, O God,

you embrace a broken world;

you empower us – your Son’s disciples –

to bear your gift of peace to all peoples.

Let us go then, into your harvest

not as masters but as your laborers,

seeking not to be successful but only to be faithful,

rejoicing that our names are written in heaven.

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.  AMEN.

                GENERAL   INTERCESSIONS

P    Since we are his disciples,

Jesus sends us out to share his message of peace.  

Let us bring before him the desire of all people for peace,

and let us say:

CM    Lord, listen to your people

    Please repeat:  

1    That leaders of nations may give up the senseless race for arms and power; instead, let them seek genuine and lasting peace.  Let us pray:

2    May all the baptized realize that they are laborers in the harvest of the Lord;   

that they are called to bear witness to the values of the Gospel in the complex world of politics, economics and industry.  Let us pray:

3    May all the Lord’s workers rejoice that their names are written in heaven;

that they may not get discouraged when faced with coldness or hostility in their      mission. Let us pray:

4    That in our homes and communities we may bring understanding and compassion to the sick, the handicapped, and the neglected…   and that we may do so in a spirit of loving service. Let us pray:

  [The Presider may wish to include a topical / relevant petition ]

1. Merciful God, you call peace-makers your children

 and send them out to proclaim the Good News of your Kingdom.  

Fill our hearts with hope and courage

 that we may not falter in our task.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.    AMEN

Prayer over the Gifts

Remember, Lord,

that your Son, our peace and reconciliation,

has washed away the sin of the world by his blood.

Look with favor on your Church’s offering

and grant that we may extend to all the freedom of Christ,

who lives and reigns for ever and ever.  AMEN

Intro to the Lord’s Prayer

The kingdom of God is very near.

In the words of Jesus,

let us pray that it may come into our world and into our hearts:

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,

and grant us peace in our day.

In your mercy keep us free from sin,

protect us in time of trial

as we wait in joyful hope

for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:

‘Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God’.

Through your healing power

the love of peace quells violence

and vengeance yields to forgiveness.

Grant Lord, that we will become instruments of your peace

and heralds of your kingdom,

where you live for ever and ever.    AMEN.

Sign of Peace

Following the command of Jesus

let us offer his gift of peace to those around us.

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, the Lord of the harvest,

who has appointed us to be heralds of his good news.

Blessed are we who have gathered around this table to receive him.

Prayer after Communion

A    Lord of the harvest,

we thank you for the many gifts you have given us,

especially the gift of Jesus your Son in this Eucharist.

Send us out as laborers into your harvest,

praying, healing and bringing peace to all those we meet.

And we do this in the power of Jesus, the Lord.

B    Christ has no body on earth but ours.

He has no hands but ours to raise up the fallen:

  no feet but ours to seek out the lost.

He has no eyes but ours to see the silent tears of the suffering:

  no ears but ours to listen to the lonely.

He has no tongue but ours to speak a word of comfort to the sad:

  no heart but ours to love the unloved.

Father, send us the Holy Spirit

so that we can be the body of Jesus our Lord.  Amen.

Blessing

May peace dwell in your hearts.  AMEN

May peace fill your home.   AMEN.

May peace be yours, now and forever.   AMEN.

And may the God of peace bless you

+  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.     AMEN.

Dismissal

At the end of the Mass we are not simply dismissed.

We are sent out in the Lord’s name,

  and with the Lord’s power,

to build up his kingdom in the world.  (pause)

Go now in his peace.

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13th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – C

    13th    SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME    –    C

Sign of the Cross

Greeting

From God the Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ,

peace and love be with you.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

In today’s Gospel we see how Jesus headed resolutely for Jerusalem even though he knew that death awaited him there.  In this we see how faithful he was to the task the Father had given him. Fidelity can be very costly at times.

Let us renew our promise to be faithful and courageous in living out our commitments to Jesus as we ask pardon for our past failings (pause)

Lord Jesus, you strengthen us when we are weak:  

Lord, have mercy.

You give us courage when we are afraid:  

Christ, have mercy.

You help us to be generous when we are tempted to think only of ourselves:  

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A   

Sovereign God, ruler of our hearts,

you call us to fidelity and perseverance.

Keep us true to the way of your Son,

that we may leave behind all that hinders us

and, with eyes fixed on him,

walk securely on the path where he leads us.

Grant 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.  AMEN.

Option B   

You call us, O God, to follow where Jesus has gone before,

without compromise or condition

and without counting the cost.

Give us strength to fulfill our commitment,

but keep us gentle and patient

toward those who choose other ways.

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.  AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

Credo

               GENERAL  INTERCESSIONS

P    The road of discipleship is not an easy one.

Let us pray to God that we may have the courage and perseverance

to remain faithful to Jesus, as we pray:

CM    Lord, be with us on our journey.

    (Please repeat)

1    For our newly-elected officials:   (pause)  

that they may commit themselves to reconciliation so that the whole nation will work together in building a better future for all.  We pray:

2    For married couples:

that they may have the grace to remain faithful to the commitments they made to one another on their wedding day.  We pray:

3    For young people called to priestly and consecrated life:  (pause)

that they may have the resolve of the prophets and of Jesus to persevere in their vocation.  We pray:

4    For ourselves:  

that at all times we may strive to keep our vision clear and our goal in focus, so that even now we may experience the inner peace that comes from being faithful.  We pray:

(The Presider may wish to add a petition that is local / topical)

P    Lord, grant that we who have committed ourselves to follow you,

may not keep looking back,

but may go forward in faith and hope,

and so be found worthy of your kingdom.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God,

these gifts of bread and wine

are a sign of our willingness to follow your Son without conditions

on the journey of life.

Give us the Spirit of your Jesus,

so that like him,

we may make ourselves attentive to your loving will.

We ask this in the power of his name.     AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

As disciples who seek to follow Jesus on the way to the kingdom,

let us pray with faith:

Deliver Us

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil

and make us truly free for others.

Do not allow us to look back,

not even to our failures

  – for you have forgotten them –

but lead us resolutely forward

in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rite of Peace        

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:

“No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back

is fit for the kingdom of God”    (Lk.9:61)

Look not upon our lack of commitment,

look rather on the faith of the Church,

and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom

where you live for ever and ever.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Sign of Peace     

St Paul said:

“Serve one another in works of love.”   (Gal.5:13)

Let us extend the hand of welcome to the persons beside us.

   

Lamb of God…

Invitation to Communion

This is the Lamb of God

who took the road that led him to the cross.

Blessed are we to be invited to eat at his banquet

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion

Good and generous God,

today we have been the guests of Jesus, your Son.

Help us to be to those around us

his helping hand,

his smile of welcome,

his voice of encouragement,

and his face of hope.

Grant all this through the same Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet.     AMEN.

May you love God more than anybody or anything else.    AMEN

May you always hear God’s voice whenever God calls your name.    AMEN.

And may God bless you …..

Dismissal

Option A   

Our celebration is ended.

Go, take up your cross and follow Jesus.

Option B   

As disciples of Jesus,

servants of the gospel

and neighbors to all in need,

go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

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6th Sunday of EASTER – Year C

Greeting

May the love of the Father,

the peace of Jesus,

and the presence of the Holy Spirit

be with you all.

 

Litany of Praise

We all have our share of troubles and anxieties which rob us of that priceless gift – inner peace. 

In today’s Gospel we will hear Christ say to us:

        “Do not let your hearts be troubled.   (pause)

       “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you’.  (pause)

Let us now call upon Jesus, the Giver of Peace.   (pause)

Lord Jesus, you heal our troubled minds and restless hearts:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you promise us the Spirit

who will remind us of all that you have told us:

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you give us your peace,

a peace that the world cannot give:

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

A       Great and loving Father,

your abiding gift to us

is the Advocate promised by your Son, Jesus.

Calm all troubled hearts,

dispel every fear.

Keep us steadfast in love

and faithful to your word,

that we may always be your dwelling place.

Grant this through Jesus Christ,

the first-born from the dead,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.   AMEN.

B       You have promised, O God,

to make your home with those

who hear your word

and put it into practice.

Do not let our hearts be troubled,

but send the Holy Spirit upon us

to remind us of all that Jesus said and did.

We ask this through Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  AMEN.

                                    GENERAL   INTERCESSIONS

P       Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit and be always fulfill his Promises.  United as one family in that Spirit let us bring our needs before the Lord.

CM      Our response is:  Lord, give strength to your people.

1          For world leaders: (pause)

that God may guide them into the way of peace,

let us pray:

            When appropriate:

2          For the Filipino nation:  (pause)

As we elect our political leaders, may we follow our conscience, vote wisely. protect the sanctity of the ballot, ads respect the will of the people, let us pray:

3          That those who are troubled and afraid may find peace in the gospel of Jesus and become aware of his caring presence, let us pray:

4          That the Lord’s disciples today may not extinguish the Spirit but learn to recognize God’s hand at work in the world and in the Church, let us pray:

          The Presider may introduce a Petition that is topical / relevant

P       Heavenly Father,

take pity on our restless hearts and troubled minds

and grant us the peace and love of your kingdom

where you live for ever and ever.  AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Loving Father,

as we present these gifts today,

we ask you to come with your Son

and make your home in each of us

and in our communities.

We make our prayer through the Holy Spirit

whom you send in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.   AMEN

Intro to the Lord’s Prayer

A       Through the Spirit of understanding and love,

let us pray the prayer of Jesus

to our Father in heaven:

B       The Holy Spirit enables us to pray

and so we have the confidence to  say / sing:

 

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,

and grant us peace in our day.

In your mercy keep us free from fear

and protect us in time of trouble

as we wait in joyful hope

for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples:

“Peace I leave with you, my own peace I give you.
A peace which the world cannot give, this is my gift to you.

Lord, take pity on our troubled hearts

and grant us, through your Holy Spirit,

that peace and unity in your kingdom

which lasts for ever and ever.   AMEN.

Sign of Peace

Peace was Christ’s parting gift to his Church.

Let us now share this gift with one another.

 

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, the Lamb of God,

who continues to live among his people.

He invites those who love him

to keep his word and to come to share his banquet.

Prayer after Communion       (based on the Gospel)

God and Father of all,

we have celebrated your love in this Eucharist.

May your Spirit remind us 

to live by the word of Jesus

so that you will come to us

and make your home with us.

We ask this in the name of Christ our Lord.    AMEN

Blessing

May God be gracious and bless you.    

AMEN.

May the face of God shed light upon you.      

AMEN.

May your lives be transformed by the gift of Christ’s peace.  

AMEN.

And may the blessing of our loving God,

+  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

come down upon you and remain with you for ever.  AMEN.

 

Dismissal

You have heard God’s word…

and received the promise of his Spirit.

Go now in the peace of Christ

and live in his presence.

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5th SUNDAY OF EASTER – Year C

Greeting

We are known to be the disciples of the Lord

by our love for one another.

May this love remain always with you.

Introduction   and   Litany of Praise

A       It is the newness and freshness of God’s re-creation in Christ

that we celebrate today.

There is a new heaven and a new earth

where God lives continually with his people.

Let us call upon Christ our Savior, God-with-us.   (pause)

Lord Jesus, you are the glory of God the Father:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, your rule lasts from age to age:

Christ,  have mercy.

Lord Jesus, through your death and resurrection,

you have brought us life:

Lord, have mercy.

B       ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’

Of all the commandments Christ gave us this is the most important:

it includes all the others. 

The only failure in the life of a Christian is the failure to love.

Let us remember those people that we find difficult to take into our hearts, and ask the Lord to help us to be more loving towards them. 

Lord Jesus, the glory of God is revealed in you. 

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you have loved us with an everlasting love.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you command us to love as we are loved by you.

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

A       We behold your glory, O God,

in the love shown by your Son,

lifted up on the cross

and exalted on high.

Increase our love for one another,

that we may be disciples of the risen Lord Jesus,

and so reflect by our lives

the glory that is yours.

Grant this through Jesus Christ,

 the first-born from the dead,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.   AMEN

B       In Christ your Son, O God of glory,

you are making all things new.

Make this new commandment of love

the very foundation of our lives,

so that, loving you and loving one another

we may show that we are Christ’s disciples.

We ask this through Jesus Christ,

the first-born from the dead,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.   AMEN

                                    GENERAL   INTERCESSIONS

P       Let us pray that we may be faithful to the new commandment by which  we shall be known as Christ’s followers.

CM      Our response is:    Lord, unite us in your love.

1          For this assembly.  (pause)

That we may be able to rise above the grudges, jealousies and meanness of spirit which prevent us from loving one another.   We pray to the Lord.

2          For those in special need.  (pause)

That the Lord may heal the sick, comfort the suffering and the dying, give safety to travelers and free those unjustly deprived of liberty.  We pray to the Lord.

3          That peoples of all nations may come to know and enjoy the personal loving God revealed in Jesus Christ.  We pray to the Lord:

4          That we who are called the people of God may truly become a holy people. 

We  pray to the Lord.

                        [Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P       Heavenly Father,

listen to our requests and deepen our awareness of your tender love.  Help us to remain faithful to your Son’s new commandment to love.  We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts            [based upon  2^nd Reading]

Creator God,

the bread that we eat is meant to be the bread of peace,

but to many it is the bread of tears.

   The cup that we drink is meant to be the cup of joy,

   but often it is a bitter cup of sadness.

Let the bread and wine which we bring before you

become for us the food and drink

which will give us strength to build a better world

with Jesus, who is our Lord for ever and ever.   AMEN.

Intro to the Lord’s Prayer

Our God has made his home among us;

we are his people.

Let us turn to God and say / sing:

Deliver Us

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil

and grant us peace in our day.

Help us to love our neighbor as you love us 

— with all our heart and soul –

as we work in joyful hope

for the return in glory

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ,

you said to your disciples:

   ‘A new commandment I give you;

    love one another as I have loved you.”

Lord, touch our hearts

so that we may be people who are able to love,

and thus we will enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom

where you live for ever and ever. 

May the Peace and Joy of the Risen Lord be always with you.

Sign of Peace

Let us offer each other a sign of Christ’s love and peace.

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, who loved his own to the end.

Happy are we who love one another as he has loved us.

And so we say:

     Lord , I am not worthy…..

Prayer after Communion        [inspiration from Readings]

God of heaven and earth,

through the sacrament that we have received

you have created within us a heart that is new.

Grant that by our love for one another

everyone will know that we are the disciples

of Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord,

who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.   AMEN.

 

Solemn Blessing

May the God of kindness and compassion make his home with you. 

AMEN

May God wipe away all tears from your eyes

and welcome you into his holy city.  

AMEN.

May you be strengthened and encouraged

to continue in the practice of your faith.   

AMEN.

And may God, who is love itself,

help us all to love one another;

and may he bless you all,

+  the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.    

AMEN.

Dismissal

Our celebration has now ended.

By your love for one another

go and show yourselves to the world

as disciples of Christ.

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4th Sunday of EASTER – Year C

Greeting

Praise be to Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

May his love and protection be with you all.

 

Litany of Praise

A       Jesus is the Good Shepherd who calls each of us by name.

Have we been faithful in following his call?

Let us examine ourselves.   (Pause)

Lord Jesus, you are the lamb who takes away our sin:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you guard us as a shepherd guards his sheep:

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you lead us to springs of living water:

Lord, have mercy.

B       Today the church celebrates “Vocation Sunday”. 

We are reminded of the great need for men and women to serve the church as Priests, Religious and Lay Workers. Jesus urges us to ”ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers to his harvest”. Have we really prayed hard for…..  and encouraged vocations?

         Lord Jesus, our shepherd, you came to lead us to the Father:

Lord, have mercy.

            Lord Jesus, you called disciples to continue your work on earth.

We are your disciples today: 

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you invite us to serve our brothers and sisters and to lead them to the banquet prepared for them: 

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

A       God of lasting love,

fulfill your plan of salvation

to gather into one fold the peoples

from every nation, language and way of life.

Attune our ears to the voice of the Good Shepherd,

who leads us to you,

that we may be counted among those

who know and follow you.

We ask this through Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.   AMEN.

B       O God, the fountain of joy and peace,

         into the hands of your risen Son

you have entrusted the destinies of peoples and of nations.

Sustain us with the power of your Spirit,

that amidst the changes of life in this world,

we may never become separated from Christ our Good Shepherd,

who guides us to springs of life-giving water.

We ask this through the Lord Jesus,

who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  AMEN.

                                                GENERAL  INTERCESSIONS

P       On this ‘Vocations Sunday’  we bring our needs to God, asking for the grace to respond generously to God’s call to be witnesses in the world.

CM      Your response is:  Lord, hear your people.

            Please repeat:

1        We pray for the young people of our parishes struggling to find their identity in the

    church.  (pause) 

May we give our wholehearted support to those whom you are calling to priesthood, religious life and mission.  Let us pray:

2          That by their dedication and spirit of service our Christian families may provide the favorable climate in which a commitment to a life of Christian service may take root and grow, let us pray:

3          That young people may encounter Christ as the meaning and inspiration of their lives.   (pause)                                                                                                          That they may be willing to become for others the heart of Christ  that loves and the hands of Christ  that heal. Let us pray:

4          Like Paul and Barnabas, may we be enthused for the good news of Jesus so that others may come to believe the message of eternal life.  Let us pray:

                     [The Presider may add a petition that is relevant / local]

P       God, you show no partiality based on race or culture,

for in Christ you gather all people into one. 

Sustain your church as a community of peace and prayer,

and lead us to the fullness of life in Christ. 

We ask this in Jesus’ name.  AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

O God, you are a God who cares.

You prepare for us the table of life.

You invite us to stand around your throne and worship you

for our robes have been washed white again in the blood of the Lamb.

Grant that, with him –  Jesus Christ our Lord –

we may praise you for ever and ever.   AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with Christ our Shepherd to God the Father,

confident that our petitions will be heard:

 

Deliver us

Deliver us, Lord, from all that divides us

and bring us together under the leadership of Jesus.

Let us share in the peace of his caring and forgiving love,

save us from all anxiety,

and bring us to the source of living water  –

he who is our Shepherd, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said:

   ‘I am the good Shepherd.

   The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice:

   I know them and they follow me.’

Good Shepherd, bind us to you and to one another

so that we may enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom

where you live for ever and ever.

May the Peace and Joy of the Risen Lord be always with you.

Sign of Peace

We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock.

Let us offer each other the peace given to us by Christ our shepherd.

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, the Lamb on the throne,

who leads us to the springs of life,

that we may never hunger or thirst again.

Happy are we to be invited to this banquet.

Prayer after Communion

Father, we have listened to the voice of your Son

speaking to us here in this Eucharist.

He has brought us to fresh pastures;

he has wiped away our tears;

our cup is overflowing.

May we keep close to him,

and follow him wherever he leads us

Grant this through the same Christ our Lord.   AMEN.

 

Blessing

May God the Father

who called you as sheep of his flock,

bless you and lead you to your promised home. 

AMEN.

May Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for his sheep,

grant you the fullness of life.  

AMEN

May the Holy Spirit, who sustains those born again in Christ,

keep your minds and hearts in the way of peace. 

AMEN.

And may…..

Dismissal

Christ has made you a light for the nations,

so that his salvation may reach the ends of the earth.

Download printable file here:

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3rd Sunday of EASTER – Year C

Greeting   

A       To the One seated on the throne

be blessing and honor and glory forever and ever!

And may the Lord be with you.

 

B       From God the Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ

peace and love be with you.   (Eph. 6:24)

Introduction & Litany of Praise

A       In today’s Gospel we hear the words of Jesus to Simon Peter:  “Do you love me” ?   For the times we have not responded positively to the Lord’s invitation to love, let us ask for forgiveness.   (pause)

B       In spite of the fact that Peter denied Jesus, he was forgiven and confirmed as chief shepherd of the early Church.

Jesus does not reject us when we fail. 

All he wants to know is, “Do we love him”?   (pause)

Lord Jesus,

you were exalted by the Father as Leader and Savior

that you might grant forgiveness of sins:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus,

you are the Lamb that was slaughtered

who now sits at the right hand of the Father:   

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus,

you appeared to your disciples

and sent them to preach the Good News of your victory:

Lord, have mercy.

 

Opening Prayer

A       God of life,

in your risen Son

you reveal your abiding presence among us

and summon those reborn in baptism

to lives of worship and service.

Fill this assembly with reverence

as we come before you in prayer.

Grant us courage and zeal

in bearing witness before the world

to your Son, Jesus Christ, the first-born from the dead,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.   AMEN

B       God of our ancestors,

you have raised up Jesus

and exalted him at your right hand

as Leader and Savior.

Open our eyes to recognize your risen Son

as he continues to show himself to his disciples

through the worship and witness of the church.

We ask this through the Lord Jesus

our Passover and our Peace,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.   AMEN

                                      GENERAL  INTERCESSIONS

P       With the resurrection of Christ, our hope of resurrection has dawned.  Let us intercede with the Lamb of God who is our cause of rejoicing.

CM      Our response is:     Lord, keep us in your love.

            Please repeat:

1          Christ instructed Simon Peter to feed the flock.  (pause)

May the Pope and bishops of the church nourish the faithful through their witness to Christ’s compassion for the suffering poor. 

We pray in faith:

2          For peace in the world, especially in ________  and those countries where violence and war have become a part of daily life.

We pray in faith:

3          That we may be kind and forgiving towards all those who disappoint or fail us, just as the Lord has been kind to us. 

We pray in faith:

4          For all who serve in the ministries of our Parish.

May they tend well the flock entrusted to their care.

We pray in faith:

                      The Presider may add a petition that is local / urgent]

P       Loving God, 

in Christ’s victory you have turned our mourning into dancing. 

Sustain in your church the Spirit of love

 that we may praise you unceasingly in the company of Christ. 

We ask this in Jesus’ name.  AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

God, our Life-Giver,

you entrust your Son to us

and place him into our hands.

Through him, and together with him,

let us become to the world

your word and your gift.

Grant this in the name of Jesus the Lord.  AMEN.

 

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray to the God of our ancestors who raised up Jesus

as we sing / say:

Deliver us

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil

and grant us peace in our day.

Strengthen us with the power of your Son

– the Lamb that was slain for us –

that our faith may remain firm

in times of persecution and trial,

as we look forward with hope

for the coming in glory and power

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace   [2^nd Reading  & Gospel]

Lord Jesus Christ,

You ask us, “Do you love me”?

With Peter, we can say:

“Lord, you know everything;

you know that we love you”

All praise be to you, “the Lamb of God,

to you be power, wisdom, honor, glory and blessing,

for ever and ever. Amen”.

Sign of Peace

May the peace of Jesus, the Risen Lord, be with you always.

 

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus the Lord,

who says to us today:

  “Come and eat”!

He takes bread and gives it to us.

Happy are we to receive him at this altar-table.

Prayer after Communion

Strong and faithful God,

now that we have shared a meal with Jesus

we can respond better to his love.

Like the apostles,

let us be ready to speak in his name

and to suffer humiliation for the sake of that name.

To him be all blessing and honor and glory,

for ever and ever.   AMEN

Solemn Blessing

May the Lord show his face to you. 

AMEN.

May the Lamb that was sacrificed give you his wisdom and strength. 

AMEN.

May the Lord walk with you wherever you go. 

AMEN.

And may the blessing of God be upon you,

+  the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.  

AMEN.

Dismissal:

We are all witnesses to Jesus’ love for each one of us.

Let us go forth from this church

willing to speak in his name.

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2nd SUNDAY OF EASTER – C

Greeting

The peace of the risen Lord be with you all.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

A.      In today’s Gospel the disciples are filled with joy when they see the risen Lord. Three times they hear his greeting, “Peace be with you.”

That Easter greeting is extended to all of us now gathered in faith.

Let us ask the Lord for the gift of his Easter peace and joy,

that our fears may be banished and our sins forgiven.    (pause)

          Lord Jesus, you raise the dead to life in the Spirit.

          Lord, have mercy.

You bring pardon and peace to the sinner.

Christ, have mercy.

You bring light to those in the darkness of doubt and unbelief.

Lord, have mercy.

B       Like the apostle Thomas, we all have doubts from time to time.

          We should not hide them but bring them to Jesus.

He, the risen Lord, will say to us also: 

“Cease doubting and believe.”

          Lord Jesus, you help us to believe

that your love for us is unchanging and unfailing.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you help us to believe

that your forgiveness is all-embracing.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you help us to believe

in your promise of eternal life.

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer      

A       Creator God,

on this, the Lord’s Day,

you gather your people together to celebrate Jesus,

the Living One, who has conquered death,

and now lives in our midst.

Open our hearts to receive the Spirit that Jesus breathes on us.

Help us, who have not seen, to believe;

send us, as you sent Jesus,

to greet the world with the Easter word of peace

and to share with all

the new life that comes from forgiveness.

Grant this through Jesus Christ,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  AMEN.

B       O God of Easter glory,

          increase in us this Easter faith,

that, by believing in Jesus, whom we have never seen,

we may confess him as our Lord and our God.

Let the peace that he bestowed on the first disciples

reign over this assembly.

Let the Spirit that was breathed on them

fill our hearts anew.

We ask this through our Lord 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.  AMEN.

                                                GENERAL    INTERCESSIONS

P       As members of a believing and caring community,

let us now bring our needs before God whose love has no end.

CM      Let our response be:           Our Lord and our God, hear our prayer.

1          That the Catholic church will be filled with the spirit of the Risen Lord and be a witness of new life to the whole world. We pray in faith:

2          For those whose faith is weak or non-existent:  (pause)

that the Lord may touch their minds and hearts through the lives of committed Christians. We pray in faith:

3          For peace in the world, especially in _______  and those parts of the world where violence and war have become a part of daily life. We pray in faith:

4          For the sick of our community:   (pause)

that their faith in the Risen Lord may give them courage in their suffering  and hope for their healing. We pray in faith:

5          For ourselves.  (pause)

May we be filled with the peace that is given to those who confess Jesus as

‘my Lord and my God:.  We pray in faith:

P       God of Love and Mercy, you give strength to the weary,

and new courage to those who have lost heart.

Hear the prayers of all who call on you in need,

so that they may have the joy of receiving your help.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

God our Father,

your Son came among his disciples

and brought them peace.

In these signs of bread and wine

let him come among us

to bring us the peace of his presence.

For he is our Lord and our God

now and forever.  AMEN

Intro to the Our Father

A       Jesus said,  ‘Doubt no longer but believe.’

We accept that his Father is our Father, so we can sing / say:

B       With Jesus present among us

we pray to his Father in confidence as we sing / say:

 

Deliver Us

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,

and grant to us in our day

the peace which your risen Son brought to his disciples

in their hour of need.

In your mercy help us overcome our doubts

and be faith-filled disciples

as we prepare for the coming 

of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

•  >   >   >   >

Prayer for Peace

A       Lord Jesus Christ,

in the evening of Easter you said to your apostles:

‘I leave you peace, my peace I give you.’

Look not on our doubts and disbelief

but on the faith of your Church,

which proclaims that you are truly risen.

Stay with us always

and lead your Church to perfect unity,

now and forever.  AMEN

May the peace which Christ brought to his apostles

be with you always.

B       Lord Jesus Christ,

on the first Easter evening

you appeared to your frightened and disheartened disciples

and said to them:

‘Peace be with you.’

Then you showed them your wounded hands and side,

and they were filled with joy.

Grant that we who have heard the message of Easter,

may enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom

where you live for ever and ever.  

May the peace which Christ brought to his apostles

be with you always.

Sign of Peace

Jesus’ first words to his disciples after his Resurrection were,

 ‘Peace be with you.’

Let us now offer the Master’s greeting to one another.

 

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus, our risen Lord.

It is he we love without seeing.

Blessed are we who can recognize in this bread

the body of the Risen Christ.

Prayer after Communion

God our Father,

we thank you for Jesus, your risen Son.

He who loves us is alive.

Give us eyes of faith to see

that all we are and do

has a meaning and a purpose,

and that your Son is present with us

in our moments of darkness.

We pray that he may stay with us,

for he is our Lord and our God for ever and ever.  AMEN

 

Solemn Blessing

Through the resurrection of his Son,

God has saved you and made you his children.

May he bless you with joy.    AMEN.

The Redeemer has given you lasting freedom.

May you inherit his everlasting life.     AMEN.

By faith you rose with him in baptism.

May your lives be holy,

so that you will be united with him forever.       AMEN.

May our beloved God bless you,

+   Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.      AMEN.

 

Dismissal

Jesus is risen. 

Sin and death are conquered.

Go forth from this Church with confidence and joy

to love and serve the Lord.

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5th SUNDAY OF LENT – C

Greeting

Blessed be the Lord Jesus

who came not to condemn the world but to save it.

May his grace and peace be with you all.

Introduction  and  Litany of Praise

A       In today’s Gospel we hear again the immortal words of Jesus in relation to the woman caught in adultery: 

‘Let the one who is without sin cast the first stone’. 

As we call to mind our sins, we recall and we regret the harsh and unfair judgments we have passed on others.   [Pause]

B       We come together as followers of Jesus Christ to praise and thank God and to hear the message of his mercy and compassion.  

As we prepare to celebrate this Eucharist we open our hearts to God’s love. 

A & B                  Lord Jesus, you raise up all who are bowed down:

Lord, have mercy.

                  You give freedom to the sinner:

Christ, have mercy.

                  You bring new life and new hope to those in despair:

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

A       God of love and compassion,

you bring forth springs of water 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,

God for ever and ever.  AMEN.

B       Infinite is your compassion, O God,

         to every sinner who stands before you.

Grant that we,

who have been forgiven so much,

may embrace as sisters and brothers

every sinner who joins us at this feast of forgiveness.

         We ask this through Christ,

our peace and reconciliation,

the Lord who lives and reigns with you

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  AMEN.

                                             GENERAL  INTERCESSIONS

P       In confident faith, let us pray to the Father who, through the sufferings and death of his Son, has saved us from all condemnation.

CM      Our response is:     Christ our Savior, hear our prayer.

Please repeat:

1          For all who minister in the church;   (pause)

that in their work they, like Jesus, will always show true forgiveness and understanding, we pray:

2          For judges: (pause)

that they may strive to temper justice with mercy,  we pray:

3          For those weighed down by their own sinfulness…..

those enslaved by the mistakes and failures of the past;   (pause)   

that the Lord’s forgiveness may touch their hearts

and bring them peace, we pray:

4          For ourselves, that we may refrain from passing judgment or condemning others, but examine our own lives in the sight of God, we pray:

                        [The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P       Father of mercy, hear the prayers of your people.

Strengthen us to avoid sin and to rise each time we fall. 

We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.   AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Merciful Father,

in these signs of bread and wine

we sinners share in the forgiveness and life

   of your Son Jesus Christ.

Help us to be people of mercy,

because we have been shown mercy.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

In the words of Jesus our Lord

we call on our Father

to forgive us as we forgive others:

Deliver us

Deliver us, Lord,

from everything that separates us

from you and from one another.

Gather us in faith

as we wait in hope

for the coming in glory

of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ,

you looked with compassion

on the woman caught in adultery

and refused to condemn her.

Help us to be merciful and forgiving

so that we may enjoy

the peace and unity of your kingdom

where you live for ever and ever.

Sign of Peace

Let us show our friendship in Christ

as we offer one another a sign of peace.

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus,

the Lamb of God who died that we might have new life.

Blessed are we who gather around this altar-table.

Prayer after Communion

Tender and compassionate Father,

we thank you for letting us share

in the sacrifice of your Son

who brought us your pardon and peace.

Through him,

we sinners have been forgiven.

May we too be able to forgive others.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Blessing       (based on  2^nd Reading)

May you gain Christ….. and be completely united with him.    

AMEN.

May you have a deeper knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord.    

AMEN.

May you, as you share in the sufferings of Christ ,

experience the power of his resurrection.    

AMEN.

May our compassionate God bless you,

+  the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.   

AMEN

Dismissal

A       Our celebration is ended.

Go in peace…   and sin no more.

B       Confessing that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God,

go forth in the peace of Christ.

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4th SUNDAY OF LENT – C

Greeting

Blessed be God who has reconciled us to himself through Christ.

May his pardon and peace be with you always.

Introduction   and  Litany of Praise

A       St. Paul proclaims the coming of Christ to herald a new creation:

at its heart is the message of reconciliation and forgiveness. 

The deep love and welcome that God gives to all sinners is shown by Jesus’ moving parable of the Forgiving Father.

Lord Jesus, you reconcile us to one another and to the Father.

Lord, have mercy.

You heal the wounds of sin and division.

Christ, have mercy.

You intercede for us at the right hand of the Father.

Lord, have mercy.

B       ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you’

So said the prodigal son whose story we hear in today’s Gospel.

At the start of today’s liturgy we are invited to make our own these words and sentiments.  Fortunately for us God is incredibly generous with his mercy and forgiveness.

Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way back to the Father;

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life in the Spirit:

Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you invite us to your banquet to heal us and bring us strength: Lord, have mercy.

 

Opening Prayer

A       God of compassion,

you await the sinner’s return

and prepare a feast to welcome home the lost.

Save us from the temptations

that draw us away from you.

Lead us back by the constancy of your love,

that we may take our place in your household

and gladly share our inheritance with others.

Grant this through 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.  AMEN.

B       O good and gracious God,

welcome into the embrace of your love

all your sons and daughters

as they come home to you,

hearts burdened with guilt,

spirits filled with repentance.

Grant this through 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.  AMEN.

                                    GENERAL  INTERCESSIONS

P       With confidence we place our needs before God our Father,

who in loving kindness overlooks our faults and greets us with a loving embrace.

CM      Our response is:     Merciful, Father, hear our prayer.

Please repeat:

1          For the Church:   (pause)

that through its ministry people may experience the love and mercy of God:

we pray:

2          For our spiritual and political leaders:   (pause)

may they have the humility to acknowledge their faults

and the courage to atone for them:  we pray:

3          For our youth:  (pause)

May they learn from the prodigal son not to squander their gifts of nature and grace; and if they fall, may they never doubt God’s immense love for them. 

We pray:

4          That prodigal children who have abandoned God, family and faith may come to their senses, and retrace their steps back to the Lord, we pray: 

P       God of mercy and compassion,

we are not worthy to be called your daughters and sons.

Listen to the petitions we make through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Compassionate Father,

Your Son welcomed sinners

and ate with them at table.

May our gathering here around the table of your Son

bring us –  today’s sinners –

reconciliation and peace

with one another and with you.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.   AMEN.

 

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

A       Repentant, like the prodigal son, we turn to our Father

and ask him to forgive us as we forgive others:

B       Hear us, O Lord, your prodigal children,

as, from a long way off, we call to you and pray / sing:

Deliver us, Lord

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,

and grant us today

the peace that comes from forgiveness.

When, in moments of weakness we have turned away from you,

let the memories of your kindness

be stronger than our feelings of guilt.

Help us to return to your home

as we look forward to the full coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Prayer for Peace

A       Lord Jesus Christ,

your said to your apostles:

‘I leave you peace, my peace I give you.’

Look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church,

and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom

where you live for ever and ever.

B       The Prophet Isaiah said:

Nation will not lift sword against nation,

and there will be no more war or training for war.”

Lord, grant that the world may turn away from violence and war,

so that all of God’s children

may enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom

where you live for ever and ever.

 

Sign  of Peace

In a spirit of reconciliation from the Lord,

let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus

who reconciles us with the Father and one another.

Blessed are we who are called to receive him.

Prayer after Communion

Father,

you have nourished us today at the table of your Son.

We had to celebrate and rejoice

because we who were lost have been found;

we who have been dead have come to life again.

Make us ambassadors for Christ your Son

who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever. AMEN.

 

 

Blessing

May you value the preciousness of God’s gifts

and never squander them through a life of sin.            AMEN.

May you rejoice in the Lord’s mercy toward sinners

and mirror it in your attitude toward those who have offended you.  AMEN.

May you be reconciled to God and live in Christ as a new creation.   AMEN.

May the Lord who welcomes you with open arms,

embrace you tenderly today and bless you,

+  in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.    AMEN

Dismissal

We have been reconciled with God in this Eucharist.

Go…    and be ambassadors of God’s abundant love.

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3rd SUNDAY OF LENT – C

Greeting

Blessed be God

who calls us to bear fruits of goodness that will last.

May God’s love and peace be with you all.

Introduction  and  Litany of Praise

‘Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’

These words, addressed by Jesus to his contemporaries,

are addressed to us in today’s liturgy.   (pause)

A       Lord Jesus, you are slow to anger and rich in mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

         You forgive all our guilt and heal all our ills.

Christ, have mercy.

         As the heavens are high above the earth,

so strong is your love for those who honor you.

Lord, have mercy.

B       At times we look only at the defects or mistakes of others.

Now, let us look into our own hearts

and recognize our need for God’s mercy and forgiveness.  (pause)

         Lord Jesus, you have been good to us

although we are just as guilty as others:

Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus,

you expect us to bear fruits of repentance and good works: 

Christ, have mercy.

         Lord Jesus, you have been patient with us:

Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

A       God of salvation,

we stand before you on holy ground,

for your name is glorified

and your mercy revealed

wherever your mighty deeds are remembered.

Cultivate us with compassion

until, by your grace, we bear at last

the abundant fruits of the Holy Spirit.

We ask this through Christ, our deliverance and hope,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

holy and mighty God for ever and ever.  AMEN.

B       God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,

you revealed your name to Moses in the burning bush;

and you revealed your mercy to every generation

in the life and teaching of Jesus.

Open our minds to the wisdom of his Gospel

that we may grasp the lessons you teach us

in the events of our daily lives.

We ask this through Christ, our deliverance and hope,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

holy and mighty God for ever and ever.   AMEN.

                                    GENERAL   INTERCESSIONS

P       The Lord who forgives our sins listens to our prayer. 

Let us approach him with confidence because we know God really  loves us.

CM      Our response is:     Lord, give strength to your people.

Please repeat:

1          That the Church may be open to reform, aware that it is always in need of repentance, we pray:

2          For those who are addicted to harmful substances.   pause)

            May they be supported in their attempts to overcome their dependency, we pray:

3          For all prisoners of conscience,

and those who suffer persecution for their faith. (pause)

            May they experience the strength of Christ in their trials, we pray:

4          For those who have lost loved ones through violence or disasters.  (pause)

may they find comfort in their mourning and courage to embrace the future

                  [The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P       Loving Father,

receive the prayers of a penitent people,

who come before you in humility and faith.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Merciful Father,

your Son, Jesus, welcomed sinners

and ate with them at table.

May our gathering at the table of your Son,

bring us the gifts of reconciliation and peace –

with one another and with you.

We ask this in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord.   AMEN.

 

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

We stand before you, our God, on this holy ground….

and we have the confidence to call you Father…. as we pray / sing:

Deliver us Lord

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil

and grant us the peace

that comes from following your commandments.

Keep us from relying on our own strength

and do not allow us to fall,

as we wait in joyful hope

for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus, you said to the people:

“If you do not repent, you will all perish.”

Look not on our sins,

but on the faith of your Church,

and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom,

where you live for ever and ever.

May the peace and the joy of the Risen Lord be always with you.

Exchange of Peace

The fruit of the Spirit is peace.

Let us share a sign of this peace with the persons beside us.

Invitation to Communion

Behold Jesus,

the spiritual Rock from which all graces spring.

Blessed are we who are called to receive him.

And we pray:

Lord, I am not worthy….

Prayer after Communion

God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob,

and our God too,

we thank you for the meal that we have shared.

We have eaten the same spiritual food

and we drank the same spiritual drink.

You have seen the miseries of your people

and you are aware of our sufferings.

Send us back into our communities

so that we can do our part

in bringing comfort and healing and hope

to all those who suffer.

We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord.  AMEN.

Blessing

Through your service of God and neighbor

may you receive God’s countless blessings.  

AMEN.

May the Lord pardon your iniquities and heal all your ills. 

 AMEN.

May the Lord secure justice and the rights of all the oppressed. 

AMEN.

May the God of mercy bless you,

+  the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.   

AMEN

Dismissal

A       Our Mass is ended.

Go and bear fruit that will last for ever.

B       Reconciled to God in Christ,

go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

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