We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.


First Reading Acts 16:1-10


Come across to Macedonia and help us.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 99
R: Cry out with joy to the Lord, all the earth.
or Alleluia!

Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord, who hung for us upon the tree,
has risen from the tomb.
Alleluia

Gospel John 15:18-21
You do not belong to the world because my choice withdrew you from the world.


Prayer over the Gifts:
Father,
you teach us by your sacraments
and help us grow to be like you.
You have made us desire your gift of charity.
By this sacrifice help us to obtain it
and remain faithful to your way.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.


The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.

It is truly right to give you thanks,
it is fitting that we offer you praise,
Father of mercy, faithful God.
You sent Jesus Christ your Son among us
as redeemer and Lord.
He was moved with compassion
for the poor and the powerless,
for the sick and the sinner;
he made himself neighbour to the oppressed.
By his words and actions
he proclaimed to the world
that you care for us
as a father cares for his children.
And so, with all the angels and saints
we sing the joyful hymn of your praise:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.


Blessed are you, God of holiness:
you accompany us with love
as we journey through life.
Blessed too is your Son, Jesus Christ,
who is present among us
and whose love gathers us together.
As once he did for his disciples,
Christ now opens the scriptures for us
and breaks the bread.

Great and merciful Father, we ask you:
send down your Holy Spirit
to hallow these gifts of bread and wine,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
On the eve of his passion and death,
while at table with those he loved,
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
and, handing the cup to his disciples, he 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.


Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
A. Christ has died,
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
B. Dying you destroyed our death,
rising you restored our life.
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
C. When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory.
D. Lord, by your cross and resurrection
you have set us free.
You are the Saviour of the world.


And so, Father most holy,
we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son,
whom you led through suffering and death on the cross
to the glory of the resurrection
and a place at your right hand.
Until Jesus, our Saviour, comes again,
we proclaim the work of your love,
and we offer you the bread of life
and the cup of eternal blessing.
Look with favour on the offering of your Church
in which we show forth the paschal sacrifice of Christ
entrusted to us.
Through the power of your Spirit of love
include us now and for ever
among the members of your Son,
whose body and blood we share.


Lord,
perfect your Church in faith and love
together with N. our pope, N. our bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all those your Son has gained for you.
Open our eyes to the needs of all;
inspire us with words and deeds
to comfort those who labour and are burdened;
keep our service of others
faithful to the example and command of Christ.
Let your Church be a living witness
to truth and freedom, to justice and peace,
that all people may be lifted up
by the hope of a world made new.

Be mindful of our brothers and sisters [N. and N.],
who have fallen asleep in the peace of Christ,
and all the dead whose faith only you can know.
Lead them to the fullness of the resurrection
and gladden them with the light of your face.
When our pilgrimage on earth is complete,
welcome us into your heavenly home,
where we shall dwell with you for ever.
There, with Mary, the Virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
[Saint N.,] and all the saints,
we shall praise you and give you glory

through Jesus Christ, your Son.


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.

Amen.


Communion Antiphon:
Father, I pray for them: may they be one in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me, alleluia.


Prayer after Communion:
Lord,
as we receive the sacrament of unity,
help us to live together in your household
united in mind and heart.
May we experience the peace we preach to others
and cling to the peace we receive in the eucharist.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

The people respond:
Amen.

Liturgy Notes
1. Do invite regular parish ministers to take active part – eg musicians, ministers of the word. They will have expertise to place at your service, and you can help them to understand more deeply the importance of the family in the contemporary Church.
2. It may be advantageous for the priest who will preach at the Mass to gather a group to reflect together with him on the readings of the day, and the theme of the celebration, using a process of lectio divina. He can then use this experience as a part of the process for preparing the homily.
3. This is a celebration at which there are likely to be a significant number of children. It might be appropriate to have a special liturgy of the Word for children. If so then it is wise to ensure the cooperation of the parish’s team of ministers for Liturgy of the Word with children. It might also be appropriate to provide crèche facilities for the very young children.
4. Involving families in the liturgy. How this is done will vary from parish to parish: perhaps a family – young and old (er) in the procession of Gifts; perhaps a family leading the Prayer of the Faithful (Bidding Prayers). Things to be careful about are not excluding those who don’t think of themselves as being a family, or one or two families dominating the whole proceedings. Be certain to observe the Diocesan Child Protection procedures.
5. There will very probably be a number of inter-church families in the congregation at this Mass. Thought needs to be given as to how that is to be dealt with. They or you may well feel that this day is one occasion when the Bishop might be approached, asking permission for the non-Catholic family members, who meet the requirements established in One Bread, One Body, to receive Holy Communion with the rest of their family.
6. Need for celebration afterwards!
7. Publicity – who would you be sad not to see there? How might you make it possible for them to come?