Introduction:

We gather to celebrate together on this 6^th Sunday of Easter, where our readings express deeply God’s love for us.

Today we remember all mothers as we honour them and pay tribute to the unique role they play in our lives.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant:   Dear friends, Jesus calls us to love as he has loved. Assured of the Father’s answer to our prayer, let us ask for God’s blessing on all that lives.

Lector:   For all who are tending the dying and burying the dead in COVID-ravaged countries, that they will stay strong in body, mind and spirit.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   For nurses around the world, that International Nurses Day will reinforce community appreciation for their devoted service.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   For those who risk their lives defending indigenous rights, that their courage will secure the protection of their lands and culture.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   For mothers, grandmothers and all who have a motherly role, that they will be blessed by the children they have raised with love.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for all those who yearn for motherhood but are unable to.  May they see the many ways that they model to love of Christ in our lives.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:   We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Eric Elmer, Jamilton Dabou and Helen Bernardo and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially and all those in our Mass Intentions today, that they will be born anew into the life of God.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:    God of all goodness, by his self-sacrificing love your Son Jesus has freed us from sin. Guide us in the ways of love and mercy. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

Today’s readings remind us that when, like St Paul, ‘we believe in the name of Jesus Christ’, we accept the intimate relationship to which God invites us. We become branches of the true vine, Jesus Christ.

The Gospel shows the amazing intimacy that Jesus offers through the wonderful image of the vine and branches. Having Jesus, the true vine, live within our hearts, we as his disciples, the branches, will bear fruit; cut off from Jesus, we can do nothing at all. Jesus reveals his Father as the vinedresser, tending to us with love, and sometimes pruning us so that we can produce more plentiful fruit.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant:   Dear friends, united with Jesus as branches of the one true vine, let us place our world and all its needs in the hands of our loving God.

Lector:   For Pope Francis and all ministers of the Gospel, that their preaching of God’s word will call many to lives of fruitful service.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   For the sick and dying in places where the coronavirus is out of control, that countries blessed with resources will come to their aid.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   For children in hospital care, that their parents’ love and the compassion of staff will free them from fear and loneliness.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   all our young people presented for the upcoming confirmations, may they live out of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in their lives..

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   For the YP Core Team commissioned over this weekend that they may imitate the love of Christ as the Founder Joseph De Piro did in loving service of others.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:   We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Eric Elmer, Santana Vaz and Nepomucena Narvasa and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially and all those in our Mass Intentions today, that they will live in God and God in them for ever.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:    Holy God, your Word and Spirit make our lives fruitful in love. Keep us on the path of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

In the midst of the joy and exuberance of Easter, this Sunday’s readings allow us to consider our sinfulness, our doubts and our weakness. This is not to weigh us down, but to bring us peace and encourage us to live the new life won for us.

Let us continue our Lenten journey this week, strengthened by the gift of Christ’s peace, and conscious of being his witnesses – even if, at times, we are confused and doubtful.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant:   Dear friends, with a greeting of peace the risen Jesus freed his disciples from sin and shame. Thankful for this gift ourselves, let us pray with love for all our sisters and brothers.

Lector:   We pray for the church. May it confess its sinful betrayals of the gospel and be reborn in integrity of heart.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for countries still ravaged by unchecked COVID infections. May a just distribution of vaccines bring the disease under control.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for teachers as schools resume. May they find deep satisfaction in enabling their students to grow in knowledge and maturity.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for those baptised in the waters of the Easter font. May they take their place in the community of faith and share in its mission.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:   We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Maria Gobie, Rosario San Gabriel, Violet Pisani, Josephine Fenech, Ines Mallia and Leonor A Dela Pena and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time especially Agnes Mary, Marianne Ricci, Antonia Cassetta, Violeta Yap, Josefina Co and all those in our Mass Intentions today. May God’s love come to perfection in them.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:    Everlasting God and Father of glory, you raised your Son to life for us. Help us be always true to your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Prayers of the Faithful:  

Celebrant:          We offer God our prayers today on behalf of all those throughout the world who seek freedom, who choose life, who desire healing and who cry out for justice.

Lector:                Lord, we thank you for Pope Francis and all Church Leaders. May their love and concern for the poor continue to reveal to the world the compassion and human face of Christ.

(Pause) ………….We pray to the Lord

Lector:                 We pray for all who have been baptised and received into the Church this Easter, especially Anusha, Sampath, Bahereh, Daniel and Abraham.  May the Easter Sacraments be renewed each week at Mass as they grow in the life of Christ’s grace.

(Pause) ………….We pray to the Lord

Lector:                 We pray for all those who have made sacrifices for Project Compassion and sponsored a child through the Paulist Missionaries Sponsorship Programme.  May the promise of Jesus, ‘what so ever you do to the least of my people, you do unto me’ be the source of blessing and witness to Him by our love, service and commitment to each other.

(Pause) ………….We pray to the Lord

Lector:                 We pray for all those who stand in special need of God’s loving care – those who are sick, housebound, disappointed, depressed or bereaved.

(Pause) ………….We pray to the Lord

Celebrant:           We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand on and for the recently deceased, especially who all passed away recently and all whose anniversaries occur about this time.
(Pause) ………….We pray to the Lord

Closing Prayer:   

Celebrant:          Christ is our source of new life, O loving God, and it is through Him that we offer these prayers at this time of Easter Joy.  Hear us in His Name.

Introduction:

As we journey through Lent and approach Holy Week, our Sunday readings draw us deeper into contemplating Jesus fulfilling the new Covenant by his sacrifice and death.

As his disciples, we must follow him, and so, like Jesus, may we turn to the Father in all our troubles, striving to draw others with us.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant:   Dear friends, as Jesus’ hour of trial comes into sight, let us unite ourselves with him and pray for the help of God’s saving power.

Lector:   We pray for an end to brutality and oppression. May a new fountain of mercy spring up from the heart of the world.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for individuals and minority groups that suffer from racial discrimination. May they be treated with the respect that is their right.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for all whose unseen service keeps the community safe. May their humble work receive the recognition and recompense it deserves.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for our parish, especially those preparing for Easter baptism; Christopher, Lisa, Nieve and Sharon. May our Lenten observance show us that we are God’s work of art.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:   We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Amencio Rubite Snr and Paul Tonna and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time including Rosemarie Garcia and all those in our Mass Intentions today. May all who have lost their lives in this world be raised up to eternal life.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:    Holy God, Father of Jesus, you raised your Son from cross to glory. Give us the courage to follow in his footsteps. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Introduction:

God’s love for humanity is proclaimed throughout the liturgy this Sunday. The readings shed light on our story of salvation, and reflect the depth of eternal love that God expresses for all people.

Prayers of the Faithful:

Celebrant:   Dear friends, thankful for the saving love God has shown us in Christ, let us pray for our world and all who dwell in it.

Lector:   We pray for the church. May it be a joyful community of light, grace and truth for all to see.

                             (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for all in aged care. May the recommendations of the royal commission ensure they are cared for with dignity and compassion.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Lector:   We pray for our parish, especially those preparing for Easter baptism; Christopher, Lisa, Nieve and Sharon. May our Lenten observance show us that we are God’s work of art.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:   We pray for the ancestors of the Wurundjeri people on whose land we stand, for all our loved ones who have died, as well as for the recently deceased; Anna Maria Prats, Katrina Buttigieg, Baby Leo Perara, Herbert Sy and Tessa Manzano and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time including and all those in our Mass Intentions today, that they will be admitted to the new and heavenly Jerusalem.

                            (pause………………………we pray to the Lord)

Celebrant:    God of all grace, you loved the world so much you gave us your beloved Son. Help us always to walk in the light he shone. We ask this through Christ our Lord.