The following presentation is made possible by the generosity of the viewers of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago. Good morning and welcome to Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Today we celebrate the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. My name is Dan Riley. I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Elizabeth Nordon. And our celebrant is Father Scott Donahue, President of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man. Truly I’d love Thee, truly I’d serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

We gather together at the table of the Lord to celebrate the Eucharist, to give thanks to God, as together we praise God and we offer our prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with each of you. And with your spirit. My sisters and brothers, as we prepare, we just pause for a moment. We listen to our hearts. We acknowledge that we all have faults and failings, and gratefully our God is filled with love and with compassion. So Lord Jesus, as we gather this day, we ask that you might deepen our sense of hope in one another. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. We ask that you teach us to love as you love us. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Help us to be your disciples in this world to bring hope and compassion to others. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Let us pray. May your grace, O Lord, we pray, at all times go before us and follow after us and make us always determined to carry out good works, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. The First Reading is a reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. On this mountain, the Lord of Hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure choice wines. On this mountain, he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations. He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face. The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said, “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us. This is the Lord for whom we looked. Let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us. For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me. He revives my soul. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

The Second Reading is a reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians. Brothers and sisters, I know how to live in humble circumstances. I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things, I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. My God will fully supply whatever you need in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Lord be with each of you. And with your spirit. Ours is a reading taken from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: Behold, I have prepared my banquet. My calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready. Come to the feast.’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Wow. Now that’s a Gospel, huh? All are invited. All are invited into this big tent, this big wedding feast hall, to share at a table in fellowship, to be nourished by one another, and to be nourished in conversation and food. And certainly at Eucharist, when we gather in church to be fed and to be nourished by the Lord. All are welcomed. That’s a great thought of consolation. All are welcomed to the banquet. No one’s excluded. The only ones who are excluded are those who exclude themselves. God’s love, his mercy, his compassion. All are welcome. Come, and come, and come and join us at the table. You know, I have a principle I’ve been preaching about for a long time about what I believe the foundation of life is all about. The foundation of life for me is all about faith and our families and our friends, and having the opportunities to contribute to make better the world in which we live, to take the gifts that God has given to us solely as gift and to share those with others. I’ve been at Mercy Home now for over 33 years, ordained a priest 42 years, and what a privilege it’s been to be in this community here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, along with always being in a parish community. Here at Mercy Home, all are welcomed. All are welcome, those who come from all aspects of life. Certainly, the young people entrusted to our care have come from very difficult and challenging life circumstances. And they’re welcomed. They’re brought in. They’re given a safe place to live. They’re given a wonderful education, great opportunity. They’re welcomed into this family of Mercy Home. And that’s what it is. It’s a home where all can come and be cared for. And the only way we’re able to do that is because of you. And I want you to hear that. We take no government money. We’re able to do this because of your generosity, the goodness of your own hearts, that you understand that to create a good, safe environment, to give young people a good education, it costs. It costs money, of course, but it costs people with good hearts to share their good hearts. What God has given to you, you give to us as gift, so that life might be enhanced here at Mercy Home, and from Mercy Home into our communities, into our city, into our state, and into this country we live in. I want to use this opportunity simply to say thank you. Thank you. And I pray that your own faith, your family, your friends, and the ways in which you give of yourselves to others enhance and make better your lives, because it certainly does for us here at Mercy Home.

Let’s stand together and profess what it is we believe. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

And let us now take this opportunity to place our prayers, our hopes, and our dreams before our God, who loves us dearly. Our response to each prayer will be “Lord, hear our prayer.” For the Holy Father and Church leaders, may they be filled with wisdom as they proclaim God’s mercy throughout the world. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For all people, may they be open to hearing the Lord’s invitation to them and gratefully accept God’s grace and love in their lives. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For the youth of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, may the Holy Spirit inspire them as they continue their studies this semester. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For those who have passed away, may they feel God’s loving embrace as they enter the Lord’s eternal heavenly banquet. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. We pray always the prayer of the angels in heaven, that there might be peace on earth and goodwill towards all. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, we trust, we know that you hear all of our prayers, those prayers we pray out loud, those many prayers that we hold in the quiet of our hearts. Help us to use the gifts that you have given to us to share with others, to make better the world in which we live. This prayer we make through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Pray, my friends, my sisters, my brothers, that this our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. Accept, O Lord, the prayers of your faithful with the sacrificial offerings, that through these acts of devotedness we may pass over to the glory of heaven, through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just. It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For out of compassion for the waywardness that is ours, he humbled himself and was born of the Virgin. By the passion of the Cross, he freed us from unending death, and by rising from the dead, he gave us life eternal. And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. 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.

You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.”

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”

The mystery of faith. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you. Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo our Pope and Blase our Bishop and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse, with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ. Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

You’ve heard me say this many times, but one of my favorite images in the Scripture is when the disciples, the friends of Jesus, came up to him and said, “Lord, just teach us how to pray.” And he said, “When you pray, pray like this.” Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,” look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen. The peace of the risen Lord be with each of you. And with your spirit. Share now the Lord’s peace. And for those of you at home celebrating this Eucharist with us here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, we pray that you might receive God’s choicest blessings and the very peace of Christ in your lives.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

My friends, behold Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, the Bread of Life that comes down from heaven. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. The Body of Christ.

For those of you at home, please turn to page six in your TV Mass guide and join in singing our Communion song.

[Communion song: “Come to Me”]

Please turn to page six of the TV Mass guide and please pray with me the prayer that we have for the children here at Mercy Home.

Our Lady of Mercy, we pray that you will guide, protect, and bless all boys and girls who this day have a home called Mercy. May they find the Father’s mercy as we offer them our hearts in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. May they see God’s mercy in action through our love, prayers, and sacrifices. Once again, I just want to thank all of you for your prayers and for your support of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and this mission that’s been here in the city of Chicago for 138 years, giving a safe place and a home for children who are in need. It’s only through your kindness and your generosity, through your support, that this miracle of God’s mercy continues today. And so, my friends, I pray for you as together we pray. We entreat your majesty most humbly, O Lord, that, as you feed us with the nourishment which comes from the most holy Body and Blood of your Son, so you may make us sharers of his divine nature, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. May the many blessings of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come upon all of you, your family members, and your friends, and remain with you forever. Amen. Our Mass has ended. Go in peace. Thanks be to God.

[Closing hymn]

Hello, my friends. As you know, as I know, this TV ministry at Mercy Home is so important. It allows us to gather wherever you may be to participate in the prayer of the Church. It allows us to pray for one another, and how important that is. It allows you and me to pray for the children here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. We’re nourished by our presence together and by the celebration of the Eucharist. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you so very much for the ways in which you support this Mass here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Please consider doing that going forward as well. And may God bless you and your family and your friends for all you do for the TV Mass at Mercy Home and for our children. The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home is generously provided by GIA Publications, Incorporated, and its World Library Publications division.

The following presentation is made possible by the generosity of the viewers of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago. Good morning and welcome to Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Today we celebrate the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. My name is Dan Riley. I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Elizabeth Nordon. And our celebrant is Father Scott Donahue, President of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man. Truly I’d love Thee, truly I’d serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

We gather together at the table of the Lord to celebrate the Eucharist, to give thanks to God, as together we praise God and we offer our prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with each of you. And with your spirit. My sisters and brothers, as we prepare, we just pause for a moment. We listen to our hearts. We acknowledge that we all have faults and failings, and gratefully our God is filled with love and with compassion. So Lord Jesus, as we gather this day, we ask that you might deepen our sense of hope in one another. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. We ask that you teach us to love as you love us. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Help us to be your disciples in this world to bring hope and compassion to others. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Let us pray. May your grace, O Lord, we pray, at all times go before us and follow after us and make us always determined to carry out good works, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. The First Reading is a reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. On this mountain, the Lord of Hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure choice wines. On this mountain, he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations. He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face. The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said, “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us. This is the Lord for whom we looked. Let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us. For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me. He revives my soul. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

The Second Reading is a reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians. Brothers and sisters, I know how to live in humble circumstances. I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things, I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. My God will fully supply whatever you need in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Lord be with each of you. And with your spirit. Ours is a reading taken from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: Behold, I have prepared my banquet. My calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready. Come to the feast.’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Wow. Now that’s a Gospel, huh? All are invited. All are invited into this big tent, this big wedding feast hall, to share at a table in fellowship, to be nourished by one another, and to be nourished in conversation and food. And certainly at Eucharist, when we gather in church to be fed and to be nourished by the Lord. All are welcomed. That’s a great thought of consolation. All are welcomed to the banquet. No one’s excluded. The only ones who are excluded are those who exclude themselves. God’s love, his mercy, his compassion. All are welcome. Come, and come, and come and join us at the table. You know, I have a principle I’ve been preaching about for a long time about what I believe the foundation of life is all about. The foundation of life for me is all about faith and our families and our friends, and having the opportunities to contribute to make better the world in which we live, to take the gifts that God has given to us solely as gift and to share those with others. I’ve been at Mercy Home now for over 33 years, ordained a priest 42 years, and what a privilege it’s been to be in this community here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, along with always being in a parish community. Here at Mercy Home, all are welcomed. All are welcome, those who come from all aspects of life. Certainly, the young people entrusted to our care have come from very difficult and challenging life circumstances. And they’re welcomed. They’re brought in. They’re given a safe place to live. They’re given a wonderful education, great opportunity. They’re welcomed into this family of Mercy Home. And that’s what it is. It’s a home where all can come and be cared for. And the only way we’re able to do that is because of you. And I want you to hear that. We take no government money. We’re able to do this because of your generosity, the goodness of your own hearts, that you understand that to create a good, safe environment, to give young people a good education, it costs. It costs money, of course, but it costs people with good hearts to share their good hearts. What God has given to you, you give to us as gift, so that life might be enhanced here at Mercy Home, and from Mercy Home into our communities, into our city, into our state, and into this country we live in. I want to use this opportunity simply to say thank you. Thank you. And I pray that your own faith, your family, your friends, and the ways in which you give of yourselves to others enhance and make better your lives, because it certainly does for us here at Mercy Home.

Let’s stand together and profess what it is we believe. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

And let us now take this opportunity to place our prayers, our hopes, and our dreams before our God, who loves us dearly. Our response to each prayer will be “Lord, hear our prayer.” For the Holy Father and Church leaders, may they be filled with wisdom as they proclaim God’s mercy throughout the world. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For all people, may they be open to hearing the Lord’s invitation to them and gratefully accept God’s grace and love in their lives. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For the youth of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, may the Holy Spirit inspire them as they continue their studies this semester. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For those who have passed away, may they feel God’s loving embrace as they enter the Lord’s eternal heavenly banquet. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. We pray always the prayer of the angels in heaven, that there might be peace on earth and goodwill towards all. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, we trust, we know that you hear all of our prayers, those prayers we pray out loud, those many prayers that we hold in the quiet of our hearts. Help us to use the gifts that you have given to us to share with others, to make better the world in which we live. This prayer we make through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Pray, my friends, my sisters, my brothers, that this our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. Accept, O Lord, the prayers of your faithful with the sacrificial offerings, that through these acts of devotedness we may pass over to the glory of heaven, through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just. It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For out of compassion for the waywardness that is ours, he humbled himself and was born of the Virgin. By the passion of the Cross, he freed us from unending death, and by rising from the dead, he gave us life eternal. And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. 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.

You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.”

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”

The mystery of faith. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you. Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo our Pope and Blase our Bishop and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse, with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ. Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

You’ve heard me say this many times, but one of my favorite images in the Scripture is when the disciples, the friends of Jesus, came up to him and said, “Lord, just teach us how to pray.” And he said, “When you pray, pray like this.” Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,” look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen. The peace of the risen Lord be with each of you. And with your spirit. Share now the Lord’s peace. And for those of you at home celebrating this Eucharist with us here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, we pray that you might receive God’s choicest blessings and the very peace of Christ in your lives.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

My friends, behold Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, the Bread of Life that comes down from heaven. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. The Body of Christ.

For those of you at home, please turn to page six in your TV Mass guide and join in singing our Communion song.

[Communion song: “Come to Me”]

Please turn to page six of the TV Mass guide and please pray with me the prayer that we have for the children here at Mercy Home.

Our Lady of Mercy, we pray that you will guide, protect, and bless all boys and girls who this day have a home called Mercy. May they find the Father’s mercy as we offer them our hearts in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. May they see God’s mercy in action through our love, prayers, and sacrifices. Once again, I just want to thank all of you for your prayers and for your support of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and this mission that’s been here in the city of Chicago for 138 years, giving a safe place and a home for children who are in need. It’s only through your kindness and your generosity, through your support, that this miracle of God’s mercy continues today. And so, my friends, I pray for you as together we pray. We entreat your majesty most humbly, O Lord, that, as you feed us with the nourishment which comes from the most holy Body and Blood of your Son, so you may make us sharers of his divine nature, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. May the many blessings of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come upon all of you, your family members, and your friends, and remain with you forever. Amen. Our Mass has ended. Go in peace. Thanks be to God.

[Closing hymn]

Hello, my friends. As you know, as I know, this TV ministry at Mercy Home is so important. It allows us to gather wherever you may be to participate in the prayer of the Church. It allows us to pray for one another, and how important that is. It allows you and me to pray for the children here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. We’re nourished by our presence together and by the celebration of the Eucharist. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you so very much for the ways in which you support this Mass here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Please consider doing that going forward as well. And may God bless you and your family and your friends for all you do for the TV Mass at Mercy Home and for our children. The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home is generously provided by GIA Publications, Incorporated, and its World Library Publications division.

The following presentation is made possible by the generosity of the viewers of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago. Good morning and welcome to Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Today we celebrate the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time. My name is Dan Riley. I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Elizabeth Nordon. And our celebrant is Father Scott Donahue, President of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Beautiful Savior, King of creation, Son of God and Son of Man. Truly I’d love Thee, truly I’d serve Thee, Light of my soul, my joy, my crown.

We gather together at the table of the Lord to celebrate the Eucharist, to give thanks to God, as together we praise God and we offer our prayer in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with each of you. And with your spirit. My sisters and brothers, as we prepare, we just pause for a moment. We listen to our hearts. We acknowledge that we all have faults and failings, and gratefully our God is filled with love and with compassion. So Lord Jesus, as we gather this day, we ask that you might deepen our sense of hope in one another. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. We ask that you teach us to love as you love us. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Help us to be your disciples in this world to bring hope and compassion to others. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to life everlasting. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

Let us pray. May your grace, O Lord, we pray, at all times go before us and follow after us and make us always determined to carry out good works, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. The First Reading is a reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. On this mountain, the Lord of Hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure choice wines. On this mountain, he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations. He will destroy death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from every face. The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth, for the Lord has spoken. On that day it will be said, “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us. This is the Lord for whom we looked. Let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us. For the hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.” The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

The Lord is my shepherd. There is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me. He revives my soul. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

The Second Reading is a reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians. Brothers and sisters, I know how to live in humble circumstances. I know also how to live with abundance. In every circumstance and in all things, I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry. I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Still, it was kind of you to share in my distress. My God will fully supply whatever you need in accord with his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father, glory forever and ever. Amen. The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call. Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

The Lord be with each of you. And with your spirit. Ours is a reading taken from the Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord. Jesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and the elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come. A second time he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those invited: Behold, I have prepared my banquet. My calves and fattened cattle are killed, and everything is ready. Come to the feast.’ Some ignored the invitation and went away, one to his farm, another to his business. The rest laid hold of his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged and sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The feast is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy to come. Go out, therefore, into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find.’ The servants went out into the streets and gathered all they found, bad and good alike, and the hall was filled with guests.” The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Wow. Now that’s a Gospel, huh? All are invited. All are invited into this big tent, this big wedding feast hall, to share at a table in fellowship, to be nourished by one another, and to be nourished in conversation and food. And certainly at Eucharist, when we gather in church to be fed and to be nourished by the Lord. All are welcomed. That’s a great thought of consolation. All are welcomed to the banquet. No one’s excluded. The only ones who are excluded are those who exclude themselves. God’s love, his mercy, his compassion. All are welcome. Come, and come, and come and join us at the table. You know, I have a principle I’ve been preaching about for a long time about what I believe the foundation of life is all about. The foundation of life for me is all about faith and our families and our friends, and having the opportunities to contribute to make better the world in which we live, to take the gifts that God has given to us solely as gift and to share those with others. I’ve been at Mercy Home now for over 33 years, ordained a priest 42 years, and what a privilege it’s been to be in this community here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, along with always being in a parish community. Here at Mercy Home, all are welcomed. All are welcome, those who come from all aspects of life. Certainly, the young people entrusted to our care have come from very difficult and challenging life circumstances. And they’re welcomed. They’re brought in. They’re given a safe place to live. They’re given a wonderful education, great opportunity. They’re welcomed into this family of Mercy Home. And that’s what it is. It’s a home where all can come and be cared for. And the only way we’re able to do that is because of you. And I want you to hear that. We take no government money. We’re able to do this because of your generosity, the goodness of your own hearts, that you understand that to create a good, safe environment, to give young people a good education, it costs. It costs money, of course, but it costs people with good hearts to share their good hearts. What God has given to you, you give to us as gift, so that life might be enhanced here at Mercy Home, and from Mercy Home into our communities, into our city, into our state, and into this country we live in. I want to use this opportunity simply to say thank you. Thank you. And I pray that your own faith, your family, your friends, and the ways in which you give of yourselves to others enhance and make better your lives, because it certainly does for us here at Mercy Home.

Let’s stand together and profess what it is we believe. I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate. He suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, Catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins, and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

And let us now take this opportunity to place our prayers, our hopes, and our dreams before our God, who loves us dearly. Our response to each prayer will be “Lord, hear our prayer.” For the Holy Father and Church leaders, may they be filled with wisdom as they proclaim God’s mercy throughout the world. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For all people, may they be open to hearing the Lord’s invitation to them and gratefully accept God’s grace and love in their lives. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For the youth of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, may the Holy Spirit inspire them as they continue their studies this semester. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. For those who have passed away, may they feel God’s loving embrace as they enter the Lord’s eternal heavenly banquet. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. We pray always the prayer of the angels in heaven, that there might be peace on earth and goodwill towards all. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer. Lord, we trust, we know that you hear all of our prayers, those prayers we pray out loud, those many prayers that we hold in the quiet of our hearts. Help us to use the gifts that you have given to us to share with others, to make better the world in which we live. This prayer we make through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Pray, my friends, my sisters, my brothers, that this our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church. Accept, O Lord, the prayers of your faithful with the sacrificial offerings, that through these acts of devotedness we may pass over to the glory of heaven, through Christ our Lord. Amen. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right and just. It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. For out of compassion for the waywardness that is ours, he humbled himself and was born of the Virgin. By the passion of the Cross, he freed us from unending death, and by rising from the dead, he gave us life eternal. And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. 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.

You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness. Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you.”

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.”

The mystery of faith. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you. Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit. Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Leo our Pope and Blase our Bishop and all the clergy. Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with blessed Joseph, her Spouse, with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ. Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, forever and ever.

Amen. Amen. Amen.

You’ve heard me say this many times, but one of my favorite images in the Scripture is when the disciples, the friends of Jesus, came up to him and said, “Lord, just teach us how to pray.” And he said, “When you pray, pray like this.” Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles, “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,” look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will, who live and reign forever and ever. Amen. The peace of the risen Lord be with each of you. And with your spirit. Share now the Lord’s peace. And for those of you at home celebrating this Eucharist with us here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, we pray that you might receive God’s choicest blessings and the very peace of Christ in your lives.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

My friends, behold Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, the Bread of Life that comes down from heaven. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. The Body of Christ.

For those of you at home, please turn to page six in your TV Mass guide and join in singing our Communion song.

[Communion song: “Come to Me”]

Please turn to page six of the TV Mass guide and please pray with me the prayer that we have for the children here at Mercy Home.

Our Lady of Mercy, we pray that you will guide, protect, and bless all boys and girls who this day have a home called Mercy. May they find the Father’s mercy as we offer them our hearts in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. May they see God’s mercy in action through our love, prayers, and sacrifices. Once again, I just want to thank all of you for your prayers and for your support of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls and this mission that’s been here in the city of Chicago for 138 years, giving a safe place and a home for children who are in need. It’s only through your kindness and your generosity, through your support, that this miracle of God’s mercy continues today. And so, my friends, I pray for you as together we pray. We entreat your majesty most humbly, O Lord, that, as you feed us with the nourishment which comes from the most holy Body and Blood of your Son, so you may make us sharers of his divine nature, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen. The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. May the many blessings of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come upon all of you, your family members, and your friends, and remain with you forever. Amen. Our Mass has ended. Go in peace. Thanks be to God.

[Closing hymn]

Hello, my friends. As you know, as I know, this TV ministry at Mercy Home is so important. It allows us to gather wherever you may be to participate in the prayer of the Church. It allows us to pray for one another, and how important that is. It allows you and me to pray for the children here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. We’re nourished by our presence together and by the celebration of the Eucharist. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you so very much for the ways in which you support this Mass here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls. Please consider doing that going forward as well. And may God bless you and your family and your friends for all you do for the TV Mass at Mercy Home and for our children. The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home is generously provided by GIA Publications, Incorporated, and its World Library Publications division.

Wow. Now that’s a Gospel, huh? All are invited. All are invited into this big tent, this big wedding feast hall, to share at a table in fellowship, to be nourished by one another, and to be nourished in conversation and food. And certainly at Eucharist, when we gather in church to be fed and to be nourished by the Lord. All are welcomed. That’s a great thought of consolation. All are welcomed to the banquet. No one’s excluded. The only ones who are excluded are those who exclude themselves. God’s love, his mercy, his compassion. All are welcome. Come, and come, and come and join us at the table. You know, I have a principle I’ve been preaching about for a long time about what I believe the foundation of life is all about. The foundation of life for me is all about faith and our families and our friends, and having the opportunities to contribute to make better the world in which we live, to take the gifts that God has given to us solely as gift and to share those with others. I’ve been at Mercy Home now for over 33 years, ordained a priest 42 years, and what a privilege it’s been to be in this community here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, along with always being in a parish community. Here at Mercy Home, all are welcomed. All are welcome, those who come from all aspects of life. Certainly, the young people entrusted to our care have come from very difficult and challenging life circumstances. And they’re welcomed. They’re brought in. They’re given a safe place to live. They’re given a wonderful education, great opportunity. They’re welcomed into this family of Mercy Home. And that’s what it is. It’s a home where all can come and be cared for. And the only way we’re able to do that is because of you. And I want you to hear that. We take no government money. We’re able to do this because of your generosity, the goodness of your own hearts, that you understand that to create a good, safe environment, to give young people a good education, it costs. It costs money, of course, but it costs people with good hearts to share their good hearts. What God has given to you, you give to us as gift, so that life might be enhanced here at Mercy Home, and from Mercy Home into our communities, into our city, into our state, and into this country we live in. I want to use this opportunity simply to say thank you. Thank you. And I pray that your own faith, your family, your friends, and the ways in which you give of yourselves to others enhance and make better your lives, because it certainly does for us here at Mercy Home.