Presider’s Page for Sunday 1 January 2023 (Mary, Mother of God) The Virgin Mary was already venerated as Mother of God when, in 431, the Council of Ephesus acclaimed her Theotokos (God-bearer). Her role in the mystery of the incarnation was celebrated on this day in Rome in the seventh century but was soon eclipsed…
31 December 2022 – 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas Optional memorial: Saint Sylvester, pope. Sylvester (250-335) was born in Rome in the mid-3rd century and served as a priest under pope Marcellinus before the persecution under Diocletian (303). After the victory of emperor Constantine in 312 he succeeded Melchiades as bishop of Rome in…
Bidding Prayers for 1st January 2023 (Feast of Mary, Mother of God) BIDDING PRAYERS for Sunday Mass on New Year’s Day Introduction (by the Presider) God graciously blesses all of humanity, so we can bring forward our needs with confidence: That the world may have peace in 2023 (pause for a moment). Lord, hear us That God may be…
30 December 2022 – 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas Feast of the Holy Family Theme: Family life can be severely challenged, from various causes. This feast invites us to renew our commitment to family life. 1st Reading. Book of Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 A practical application of the fourth commandment, to honour our parents…
29 December 2022 – Thursday, 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas Optional Memorial: Saint Thomas a Becket, Thomas a Becket (1118-1170) from Cheapside in London, was appointed first as chancellor and then archbishop (1162) by order of his friend, King Henry II. As archbishop he sided with the pope on the respective authority of…
28 Dec 2022 – Wednesday, The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 1st Reading: 1 John 1:5-2:2 Those who walk in darkness, and those who walk in the light Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If…
27 Dec 2022 – Tuesday, Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 1st Reading: 1 John 1:1-4 What we have seen with our eyes, what we have touched with our hands Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard,what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns…
Presider’s Page for Monday 26 December (St Stephen’s Day) From the splendid robes of Christmas, the Church moves to the red vestments of the martyr on St Stephen’s Day, the feast of the first to give his life in the Christian era. Like Jesus, Stephen teaches forgiveness; like Jesus too, he suffered death for being…
26 Dec 2022 – Monday, St Stephen, First Martyr 1st Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 The martyrdom of Stephen the deacon, according to Luke Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia and Asia,…
25 Dec 2022 – Christmas Midnight Mass (Christmas Day Mass Readings follow below) 1st Reading: Isaiah 9:1-7 God brings them from darkness and bring them to peace and security The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness on them light has shined. You…
Presider’s Page for 25 December (Christmas Day Masses) We celebrate today an amazing mystery — God is born in time. The eternal God has taken human flesh, has pitched his tent in the midst of humanity. With joy in our hearts, we contemplate the mystery of the Word made flesh. Penitential Rite As we prepare…
24 December 2022 – Saturday of 4th Week of Advent 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 David is promised a “house” or dynasty Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See…
23 December 2022 – Friday of 4th Week of Advent Optional Memorial: St John of Kanty, 1390-1473, Kraków, Poland, a theologian. 1st Reading: Malachiah 3:1-4, 4,4-6 God will send a fore-runner to prepare for the final day The Lord God says this: “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and…
22 December 2022 – Thursday of 4th Week of Advent 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Hannah dedicates her young son to a life of service to God When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him…
21 Dec 2022 – Wednesday of 4th Week of Advent Optional Memorial: St Peter Canisius, 1521-97, Holland born Jesuit who produced a 211 questions/answers catechism in 1555. 1st Reading: Song of Songs (2:8-14 Lyrical love-poetry from king Solomon, about the beloved who is coming The voice of my beloved! Look, he comes, leaping upon the…
20 Dec 2022 – Tuesday of 4th Week of Advent Feast (Kilfenora): St Fachanan, sixth century patron of Kilfenora, part of Galway. 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 King Ahaz refuses to ask a sign of the Lord; Isaiah promises a child to be called Immanuel Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of…
Bidding Prayers 25 Dec 2022 (Christmas Day) BIDDING PRAYERS for Sunday Mass Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to God, who has shown his salvation to the nations in the nativity of our Saviour. That those who mark the birth of Christ today may have new hope (pause for a moment). Lord, hear us That the…
19 December 2022 – Monday of 4th Week of Advent 1st Reading: Judges (13:2-7, 24-25 Manoah’s wife yearns for a son. Samson will be dedicated to God There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren, having borne no children. And the angel…
18 Dec 2022 – 4th Sunday in Advent, A 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 The prophecy about “Emmanuel — God with us” invites king Ahaz to trust Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I…
17 Dec 2022 – Saturday of 3rd Week of Advent The Roman Church has been singing The O Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of…
