14 Mar 2023 – Tuesday of Week 3 of Lent (1) Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Nebuchadnezzar admires the miraculous escape of the young Jews Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O…
13 Mar 2023 – Monday of Week 3 of Lent Tenth anniversary of the election of Pope Francis. (1) 2 Kings 5:1-15 Naaman the Syrian takes the prophet’s advice and is cured of leprosy Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Aram, was a great man and in high favour with his master,…
12 Mar 2023 – 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A (1) Exodus 17:3-7 God provides refreshes his people in the wilderness But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So…
Presider’s Page for 12 March (Third Sunday of Lent) Today’s readings about water and thirst remind us that this is a baptismal season. The holy water of baptism blesses and protects the faithful in every danger, it washes away sin and refreshes the faith of believers…. Penitential Rite To prepare ourselves for this gathering, let…
11 Mar 2023 – Saturday of Week 2 of Lent Optional memorial: St Aengus composed two martyrologies. A monk in Cloneragh, Co Laois (and Tallaght) who died c 824. (1) Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Israel’s God is a God of mercy Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, which lives alone…
Bidding Prayers for 12 March (Third Sunday of Lent) BIDDING PRAYERS for Sunday Mass on 12 March Introduction (by the Presider) Let us come before the Lord, bringing forward all our needs: For everyone who is baptised, that this Lent we may renew our faith (pause for five seconds). Lord, hear us For adults and children preparing for baptism…
10 Mar 2023 – Friday of Week 2 of Lent (1) Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13 17-28 Jacob’s sons envy their brother Joseph, and sell him into slavery Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his children, because he was the son of his old age; and he had made him a long robe with…
9 Mar 2023 – Thursday of Week 2 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Frances of Rome, died 1440. Founded a society of women following the Rule of St Benedict and joined it after her husband died. (1) Jeremiah 17:5-10 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord rather than in mere mortal power Thus says…
8 Mar 2023 – Wednesday of Week 2 of Lent Optional Memorials: St John of God, 1495-1550, patron saint of nurses, the sick, heart patients, printers and booksellers. St Senan, anamchara to Ciarán and Brendan, died in 544. Monastic foundation on Scattery Island near Kilrush (birthplace). (1) Jeremiah 18:18-20 In desperate straits, Jeremiah pins his…
7 Mar 2023 – Tuesday of Week 2 of Lent Optional Memorial: Ss Perpetua and Felicity, martyred in Carthage in 203. (1) Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 A call to personal conversion, to remove our sins from God’s sight Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom! Listen to the teaching of our God, you…
6 Mar 2023 – Monday of Week 2 of Lent Optional Memorial (except Ossory): St Kieran, pre-Patrician Saint born in Cape Clear, Cork. Missioned abroad, returned as a hermit to Ossory where Saigir became a well-known monastery. (1) Daniel 9:4-10 Daniel’s prayer of shame and repentance I prayed to the Lord my God and made…
5 Mar 2023 – 2nd Sunday of Lent, Year A (1) Genesis 12:1-4 Abraham shows complete obedience to God, prepared even to sacrifice Isaac Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a…
Presider’s Page for 5 March (Second Sunday of Lent) Now that we are ten days into the season of Lent, our goal is clarified in today’s liturgy. The Gospel of the Transfiguration reminds us that we are destined for glory. Like the disciples, we keep this glimpse of glory in our hearts in the dark…
4 Mar 2023 – Saturday of Week 1 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Casimer, 1458-84, patron saint of Poland, a peacemaker. (1) Deuteronomy 26:16-19 Walking in the way of the Lord This very day the Lord your God is commanding you to observe these statutes and ordinances; so observe them diligently with all your heart…
Bidding Prayers for 5 March (Second Sunday of Lent) BIDDING PRAYERS for Sunday Mass on 5 March Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to God, who loves justice and right: For us, as we continue on our lenten journey (pause for five seconds). Lord, hear us For Christians being persecuted, that we may not forget them (pause…
3 Mar 2023 – Friday of Week 1 of Lent (1) Ezekiel 18:21-28 Personal responsibility to replace the idea of shared guilt But if the wicked turn away from all their sins that they have committed and keep all my statutes and do what is lawful and right, they shall surely live; they shall not…
2 Mar 2023 – Thursday of Week 1 of Lent (1) Esther 4:29-42 Queen Esther’s prayer wins God’s help in a time of crisis Queen Esther, seized with deadly anxiety, fled to the Lord. She prayed to the Lord God of Israel, and said: “O my Lord, you only are our king; help me, who…
1 Mar 2023 – Wednesday of Week 1 of Lent Optional Memorial: St David, Patron of Wales, died c 601. (1) Jonah 3:1-10 When Jonah’s preaching bears fruit, God has mercy on Nineveh The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim…
