13 Nov 2023 – Monday of Week 32 1st Reading: Wisdom 1:1-7 Think of the Lord constantly, and seek his guidance truly Love righteousness, you rulers of the earth, think of the Lord in goodness and seek him with sincerity of heart; because he is found by those who do not put him to the…
12 Nov 2023 – 32nd Sunday, (A) Underlying optimism: Everyone suffers sometime from bereavement, and some losses are especially difficult to bear. But if we hope in the resurrection we should not grieve like others who have no hope. The underlying optimism shining through today’s text from the book of Wisdom is given a personal…
11 Nov 2023 – Saturday of Week 31 Memorial: St Martin of Tours, 316-97, Bishop of Tours. Patron of France, soldiers, beggars and innkeepers. 1st Reading: Romans 16:3-9, 22-27 Greeting Paul’s co-workers, and praise of God’s unfolding plan Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, and who risked their necks for…
10 Nov 2023 – Friday of Week 31 Memorial: St Leo the Great, died 461, taught the two natures of Christ, human and divine, at the Council of Chalcedon, 451, and teh primacy of the See of Peter. 1st Reading: Romans 15:14-21 Paul marvels at what God has done through him among the gentiles I…
Presider’s Page for 12 November (Ordinary Time 32) At this time of year, our deceased relatives and friends are often in our minds. Our faith tells us that we needn’t grieve over them like people with no hope. We remember them with love, and entrust them to God’s care. Penitential Rite As we begin to…
09 November 2023 – Dedication of the Lateran Basilica 1st Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-10, 12 Ezekiel sees life-giving river flows out from the Jerusalem temple, to bring new life to the desert Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward…
08 Nov 2023 – Wednesday of Week 31 1st Reading: Romans 13:8-10 Paul’s summary of all God’s commandments,”love one another.” Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You…
07 Nov 2023 – Tuesday of Week 31 Optional Memorial: St Willibrord, 658-739, Northumbrian born, Benedictine, studied in Carlow, ordained Archbishop of Utrecht, founded a monastery in Luxembourg, where he died. 1st Reading: Romans 12:5-16 Though many, we are one body in Christ, with a variety of gifts We who are many are one body…
06 November 2023 – All the Saints of Ireland 1st Reading: Hebrews 11:2 12:1-4, 15, 13:1 Celebrate the faith of our ancestors It was by faith our ancestors received approval. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so…
05 Nov 2023 – 31st Sunday, (A) Today’s Scripture calls us to examine our conscience about the sincerity of our words and of our lives. We should rid ourselves of all hypocrisy and respect the truth about ourselves, in God’s sight. Bishops and others in a leadership role, have special need to be self-critical, for…
Presider’s Page for 5 November (31st Sunday in Ordinary Time) God’s message is still a living power among us, so we gather to listen and be challenged by it Penitential Rite Confident of God’s care and mercy, let us call to mind our sins: (pause) You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have…
04 Nov 2023 – Saturday of Week 30 Optional Memorial; St Charles Borromeo, 1538-84, bishop of Milan, drafted the catechism of the Council of Trent. Patron of catechists and seminarians. 1st Reading: Romans 11:1-2, 11-12, 25-29 The paradoxical status of God’s people, when they reject Him I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By…
03 Nov 2023 – Friday of Week 30 Feast (Armagh, Down & Connor): St Malachy, 1094-1148, Bishop of Down, later Armagh, reformer, founded Cistercian monastery at Mellifont (1142). Died at Clairvaux in the arms of St Bernard en route to meet the Pope. 1st Reading: Romans 9:1-5 Paul would endure anything to win his fellow-Jews…
02 November 2023 – All The Faithful Departed (Any Readings from the Masses for the Dead, Lectionary, vol. 4) 1st Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9 A vision of hope for the future, when God will restore his people to happiness On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food,…
01 November 2023 – Feast of All Saints 1st Reading: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 Vast numbers were sealed with the sign of the Living God I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had…
