31 July 2026 – Friday of Week 17 Memorial: St Ignatius of Loyola 1491-1556, from the north of Spain, founded the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). Had over 1,000 members by the time he died. His theme was service of God and God’s greater glory, his conversion experience led to his writing the Spiritual Exercises. AMDG 1st…
30 July 2026 – Thursday of Week 17 Optional Memorial: St Peter Chrysologus, bishop of Ravenna and doctor of the Church, died c 450, famous for preaching. 1st Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6 Like a potter, God re-forms Israel from clay that was previously formless The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Come, go down to…
Presider’s Page for 2 August 2026 (Ordinary Time Week 18) Opening Comment Great wonders are proclaimed in today’s Liturgy. God’s love and God’s care for humanity are made manifest. Penitential Rite To prepare ourselves to listen and share, let us recall God’s bountiful mercy (pause) Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have…
29 July 2026 – Ss Mary, Martha and Lazarus Mary, Martha and Lazarus are mentioned in the Gospels of Luke and John. They lived in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. Mary and Martha welcomed Jesus and the disciples into their home, and were witnesses to the raising of their brother, Lazarus. 1st Reading: 1…
28 July 2026 – Tuesday of Week 17 1st Reading: Jeremiah 14:17-22 Jeremiah laments his people’s destruction and begs God for mercy You shall say to them this word: Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease, for the virgin daughter, my people, is struck down with a…
27 July 2026 – Monday of Week 17 1st Reading: Jeremiah 13:1-11 Israel was as near to Yahweh as a loincloth is to the wearer Thus said the Lord to me, “Go and buy yourself a linen loincloth, and put it on your loins, but do not dip it in water.” So I bought a…
26 July 2026 – 17th Sunday, (A) World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer for Grandparents Written at the request of the Catholic Grandparents Association in 2008. Pope’s prayer Lord Jesus, you were born of the Virgin Mary, the daughter of Saints Joachim and Anne. Look with love on grandparents the…
25 July 2026 – St James, Apostle 1st Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Although only a “clay jar” Paul is willing to die, that others may live But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We…
24 July 2026 – Friday of Week 16 Optional Memorials: St Sharbel Maklūf monk at monastery of St Maron at Annaya, ordained in 1859, a hermit from 1875, died in 1898, sought after for counsel ad blessing, great personal devotion to the Blessed sacrament. St Declan , considered a pre-Patrician saint, of noble blood, baptised by Colman,…
23 July 2026 – St Bridget of Sweden, Patron of Europe Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) was a mystic also given to works of charity and founder of the Bridgettine nuns after the death of her husband, to whom she had borne eight children. She is one of the six patron saints of Europe, along with…
Presider’s Page for 26 July 2026 (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time) World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly (For resources: https://www.catholicgrandparentsassociation.org/) Opening Comment God has given us many gifts, including the promise that we will share in Christ’s glory. We give thanks for these treasures, as we continue on our journey to the fullness of…
22 July 2026 – St Mary Magdalene 1st Reading (Option 1): Song of Songs (3: 1-4 I have found him whom my heart loves. The bride says this: On my bed, at night, I sought him whom my heart loves. I sought but did not find him. So I will rise and go through the…
21 July 2026 – Tuesday of Week 16 Optional Memorial: St Lawrence of Brindisi, 1559-1619, priest and doctor of the Church, Capuchin who preached the Counter-Reformation. Led German armies against the Turks in Hungary and gained peace for the people of Naples. 1st Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Israel’s God is always faithful and forgiving Shepherd your…
20 July 2026 – Monday of Week 16 Optional Memorial: St Apollinarius, bishop of Classis and martyr of the 2nd century. 1st Reading: Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 Micah’s famous summary of the Torah: on walking humbly with your God Hear what the Lord says: ‘Rise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your…
19 July 2026 – 16th Sunday, (A) (1) Wisdom 12:13ff Because God is all-powerful he governs the world with patience, allowing time for repentance For who will say, “What have you done?” or who will resist your judgment? Who will accuse you for the destruction of nations that you made? Or who will come before…
18 July 2026 – Saturday of Week 15 1st Reading: Micah 2:1-5 When the wealthy covet and steal the lands of others, their own land will fall to their captors Alas for those who devise wickedness and evil deeds on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in their power….
17 July 2026 – Friday of Week 15 1st Reading: Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22 King Hezekiah is cured of illness; as a sign of full health God turns the sun’s rays backward In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him, and said…
16 July 2026 – Thursday of Week 15 Optional Memorial: Our Lady of Mount Carmel – see Lect 11:1103 for readings. 1st Reading: Isaiah 26:7-9, 12, 16-19 A prayer of quiet confidence, awaiting the dawn of God’s justice The way of the righteous is level; O Just One, you make smooth the path of the…
Presider’s Page for 19 July (16th Sunday in Ordinary Time) We have been called together by the Spirit of God to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The Spirit teaches us to pray, and moves us to glorify the Lord’s name. Penitential Rite To prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us call to mind…
15 July 2026 – Wednesday of Week 15 Memorial: St Bonaventure 1221-74, born in Tuscany, Minister General of the Franciscans, Cardinal Archbishop of Albano, theologian of the Council of Lyons. e1st Reading: Isaiah 10:5-7, 13-16 Assyria was used to punish Israel but later was discarded for interfering with God’s plans for his people Ah, Assyria, the…
