Presider’s Page for Ordinary Time 6 (Sun 16 Feb)
The Gospel of Christ is challenging. Today’s readings ask for decisions, while encouraging us to choose the right path. We gather to worship God, who can help us in all our choices.
Liturgy
The Presider’s Page for Sundays. Suggested introduction to the Mass; prayers of the Faithful. Also, Resources for Weekdays and Sundays (the Readings plus homily ideas).
Pope Francis addresses engaged couples on St Valentine’s Day
Padraig McCarthy reports Pope Francis’ words to engaged couples on St Valentine’s Day. (The talk was in Italian and was published on the Vatican website: this is an unofficial translation.)
Presider’s Page for Ordinary Time 5 (Sun 9 Feb)
In today’s liturgy, we hear that Christians are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Rejoicing in this calling, we praise God who sustains us all our days.
Presider’s Page for Candlemas (Sun. 2 Feb)
It’s forty days since Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus at Christmas. On 2 February, we remember his Presentation in the Temple. This feast is also called Candlemas; candles are blessed because today Jesus was revealed in the Temple as the light of all peoples.
Presider’s Page for Ordinary Time 3 (Sun. 26 Jan.)
Opening Comment (for Presiders) The people that walked in darkness has seen a great light: Jesus, the light of the world, walks among us, preaching a message of repentance. We…
Devise a 2014 Plan for your parish
Bernard Cotter suggests that parish pastoral groups take on topic a month for 2014, as a way of planning the year. (First published in The Tablet of 4 January 2014 and reproduced here with permission of the Publisher: www.thetablet.co.uk)
Presider’s Page for Ordinary Time 2 (Sun. 19 Jan)
The Christmas Season ended last Sunday, and the season of Lent begins quite late this year, on 5 March. During the time between the two seasons, we celebrate the Sundays of Ordinary Time, learning a little more each week about the life of Jesus. On this Sunday, we reflect on the Lamb of God, our Redeemer.
Post-Christmas reflections from the coalface
Seamus Ahearne reflects on his parish experience of the Christmas and Epiphany liturgies and muses on the liturgical texts he had to use, the Francis effect, the ACP’s role and how the language and ritual of the Church affect people — or don’t.
Prayers from 1998 Missal to be made available by ACP
The ACP Leadership Team announces that the opening prayers from the 1998 Missal are to be made available on the Presider’s Page published for each Sunday Mass.
Presider’s Page for Baptism of the Lord
This feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the last day of Christmas. At his baptism Jesus sees how much he is loved by God and is given the power to go out and spread the news. We share that power through our baptism.
Why has the Feast of the Epiphany been downgraded?
Sheila Mulcahy emails our website to express dismay at the downgrding of the Epiphany and wonders if Irish people have indeed ‘lost their backbone’.
Presider’s Page for Epiphany
On this feast of the Epiphany we celebrate the revelation of who Christ is. The visit of the three wise men reminds us that Jesus came as the Saviour of all nations, including ours. We worship God who wants all people to be saved.
Presider’s Page for Second Sunday of Christmas
We gather to celebrate the first Sunday of 2014, with thankfulness for the year just gone. We ask God for continuing care and protection as face this New Year, not knowing what it will bring.
Daily Mass readings app launched
The ACP Leadership Team presents an app containing Mass readings and homily material for each day of 2014, prepared by the ACP homily material contributor, Fr Pat Rogers cp, Mount Argus.
Presider’s Page for The Holy Family
The Holy Family is the focus on the first Sunday after Christmas, so we honour Jesus, Mary and Joseph today. We worship God who shared the life of the human family, and thank God for all the gifts we continue to receive in each other.
Presider’s Page for Christmas
Christians celebrate 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.
Presider’s Page for 4 Advent (22 December)
The Season of Advent ends on Tuesday, so the celebration of the birth of Christ is now very close. We gather in preparation for that great event, worshipping God who was made flesh to bring us to glory.
Presider’s Page for 3 Advent (15 December)
Traditionally, this Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing’. Advent is more than half over, and the day of the Lord’s coming is nearer. We worship God who promises us joy without end.
Bidding Prayers for Immaculate Conception (9 December)
Catholics gather today to celebrate the beginning of the life of Mary the Mother of Jesus, free from sin from the moment she was conceived.
Presider’s Page for 2nd Sunday of Advent (8 December)
John the Baptist is the focus of the Gospel reading on the Second Sunday of Advent each year. His words challenge and inspire. We worship God who uses many messengers to call us from darkness to light.
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