28 December. Friday. The Holy Innocents, Martyrs
The Holy Innocents
27 December. St John, apostle and Evangelist
St John, apostle and Evangelist
26 December. St Stephen, First Martyr
1st Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 Stephen is stoned outside the city, for preaching about Jesus 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, came forward and debated with Stephen, but they…
Presider’s Page for 25 December (Christmas Day Mass)
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.
24 December. Monday of Advent, Week 4
24 December. Monday of Advent, Week 4
Presider’s Page for 24 December (Christmas Night Mass)
In the dark of this winter night, we proclaim the new light that has shone on the world: Jesus Christ is born! With the angels, we worship God who saves us — for through the life, death and resurrection of this child Jesus, salvation is ours.
Presider’s Page for 23 December (Advent 4)
Advent is drawing to a close; we have just another day left to prepare for the birth of Christ. On this Sunday, we rejoice that the promise made to Mary by the Lord is to be fulfilled.
23 December. 4th Sunday of Advent
4th Sunday of Advent
22 December. Saturday of Advent, Week 3
22 December. Saturday of Advent, Week 3
21 December. Friday of Advent, Week 3
21 December. Friday of Advent, Week 3
20 December. Thursday of Advent, Week 3
1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 King Ahaz refuses to ask a sign of the Lord; then Isaiah promises a child to be called Immanuel 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 will not ask,…
19 December. Wednesday of Advent, Week 3
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 of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to…
18 December. Tuesday Week 3 of Advent
1st Reading: Jeremiah 23:5-8 A righteous Branch who will rule with wisdom and justice “The days are surely coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will…
17 December. Monday of Advent, Week 3
1st Reading: Genesis 49:2, 8-10 The dying Jacob predicts future glory for the tribe of Judah Jacob called his sons and said to them: “Assemble and hear, O sons of Jacob; listen to Israel your father. Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons…
Presider’s Page for 16 December (Advent 3)
We’re well over halfway through Advent. Traditionally, today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing.’ The reason for celebration is that the day of the Lord’s coming is nearer.
16 December. 3rd Sunday of Advent
1st Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18 Salvation is near and God will protect his people Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your…
15 December. Saturday of Advent, Week 2
1st Reading: Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 48:1-4, 9-11 Praise of the great Elijah, a prophet whose word burned like a torch Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire, and his word burned like a torch. He brought a famine upon them, and by his zeal he made them few in number. By the word of the Lord…
14 December. Friday of Advent, Week 2
1st Reading: Isaiah 48:17-19 If you heeded my commandments, your name would last forever. Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go. O that you had paid attention to my…
13 December. Thursday of Advent, Week 2
1st Reading: Isaiah 41:13-20 The Lord will help and revive his dispirited people For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Do not fear, for I will help you.” Do not fear, you worm Jacob, you insect Israel! I will help you, says the Lord; your…