24 Jan 24 – Wednesday of Week 3 Memorial: St Francis de Sales, 1567-1622, Bishop of Geneva, founder of the Visitation Sisters. Worked hard to rebuild the Catholic faith after the Reformation. Patron of writers, editors and journalists – ‘writers and critics who prophesize with your pen…’ 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-17 Samuel hears God’s…
23 Jan 24 – Tuesday of Week 3 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 6:12-15, 17-19 David dances before the ark being brought into Jerusalem. The celebration ends with a sacred banquet King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So…
Presider’s Page for 28 January (Ordinary Time 4) We come together to listen to God’s word and share the bread of life together. As God’s family here, we praise the one who has rescued us from sin and darkness, and brought us the hope of heaven. Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal) Faithful God, your…
22 Jan 24 – Monday of Week 3 Optional Memorial: St Vincent, deacon of Saragossa, Spain, martyred in 304. 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-7, 10 David is anointed and establishes Jerusalem as capital of both north and south, of Israel and Judah All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron, and said, “Look,…
21 Jan 24 – 3rd Sunday (Year B) (1) Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Jonah’s preaching finds an unexpected response from the pagan Ninevites The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set…
20 Jan 24 – Saturday of Week 2 Optional Memorials: St Fabian, pope and martyr, died under Decius in 250. St Sebastian, martyr, a soldier (?) in the persecution of Diocletian. 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1-4 etc David’s grief at the death of Saul and Jonathan After the death of Saul, when David had returned…
19 Jan 24 – Friday of Week 2 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 24:3-21 David refrains from killing Saul and gains the moral high ground He came to the sheepfolds beside the road, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the innermost parts…
Presider’s Page for 21 January (Third Sunday in Ordinary Time) Opening Comment The calling of disciples is described in today’s Gospel. We too are called to follow Christ, even in difficult times. As believers, we listen to God’s word, allowing it to steer and support us, every day of our lives. • The Week of Prayer…
18 Jan 24 – Thursday of Week 2 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 Jan) starts today. The theme is based on a text from the Gospel of St Luke, with material prepared by an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso, West Africa, facilitated by the local Chemin Neuf Community. 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 18:6-9,…
17 Jan 24 – Wednesday of Week 2 Memorial: St Anthony, died 356, ‘Father of monasticism’ whose life in solitude attracted many to form communities of hermits. A special blessing on all our lay preachers and leaders today… Gentle reminder – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starts tomorrow – 18-25 Jan. 1st Reading: 1…
16 Jan 24 – Tuesday of Week 2 Optional Memorial: St Fursa, Irish-born but brought the Gospel abroad, with his brothers Foillan and Ultan to East Anglia. Went to France c 644, died c 650 in Mézerolles and is buried in Péronne. 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 In Bethlehem Samuel anoints David (Jesse’s youngest son)…
15 Jan 24 – Monday of Week 2 Memorial: St Ita (Feast in Limerick), Waterford born, founded a monastery in Killeedy, Co Limerick. Known as ‘Foster-Mother of the Saints of Ireland, she died in 570. 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 15:16-23 For disobeying the prophet Samuel, Saul is deposed as king Then Samuel said to Saul,…
14 Jan 24 – 2nd Sunday (Year B) (1) 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 The call of young Samuel, one of the great vocation stories Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was. Then the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” and he said, “Here I am!” and ran to…
13 Jan 24 – Saturday of Week 1 Optional Memorial: St Hilary, c. 315-67, Bishop of Potiers, took a strong stand against Arianism. Exiled, where he wrote major works including De Trinitate, a study of the Trinity. 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 12-19; 10:1 Saul is anointed by Samuel as king of Israel, at God’s…
12 Jan 24 – Friday of Week 1 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22 When the people demand a king, Samuel warns of the dangers Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways;…
11 Jan 24 – Thursday of Week 1 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 4:1-11 Misusing the Ark of the Covenant, the people are defeated in battle The word of Samuel came to all Israel. In those days the Philistines mustered for war against Israel, and Israel went out to battle against them; they encamped at Ebenezer,…
10 Jan 24 – Wednesday of Week 1 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10 etc From the sanctuary God calls Samuel, and sends him as a prophet Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord under Eli. The word of the Lord was rare in those days; visions were not widespread. At that time Eli,…
Presider’s Page for 14 January (Ordinary Time 2) Now that the Christmas season is behind us and we are moving into the New Year, the liturgy challenges us to reflect on what following Christ means. We gather as God’s people, called to follow the Lamb of God and we praise God, with thanksgiving. Alternative Opening…
09 Jan 24 – Tuesday of Week 1 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:9-20 Eli promises that Hannah will give birth to a son After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of…
08 Jan 24 – Monday of Week 1 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:1-8 Hannah’s grief at being childless; her husband tries to comfort her There was a man of Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham son of Elihu son of Tohu son of Zuph, an…
