27 Dec 2025 – Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 1st Reading: 1 John 1:1-4 What we have seen with our eyes, what we have touched with our hands Beloved: Something which has existed since the beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with…
Presider’s Page 28 Dec 2025 – 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. Penitential Rite Let…
26 Dec 2025 – Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr 1st Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 The martyrdom of Stephen the deacon, according to Luke 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…
25 Dec 25 – Christmas Day (Dawn Mass: Is 62:11-12. Ps 96:1, 6, 11-12. Ti 3:4-7. Lk 2:15-20 See Lect 1: 107) Theme: We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in our world, though he was with God the Father before all ages. His birth opens up for us a glorious new identity, as children…
24 December 2025 + Christmas Midnight & Dawn Masses (below) 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 David is promised a “house” or dynasty Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “See…
Presider’s Page for 24 December (Christmas Eve Masses) In the dark of this winter day, 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. Penitential…
23 December 2025 Optional Memorial: St John of Kanty, priest, 1390-1473, taught theology and Scripture in Krakow University, remembered for his generosity and austerity. 1st Reading: Malachiah 3:1-4, 4,4-6 God will send a fore-runner to prepare for the final day The Lord God says this: “See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way…
22 December 2025 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Hannah dedicates her young son to a life of service to God When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at…
21 Dec 2025 – 4th Sunday in Advent, A 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 The prophecy about “Emmanuel — God with us” invites king Ahaz to trust 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…
20 December 2025 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 King Ahaz refuses to ask a sign of the Lord; 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…
19 December 2025 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…
18 December 2025 Optional Memorial (Feast in Killaloe): St Flannan, lived in the 7th century, son of King Thomond, entered Molua’s monastery at Killaloe and became abbot, was a noted preacher. 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…
17 December 2025 – Wednesday – Preparation for Christmas The O Antiphons begin: Details: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/o-antiphons-advent 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…
Presider’s Page for 21 December (Fourth Sunday of Advent) The Season of Advent ends on Wednesday next, 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. Penitential Rite As we prepare ourselves to…
16 Dec 2025 – Tuesday of Advent, Week 3 1st Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 The people’s future conversion: the humble shall seek refuge in the Lord. Ah, soiled, defiled, oppressing city! It has listened to no voice; it has accepted no correction. It has not trusted in the Lord; it has not drawn near to…
15 Dec 2025 – Monday of Advent, Week 3 1st Reading: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17 Balaam predicts the glorious future, the Age of the Messiah Balaam looked up and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. Then the spirit of God came upon him, and he uttered his oracle, saying: “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor,…
14 Dec 2025 – 3rd Sunday in Advent, A – Gaudete Sunday Theme: Society finds it so hard to tolerate dissent that those who step out of line are often harshly treated. John the Baptist dared to castigate King Herod for his immoral example, and paid for it with his life. 1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6,…
13 Dec 2025 – Saturday of Advent, Week 2 Memorial: St Lucy, martyred in 304 in Sicily during the persecution of Diocletian. 1st Reading: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Lyrical praise of Elijah, whose prophetic word burned like a torch Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire, and his word burned like a torch. He brought a…
12 Dec 2025 – Friday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorials: Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the Americas. The memorial recalls teh apparition of December 1531 to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin near Mexico City. St Finnian, studied in Carlow and Wales and returned to Clonard, Co Meath around 520, where he set up a famous school….
11 Dec 2025 – Thursday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: St Damasus 1, born c 304, died in 384, elected pope in 366. Actively opposed heresies. Commissioned St Jerome to prepare the Vulgate. 1st Reading: Isaiah 41:13-20 The Lord says to his weary people, “Do not fear, for I will help you” For I,…
