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…
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,…
10 Dec 2025 – Wednesday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: Our Lady of Loreto, More details: https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/our-lady-of-loreto/ 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31 Encouragement for the weary people, from God, who strengthens the powerless To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high…
Presider’s Page for 14 December (Third Sunday of Advent, ‘Gaudete Sunday’) Traditionally, this Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing’. Advent is about half over, and the day of the Lord’s coming is nearer. We worship God who promises us joy without end. Penitential Rite Confident of the happiness that lies…
09 Dec 2025 – Tuesday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, 1474-1548, saw thw vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe in December 1531. 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort ye my people! — the promised return of the exiles from Babylon. “Comfort, O comfort my people,” says your God. Speak tenderly to…
08 Dec 2025 – The Immaculate Conception 1st Reading: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Enmity between the serpent and the woman But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid…
