Presider’s Page for 17 November (Ordinary Time 33) As we move into the darker times of the year, the readings at Mass remind us more and more of the end of time, and the glory awaiting believers. We trust that God stays with us always. • Today is World Day of the Poor. The ACN’s…
12 Nov 2024 – Tuesday of Week 32 Memorial: St Josaphat, 1580-1623, Bishop of Polotz, worked for the reunion of Ukrainian Catholics, murder by his oppressors. 1st Reading: Titus 2:1-8, 11-14 Guidelines for living, while awaiting the return of our Saviour As for you, teach what is consistent with sound doctrine. Tell the older men…
11 Nov 2024 – Monday of Week 32 Memorial: St Martin of Tours, 316-97, Bishop of Tours, apostle of rural Gaul, founder of monasteries. Patron of France, soldiers, beggars and innkeepers. 1st Reading: Titus 1:1-9 The blessings of the faith and the qualities of a church leader From Paul, a servant of God and an…
10 Nov 2024 – 32nd Sunday (Year B) (1) 1 Kings 17:10-16 The widow of Zarephath shares the last of her food with Elijah Elijah set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, “Bring me a…
09 Nov 2024 – Dedication of the Lateran Basilica 1st Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-10, 12 Ezekiel sees life-giving river flows out from the Jerusalem temple, to bring new life to the desert Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple; there, water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple toward…
08 Nov 2024 – Friday of Week 31 1st Reading: Philippians 3:17—4:1 We should be guided by the cross of Christ, because our citizenship is in heaven Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross…
07 Nov 2024 – Thursday of Week 31 Optional memorial: St Willibrord, born in Northumbria in 658, Bendictine, studied in Co carlow, went, with eleven companions, to evangelise Frisia. Became Archbishop of Utrecht and died in Luxembourg in 739. 1st Reading: Philippians 3:3-8 We who are the real people of the circumcision, who worship in…
06 Nov 2024 – All Saints of Ireland 1st Reading: Hebrews 11:2 12:1-4, 15, 13:1 Celebrate the faith of our ancestors It was by faith our ancestors received approval. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely,…
Presider’s Page for 10 November (Ordinary Time 32) Gathering together in the Lord’s house, we bring simple gifts into God’s presence – our love, our care for each other, our worshipping hearts and voices. We ask for the grace to continue to show love through the coming week. Penitential Rite As we prepare to celebrate,…
05 Nov 2024 – Tuesday of Week 31 Optional Memorial: St Martin de Porres, 1579-1639, Dominican lay brother noted for caring for the sick and poor. Renowned for his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. 1st Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 Like Christ himself, who took the form of a servant Let the same mind be in you…
04 Nov 2024 – Monday of Week 31 Memorial: St Charles Borromeo, 1538-84, Cardinal Archbishop of Milan, reformer, drafted the Catechism of the Council of Trent. Patron of catechists and seminarians. 1st Reading: Philippians 2:1-4 Setting aside rivalry or conceit, all should be generous to others If there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation…
03 Nov 2024 – 31st Sunday (Year B) (1) Deuteronomy 6:2-6 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart Moses said to the people: “You and your children and your children’s children, should fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments…
02 Nov 2024 – All Souls’ Day (Any Readings from the Masses for the Dead, Lectionary, vol. 4) 1st Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9 A vision of hope for the future, when God will restore his people to happiness On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a…
01Nov 2024 – All Saints 1st Reading: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 Vast numbers were sealed with the sign of the Living God I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power…
Presider’s Page for Friday 1 November (All Saints) Opening Comment Today and tomorrow we remember all the dead, those in heaven and those still be on the way there: God alone knows where each soul is. Today’s feast celebrates the saints in heaven, the holy men and women of every time and place: we hope…
31 Oct 2024 – Thursday of Week 30 Feast – Cloyne: Bl Dominic Collins, born c 1566 in Youghal, became a Jesuit, travelled abroad, returned home, hanged by the English because of his faith on 31 Oct 1602. 1st Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20 Putting on the armour of God, for the struggle of life Be strong…
Presider’s Page for 3 November (Ordinary Time 31) What is asked of us is simple – to love God and our neighbour. But without God’s grace, even these simple demands can seem beyond our grasp. Penitential Rite We gather here to rejoice in God’s compassion and to ask for the strength we need : (pause) You…
30 Oct 2024 – Wednesday of Week 30 1st Reading: Ephesians 6:1-9 Practical advice for parents and children, masters and servants Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “honour your father and mother”. This is the first commandment accompanied with a promise: “so that it may be well with you and…
29 Oct 2024 – Tuesday of Week 30 Optional Memorial: St Colman, 7th century, from Kilmacduagh, Co Galway, also founded two churches on Áran in Galway Bay. 1st Reading: Ephesians 5:21-33 Love between spouses mirrors Christ’s love for the church Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your…
28 Oct 2024 – Ss Simon and Jude, Apostles 1st Reading: Ephesians 2:19-22 God has appointed apostles so that his people’s needs will be served So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the…
