12 Sept 2026 – Saturday of Week 23 Optional Memorials: The Holy Name of Mary, use Lect 11:1438, included in the Roman Calendar in 1684 to celebrate victory over the Turks at Vienna in 1683, suppressed in the Calendar Revision of 1969, restored in 2002. St Ailbe (Feast in Cashel & Emly), some say pre-Patrician but annals not…
11 Sept 2026 – Friday of Week 23 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-27 Paul’s total dedication to his preaching ministry If I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of…
10 Sept 2026 – Thursday of Week 23 Optional Memorial: St Peter Claver, priest, 1580-1654, A Jesuit born in Catalonia, sent to Colombia (Cartagena, a slave trade centre) where he worked among the slaves and is said to have baptised 300,000+. 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-7, 11-13 Not giving scandal, or causing another to fall…
09 Sept 2026 – Wednesday of Week 23 Memorial: St Ciarán (Feast in Clonmacnois), born in Roscommon c.512, went to Clonmacnois in 545 and founded a monastery, which became one of the most renowned in Europe. Died aged 33 while it was being built. 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 Christians are free to marry or…
08 Sept 2026 – The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Micah 5:1-4 Now you are walled around with a wall; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel upon the cheek. But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you…
07 Sept 2026 – Monday of Week 23 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 Applying church discipline to a scandalous case (incest) It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife. And you are arrogant!…
Presider’s Page for 6 September 2026 (23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time) We gather as God’s family, concerned for each other, supporting one another in sadness and joy. The challenge of living as part of the Christian family is laid out for us in today’s readings. Penitential RiteAt times we fail to show love, so as…
06 Sept 2026 – 23rd Sunday, (A) We have a moral obligation to correct blatant wrongdoing, whether in the family, the workplace or society. But it is incumbent on those who have others in their care to offer correction with love and respect. The old dictum, “hate the sin but love the sinner” is a…
05 Sept 2026 – Saturday of Week 22 Optional Memorial: St Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa): the tiny woman recognized throughout the world for her work among the poorest of the poor, was beatified October 19, 2003. Among those present were hundreds of Missionaries of Charity, the order she founded in 1950, as a diocesan…
04 Sept 2026 – Friday of Week 22 Memorial: St MacNissi (Feast in Connor), Oengus MacNissi took his name from his mother Cnes or Ness. ST Patrick baptised him, allegedly, and taught him the Psalms. Chose Connor for his hermitage and later became bishop of his clan. He died early in the sixty century. 1st…
03 Sept 2026 – Thursday of Week 22 Memorial: St Gregory the Great, 540-604, Roman noble and Prefect of the City before he became a monk, then pope. Sent missions to Lombardy, Sardinia and England. Patron of musicians. 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 All things are yours, you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s Let…
02 Sept 2026 – Wednesday of Week 22 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Avoiding envy and strife; collaboration should marks God’s co-workers Brethren, I could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not ready for…
01 Sept 2026 – Tuesday of Week 22 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation: Pope Leo XIV has chosen “They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks” (Is 2:4) as the theme for the 2026 edition of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, traditionally…
31 August 2026 – Monday of Week 22 Optional Memorial: St Aidan of Lindisfarne, bishop and missionary in Iona, of Irish descent. Made his HQ at Lindisfarne and died in 651. 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Paul came to them in a weakened state, but still preached with the power of the Spirit When I…
30 August 2026 – 22nd Sunday, (A) Paul’s call to “present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God,” is meant to realise our full potential. Jeremiah and Jesus cling to God’s will before all else. This is a hopeful message to all whose life is a struggle, and for whom the cross…
29 August 2026 – The Passion of Saint John the Baptist 1st Reading: Jeremiah 1:17-19 Like Jeremiah, we must speak out against domineering rulers But as for you, gird up your loins; stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not break down before them, or I will break you before them….
Presider’s Page for 30 August 2026 (22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time) We gather to praise God and to ask for help and grace. We know the difficulties that can come when we try to live the right way. Often the road of life is like the way of the cross. Penitential Rite Let us call…
28 August 2026 – Friday of Week 21 Memorial: St Augustine, 354-430, Bishop of Hippo, a huge theological influence on the Church, especially on God’s grace. Patron of theologians. 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:17-25 The mystery of the cross is wiser and stronger than us My brothers and sisters, Christ did not send me to…
27 August 2026 – Thursday of Week 21 Memorial: St Monica, 332-87, converted her husband Patricius to teh faith. Her prayers also converted her son, Augustine. Patron saint of mothers. 1st Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 Paul acknowledges the Corinthians’ gifts and prays for them Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle…
26 August 2026 – Wednesday of Week 21 1st Reading: 2nd Thessalonians 3:6-10, 16-18 Disciples of Christ should work for their living and live at peace with others Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to…
