Presider’s Page for 19 April (The Easter Vigil) Opening Comment (after the Service of Light and Exsultet) We gather around the Easter candle, celebrating the Lord’s resurrection. With that light to illumine our way, we remember how God has cared for humanity from the dawn of time. These readings remind us what happened at the highpoints…
Presider’s Page for 17-18 April (Easter Triduum) Songs for the Easter Triduum (Suggestions) ‘Love is his word’, ‘The Lord’s my Shepherd’, ‘One Bread, One Body’, ‘Ag Críost an Síol’ Washing of Feet: The Lord Jesus….’, ‘Ubi Caritas’ (Taizé) Procession to Place of Repose: ‘Pange Lingua/Tantum Ergo’, ‘Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat’, ‘O Sacrament Most Holy’. At Place of Repose: ‘Stay…
15 April 2025 – Tuesday of Holy Week (1) Isaiah 49:1-6 The life of God’s servant seems a failure, but it bears great fruit Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away! The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother’s womb he named me. He…
14 April 2025 – Monday of Holy Week (1) Isaiah 42:1-7 My servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, the One in whom my soul delights Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He…
13 April 2025 – Palm Sunday, (Passion Sunday) Years A, B, C (1) Isaiah 50:4-7 The Suffering Servant will not be put to shame The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens my ear to…
12 April 2025 – Saturday of Week 5 of Lent (1) Ezekiel 37:21-28 I will bring them back, and I will cleanse them Say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from every quarter, and bring…
11 April 2025 – Friday of Week 5 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Stanislaus, Bp of Kraków, Poland in 1072, spoke out against corruption, murdered in 1097. (1) Jeremiah 20:10-13 Though many plot against God’s servant, he is safe in God’s hands For I hear many whispering: “Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us…
10 April 2025 – Thursday of Week 5 of Lent (1) Genesis 17:3-9 Abraham believe in God’s promises, despite delays and disappointments Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall…
09 April 2025 – Wednesday of Week 5 of Lent (1) Daniel 3:14-20, 24-25 Trusting in God, they are saved from the fiery furnace Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods and you do not worship the golden statue that I have set…
Presider’s Page for 13 April (Palm Sunday) Introduction Dear friends in Christ, since the beginning of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, to celebrate our Lord’s paschal mystery. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world. Jesus entered in triumph…
08 April 2025 – Tuesday of Week 5 of Lent (1) Numbers 21:4-9 The brazen serpent; anyone bitten can look at it and live From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; but the people became impatient on the way. The people spoke…
07 April 2025 – Monday of Week 5 of Lent Optional Memorial: St John Baptists de la Salle, 1651-1719, cared and educated children and trained teachers, formed teh Brothers of the Christian Schools. Patron of teachers. (1) Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 31-62 Susanna is falsely accused; Daniel’s questions uncover the truth There was a man living…
06 April 2025 – 5th Sunday of Lent, Year C (1) Isaiah 43:16-21 The prophet promises the exiles a new Exodus Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are…
05 April 2025 – Saturday of Week 4 Memorial: St Vincent Ferrer, 1350-1419, Dominican priest, preached missions across Spain, France and Italy. Helped bring Church unity during the Great Schism between teh Avignon and Roman claimants to the papacy. (1) Jeremiah 11:18-20 The Just One is led like a gentle lamb led to the slaughter…
04 April 2025 – Friday of Week 4 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Isidore, Bishop of Seville in 600, died there in 636, a greta writer who also completed the Mozarabic liturgy, still celebrated today. (1) Wisdom 2:1, 12-22 Malice against the good foreshadows the Passion of Jesus Foolish people reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves,…
03 April 2025 – Thursday of Week 4 of Lent (1) Exodus 32:7-14 Though his people rebel, Moses begs another chance for them The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from…
Presider’s Page for 6 April (Fifth Sunday of Lent) We gather to worship our compassionate God, who heals our sinfulness and challenges us to leave our sinfulness behind. Penitential Rite To prepare ourselves for this celebration, let us call to mind our sins: (pause) You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have…
02 April 2025 – Wednesday of Week 4 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Francis of Paola, 1416-1507, born in Calabria, became a hermit, attracted others, later called the Order of Minims, died at Tours in France. (1) Isaiah 49:8-15 God promises the exiles, “You’ll be a sign of salvation!” Thus says the Lord: ‘In a…
01 April 2025 – Tuesday of Week 4 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Ceallach (Celsus), born 1080, abbot of Armagh in 1105, ordained and presided over the Synod of Rathbreasail in 1111. Died in 1129 while visiting Munster, buried in Lismore, at his own request. (1) Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12 Life-giving water flows out from the…
31 March 2025 – Monday of Week 4 of Lent (1) Isaiah 65:17-21 “Rejoice in what I am creating!” Good things in store for those who love God For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and…
