11 Sept 2023 – Monday of Week 23 1st Reading: Colossians 1:24-2:3 To spread the faith, Paul suffers on behalf of the Church I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the…
10 Sept 2023 – 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…
Presider’s Page for 10 September (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 Rite At times we fail to show love, so as…
09 Sept 2023 – Saturday of Week 22 Memorial: St Ciarán, abbot, born c 512 in Roscommon, founded Clonmacnoise monastery, died aged 33 during its construction. 1st Reading: Colossians 1:21-23 Hold the faith firmly, to come before God free of all blame You who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he…
08 Sept 2023 – 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 2023 – Thursday of Week 22 1st Reading: Colossians 1:9-14 We can endure whatever comes, being rescued from the power of darkness For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all…
06 Sept 2023 – Wednesday of Week 22 1st Reading: Colossians 1:1-8 Paul commends “love to the saints” and Christian growth Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ in Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God…
05 Sept 2023 – Tuesday of Week 22 1st Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11 The day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. Be ready Concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the…
4 Sept 2023 – Monday of Week 22 Optional Memorial: St Mac Nissi, 5th-6th century, baptised by St Patrick, set up a hermitage in Connor (Down & Connor). 1st Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 We will be reunited with our deceased when Christ returns We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about…
3 Sept 2023 – 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…
2 Sept 2023 – Saturday of Week 21 1st Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11 To live lovingly and responsibly Now concerning love of the brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anyone write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do love all the…
Presider’s Page for 3 September (22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Creationtide) 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. • Creationtide, celebrated in both…
1 Sept 23 – Friday of Week 21 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation Pope Francis has established 1 September as the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, encouraging the Catholic community around the world to pray for our common home. The day is inspired by Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’,…
31 Aug 2023 – Thursday of Week 21 Optional Memorial: St Aidan of Lindisfarne, monk of Irish descent in Iona. Headed to Lindisfarne at the invitation of the King of Northumbria and died there in 651. 1st Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13 Paul recalls the faith of the Thessalonians and prays for their spiritual growth Brothers…
30 Aug 2023 – Wednesday of Week 21 Optional memorial: St Fiacre, Irish monk, travelled to Normandy and met Faro, patron of Irish pilgrims at Meaux. Fiacre was given a hermitage near Breuil and stayed until his death c 651. 1st Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 The gospel is no mere opinion but is God’s own…
29 Aug 23 – 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….
28 Aug 2023 – Monday of Week 21 Memorial: St Augustine, 354-430, Bishop of Hippo and a serious theologian! Big on grace and left a a huge theological influence on the Church. Patron of theologians. 1st Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10 Paul recalls the dramatic conversion of the people of Thessalonica Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,…
27 Aug 2023 – 21st Sunday, (A) (1) Isaiah 22:19-23 Isaiah warns Shebna that the key, the symbol of his authority, will be taken from him Thus says the Lord to Shebna, the master of the palace: “I will thrust you from your office, and you will be pulled down from your post. On that…
26 Aug 2023 – Saturday of Week 20 1st Reading: Ruth 2:1-3, 8-11; 4:13-17 How Ruth the foreigner came to become king David’s great grandmother Naomi had a kinsman on her husband’s side, a prominent rich man, of the family of Elimelech, whose name was Boaz. And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, “Let me…
25 Aug 2023 – Friday of Week 20 Optional Memorials: St Louis of France, 1214-70, King of France, father of 11 children, Franciscan tertiary, died in Tunisia on his second Crusade. Patron French monarchy and military, and barbers. St Joseph Calasanz, 1556-1648, founded the Piarists to run free schools. Patron of Catholic schools. 1st Reading: Ruth…
