Tues 24 December 2024 – 4th Week of Advent 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 now,…
Presider’s Page for 24 December (Christmas Night Mass) In the dark of this winter night, we proclaim the new light that has shone on the world: Jesus Christ is born! With the angels, we worship God who saves us — for through the life, death and resurrection of this child Jesus, salvation is ours. Alternative…
Mon 23 December 2024 – 4th Week of Advent Memorial: St John of Kanty, 1390-1493, taught in Kraków, Poland. 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 before me, and the Lord…
22 Dec 2024 – 4th Sunday in Advent, C 1st Reading: Micah 5:2-5 Salvation would come from insignificant Bethlehem — to unite the nation under God The Lord says this: But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is…
Sat 21 December 2024 – 3rd Week of Advent Optional Memorial: St Peter Canisius, 1521-97, born in Holland. A Jesuit who prepared a catechism in 1555 of 211 questions and answers. 1st Reading: Song of Songs (2:8-14) Lyrical love-poetry from king Solomon, about the beloved who is coming The voice of my beloved! Look, he…
Fri 20 December 2024 – 3rd Week of Advent Optional Memorial: St Fachanan (Feast in Kilfenora, where he founded a church in the 6th century. Patron of Kilfenora Diocese.) 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…
Thurs 19 December 2024 – 3rd Week of Advent 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…
Wed 18 December 2024 – 3rd Week of Advent Optional Memorial; St Flannan (Feast in Killaloe), renowned 7th century 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 will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall…
Presider’s Page for 22 December (Advent 4) Advent is drawing to a close; we have just another two days left to prepare for the birth of Christ. On this Sunday, we rejoice that the promise made to Mary by the Lord has been fulfilled. Penitential Rite Reflecting on the mystery of endless love, we call…
17 Dec 2024 – Tuesday, 3rd Week of 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 you; your hand shall be…
16 Dec 2024 – 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,…
15 Dec 2024 – 3rd Sunday in Advent, C 1st Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18 Jerusalem rejoices because salvation is near and God himself will protect his people Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has…
14 Dec 2024 – Saturday of Advent, Week 2 Memorial: St John of the Cross, 1542-1591, Carmelite man of prayer, outstanding poet, spiritual writer and declared doctor of the Church. With the divinest Word / The Virgin made pregnant / Down the road comes walking / If you’ll grant her room in your abode. …
13 Dec 2024 – Friday of Advent, Week 2 Memorial: St Lucy, martyred in 304. 1st Reading: Isaiah 48:17-19 If you kept my commandments, your name would last forever Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads…
12 Dec 2024 – Thursday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: St Finnian (Feast in Meath), settled in Clonard, Meath, c 520 where he set up a school teaching Canice, Colum Cille and Brendan. Known as the Tutor of the Saints of Ireland. Died in 549. 1st Reading: Isaiah 41:13-20 The Lord says to his…
11 Dec 2024 – Wednesday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: St Damasus 1, c 304-384. Pope in 366. Commissioned St Jerome ot prepare the Vulgate version of the Bible. 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…
Presider’s Page for 15 December (Gaudete Sunday: Advent 3) We’re well over halfway through Advent. Traditionally, today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing.’ The reason for celebration is that the day of the Lord’s coming is nearer. Penitential Rite Entering into that spirit of joy, we recall the sins that hold us…
10 Dec 2024 – Tuesday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: Our Lady of Loreto – (Lect 11, 1428; 1423; 1443) 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 Jerusalem, and cry to her that she…
09 Dec 2024 – The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary 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…
08 Dec 2024 – 2nd Sunday in Advent, C 1st Reading: Baruch 5:1-9 God will level out a highway for the exiles to return The Lord says this: Take off the garment of your sorrow and affliction, O Jerusalem, and put on forever the beauty of the glory from God. Put on the robe of…
