Presider’s Page for Sunday 4 Jan 2026 We gather to celebrate the first Sunday of 2026, with thankfulness for the year and the decade just finished. We ask God for continuing care and protection as face this New Year, not knowing what it will bring. Penitential Rite Confident that God’s mercy has no end, we…
02 January 2026 Optional memorials: St Basil the Great, 330-79, Bishop of Caesarea, ascetic life and theologian. St Gregory, 329-89, a friend of Basil, Bishop of Sasima and later of Constantinople, retired to a monastic life. 1st Reading: 1 John 2:22-28 The Holy Spirit received from Jesus, teaches you all things Who is the liar but the…
01 January 2026 – Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God 1st Reading: Numbers 6:22-27 A new-year prayer for God to bless and protect his people The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, The Lord bless you and…
31 December 2025 – 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas Optional memorial: Saint Sylvester, pope. Sylvester (250-325) was born in Rome in the mid-3rd century and served as a priest under pope Marcellinus before the persecution under Diocletian (303). After the victory of emperor Constantine in 312 he succeeded Melchiades as bishop of Rome…
30 December 2025 – 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas 1st Reading: 1 John 2:12-17 Do not be absorbed by the world or the things in the world I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know…
29 Dec 2025 – 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas Optional Memorial: Saint Thomas a Becket, (1118-1170) from Cheapside in London, was appointed first as chancellor and then archbishop (1162) by order of his friend, King Henry II. As archbishop he sided with the pope on the respective authority of church and state and was…
28 Dec 2025 – Sunday after Christmas – The Holy Family Today we celebrate the domestic life of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, an an inspiration for all families everywhere. 1st Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 A practical application of the fourth commandment, to honour our parents The Lord honours a father above his children, and he…
27 Dec 2025 – Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist 1st Reading: 1 John 1:1-4 What we have seen with our eyes, what we have touched with our hands Beloved: Something which has existed since the beginning, that we have heard, and we have seen with our own eyes; that we have watched and touched with…
Presider’s Page 28 Dec 2025 – Holy Family The Holy Family is the focus on the first Sunday after Christmas, so we honour Jesus, Mary and Joseph today. We worship God who shared the life of the human family, and thank God for all the gifts we continue to receive in each other. Penitential Rite Let…
26 Dec 2025 – Feast of St. Stephen, the First Martyr 1st Reading: Acts 6:8-10; 7:54-59 The martyrdom of Stephen the deacon, according to Luke Stephen, filled with grace and power, was working great wonders and signs among the people. Certain members of the so-called Synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and people from Cilicia…
25 Dec 25 – Christmas Day (Dawn Mass: Is 62:11-12. Ps 96:1, 6, 11-12. Ti 3:4-7. Lk 2:15-20 See Lect 1: 107) Theme: We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ in our world, though he was with God the Father before all ages. His birth opens up for us a glorious new identity, as children…
24 December 2025 + Christmas Midnight & Dawn Masses (below) 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…
Presider’s Page for 24 December (Christmas Eve Masses) In the dark of this winter day, 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. Penitential…
23 December 2025 Optional Memorial: St John of Kanty, priest, 1390-1473, taught theology and Scripture in Krakow University, remembered for his generosity and austerity. 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…
22 December 2025 1st Reading: 1 Samuel 1:24-28 Hannah dedicates her young son to a life of service to God When she had weaned him, she took him up with her, along with a three-year-old bull, an ephah of flour, and a skin of wine. She brought him to the house of the Lord at…
21 Dec 2025 – 4th Sunday in Advent, A 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 The prophecy about “Emmanuel — God with us” invites king Ahaz to trust Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. But Ahaz said, I…
20 December 2025 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 to Ahaz, saying, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will…
19 December 2025 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 the Lord appeared to the woman…
18 December 2025 Optional Memorial (Feast in Killaloe): St Flannan, lived in the 7th century, son of King Thomond, entered Molua’s monastery at Killaloe and became abbot, was a noted 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…
17 December 2025 – Wednesday – Preparation for Christmas The O Antiphons begin: Details: https://www.usccb.org/prayers/o-antiphons-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…
