Presider’s Page for Palm Sunday 29 March 2026 Today’s liturgy gives us a preview of the events of Holy Week. The passion, death and resurrection of Jesus are the focus of this and every Sunday celebration. Blessing of Palms Almighty and eternal God, bless + these green branches [palms] and make them holy; and grant…
23 March 2026 – Monday of Week 5 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Turibius, 1538-1606, layman appointed Bishop of Lima. (1) Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, 31-62 Susanna is falsely accused; Daniel’s questions uncover the truth There was a man living in Babylon whose name was Joakim. And he took a wife named Susanna, the daughter of…
22 March 2026 – 5th Sunday of Lent, Year A (1) Ezekiel 37:12-14 During the exile, God’s people were like a pile of dried bones Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I am going to open your graves, and bring you up from your graves, O my people; and I…
21 March 2026 – Saturday of Week 4 Memorial: St Enda, one of the three great late vocations (athleach) of Ireland. Set up a foundation in Cill Áine, Co Louth, studied in Scotland, set up several foundations in the Boyne Valley, then went to Áran. Died c 520 – one of the early models of…
20 March 2026 – Friday of Week 4 of Lent (1) Wisdom 2:1, 12-22 Malice against the good foreshadows the Passion of Jesus Foolish people reasoned unsoundly, saying to themselves, “Short and sorrowful is our life, and there is no remedy when a life comes to its end, and no one has been known to…
19 March 2026 – Saint Joseph, Husband of the Blessed Virgin 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:4-6, 12-14, 16 From king David’s offspring will come the universal spiritual King But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you the one to build…
Presider’s Page for 22 March 26 (Fifth Sunday of Lent) In under a fortnight’s time, the Easter Triduum will begin, on Holy Thursday evening. During the Triduum, each of us recalls the great events that Easter remembers. We ask God’s help in the last days of Lent. Penitential Rite To prepare ourselves to hear God’s…
18 March 2026 – Wednesday of Week 4 of Lent Memorial: St Cyril of Jerusalem, 315-86, Bishop of Jerusalem, catechist and administrator, exiled in his fight against Arianism. (1) Isaiah 49:8-15 God promises the exiles, “You’ll be a sign of salvation!” Thus says the Lord: ‘In a time of favour I have answered you, on…
17 March 2026 – St Patrick’s Day 1st Reading: Sirach 39:6-10 Filled with the spirit of understanding If the great Lord is willing, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; he will pour forth words of wisdom of his own and give thanks to the Lord in prayer. The Lord will direct his…
16 March 2026 – 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…
15 March 2026 – 4th Sunday of Lent, Year A (1) 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13 Samuel selects and anoints young David as future king of Israel The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set…
14 March 2026 – Saturday of Week 3 of Lent (1) Hosea 6:1-6 God wants our love more than ritual sacrifice “Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. After two days he will…
St Patrick’s Day – Liturgy Preparation – as Gaeilge agus Béarla! Blessing of Shamrock The Lord be with you. And also with you. May St. Patrick be a prayerful companion to the people of and may we be faithful to the faith of our ancestors Amen. May the Lord bless + these plants – symbols…
13 March 2026 – Friday of Week 3 of Lent (1) Hosea 14:2-10 How God supports those who trust in Him Take words with you and return to the Lord; say to him, “Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria shall not save…
12 March 2026 – Thursday of Week 3 of Lent (1) Jeremiah 7:23-28 Life’s highest goal is obedient response to God But this command I gave them, “Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people; and walk only in the way that I command you, so that it…
11 March 2026 – Wednesday of Week 3 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Aengus (Oengus), monk of Clonenagh, Co Laois, renowned for his devotion to native and foreign saints, wrote two martyrologies, was an abbot and bishop and died c. 824. (1) Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 God’s people have clear duties and a high destiny So…
10 March 2026 – Tuesday of Week 3 of Lent (1) Daniel 3:25, 34-43 Nebuchadnezzar admires the miraculous escape of the young Jews Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up quickly. He said to his counsellors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the fire?” They answered the king, “True, O…
Presider’s Page for 15 March 2026 (Fourth Sunday of Lent – Laetare Sunday, Mother’s Day) Opening Comment Traditionally, this Sunday is called Laetare Sunday, which means ‘a day for joy’. At this midpoint of Lent, it is traditional to honour mothers, it’s Mother’s Day today, treasuring those still with us and praying for those we have lost…
09 March 2026 – Monday of Week 3 of Lent Optional Memorial: St Frances of Rome, d 1440, happily married, founded a society of women with the Rule of St Benedict, joined it after her husband’s death. (1) 2 Kings 5:1-15 Naaman the Syrian takes the prophet’s advice and is cured of leprosy Naaman, commander…
08 March 2026 – 3rd Sunday of Lent, Year A (1) Exodus 17:3-7 God provides refreshes his people in the wilderness But the people thirsted there for water; and the people complained against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and livestock with thirst?” So…
