18 Sept 2023 – Monday of Week 24 1st Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Prayers for the civil authorities, for peaceful governance First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable…
17 Sept 2023 – 24th Sunday, (A) It is inconsistent to celebrate our God as the Lord of compassion and love, unless we show mercy to those who have wronged us. Today’s Gospel calls us to forgive as Christ forgives us. Some of the finer minds among the Old Testament writers already perceived this connection:…
Presider’s Page for 17 September (24th Sunday in Ordinary Time) Forgiveness is one of the great qualities of Christianity. We are challenged to forgive each other as readily as God forgives us. We celebrate God’s mercy, and ask for the grace to pass it on to those who hurt us. Penitential Rite Remembering that God’s…
16 Sept 2023 – Saturday of Week 23 Memorial: St Cornelius, pope (in 251) – patron of cattle and domestic animals. Also St Cyprian, 210-58, bishop of Carthage – martyred. 1st Reading: 1 Timothy 1:15-17 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. All are called The saying is sure and worthy of full…
15 September 2023 – Our Lady of Sorrows 1st Reading: Hebrews 5:7-9 Even Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his…
14 September 2023 – The Exaltation of the Holy Cross 1st Reading: Numbers 21:5-9 When the serpents bit the people, the statue of a bronze serpent brought them healing The people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? For there is no…
13 Sept 2023 – Wednesday of Week 23 Memorial: St John Chrysostom 347-407, Greek, the ‘Golden Mouthed Preacher’, was AB of Constantinople. Die din exile. Patron saint of preachers. 1st Reading: Colossians 3:1-11 You have been raised with Christ, so set your heart where Christ is If you have been raised with Christ, seek the…
12 Sept 2023 – Tuesday of Week 23 Optional Memorials: The Most Holy Name of Mary – use Gal 4:4-7 or Eph 1:3-6; Ps Lk 1:46-55; Lk 1: 39-47 – Lect 11:1438, 1432, 1444. St Ailbe, died in 528, founded monastery at Emly. A 9th century Rule bears his name. 1st Reading: Colossians 2:6-15 Spiritually, baptism…
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…
