13 Jan 2023 – Friday of Week 1 Optional memorial: St Hilary c.315-c.367, bishop and doctor of the church. 1st Reading: Hebrews 4:1-5, 11 Through faith we shall enter into God’s day of rest While the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to…
12 Jan 2023 – Thursday of Week 1 1st Reading: Hebrews 3:7-14 Hearts opened to God, not hardened by sin Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the desert, where your ancestors put me…
11 Jan 2023 – Wednesday of Week 1 1st Reading: Hebrews 2:14-18 Jesus shared our flesh and blood and so is able to help us in our trials Since the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power…
10 Jan 2023 – Tuesday of Week 1 1st Reading: Hebrews 2:5-12 Jesus, crowned with glory, having been tested through suffering Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. But someone has testified somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you…
9 Jan 2023 – Monday of Week 1 (Note: Sunday Cycle A, Weekday Cycle 1 – 1st Week in Ordinary Time) 1st Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6 God spoke in many and varied ways, but now through Jesus, his Son and heir Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets,…
Presider’s Page for 8 January 2023 (Baptism of the Lord) This feast of the Baptism of the Lord marks the last day of Christmas. At his baptism Jesus sees how much he is loved by God and is given the power to go out and spread the news. We share that power through our baptism….
Sunday – 08 January 2023. The Baptism of the Lord Theme: Jesus brings justice and divine life to the nations. As his baptised family, we seek the kingdom of God through justice and peace. 1st Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 A courageous servant of God will help others to keep the Covenant Thus says the Lord:…
7 January 2023 – Saturday after Epiphany Optional Memorial: St Raymond of Penafort, 1175-1275, Dominican lawyer and Archbishop of Tarragona. 1st Reading: 1 John 3:22 – 4:6 Distinguishing the spirit of truth from the spirit of error Beloved, we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him….
6 January 2023, Friday, The Epiphany of the Lord (or the Sunday between 2 January and 8 January) 1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 In those days the Messiah will reveal his glory to all the nations Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall…
5 January 2023 – Thursday Before Epiphany Optional Memorial: St Charles of St Andrew – John Andrew Houben (1821-1893) from Munstergeleen, Holland, was briefly the Dutch army before being called to religious life with the Passionists in 1845, in Belgium, taking the name Charles. After ordination he was sent to England in 1852, where he…
4 January 2023 – Wednesday Before Epiphany 1st Reading: 1 John 3:7-10. How we are reborn as children of God Little children, let no one deceive you. Everyone who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. Everyone who commits sin is a child of the devil; for the devil has been…
3 January 2023 – Tuesday Before Epiphany Optional Memorials: The Holy Name of Jesus (Phil 2: 1-11. Ps 8:4-9. Lk 2:21-24.) St Munchin (Mainchin) (Limerick), patron Limerick. 1st Reading: 1 John 2:29 – 3:6 We are God’s children now; when he is revealed, we will be like him If you know that he is…
2 January 2023 – Monday before Epiphany 1st Reading: 1 John 2:22-28 The Holy Spirit received from Jesus, teaches you all things Who is the liar but the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son…
1 Jan 2023 – Mary, The Holy 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 keep…
Presider’s Page for Sunday 1 January 2023 (Mary, Mother of God) The Virgin Mary was already venerated as Mother of God when, in 431, the Council of Ephesus acclaimed her Theotokos (God-bearer). Her role in the mystery of the incarnation was celebrated on this day in Rome in the seventh century but was soon eclipsed…
31 December 2022 – 7th Day in the Octave of Christmas Optional memorial: Saint Sylvester, pope. Sylvester (250-335) 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 in…
Bidding Prayers for 1st January 2023 (Feast of Mary, Mother of God) BIDDING PRAYERS for Sunday Mass on New Year’s Day Introduction (by the Presider) God graciously blesses all of humanity, so we can bring forward our needs with confidence: That the world may have peace in 2023 (pause for a moment). Lord, hear us That God may be…
30 December 2022 – 6th Day in the Octave of Christmas Feast of the Holy Family Theme: Family life can be severely challenged, from various causes. This feast invites us to renew our commitment to family life. 1st Reading. Book of Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 A practical application of the fourth commandment, to honour our parents…
29 December 2022 – Thursday, 5th Day in the Octave of Christmas Optional Memorial: Saint Thomas a Becket, 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…
28 Dec 2022 – Wednesday, The Holy Innocents, Martyrs 1st Reading: 1 John 1:5-2:2 Those who walk in darkness, and those who walk in the light Beloved: This is the message that we have heard from Jesus Christ and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If…
