28 March 2026 – Saturday of Week 5 of Lent (1) Ezekiel 37:21-28 I will bring them back, and I will cleanse them Say to them, Thus says the Lord God: I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from every quarter, and bring…
27 March 2026 – Friday of Week 5 of Lent (1) Jeremiah 20:10-13 Though many plot against God’s servant, he is safe in God’s hands For I hear many whispering: “Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” All my close friends are watching for me to stumble. “Perhaps he can be enticed,…
26 March 2026 – Thursday of Week 5 of Lent (1) Genesis 17:3-9 Abraham believe in God’s promises, despite delays and disappointments Then Abram fell on his face; and God said to him, “As for me, this is my covenant with you: You shall be the ancestor of a multitude of nations. No longer shall…
25 March 2026 – The Annunciation of the Lord 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10 King Ahaz refuses to ask a sign of the Lord; Isaiah promises a child to be called Immanuel Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, “Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as…
24 March 2026 – Tuesday of Week 5 of Lent Optional Memorial: (Feast in Clogher) St Macartan, first Bishop of Clogher, known as Patrick’s ‘Strong Man’ for his dedication and faithfulness. (1) Numbers 21:4-9 The brazen serpent; anyone bitten can look at it and live From Mount Hor they set out by the way to…
Presider’s Page for Easter Sunday – 05 April 2026 This Easter morning we celebrate the central mystery of our faith, the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He suffered on the cross and died for us, but now he is risen! Introductory Rites: Filled with the spirit of Easter joy, let us proclaim the might…
Presider’s Page for The Easter Vigil – 04 April 26 Opening Comment (after the Service of Light and Exsultet) We gather around the Easter candle, celebrating the Lord’s resurrection. With that light to illumine our way, we remember how God has cared for humanity from the dawn of time. These readings remind us what happened at…
Presider’s Page for Holy Thursday – 2 April 2026 Opening Comment The liturgy that begins this Thursday evening continues until we reach Easter. We are at the start of a three-day celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. We journey from the Last Supper to Gethsemane tonight, from there to Calvary tomorrow, and…
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…
