18 Dec 2022 – 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…
17 Dec 2022 – Saturday of 3rd Week of Advent The Roman Church has been singing The O Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of…
16 Dec 2022 – Friday of 3rd week of Advent First Reading: Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8 Thus says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the sabbath, not…
15 Dec 2022 – Thursday 3rd Week of Advent Reading: Isaiah 54: 1-10 Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labour! For the children of the desolate woman will be more than the children of her that is married, says the Lord. Enlarge…
Bidding Prayers 18 Dec 2022 (Fourth Sunday of Advent) BIDDING PRAYERS for Sunday Mass Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to the Lord, the King of Glory. That the world may not forget those dying of hunger in Africa (pause for a moment). Lord, hear us That Christmas may bring peace where there is hatred and war (pause for…
14 Dec 2022 – Wednesday of Advent, Week 3 Memorial: St John of the Cross, 1542-1591, Carmelite poet and doctor of the Church. With the divinest Word, the Virgin Made pregnant, down the road Comes walking, if you’ll grant her A room in your abode… ~St. John of the Cross 1st Reading: Isaiah 45:6-8 The…
13 Dec 2022 – Tuesday of Advent, Week 3 Memorial: St Lucy, martyred in 304 in Sicily under Diocletian. 1st Reading: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 The people’s future conversion: the humble shall seek refuge in the Lord. Ah, soiled, defiled, oppressing city! It has listened to no voice; it has accepted no correction. It has not…
12 Dec 2022 – Monday of Advent, Week 3 Optional Memorials: Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the Americas; St Finnian: established a famous school in Clonard, Meath c 520. Tutor of Canice, Colm Cille and Brendan. Died in 549. Monday of Advent, Week 3 1st Reading: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17 Balaam predicts the glorious future,…
11 Dec 2022 – 3rd Sunday in Advent, A Theme: Society finds it so hard to tolerate dissent that those who step out of line are often harshly treated. John the Baptist dared to castigate King Herod for his immoral example, and paid for it with his life. 1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 What God…
10 Dec 2022 – Saturday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto See link to decree from the Congregation for Divine Worship: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2019/10/31/191031e.html 1st Reading: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Lyrical praise of Elijah, whose prophetic word burned like a torch Then Elijah arose, a prophet like fire, and his word burned like…
Bidding Prayers 11 Dec 2022 (Third Sunday of Advent) BIDDING PRAYERS for Sunday Mass Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to God, who raises up those who are bowed down. That all may realise the beauty and truth of the Gospel (pause for a moment). Lord, hear us That Christians may be joyful at the Lord’s…
9 Dec 2022 – Friday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: St Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, 1474-1548, saw the vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531. 1st Reading: Isaiah 48:17-19 If you kept my commandments, your name would last forever Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord…
8 December 2022 – The Immaculate Conception 1st Reading: Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Enmity between the serpent and the woman But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid…
7 Dec – Wednesday of Advent, Week 2 Memorial: St Ambrose, 339-397, patron of Milan, beekeepers and domestic animals. 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:25-31 Encouragement for the weary people, from God, who strengthens the powerless To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on…
6 Dec 2022 – Tuesday of Advent, Week 2 Optional Memorial: St Nicholas – Feast in Galway, Solemnity in City of Galway. Fourth century Bishop of Myra. Patron of Russia, sailors, pawnbrokers and children. 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-11 Comfort ye my people! — the promised return of the exiles from Babylon. “Comfort, O comfort my…
5 Dec 2022 – Monday of Advent, Week 2 1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10 They shall see the glory of the Lord, and the ransomed exiles shall return to Zion The desert and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy…
4 Dec 2022 – 2nd Sunday in Advent, A Theme: John the Baptist’s life work was preparing the way for our Messiah. Once Christ came, it only remained for John to disappear gracefully. Like John, we should make way for Christ in the lives of others. 1st Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 The living branch from Jesse’s…
Presider’s Page for 4 December (Second Sunday of Advent A) John the Baptist is the focus of the Gospel reading on the Second Sunday of Advent each year. His words challenge and inspire. We worship God who uses many messengers to call us from darkness to light. Penitential Rite As we prepare to listen to…
3 Dec 2022 – Saturday of Advent, Week 1 1st Reading: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26 Future days of blessed enlightenment, when the people turn aside from idolatry. Truly, O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears…
2 Dec 2022 – Friday of Advent, Week 1 1st Reading: Isaiah 29:17-24 A promise of good times, when deaf shall hear and blind shall see Shall not Lebanon in a very little while become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be regarded as a forest? On that day the deaf shall hear the…
