FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Sunday 12th July : 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time
We must have faith in the power of God's word. It is the instrument by which God effects his purpose. It does not work automatically, but grows in a soil of faith and prayer. We have to be concerned about teaching, preaching and praying the word, and to wok to ensure a receptive soil.
Monday 13th July : St. Henry
Duke of Bavaria and later emperor. A just ruler, humble man of prayer and reformer of the Church.
Tuesday 14th July : St. Camillus de Lellis
Rough-tempered and a gambler in his early life as a soldier, he was converted at the age to twenty-five. Guided by St. Philip Neri, he became a priest and worked for the sick with two companions. His Servants of the Sick prospered and founded hospitals, especially where others would not go. Patron of nurses, hospitals and the sick.
Wednesday 15th July : St. Bonaventure
Born in Tuscany, Minister General of the Franciscans, Cardinal Archbishop of Albano, theologian of the Council of Lyons.
Thursday 16th July : Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her role as patroness of the Carmelite Order. The first Carmelites were Christian hermits living on Mount Carmel in the Holy Land during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. They built a chapel in the midst of their hermitages which they dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, whom they conceived of in chivalric terms as the "Lady of the Place".
Our Lady of Mount Carmel is the patron saint of Chile.
Sunday 19th July : 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
"You have given us the good hope that after sin you will grant repentance." That God allows evil to flourish along with the good has always been a problem to those who know of God. In this the patience of God contrasts with the impatience of humans. The kingdom grows like the yeast spreading through the dough. The Day of the Lord will reveal all. Meanwhile we wait in hope, and pray to remain faithful.
Monday 20th July : St. Apollinaris
In the second century preached the Gospel in the region of Ravenna, Italy. He was Bishop of Classis where he suffered martyrdom.
Tuesday 21st July : St. Lawrence of Brindisis
Capuchin who preached the Counter-Reformation. He led German armies against the Turks in Hungary and gained peace for the people of Naples.
21st July is the anniversary of the episcopal ordination of Bishop Michael Router, 21 July 2019.
Wednesday 22nd July : St. Mary Magdalene
She stood by the Cross of Jesus; with two other women she discovered the empty tomb; she was granted an appearance of the Risen Lord early the same day, from which incident she has been described as "the apostle to the apostles".
Thursday 23rd July : St. Bridget
Born in Sweden in 1303. She brought up eight children, and after the death of her husband dedicated herself to an ascetical life. Later she founded the Bridgettine Order and lived in Rome. She wrote many works about her mystical experiences. She died in Rome in 1373. She was declared a patron of Europe in 2000.
Friday 24th July : St. Declan
Considered to be one of the pre-Patrician saints. He was of noble blood. Colman, a local priest, baptised him. Later he went to Europe to continue his studies where he was ordained priest and possibly bishop. He settle in Ardmore and evangelised the Decies country.
Saturday 25th July : St. James
Son of Zebedee and brother of John, called the Greater. He was put to death by Herod Agrippa about the year 44, being the first of the Apostles to die for Christ.
His shrine is at Compostella in Spain.