FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Saturday 20th December : St. Fachanan
Although little is known with certainty about Fachanan, a strong tradition from early times links him with Kilfenora and records that he founded a church or monastery there in the sixth century. He is venerated as the patron of the diocese of Kilfenora, now part of Galway.
Sunday 21st December : 4th Sunday of ADVENT
Our attention is now directed fully to the coming of Christ in the Christmas mystery.
Tuesday 23rd December : St. John of Kanty
Taught theology and Scripture in the university of Kraców, Poland. He is also remembered for his austerity of life and generosity.
Wednesday 24th December : CHRISTMAS EVE
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and they shall call him Emmanuel.
Mt 1:23
Thursday 25th December : CHRISTMAS DAY
I bring you news of great joy.
This night in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Lk 2:10-11
The shepherds found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manger.
Lk 2:16
The Word was made flesh, he lived among us, and we saw his glory.
Jn 1:14
Christmas Time runs from First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) of the Nativity of the Lord up to and including the Sunday after Epiphany (6th January) which will be Sunday 11th January (Baptism of the Lord).
Friday 26th December : St. Stephen
The first Christian martyr, was one of those in charge of the poor and needy. He is outstanding for his forgiveness of his enemies. Patron of deacons, stonemasons and bricklayers.
Saturday 27th December : St. John
Brother of James, son of Zebedee, the disciple whom Jesus loved, is traditionally said to have died in Ephesus. He is considered to be the author of the Fourth Gospel, the Book of Revelation and three Letters. The Letters especially teach us the law of love; John is said in his old age to have preached only one message: love one another.
Sunday 28th December : Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
The Holy Family is seen as the model for the human family, the religious community, and the Church itself. The celebration of the Incarnation has brought us to see God's closeness. In the Holy Family we see the ordinariness of the life of Jesus, the simple acceptance by Mary and Joseph of the marvels of God. In the daily life of family and community we can touch the divine, we can come close to God. But we have to learn to live centred on God, with respect and love for each other.
Monday 29th December : St. Thomas Becket
As Archbishop of Canterbury, came in conflict with King Henry II over Church rights. He was killed in his cathedral on this date in 1170.
Wednesday 31st December : St. Sylvester
He died in exile in the year 335 after being pope for twenty-one years. Being elected in the year after the Edict of Milan, he was free to build many churches in Rome.
Thursday 1st January : Mary, the Holy Mother of God
World Day of Peace
At the message of the angel, the Virgin Mary received the Word of God in her heart and in her body, and gave Life to the world. Hence she is acknowledged and honoured as being truly the Mother of God and Mother of the Redeemer.
World Day of Peace
The first World Day of Peace was held in 1968, initiated by Pope Paul VI
Friday 2nd January : Ss Basil & Gregory
St. Basil, Bishop of Caesarea, lived an ascetic life establishing norms for monastic life. He was a theologian of distinction.
St. Gregory, a friend of Basil, was Bishop of Sasima and later of Constantinople. He retired to live a monastic life.
Saturday 3rd January : St. Munchin
His traditional birth place in Dal Cais, where a parish and old graveyard Cell Mainchin (Kilmanaheen) existed. In the seventh century he was granted Inis Sibtonn (Ibton) in the tidal waters of Limerick, in the region of which he founded a church and had a thriving religious community. Patron saint of the diocese of Limerick.
Sunday 4th January : 2nd Sunday of Christmas
When peaceful silence lay over all, and nigh had run half of her swift course, the all-powerful word leaped down from heaven, from the royal throne.
Monday 5th January : St. Charles of St. Andrew
John Andrew Houben was born in Holland 11 December 1821. He took vows as a Passionist and later came to Mount Argus in Dublin in 1857. It was there he spent most of his priestly life. His ministry in the confessional was renowned and the poor of Dublin found in him a strong support. He died on 5 January 1893. He was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI 3 June 2007.
Tuesday 6th January : Epiphany of the Lord
The Epiphany is the manifestation of Jesus as Messiah of Israel, Son of God and Saviour of the world. The great feast of Epiphany celebrates the adoration of Jesus by the wise men (magi) from the East, together with his Baptism in the Jordan and the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. In the magi, representatives of the neighbouring pagan religions, the Gospel sees the first-fruits of the nations, who welcome the good news of salvation through the Incarnation.
Wednesday 7th January : St. Raymond of Penyafort
He was a brilliant lawyer when, at the age of 47, he became a Dominican. Later he became Master General of the Dominicans.