FEASTS OF THE WEEK
Saturday 27th June : St. Cyril
Patriarch of Alexandria, fought against Nestorianism at the Council of Ephesus, 431, which proclaimed Mary, Mother of God.
Sunday 28th June : 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Those whom Christ sends are to be received in his name. This is more than hospitality. It means openness to the other and to the message. Each member of the church has received a mission so we must accept each other in a spirit of faith and love. Those whom Christ sends in an apostolic or prophetic ministry are to be listened to, whatever our natural feelings about them may be.
Monday 29th June : Ss Peter and Paul, Apostles
On the day traditionally considered in pagan Rome to be the foundation day by Romulus, we celebrate the twin founders of the Church in Rome: St. Peter and St. Paul.
St. Peter, originally called Simon, a fisherman who became leader of the apostles and the rock on which the Church is built, died by crucifixion around the year 64.
St. Paul, Saul, the Pharisee who became the "Apostle of the Gentiles", was martyred by beheading around the year 67.
Both proclaim with their lives that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Wednesday 1st July : St. Oliver Plunkett
Born in Loughcrew, Co. Meath, from Irish nobility whose family supported King Charles I.
He was ordained a priest in Rome in 1654, he became a professor of theology from 1654 until appointed Archbishop of Armagh in 1669. During this time or religious persecution and suppression of priests, he was forced to conduct a covert ministry, he went into hiding however determined not to abandon his people, but to remain a faithful shepherd. In 1679 he was arrested and tried at Dundalk for conspiring against the state. It was seen that he would never be convicted in Ireland, and he was moved to Newgate prison, London. He was found guilty of his treason "for promoting the Catholic faith", and was condemned to a gruesome death. He was hanged, drawn and quartered on 1 July 1681 at Tyburn, London. He was the last Catholic to die for his faith at Tyburn, and the first of the Irish martyrs to be beatified in 1920. He is buried at Benedictine Monastery, Downside Abbey, England; his head is venerated in St. Peter's Church, Drogheda.
He was canonised in Rome on 12th October 1975 by Pope St. Paul VI.
Praying for Peace with St. Oliver Plunkett
Glorious Martyr, Oliver, who willingly gave your life for your faith, help us also to be strong in faith. May we be loyal like you to the See of Peter. By your intercession and example may all hatred and bitterness be banished from the hearts of Irish men and women. May the peace of Christ reign in our hearts, as it did in your heart, even at the moment of your death. Pray for us and for Ireland.
Amen
Friday 3rd July : St. Thomas
He is said to have preached the gospel in India where he was martyred. The faith that led him to know Christ in his wounds also sent him to the farthest places to preach Christ.
Saturday 4th July : St. Elizabeth of Portugal
Of the House of Aragon, she had an unhappy marriage with the King of Portugal. She persevered in prayer and good works, and as a widow lived in poverty as a Franciscan tertiary.