Mass for Peace
In preparation for the New Year, a Mass for peace will be offered at 11:40pm. Why not come along and join us in praying for peace in our world, in the next year and beyond.
St. Thomas à Becket
St. Thomas à Becket (1118-1170). Born in London, he was made Chancellor of England and also rose to become Archbishop of Canterbury where he fell foul of King Henry II over his efforts to defend the rights of the Church. Exiled to France for six years, on his return to England, he again had to bear […]
The Holy Innocents
King Herod obtained the rough date of the birth of the “King of the Jews” from the Wise Men who had come to seek and adore Him. Through fear, hoping to avoid any challenge to his throne he had all children under the age of two massacred in a trawl which he hoped would include […]
St. John the Evangelist
The beloved disciple, son of Zebedee, who, at Peter’s behest, leaned on his Master’s breast at the Last Supper to enquire whom was the one who would betray Him. Brother of James, they were known as “Boanerges” or “sons of thunder” perhaps because he wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans who rejected their […]
St. Stephen
A deacon and proto-martyr of the Church. All we know of his life is contained in the Acts of the Apostles where he was stoned for blasphemy without a formal trial as he saw a vision of Christ at God’s right hand. The so-called witnesses place their garments (in order not to get them soiled, […]
Christmas
The second greatest feast of the Church’s calendar (Easter being the greatest, when Jesus proved that He was truly the divine Son of God by His resurrection from the dead). The shepherds were the first to hear the good news of man’s salvation from angels, followed by the adoration of the Magi, the three Wise […]
St John of Kenty
St John of Kenty (1390-1473). Born at Kenty in Crakow, he became a priest and taught for many years in the University there. Also parish priest of Olkusz. Excelling in holiness and charity to his neighbour, he was a true example to his colleagues and students.
St. Peter Canisius
St. Peter Canisius (1521-1597). Born in Holland at Nijmegen, he studied in Cologne and joined the Jesuit Order, ordained 1546. He was sent to Germany where he worked to defend and strengthen the faith by his writings and preaching. His Catechism is outstanding for this. He died at Fribourg in Switzerland.
St. Lucy
St. Lucy (+ 304). Suffered martyrdom at Syracuse, probably in the persecution of Emperor Diocletian. Her name in mentioned in the first Mass Canon of the Church (Canon 1). Tradition states that when her suitor (whom she had rejected!) accused her to the authorities, the judge ordered her to be violated in a brothel where […]
St. Jane Frances de Chantal
St. Jane Frances de Chantal ( 1572-1641). Born in Dijon, France, she married a French nobleman to whom she bore six children whom she brought up religiously. After her husband’s death, she placed herself under the direction of St. Francis de Sales and made great progress along the way of perfection, performing many works of […]
