An Irish Joke for the Day!

An Irishman goes into the confessional box after years of being away from the Church.
He is amazed to find a fully equipped bar with Guinness on tap. On the other wall is a dazzling array of the finest cigars and chocolates.
Then the priest comes in.
Excitedly, the Irishman begins..."Father, forgive me, for it's been a very long time since I've been to confession, but I must first admit that the confessional box is much more inviting than it used to be."
The priest replies, "Get out. You're on my side!"

4 Sunday C - Homily and Illustrations

Michel de Verteuil
General Comments 

The incident related in today’s gospel story is a precious moment of grace for the people of Nazareth, one that we too experience from time to time – Jesus invites them to stop hiding behind their false identity and come to the truth of themselves.

Barnabas prayer points for persecution spots

Christmas – Many Christians killed in Christmas attacks

Christmas is a time when persecuted Christians are particularly at risk. Dozens of Nigerian Christians were killed in attacks on churches and raids on homes during the Christmas period of 2012. Most of the attacks took place in Borno state, where Islamist group Boko Haram had previously threatened to kill any Christians who had not left by Christmas.
Six people were killed by gunmen at a church service in Maiduguri, Borno state on Christmas Eve. Then another six worshippers were killed, and two injured, in Siri village, Yobe state, in a shooting at a church service in the early hours of Christmas Day. The pastor was amongst those killed.
At this time Christians were not safe even in their own homes; a number were killed in Musari, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, when suspected Boko Haram militants broke into their homes early in the morning on 28 December.

Do you need a reason to thank God?

3 Sunday - Liturgy

Only The Liturgical prayers and introductions for the 3rd Sunday. Homily is posted further down. TK
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Introduction by the Celebrant 

A. Proclaiming Liberty To Captives  In church we often hear the words "salvation" or "redemption." These technical words sound difficult and remote. Jesus, whose name means "God saves," tells us today what this "saving" means: He came to bring us freedom and liberation from all that alienates us from God and people and to make us capable of liberating one another. Indeed we are created and born to be free. That is the Good News he brings us. Let Jesus here among us make us free sons and daughters of God. 

3 Sunday C - Homily and Stories

Introduction:

U. S. Presidents' inaugural speeches: On Jan 21, 2013, Americans heard the inaugural speech of Barak Obama, opening his second term as the 44th president of the United States. You may not know this, but every single Inaugural Address from George Washington's to Barak Obama’s has been preserved. In these speeches, presidents have laid out for the country their dreams, goals, and aspirations.

2 Sunday C - Homily and Stories

Michel de Verteuil
General Comments

Sunday in the liturgy is always “the first day of the week,” so since Ordinary Time starts on the Monday after the Epiphany, this Sunday is called the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. We might expect to start immediately with the continuous reading from the Synoptic Gospel for the year, which characterizes Ordinary Time. However, liturgical custom dictates otherwise: on this Sunday each year we meditate on a passage from the first chapters of St John’s gospel. It is as if the Church is reluctant to say farewell to the Christmas season – or perhaps reluctant to leave St John, since we have been reading from his gospel on the weekdays of Christmas.