Churches of the Day
Pictorial Thought for Today
Oct 12 - St Wilfrid of York (633-709) Bishop of Northumbria
Summary : St. Wilfrid was the strong man of the Anglo-Saxon Church. Educated by the Celtic monks at Lindisfarne, he went to Rome and strongly upheld the Roman way of computing Easter against the Celtic monks at the Synod of Whitby (664). Wilfrid also preached at Selsey in Sussex and in Holland.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early Life
St Wilfred was born in Northumbria in 634 and was first educated at the Celtic monastery of Lindisfarne He then went to Lyon, France, where he was a disciple of Bishop Annemund and to Rome. He came back a strong supporter of Roman church traditions against Celtic ways.
Abbot of Ripon and then Bishop of Northumbria
He became abbot of Ripon and then bishop of Northumbria. He went back to France to be ordained, but when he returned to England, found that Chad was occupying his see. Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury had divided up the see and now persuaded Chad to go as bishop of the Mercians, leaving Wilfrid as bishop of York. He is said to have built the minster of York.
An Advocate of Roman practice
During his tenure of the see, Wilfrid energetic in preaching and unafraid of disputes, acted with great vigour, founding Benedictine monasteries in preference to those of Celtic practice. At the Synod of Whitby (664) he was responsible for the success of the Roman party against the Celtic party in the dispute about the computation of the time of Easter. He kept a large household and acted with magnificence in the style of the Frankish bishops, although his own life was always simple and restrained.
Disputes with Theodore of Canterbury about the division of Northumbria
Wilfrid disagreed with the Theodore's subdivision of the original see of Northumbria, appealed to Rome and went there himself to plead his case. On his way he spent some time (678-9) preaching the gospel in Frisia and encouraged the Anglo-Saxon Christian mission on the continent, developed later by Willibrord (658-739) and Boniface (672-754). The case was decided in Wilfrid's favour and the intruding bishops were removed. But when Wilfrid came back, King Egfrith, who had a dispute with Wilfrid for another reason, imprisoned him and released him only on condition he left the kingdom.
Preaching in Sussex and Back to York
Wilfrid headed south to Sussex and preached the gospel at Selsey and in the Isle of Wight. After about six years, when he was reconciled with Archbishop Theodore, Wilfrid became bishop of Hexham (686). When the see of York became vacant, he returned there. But again there was trouble and he had to retire to the midlands. But again Wilfrid appealed and went off to Rome, where again he won his case. However, a synod under a new archbishop of Canterbury, Bertwald, allotted to him the diocese of Hexham, and Wilfrid decided to accept this once the principle of Rome's authority had been accepted.
Death
Wilfrid died at the age of seventy-six at Oundle in present-day Northamptonshire. He occupies a central part of Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People. He always appears as a somewhat contentious figure: his disputes have somewhat overshadowed his great missionary activity.
Patrick Duffy tells his story.
Early LifeSt Wilfred was born in Northumbria in 634 and was first educated at the Celtic monastery of Lindisfarne He then went to Lyon, France, where he was a disciple of Bishop Annemund and to Rome. He came back a strong supporter of Roman church traditions against Celtic ways.
Abbot of Ripon and then Bishop of Northumbria
He became abbot of Ripon and then bishop of Northumbria. He went back to France to be ordained, but when he returned to England, found that Chad was occupying his see. Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury had divided up the see and now persuaded Chad to go as bishop of the Mercians, leaving Wilfrid as bishop of York. He is said to have built the minster of York.
An Advocate of Roman practice
During his tenure of the see, Wilfrid energetic in preaching and unafraid of disputes, acted with great vigour, founding Benedictine monasteries in preference to those of Celtic practice. At the Synod of Whitby (664) he was responsible for the success of the Roman party against the Celtic party in the dispute about the computation of the time of Easter. He kept a large household and acted with magnificence in the style of the Frankish bishops, although his own life was always simple and restrained.
Disputes with Theodore of Canterbury about the division of Northumbria
Wilfrid disagreed with the Theodore's subdivision of the original see of Northumbria, appealed to Rome and went there himself to plead his case. On his way he spent some time (678-9) preaching the gospel in Frisia and encouraged the Anglo-Saxon Christian mission on the continent, developed later by Willibrord (658-739) and Boniface (672-754). The case was decided in Wilfrid's favour and the intruding bishops were removed. But when Wilfrid came back, King Egfrith, who had a dispute with Wilfrid for another reason, imprisoned him and released him only on condition he left the kingdom.Preaching in Sussex and Back to York
Wilfrid headed south to Sussex and preached the gospel at Selsey and in the Isle of Wight. After about six years, when he was reconciled with Archbishop Theodore, Wilfrid became bishop of Hexham (686). When the see of York became vacant, he returned there. But again there was trouble and he had to retire to the midlands. But again Wilfrid appealed and went off to Rome, where again he won his case. However, a synod under a new archbishop of Canterbury, Bertwald, allotted to him the diocese of Hexham, and Wilfrid decided to accept this once the principle of Rome's authority had been accepted.
Death
Wilfrid died at the age of seventy-six at Oundle in present-day Northamptonshire. He occupies a central part of Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People. He always appears as a somewhat contentious figure: his disputes have somewhat overshadowed his great missionary activity.
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Memorable Sayings for Today
“I have but one candle of life to burn,
and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness
than in a land flooded with light”
~John Keith, missionary ~
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 12th October, 2026
Monday of the Twenty-Eight Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2
FIRST READING
A reading from the letter of St Paul to the Galatians 4:22-24. 26-27. 31-5:1
We are the children, not of the slave-girl, but of the free-born wife.
T
he Law says, if you remember, that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-girl, and one by his free-born wife. The child of the slave-girl was born in the ordinary way; the child of the free woman was born as the result of a promise. This can be regarded as an allegory: the women stand for the two covenants. The first who comes from Mount Sinai, and whose children are slaves, is Hagar - The Jerusalem above, however, is free and is our mother, since scripture says:'Shout for joy, you barren women who bore no children! Break into shouts of joy and gladness, you who were never in labour.
For there are more sons of the forsaken one than sons of the wedded wife.So, my brothers, we are the children, not of the slave-girl, but of the free-born wife.'
When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 112:1-7
Response May the name of the Lord be blessed for evermore!
or Alleluia!
1. Praise, O servants of the Lord praise the name of the Lord!
May the name of the Lord be blessed both now and for evermore!
Response
2. From the rising of the sun to its setting praised be the name of the Lord!
High above all nations is the Lord, above the heavens his glory. Response
3. Who is like the Lord, our God, who stoops from the heights to look down,
to look down upon heaven and earth? From the dust he lifts up the lowly, from the dung heap he raises the poor. Response
Gospel Acclamation Ps 118: 88
Alleluia, alleluia!
Because of your love give me life, and I will do your will.
Alleluia!
or Ps 94: 8
Alleluia, alleluia!
Harden not your hearts today but listen to the voice of the Lord.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 11:29-32 Glory to you, O Lord
The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.
The crowds got even bigger and Jesus addressed them,
'This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.
On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation. and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.
The Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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Gospel Reflection Monday Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time Luke 11:29-32
In today’s gospel reading, people come to Jesus looking for a sign. He replies that the signs they are looking for are actually there in front of their eyes if only they could see them. The people of Nineveh took Jonah more seriously than some of the people of Jesus’ generation were taking him, and, yet, there were far more powerful signs of God’s presence in the life of Jesus than in the life of Jonah. ‘There is something greater than Jonah here’. The queen of Sheba took Solomon more seriously than some of the people of Jesus’ generation were taking him, and, yet, there were far more powerful signs of God’s presence in the life of Jesus than in the life of Solomon. ‘There is something greater than Solomon here’.
In looking for some striking, spectacular, signs from Jesus, many of his contemporaries were missing the signs that were staring them in the face. In looking for the extraordinary, we too can miss the richness in the ordinary. In many ways Jesus was very ordinary. ‘Is not this the son of the carpenter?’ the people of Nazareth asked. When Jesus spoke about God’s kingdom, the ways of God, he did so in very ordinary terms, the sower going out to sow, the man robbed on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, the father whose son left home in a very selfish fashion, the weeds that grow among the field of wheat. These were scenes from ordinary life. Jesus was saying, the signs of God’s presence are to be found there in the ordinary stuff of life, for those who have eyes to see.
Today we pray for eyes to see the many signs of the Lord’s presence in our day to day lives.
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The Scripture Readings are taken from The Jerusalem Bible, published 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd. and used with the permission of the publishers. http://dltbooks.com/
The Scripture Reflection is made available with our thanks from his book Reflections on the Weekday Readings The Word is near to you, on your lips and in your heart by Martin Hogan and published by Messenger Publications c/f www.messenger.ie/bookshop/
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Liturgical Readings for: Monday, 12th October, 2026
CÉAD LÉACHTSliocht as an céad Litir Naomh Pól chuig naGalataigh 4:22-24. 26-27. 31-5:1
Ní clann daormhná sinne ach clann na saormhná.
A bhráithre, tá scríofa go raibh beirt mhac ag Abrahám, mac acu ón daorbhean agus an duine eile
ón tsaorbhean.
Rugadh mac na daormhná ar an ngnáthshlí ach is de bharr gealltanais a rugadh mac na saormhná. Tá fáthchiall leis an méid sin: seasann an bheirt bhan sin don dá chonradh. Bean amháin acu, is é sin le rá, Hágár, a rug a leanbh i ndaoirse, seasann sí sin don chonradh a tugadh ar Shliabh Shíonái Is saorbhean, áfach, an Iarúsailéim neamhaí, agus is ise is máthair dúinne mar tá scríofa:“Bíodh gliondar ort, a bhean aimrid nár shaolaigh clann!
Ardaigh do liú a bhean nach raibh riamh ar luí seoil.
Óir is líonmhaire clann na mná tréigthe na clann na mná a bhfuil fear aici.” Dá réir sin, a bhráithre, ní clann daormhná sinne ach clann na saormhná."
D’fhonn is go mbeimis saor is ea a d’fhuascail Críost sinn.
Seasaigí go daingean dábhrí sin agus ná cuirtear sibh faoi chuing na daoirse athuair.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le freagra Sm 112: 1-7
Freagra Moladh le hainm an Tiarna
Malairt freagra Alleluia.
1. Tugaigí moladh, a lucht freastail an Tiarna; molaigí ainm an Tiarna!
Moladh le hainm an Tiarna i láthair na huaire agus choíche!
Freagra
2. Ó éirí go luí na gréine, go raibh ainm an Tiarna á mholadh!Tá an Tiarna os cionn na gciníocha uile, agus a ghradam os cionn na bhflaitheas. Freagra
3. Cé is cosúil leis an Tiarna, ár nDia; atá ina shuí ar a ríchathaoir in airde?
Cromann sé ó na harda anuas chun féachaint ar neamh agus ar talamh.
Tógann sé an t-íseal aníos as an deannach;
ardaíonn sé den charn aoiligh an duine dealbh. Freagra
SOISCÉAL
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Lúcás 11:29-32
Ní thabharfar di ach comhartha Ióna. Óir
San am sin nuair a bhí na sluaite ag tiomsú chuig Íosa, thosaigh sé ag rá:
“Is drochghlúin an ghlúin seo: tá sí ag lorg comhartha, agus comhartha ní thabharfar di ach comhartha Ióna. Óir, amhail mar bhí Ióna ina chomhartha do na Nínivéigh, is amhlaidh sin a bheidh Mac an Duine don ghlúin seo.
Éireoidh banríon an deiscirt in am an bhreithiúnais le muintir na glúine seo agus daorfaidh sí iad, óir tháinig sise as imill na cruinne ag éisteacht le heagna Sholaimh, agus tá anseo neach is mó ná Solamh.
Éireoidh muintir Nínivé ina seasamh in am an bhreithiúnais leis an nglúin seo, agus daorfaidh siad í, óir rinne siad aithrí nuair a d’fhógair Ióna é, agus tá anseo neach is mó ná Ióna.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th October, 2026
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
- World Mission Sunday -
- Reach out and spread the joy of faith -
The Gospel selected for today is taken is taken from Jesus' discourse at the Last Supper about the spreading of the Gospel message. Jesus prays that as the Father has sent him into the world, now he sends his disciples. He prays that they may be consecrated in truth, and prays, 'With me in them and they in me, may they be completely one that the world may realise that it was You who sent me, and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.'
FIRST READING
A reading from the book of Isaiah 45: 1. 4-6
I have taken Cyrus, by his right hand to subdue nations before him.
Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whom he has taken by his right hand
to subdue nations before him and strip the loins of kings,
to force gateways before him that their gates be closed no more:
'It is for the sake of my servant Jacob, of Israel my chosen one, that I have called you by your name,
conferring a title though you do not know me.
I am the Lord, unrivalled; there is no other God besides me.
Though you do not know me, I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that, apart from me, all is nothing.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 95: 1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10 R/v 3
Response Give the Lord glory and power.
l. O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth.
Tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples. Response
2. The Lord is great and worthy of praise, to be feared above all gods;
the gods of the heathens are naught. It was the Lord who made the heavens. Response
3. Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power,
give the Lord the glory of his name. Bring an offering and enter his courts. Response
4. Worship the Lord in his temple. O earth, tremble before him.
Proclaim to the nations: 'God is king.' He will judge the peoples in fairness. Response
SECOND READING
A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians 1:1-5
We constantly remember your faith in action, your love and your hope.
From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace.We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope, in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 17: 17
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your word is truth, O Lord, consecrate us in the truth.
Alleluia!
Or Phil 2: 15-16
Alleluia, alleluia!
You will shine in the world like bright stars
because you are offering it the word of life.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 22:15-21
Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.
The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians,
to say,'Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?
But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied,
‘You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay the tax with.’
They handed him a denarius and he said, ‘Whose head is this? Whose name?’
‘Caesar’s’ they replied.
He then said to them, ‘Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar –
and to God what belongs to God.'
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
For homily resources for this Sunday's Gospel click here: https://www.catholicireland.net/sunday-homily/
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Taken from THE JERUSALEM BIBLE, published and copyright 1966, by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House Inc, and used by permission of the publishers.
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NB... in some places on this Mission Sunday this Gospel passage is used
The Lord be with you And with your spirit.
A reading from the Gospel according to John 17:11, 17-23 Glory to you, O Lord
With me in them and they in me, may they be completely one that the world may realise that it was you who sent me and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.'
Jesus raised his his eyes to heaven and said:
I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world and I am coming to you.
Consecrate them in the truth your word is truth.
As you sent me into the world I have sent them into the world and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth:I pray not only for those but also for those
who through their teaching will come to believe in me.
May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I in you
so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me, that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity |
that the world will recognise that it was you who sent me
and that you have loved them as you loved me.
The Gospel of the Lord Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Liturgical Readings for: Sunday, 18th October, 2026
CHÉAD LÉACHT Sliocht as an fáidh Íseáia 45:1. 4-6
Cíoras, an té ar rug sé ar láimh dheis air,chun na ciníocha a leagan ina fhianaise
Seo a labhraíonn an Tiarna lena ungthach, Cíoras, an té ar rug sé ar láimh dheis air
chun na ciníocha a leagan ina fhianaise agus claíomhchrios na ríthe a scaoileadh ó chéile;
chun na comhlaí a bhriseadh roimhe isteach ionas nach mbeidh na doirse dúnta níos mó.
Is ar mhaithe le mo ghiolla Iacób agus le hIosrael, mo rogha, a ghlaoigh mé i d’ainm ort, ag tabhairt gradaim duit agus gan aithne agat orm.
Is mise an Tiarna; níl m’athrach eile ann;
ach mise amháin, níl aon dia ann.
Gan aithne agat orm, tá tú i mbun airm agam ionas go mbeidh a fhios ó éirí go luí na gréine gur neamhní an uile rud ach mise amháin.”
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Salm le Freagra Sm 95
Freagra Luaigí leis an Tiarna clú agus cumhacht.
1. Canaigí amhrán nua don Tiarna; canaigí don Tiarna, a thalamh go léir.
Insígí a ghlóir i measc na gciníocha agus a éachtaí do na náisiúin uile. Freagra
2. Is mór é an Tiarna is is díol molta é, is díol eagla thar na déithe go léir é; ní dada iad déithe na gciníocha.
Is é an Tiarna a rinne na flaithis. Freagra
3. Luaigí leis an Tiarna, a chlanna na gciníocha, l
uaigí leis an Tiarna clú agus cumhacht,
luaigí leis an Tiarna glóir a ainm.
Tugaigí bhur dtabhartais isteach ina chúirteanna. Freagra
4. Tugaigí adhradh don Tiarna ina theampall. Bí ar crith ina láthair, a thalamh.
Fógraígí do na ciníocha: 'Tá an Tiarna ina Rí.'
Tabharfaidh sé breith chóir chothrom ar na daoine. Freagra
DARA LÉACHT
Sliocht as litir Naomh Pól chuig na Teasalónaigh 1:1-5
Ní stadaimid ag cuimhneamh oraibh inár n-urnaithe a bhríomhaireacht atá bhur gcreideamh, ngrá agus ndóchas.
Pól agus Silveánas agus Tiomóid ag beannú d’eaglais na dTeasalónach, i nDia an tAthair agus sa Tiarna Íosa Críost. Grásta chugaibh agus síocháin.Ní stadaimid ach ag gabháil buíochais le Dia mar gheall oraibh uile agus ag
cuimhneamh oraibh gan staonadh inár n-urnaithe.
Cuimhnímid i láthair Dé, ár nAthair, ar a bhríomhaireacht atá bhur gcreideamh, ar a dhícheallaí atá bhur ngrá agus ar a sheasmhacht atá bhur ndóchas as ár dTiarna Íosa Críost.
A bhráithre, a bhfuil gnaoi Dé oraibh, tá a fhios agaibh mar a roghnaigh sé sibh; mar ní le briathra béil amháin a tháinig ár ndea-scéal chugaibh ach le cumhacht agus le lándeimhniú an Spioraid Naoimh.
Briathar an Tiarna Buíochas le Dia
Alleluia Véarsa Eo 17: 17
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Is fírinne do bhriathar A Thiarna, déan sinn a naomhú san fhírinne.
Alleluia!
SOISCÉAL (Domhnach 29 Saor , Blian A)
Sliocht as an Soiscéal naofa de réir N. Matha 22:15-21
Íocaigí le Céasar na nithe is le Céasar agus le Dia na nithe is le Dia.
San am sin d’imigh na Fairisínigh ag déanamh comhairle le chéile chun go mbéarfaidís I ngaiste Íosa sa chaint, agus chuir siad a ndeisceabail féin chuige mar aon leis na Héaródaigh chun a rá leis:
“A Mháistir, tá a fhios againn gur fear fírinneach thú agus go múineann tú slí Dé san fhírinne gan beann agat ar dhuine ar bith, agus gan féachain do phearsa seachas a chéile. Abair linn do bharúil, mar sin: An dleathach cáin a íoc le Céasar nó an mídhleathach?”
Ach bhí a fhios ag Íosa an mhallaitheacht a bhí iontu agus dúirt:“Cad ab áil libh ag baint trialach asam, a bhréagchráifeacha?
Taispeánaigí bonn na cánach dom,” agus shín siad déanar chuige.
Dúirt sé leo:
“Cé hé arb í seo a íomhá agus a inscríbhinn?”
“Céasar,” ar siad leis.
“Maith go leor,” ar seisean leo, “íocaigí le Céasar na nithe is le Céasar agus le Dia na nithe is le Dia.”
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
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AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
nó
SOISCÉAL (An missúin)
Go raibh an Tiarna libh. Agus le do spiorad féin
Sliocht as Soiscéal naofa de réir Naomh Eoin 17:11, 17-23 Glóir duit, a Thiarna.
Íocaigí le Céasar na nithe is le Céasar agus le Dia na nithe is le Dia.
Nílim ar an saol feasta ach tá siadsan ar an saol agus táim ag dul ag triall ortsa.
Déan iad a naomhú san fhírinne. Is fírinne do bhriathar.
Faoi mar a chuir tusa mise uait isteach sa saol, chuir mise iadsan isteach sa saol.
Naomhaím mé féin ar a son, ionas go mbeidh siadsan, chomh maith,
naomhaithe san fhírinne.
Ní ar a son-san amháin atáim ag guí,
ach, mar an gcéanna, ar son na ndaoine
a chreidfidh ionam trína mbriathar;
ionas go mba aon iad go léir,
faoi mar atá tusa, a Athair, ionamsa agus mise ionatsa;
go mbeidís seo ina n-aon ionainn
i dtreo go gcreidfidh an saol gur chuir tú uait mé.
Agus an ghlóir a thug tú dom, thug mise dóibhsean é, ionas go mba aon iad faoi mar is aon sinne;
mise iontu-san, agus tusa ionam-sa,
ionas go mba aon iad go foirfe, agus go mbeadh a fhios ag an saol gur chuir tú uait mé,
agus gur thug tú grá dóibh seo faoi mar a thug tú grá domsa.
Soiscéal an Tiarna. Moladh duit, a Chriost
AN BÍOBLA NAOFA
© An Sagart
