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'And so this is Christmas' remains a festive favourite, 55 years after the song was written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono. One day last week I heard it on the car radio three times! Its impactful words and catchy melody remind that whilst we are able to comfortably celebrate Christmas and the New Year, others aren't so lucky. The refrain, 'War is over if you want it,' prompts reflection, especially ... Read More

The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has encouraged people to be signs of peace for each other, and for the world, during 2026. Speaking at Mass in Armagh to welcome in the New Year, Archbishop Martin echoed the words of Pope Leo XIV who, in his 1 January message for the 59th World Day of Peace, calls for a peace that is "unarmed and disarming." Archbishop Martin observed the custom... Read More

Shortly before Christmas, Israel announced that it will ban 37 major aid organisations working in Gaza from tomorrow, January 1, 2026. The ban is being introduced because Israel allege the organisations failed to meet 'new and stringent requirements', including disclosing staff details and complying with new registration rules. Over the last few weeks, heavy rains and floods in Gaza have inundated... Read More

Gospel of 31 December 2025 John 1:1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whos... Read More

The carol, 'In the bleak midwinter' by Christina Rosetti is regularly in the top 10 of the vote for nation's favourite carols. Verse 5, however is frequently omitted - its the one which says: Enough for him, whom cherubim Worship night and day, A breastful of milk And a mangerful of hay; AI tells me that, 'This verse describes the intimate and humble nature of the Incarnation' but suggests that th... Read More

As the Jubilee of Hope draws to a close, Fides publishes its annual report on Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers who were violently killed worldwide in the past 365 days. The news about the lives and circumstances of these individuals' violent deaths offers a glimpse into everyday life in contexts often marked by violence, misery, and a lack of justice. These are often witnesses and missio... Read More

Since the current conflict in Ukraine started in February 2022 the Diocese of East Anglia has generously supported the Ukrainian people through prayer, giving to emergency appeals and welcoming refugees. To find out more about the current situation in the country Caritas East Anglia and CAFOD in East Anglia invite you to a talk from CAFOD's Ukraine Emergency Programme Officer Henry Wilson Smith ... Read More

A Royal nanny and the businessman who rescued Celtic FC are among the Catholics named In the 2026 New Year Honours list. The Catholic recipients include: Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, MVO: The long-serving nanny to Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order. She is widely recognized as a devout Catholic. Fergus McCann, CBE: The businessman and ... Read More

Chile has joined the swing to the right in Latin America - Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Paraguay, and Ecuador - with its presidential election two weeks ago, by electing a far-right candidate, José Antonio Kast. Kast is a hardline conservative who has praised General Augusto Pinochet, Chile's former right-wing dictator whose US-backed coup ushered in 17 years of military rule marked by torture, disa... Read More

Gospel of 30 December 2025 Luke 2:36-40 At that time: There was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the Temple, worshipping with fasting and prayer night and day. And coming up at that very hour she b... Read More

Rutger Bregman, the Dutch historian and author chosen for this year's Reith lectures, gave them the title Moral Revolution, describing a wicked world, venal elites, and a degraded politics. He aims to make goodness "fashionable again" and has an enviable rhetorical and narrative style to that end. His is a message primarily directed at civil society not to our own - unfashionable -Government, tell... Read More

Pope Leo XIV met with mayors from across Italy today, (Monday 19 December), calling on them to promote "authentically human relationships" in order to combat gambling and other forms of loneliness. The "demographic crisis", the "struggles" of families and young people, social isolation among the elderly, the "silent cry" of the poor, environmental pollution, and "social conflicts" are among the bi... Read More

In his recent Christmas greeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke warmly of Christians in the Holy Land, portraying Israel as a unique refuge where Christians thrive, while implying that elsewhere in the region, they live in constant danger. Such statements resonate powerfully with many Western Christians, particularly those already inclined to see the Middle East through a simple ... Read More

The Tricolore Theatre Company and Radio Maria England in association with The Catholic Association of Performing Arts (CaAPA) will be hosting 'Oh Come Let Us Adore Him' - a fundraising evening with dramas and carols, on Saturday, 10 January 2026 at Our Lady of Victories Church, Kensington High Street. The event has been sponsored by Ghirelli. Food and drink kindly donated by Carnevale & Giribi... Read More