Reflections & Homilies

Twenty ninth Sunday of the Year I asked myself, what three things do I take from our readings this Sunday? The answer is simple, not so much based on any great exegesis or theological insight but on the immediate things that emerge for me in each of the three readings, and it is these reflections I shall share with you: Firstly, I would wish to have a better appreciation of the gift of Holy Script... Read More

Archbishop Eamon Martin celebrated Mass today to mark the 400th anniversary of the birth of Saint Oliver Plunkett, and fifty years since the canonisation of the martyred saint, in 1975, by Pope Paul VI. During today's homily Archbishop Martin said: "I am praying these days through the intercession of Saint Oliver Plunkett" - for success of the Middle East's fragile peace agreement, that hostages ... Read More

Catholics from around the world have taken up Pope Leo's call to come together to pray the Rosary for peace in the world's conflict zones with a particular focus on an end to the war in Gaza. In the Church's calendar, October is dedicated to the Rosary. In Rome, the weekend of 11-12 October marked the celebration of the Jubilee of Marian Spirituality. Closer to home, Cardinal Vincent Nichols led ... Read More

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time October 12th 2025 Pope Leo's Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te has much to encourage and challenge us as we follow the Christ on the gospel road, but particularly by making it abundantly clear that our vocation is to reach out to the poor and needy, to accompany them, minister to them and treat them with dignity and love as our sisters and brothers and valuable ... Read More

Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time Our first reading is part of the prophet Habakkuk's first and second complaint about God's apparent disregard for the sinful behaviour of Judah. It seems as though the Law and religious observance has no effect, on the lives of the people, instead there is a numbing quality to their religious observance and life which the prophet attributes to God's apparent... Read More

An evening marking the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of Saint Francis took place in the Jesuit Church of the Immaculate Conception in Farm Street, yesterday. After Mass for the Care of Creation celebrated by Fr Dominic Robinson, Sr MaryAnne Francalanza, Director of the FCJ Centre for Spirituality and EcoJustice gave this reflection: Welcome again to this time of prayer and celebration. This ... Read More

Greetings from the Global Sumud Flotilla as we make our final approach to Gaza Today, I am writing a very personal letter to you all - a letter about what it means to me to be Jewish on a mission that is set to arrive to the "Red Zone" during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. I almost never write "as a Jew". I share the exhaustion of being forced to put Jewish feelings first - wh... Read More

This month, Pope Leo XIV invites us to pray "that believers in different religious traditions might work together to defend and promote peace, justice and human fraternity." At a time marked by conflicts, the Holy Father recalls that religions must be "bridges and prophecy," and not "weapons or walls." His October prayer intention arrives as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the ... Read More

Thousands of catechists attended the Jubilee of Catechists in Rome on September 26-28. On Saturday Pope Leo XIV held a special Jubilee Audience for Catechists in St Peter's Square In his catechesis, the Pope reflected at length on the sensus fidei, which he said is like a "sixth sense of simple people for the things of God." "God is simple and reveals Himself to the simple," he said. "For this rea... Read More

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzabella, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem gave the following homily for World Day of Migrants 2025 at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Centre. Dear brothers and sisters, Dearest Father Matthew, may the Lord give you peace! I am glad to be able to meet you on this important diocesan occasion. Indeed, the celebration of Migrant's Day is an opportunity for us to reflect, pray and gi... Read More

The Rosary Challenge is to pray a decade of the Holy Rosary each weekday in October. With the help of Archbishop John Wilson, the Mark 10 Mission have created a series of videos to guide you through all twenty Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. For more information see: https://www.themark10mission.co.uk/rosary-challenge As an introduction to the series watch Sr Therese CFR as she sings 'As I Kneel Bef... Read More

Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time We hope that the mercy of the All Loving One will be ours at the last, and that this loving gift will forgive our worst sins and embrace us in the fullness of the love beyond our comprehension when we are welcomed into the fullness of the Kingdom. At least that is my own prayer and hope! But at the back of my mind I think of human wickedness and cruelty, action... Read More

A UK-based Laudato Si Animator puts the case for creating a solemn Feast Day of Creation. Why do we need a solemn Feast Day of Creation? There are many compelling reasons but we can approach the question in three interrelated ways: - It is integral to our Christian Catholic faith; - This is the mother of pro-life issues. What has been implicit needs to be highlighted, prayed, integrated and lived ... Read More

I thought I'd divide my reflection into two parts. The first is simply part of our preparation for reflecting on the parable of today's gospel, found in Luke 16: The unjust steward. It is a slightly complicated story! So, the first stage is easy, to enable ourselves to hear the Word, and let its two-edged sword cut deep into our heart, soul and minds; we need to pray. This is what Paul is asking u... Read More