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Gospel in Art: The Paralytic of Capernaum is lowered from the roof

The Paralytic of Capernaum is Lowered from the Roof (from Scenes from the Life of Christ). Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy  © Wikimedia

Gospel of 16 January 2026 Mark 2:1-12 When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to him a paralysed man carried by four men. And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof ... Read More


Cardinal Radcliffe's meditation at the Extraordinary Consistory

Image: op.org.news

Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe, OP gave a meditation at the Extraordinary Consistory convened by Pope Leo in Rome, on 7-8 January. The meeting - which included 170 cardinals - centred on the themes of synodality and mission. Reflecting on Mark 6:45-52, Jesus walking on water to the disciples during a storm, he said: "Sometimes we feel alone, burnt out, exhausted. But Jesus is watching and will come cl... Read More


London: Christian Unity at the Edge of the City

St Giles' Church-without-Cripplegate - Wiki Image by Beko

Churches on the edge of the City of London begin their prayers for Christian Unity with a bi-lingual Welsh & English Service at Jewin Welsh Church, 70 Fann Street, London EC1Y OSA. This will take place on Saturday, 13.30, 17 January 2026. This will be followed on Sunday, 18 January 2026 with Evening Prayer, 16.00, in St Giles' Cripplegate, Barbican EC2Y 8DA, and culminating on Friday, 23 Janua... Read More


Sri Lanka: Jesuits Among Muslims in Asia Conference

The JAMIA (Jesuits Among Muslims in Asia) Conference was held at the Caritas National Centre in Colombo Sri Lanka from 27 to 30 December 2025. The Sri Lanka Jesuit Province played host to the Assembly, with Joseph Victor Edwin SJ as the overall convenor. The Conference brought together Jesuits and their collaborators from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, India and Pakistan. ... Read More

Acting smart with your smart phone

Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash

Two Sixth Year students from Clongowes Wood College SJ, Ollie Worth and Leon Zang Patje, write: On 9 January 2007, Steve Jobs, the then CEO of Apple Inc., introduced the first iPhone at Macworld. It went on sale six months later on 29 June. To date, Apple has sold over three billion iPhones since the first model was launched in 2007. On Friday 9 January 2026, the phones 19th anniversary, two stud... Read More


A way forward for RE after double warnings issued to Irish Church

Photo by Sinitta Leunen on Unsplash

Priest and author, Fr Sean Smith who ministers at Knock Shrine, writes: Recent statements by the Ministries of Education, on both sides of the Irish border, have left a solemn warning that the end of religious education in Catholic schools could be around the corner. This calls for a serious, positive, and radical response. I dare to propose a national plan of action in this article: Restore paren... Read More


Wales: Bishops issue statement on assisted suicide ahead of Senned vote

Senned Chamber. WIki Image by: Mx Granger

Archbishop Mark O'Toole, Archbishop of Cardiff-Menevia, and Bishop Peter Brignall, Bishop of Wrexham, have issued a joint statement ahead of a Senedd debate and vote on assisted suicide legislation. On Tuesday 27 January Members of the Senedd will be asked to decide whether Wales should give its consent to Westminster's Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - a law that would legalise assisted ... Read More


Sojan Joseph MP to give next Catholic Union Pub Talk

Sojan Joseph MP

Sojan Joseph, Member of Parliament for Ashford, will deliver the Catholic Union's next pub talk, entitled: 'Mental Health: Reflections on a First Year in Parliament' on Monday 19 January at 6pm. Chaired by Catherine Pepinster, Sojan will reflect on his first year in Parliament drawing on his background, working in the NHS in mental health for 22 years and inclusion in the community. The event is ... Read More


Gospel in Art: A leper came to Jesus, imploring him

The Healing of the Leper (bottom scene)  Ivory carving from Metz, France, 9th century  © Bode Museum, Berlin

Gospel of 15 January 2026 Mark 1:40-45 At that time: A leper came to Jesus, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, 'If you will, you can make me clean.' Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, 'I will; be clean.' And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, and said to him, 'See that you ... Read More


WCC: 'people of Greenland have an inalienable right to self-determination'

Photo: Claus Grue/WCC

World Council of Churches general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay has stated that the US government's stated determination to own and control Greenland is in diametric opposition to the wishes of the people of Greenland and to their political trajectory towards independence. "It is tantamount to neocolonialism," said Dr Pillay. "The World Council of Churches joins with Bishop Paneeraq Siegstad... Read More


Pope Leo: Vatican II calls us to friendship with Christ

Screenshot

During his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV continued his catechesis series on the Second Vatican Council, looking more closely at "one of the most beautiful and important of the Council," namely the Dogmatic Constitution 'Dei Verbum,' on Divine Revelation. Recalling Jesus' words in the Gospel passage according to St John: "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does n... Read More


Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026

Geneva church members gathered for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity  2025 at St Paul's church, Orthodox Centre of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Chambésy. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC

This year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place from 18-25 January. The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for 2026: One hope, one calling' - comes from Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling" (Eph. 4:4). In a world with diverse and often divided traditions and expressions of Chri... Read More


Venezuela: Sisters working with poor in remote area welcome gift of new vehicle

Youngsters in Carora love the Missionary Sisters' new Toyota Hilux  - Image ACN

Religious Sisters in Venezuela have thanked Aid to the Church in Need for giving them an SUV, enabling them to bring basic food and medicine to the poorest communities in their parish. The Sisters of the Missionary Association of Jesus and Mary, in Carora Diocese, in the north-west, were struggling to reach remote villages with their old worn-out vehicle. As well as caring for the sick, elderly, p... Read More


Christians Aware: Call to listen to Minorities

The nine 'listening' ears on the Christians Aware poster for its annual conference last weekend was a constant reminder of the theme: 'Ears to Hear - Listening to Minorities.' Artist Beate Dehnen said they represented "all of us who are willing to lend someone an ear." Well, that was certainly true of attendees at this conference, particularly with their very international outlook. Around 60 part... Read More

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