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Gospel of 13 July 2026 Matthew 10:34-11:1 At that time: Jesus instructed his Apostles: 'Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves fa... Read More

On the first Sunday of his summer stay in Castel Gandolfo, after praying the Angelus in front of the Apostolic Palace facing the Piazza della Libertà, Pope Leo XIV turned his thoughts to the many regions of the world affected by armed conflict, where civilians continue to experience the greatest suffering. The Pope referred specifically to the Middle East, where tensions have flared again followi... Read More

I have often wondered, What was it like to witness the life and teaching of Jesus from the edge of the crowd? How did people piece together the clues, before the gospel narrative we know well was established? In a personal response to these questions I have written 25 fictional short stories. Each story is written in the first person. So, among others, we hear the voices of a midwife, a physician,... Read More

Zababdeh is a small town in the Occupied West Bank. At the 2007 census, there were 3,665 residents, of which roughly two-thirds are Christians, divided into Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic and Anglican communities. The city also has a Muslim minority. Both communities live without conflicts. But recently they have been terrorised by illegal Israeli settlers who have surrounded the t... Read More

HCPT is a registered charity that provides pilgrimage holidays to Lourdes in the South of France for children and adults with varying needs from across the UK and beyond. Every Easter, around 1,000 children with varying needs enjoy a safe and fun-filled week in Lourdes, supported by dedicated volunteer helpers and staying in hotels. Each summer, more than 1,500 people, many living with disabilitie... Read More

On 18 July we will celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day - celebrated globally on the day that he was born. Let's recognise "Mandela's values and his dedication to the service of humanity in: conflict resolution; race relations; promotion and protection of human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups" (UN). At a time when the world seem... Read More

The solemn monastic profession of Sister Beatrice Brady, took place at St Mary's Abbey, Glencairn, County Waterford on Saturday, 11 July 2026. The profession was presided by Dom Michael Ryan, Abbot of Bolton Abbey, Co Kildare and Dom Augustine McGregor, former Abbot of Mount Melleray Abbey, received by Mother Fiachra Nutty, Abbess of Glencairn Abbey. Sr Beatrice is from Belturbet, County Cavan, fo... Read More

On the eve of the Anglican Synod Debate on Palestine currently taking place, (July 10-14) - Ann Farr reflects on the Prayers and Bible Study used at the recent Methodist Church Conference, that she attended as an Observer and where the Palestinian Christian cry, in 'Kairos Palestine 11 - A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide' was presented and overwhelmingly accepted. Ann writes: The the... Read More

Gospel of 12 July 2026 Matthew 13:1-9 At that time: Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the lake. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: 'A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fe... Read More

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 1. Becoming open to the healing Word I continue to write from St Luke's Hospital in Headington, where my recuperation and rehabilitation after my knee replacement continues. So I share my thoughts particularly with any of you who are house bound, undergoing some form of recuperation after illness, or face changed circumstances, particularly that of losing independence ... Read More

A delegation from COMECE (the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union) and CEC (Conference of European Churches), joined by bishops of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference and senior Irish Protestant clergy, met Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin today at the start of Ireland's EU Presidency. In a position paper presented to the Irish Government, the delegation set out the ... Read More

Twelve Provincial Ministers, representing the vast majority of male US Franciscan Religious, have made a direct appeal to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, to help stop the rising violence against Christians and other Palestinians in the Holy Land. In their appeal, dated June 16, 2026, the leaders specifically request that Mr Rubio "use all diplomatic leverage ... Read More

Gospel of 11 July 2026 Matthew 19:27-29 At that time: Peter said to Jesus, 'See, we have left everything and followed you. What, then, will we have?' Jesus said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses, or broth... Read More

July 11th - Feast of Saint Benedict - Father of Western Monasticism - Patron of Europe A personal prologue Though I moved from being part of a monastic community to serve our Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters as one of their byzantine priests, I have never lost my attachment to the spiritual tradition and basic practices of my formative years as a monk. I am also glad that links can be kept wi... Read More