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Gospel of 18 January 2026 John 1:29-34 At that time: John saw Jesus coming towards him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, "After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me." I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptising with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.' And John bore witness: 'I s... Read More

A full-to-capacity conference of up to 200 people met today in the Canal Court Hotel in Newry, Co Down, organised by Ireland's Church Leaders' Group, the Irish Council of Churches and the Irish Inter-Church Meeting. This faith-based gathering was a response to the pollution of Lough Neagh, and wider environmental concerns, and involved the participation of theologians, scientists, lay people and c... Read More

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time The testimony of John the Baptist is unequivocal, and we trust his words because of John's great witness to Jesus, but they are also couched in a rather dream-like manner, for John is attempting to describe something well outside his comfort zone! Think of the way we describe happenings that are rather difficult to capture in straightforward language, such as major e... Read More

A way forward for RE after double warnings issued to Irish Church by Fr Sean Smith, ICN Jan 15th, 2026 I write as a former RE teacher, lecturer and LEA Inspector in the north of England and as Interreligious Coordinator for the Diocese of Leeds. I know very little about the warnings issued to the Irish Church concerning RE. I totally agree that there is a need to find ways, as Fr Sean argues, t... Read More

H is for Hawk is a biographical drama produced by Film4 and based on the 2014 memoir written by Cambridge academic Helen McDonald. The film, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, deals with the awful depression Helen (Clare Foy) falls into following the sudden death of her beloved father, played by the supremely engaging and roguish Brendan Gleeson. As a way of hanging onto to the memory of her father... Read More

Gospel of 17 January 2026 Matthew 19:16-26 At that time: Behold, a man came up to Jesus, saying, 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?' And he said to him, 'Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.' He said to him, 'Which ones?' And Jesus said, 'You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You sh... Read More

Angelo Gugel, who served as the Papal Chamber Assistant to Popes John Paul I, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI, has died in Rome at the age of 90 after decades in service of the Popes, including standing beside John Paul II during the assassination attempt on May 13, 1981. For half a century, between the closing years of the twentieth century and the dawn of the new millennium, Angelo Gugel served t... Read More

Radio Maria England has announces the winners of the Radio Maria England Young Broadcasters and Young Herald Spoken Word, Poetry, and Songwriting Competitions. With entries pouring in from schools across England, the response was truly inspiring. We were incredibly impressed by the creativity, confidence, and exceptional talent showcased by young people of all ages, making the standard of submissi... Read More

The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill has passed through the House of Commons and is now with the House of Lords. Our clear principled objection to the Bill remains. The House of Lords has a responsibility to scrutinise the Bill in depth and reject it if necessary. Unlike MPs, Members of the House of Lords do not have constituents, meaning there is not a Peer whose job it is to represent yo... Read More

The Irish Chaplaincy and St Bride's Church will be holding a special service for the Feast of St Bride on 2 February at 1.15pm. We will gather for prayer, silence and song in the beautiful Brigid Chapel in the Crypt of St Bride's Church, (the Journalists' Church) , Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8AU. Refreshments will be offered after the service. All are welcome. In 2023, the Irish government declared... Read More

Anne O'Connor, from the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) has sent the following catechetical resources for Lent today. They include a new Stations of the Cross for Young People suitable for schools, youth groups and Confirmation as well as a Stations of the Cross for parish use. There's a four page A4 sheet with reflections and prayers from the start of Lent up to Holy Week plus an update... Read More

Bishop Paul Mason, Lead Bishop for Healthcare for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, has issued a statement expressing concern about a proposed clinical trial of puberty blockers involving children, saying that "vulnerable children should not be part of an experiment of the kind that will soon be starting at King's College." Bishop Mason urges a path of supportive care for chil... Read More

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 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