Irish Bishops Conference – An Invitation to reflect on Sunday Mass

Published on September 29, 2025

Irish Catholic Bishops call people to think again about Sunday Mass
Read WHY SUNDAY MATTERS here

See Four-part video series on SUNDAY MASS Digging Deeper here

Sunday has always been the day of the Lord: the day of resurrection, the day of rest, the day of Eucharist. From the very beginning of our Christian faith, Sunday has been central to the life of the Church and remains the heart of Christian practice. It is on this day that we gather as a community, united in our love for Christ, to encounter the risen Lord and be nourished in body and soul.

The Mass is not just a ritual, it is the source and summit of our faith. It is where we encounter Christ in His living presence, and it is through the Eucharist that we are strengthened to live as true disciples. Attending Mass on Sundays, or its vigil on Saturday evening, is not just an obligation; it is a profound privilege and a chance to experience God’s love in a deeply personal way. As we come to this sacred celebration let us do so with hearts full of gratitude for the precious gift of Christ’s presence among us.

Sunday Mass is a vital encounter with the risen Lord, the One who gives our lives ultimate meaning and purpose. Through our baptism we bear the name ‘Christian’. This identity shapes who we are and calls us to follow Jesus, who is ‘the way, the truth, and the life’ (John 14:6). Through the celebration of Sunday Mass, we experience a life-giving encounter and communion with Christ.

Just as the two disciples encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus and recognised Him in the breaking of the bread (Luke 24:35), so too we meet Him in the Eucharist.

Our identity as Christians is not solitary but shared. On Sundays, we gather not only as individuals but as the Church; the Body of Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist, we affirm our communion with one another and with Christ. Pope Saint John Paul II emphasised that ‘none is as vital or as community-forming as the Sunday celebration of the Lord’s day and His Eucharist.’ This gathering creates a bond of unity, solidarity, and love, as we come together to worship as one body, with one voice, in praise of God.

As the late Pope Francis reminded us, ‘We do not go to Mass in order to give something to God, but to receive what we truly need from Him. In this spirit, we are called to approach the Eucharist not out of obligation, but with a deep desire for spiritual transformation.’ This is why attending Mass on Sundays is so vital – it nurtures and nourishes our faith and prepares us for the mission to which we are called. We invite you to reflect on how your participation in Sunday Mass helps you to live as a missionary disciple, bringing the hope and joy of the Gospel to those around you, and to the world at large.

MY PRAYERBOOK

Catholic Prayers and Devotions

https://www.xavier.edu/jesuitresource/online-resources/prayer-index/catholic-prayers

Litanies

https://www.usccb.org/search?key=LITANIES

How to Say the Rosary for Beginners.

http://www.vatican.va/special/rosary/documents/misteri_en.html#How_to_pray_the_Rosary

FAMILY PRAYERS FROM BIRTH TO DEATH

https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/family-prayers-from-birth-to-death

Praying with Pope Francis and with all those who join with him around the world

https://www.popesprayer.va/

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory be to the Father

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Morning Prayer

Father in heaven, you love me, you’re with me night and day. I want to love you always in all I do and say. I’ll try to please you, Father. bless me through the day. Amen.

Night Prayer

God, our Father, I come to say thank you for your love today. Thank you for my family, and all the friends you give to me. Guard me in the dark of night, and in the morning send your light. Amen.

Grace before Meals

Bless us, 0 God, as we sit together. Bless the food we eat today. Bless the hands that made the food. Bless us O Lord. Amen

Grace after Meals

Thank you, God, for the food we have eaten. Thank you, God, for all our friends. Thank you, God, for everything. Thank you, God. Amen.

Journey Prayer

Arise with me in the morning, travel with me through each day. Welcome me on my arrival, God, be with me all the way.

Our Father

Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Prayer to Jesus

Infant Jesus meek and mild Look on me a little child. Put your gracious hands on me and make me what I ought to be. Amen.

Prayers to Mary: Hail Holy Queen

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness and our hope.
To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve: to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.
Turn then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary! Amen.

Prayers to the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me. Holy Spirit, I want to live like Jesus guide me. Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus teach me. Amen.Spirit of God in the heavens. Spirit of God in the seas. Spirit of God in the mountain-tops. Spirit of God in me. Spirit of God in the sunlight. Spirit of God in the air. Spirit of God all around me. Spirit of God everywhere. Holy Spirit, Spirit of God help me. Amen.

Act of Sorrow

O my God, l thank you for loving me. I am sorry for all my sins, for not loving others and not loving you. Help me to live like Jesus and not sin again. Amen.

Prayer before Confession

O my God, help me to remember the times when I didn’t live: as Jesus asked me to. Help me to be sorry and to try again. Amen.

Prayer after Confession

O my God, thank you for forgiving me. Help me to love others. Help me to live as Jesus asked me to. Amen.

Prayer before Communion

Lord Jesus, come to me,
Lord Jesus, give me your love.
Lord Jesus, come to me and give me yourself,

Lord Jesus, friend of children, come to me.
Lord Jesus, you are my Lord and my God.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayers after Communion

Lord Jesus, I love and adore you.
You’re a special friend to me.
Welcome, Lord Jesus, O welcome.
Thank you for coming to me.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, o thank you for giving yourself to me.
Make me strong to show your love wherever I may be.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask you to stay close by me forever and love me, I pray.
Bless all of us children in your loving care and bring us to heaven to live with you there.

I’m ready now, Lord Jesus, to show how much I care.
I’m ready now to give your love at home and everywhere. Amen.

O Sacrament Most Holy

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, All praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine. (repeat three times)

A PRAYER FOR STUDENTS

Lord our God,
in your wisdom and love
you surround us with the mysteries of the universe.

Send your Spirit upon these students
and fill them with your wisdom and blessings.
Grant that they may
devote themselves to their studies
and draw ever closer to you,
the source of all knowledge.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

FUNERALS

Bereavement is always difficult, but it is made even more difficult now with the restrictions. The restrictions extend to the Funeral Mass too unfortunately with only 10 people allowed in the Church. This makes the grieving process even more difficult. The support of the extended family and parish community has always been a great support to the bereaved.

Below are the readings from which a family can choose for the Mass, and all the details regarding a Funeral Mass in our Parish. You can discuss these with me and any arrangements for the Funeral.

Fr. Brendan.

FUNERAL BOOKLET

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Catechism of the Catholic Church

click on title above to enter Catechism.

The Catechism gives the basic Catholic and fundamental content of doctrine as regards both faith and morals in the light of the Second Vatican Council and the whole Church’s Tradition. It’s principal sources are Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, the liturgy and the Church’s Magisterium. It will be a help in understanding the basics of the faith and teaching of the Church.