1st February St Brigid

2nd February Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple and Purification of the Virgin Mary. This is the first feast of Our Lady after Christmas. She didn’t have to be purified of anything but she went along with the custom of her time, just like Jesus went to be baptised in the Jordan. That was the day Simeon made his prophecy about her soul being pierced—well isn’t there always someone to take the wind out of our sails!

3rd February St Blaise First Friday Blessing of throats today.

5th February 5th Sunday in Ordinary time.. We meet Job. “Is not life on earth nothing more than pressed service? My life is but a breath…” Depression didn’t begin in 21st century. ‘Restlessly I fret till twilight falls’. But the Lord heals the broken hearted. Jesus began his healing ministry—simple in depth but persuasive in power. Paul feels obliged to tell the Good News—making himself all things to all men in order to save some.


7th February St Mel. Pray today for the people of Longford who are trying to fundraise for the restoration of St Mel’s Cathedral destroyed by fire. It isn't easy in these times of recession.

10th St Scholastica twin sister of St Benedict one of Europe’s Patrons.

11th February Our Lady of Lourdes also St Gobnait. Today is a special day of prayer for the sick.

12th February 6th Sunday. What to do about lepers! Unclean, they must wear torn clothes and keep away from everyone for fear of contagion. Well Jesus had no such fear—he even took the leper by the hand and healed him. But the cured man is advised to do what he was supposed to by law. Paul tells us do whatever it is we have to do, do it for the glory of God. During this week we will be reading from James and Acts—real practical stuff. Have faith and pray for what we need. And don’t be proud. Be quick to listen but slow to speak and we get a definition of true religion on Wednesday. Brilliant! Blessing of the sick today at 3 pm.

19th February 7th Sunday Temperance Sunday. Whatever about Brigid’s feast! Pray for addicts. God is going to do a new thing, we have heaped our sins on him but he is going to blot out every one of them—good news. “He assures us of our standing in Christ marking us with his seal and giving us the pledge, the Spirit, that we carry in our hearts”. Pray for the boys and girls receiving the sacrament of Confirmation next Sunday. What prevents us from getting near Jesus? Is it the crowd? Are we helpful like those who lifted off the roof to put someone at his feet?

22nd February Ash Wednesday. Repent and believe the Good News. Come back to me with all your heart.

23rd Feb St Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna. He was burned at the stake in 153.

26th February 1st Sunday of Lent. We meet Noah on his 40 day retreat in the Ark and the first mention of the Covenant with the earth. God is always faithful to his promise—his ways are faithfulness and love! What would we have done if Noah said to God “there’s no sign of that rain” when he was told to build the ark?