12 April 2020 Collect Almighty God,through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christyou have overcome deathand opened to us the gate of everlasting life:Grant that, as by your grace going before usyou put into our minds good desires,so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect;through Jesus Christ our risen Lordwho is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, now and … Continue reading Easter Day – The First Sunday of Easter
Reading: 1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way he took … Continue reading A reflection for Maundy Thursday
Reading: John 13: 21-32 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while … Continue reading A reflection for Holy Wednesday
Christians in rural Pakistan currently face starvation. Most of the adults work in nearby factories on subsistence wages. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the factories have closed down. Pakistan does not have a social security system so the concept of no work and no money is a sad reality for the Christians in the village of Alomahar, north of Lahore, and all over Pakistan. Some … Continue reading Christian families in dire need of food aid amid COVID-19 crisis in Pakistan
Reading: Matthew 20:17-19 While Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and said to them on the way, ‘See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and … Continue reading A Reflection for Palm Sunday
5 April 2020 Collect Almighty and everlasting God, who, in your tender love towards the human race, sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: Grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Psalm: Psalm … Continue reading The Sixth Sunday in Lent (Palm Sunday)
A statement from the Archbishop of Dublin and the Archbishop-elect of Armagh, The Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson and The Rt Revd John McDowell. The people of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are passing through a period of considerable distress as the effects of the coronavirus are felt throughout the whole island. We wish to add our voices to those of so many … Continue reading A prayer for peace of mind
The Church of Ireland is keen to support families in growing their faith at this time. A new page with resources for families has been launched this afternoon in the Parish Resources section of the central Church website. COVID-19: Resources for Family Activities highlights links to resources from the Children’s Ministry Network, the Family Time book for primary school-aged children (now available to download for … Continue reading COVID-19: Resources for family activities
Today’s gospel reading is the powerful account of Lazarus being restored to life by Jesus. It is such a well-known bible story that the name of Lazarus has come to be associated with anyone who makes a remarkable recovery from illness, or who survives it against the odds. Some time ago, when I visited an elderly person who was very ill in a nursing home, … Continue reading A reflection on the Gospel according to John, chapter 11.
Bishop Pat shares her thoughts as we rise to the challenge of Coronavirus. Continue reading A word from Bishop Pat Storey
Trim & Athboy 