Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
- St Paul's Catholic Parish
- Jan 16
- 4 min read
18 January 2026
Collect Prayer
Almighty ever-living God, who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth, mercifully hear the pleading of your people and bestow your peace on our times. Through our Lord…
Readings
Isiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalm 40 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
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 saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptise with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptises with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
Readings Next Sunday (Conversion of Saint Paul)
Isiah 49:1-6 Psalm 117 Acts 22:3-16 Mark 16:15-18
Saints of the week
Tue 20 | St. Sebastian, martyr
Wed 21 | St. Agnes, virgin and martyr
Thu 22 | St. Vincent, deacon and martyr
Sat 24 | St. Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church
The Lamb Who Takes Away the Sin of the World
From the Catechism
[608]
After agreeing to baptize him along with the sinners, John the Baptist looked at Jesus and pointed him out as the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29; cf. Lk 3:21; Mt 3:14–15; Jn 1:36).
By doing so, he reveals that Jesus is at the same time the suffering Servant who silently allows himself to be led to the slaughter and who bears the sin of the multitudes, and also the Paschal Lamb, the symbol of Israel’s redemption at the first Passover (Is 53:7, 12; cf. Jer 11:19; Ex 12:3–14; Jn 19:36; 1 Cor 5:7).
Christ’s whole life expresses his mission: “to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45).
Christ’s Death Is the Unique and Definitive Sacrifice
[613]
Christ’s death is both the Paschal sacrifice that accomplishes the definitive redemption of men, through “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29; cf. Jn 8:34–36; 1 Cor 5:7; 2 Pt 1:19), and the sacrifice of the New Covenant, which restores man to communion with God by reconciling him to God through the “blood of the covenant, which was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Mt 26:28; cf. Ex 24:8; Lev 16:15–16; 2 Cor 11:25).
St Sebastian, Martyr
He was an officer in the Roman army. He was esteemed by pagans as a good soldier and honored by the Church as a moral leader. He was born in Narbonne, France, and came to Rome circa 284.
When the prefect of Rome retired to his estates in Campania along with fellow converts, the pope directed Sebastian to remain in Rome and Polycarp to accompany the neophytes. Sebastian thus labored at his post until he was betrayed by a false disciple.
Sebastian was led before Diocletian and condemned to death. At Diocletian’s command, he was shot with arrows. He did not die and, after recovering, went to the emperor and pleaded for an end to the persecution. He was seized and beaten to death with clubs. He is the patron saint of athletes and archers. Saint Sebastian, pray for us.
(Source: dailygospel.org)
Weekly News
Holy Mass with H.B. Cardinal Pizzaballa in Nicosia
Saturday 24 January at 5:00 pm, Holy Cross Church. Parishioners interested in attending are asked to inform Fr. Ismael or Fr. Alessandro as soon as possible.
Patronal Feast of the Parish
On Sunday 25th January we will celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.
Diocesan Pilgrimage: In the Footsteps of Saint Paul
13–18 April 2026.
Limited places. More information on the notice board.
Registration forms available from Fr. Ismael or Fr. Alessandro.
Children's Group
The children of our parish are invited to join the Children’s Group every Sunday at 11.30am at the Shop. The Gospel of the Sunday will be explained to them so that they can follow the Mass in a more fruitful way.
Age: 3–10 (children younger than 5 must be accompanied by one of their parents).
Caritas St. Paul's
Thank you for your prayers, contributions, food and clothes donations … we can also reuse your shopping bags. If you wish to volunteer, please, contact fr. Alessandro.
Pray For Vocations
The Latin Vicariate of Cyprus is dedicating a Year of Prayer for Vocations to the priesthood, religious, married or consecrated lives. Join us! For more information contact Sister Elizabeth (95983631 / pastoralcareofvocationscyprus@gmail.com)
Parish Community Shop
Refreshments, coffee and tea. Check our religious section for rosaries, Christmas Cards, scapulars, devotionals, etc. Check also our books sections. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet other parishioners and grow as community. All funds will go to the building of the new Church. If you’d like to volunteer, please talk to Fr. Ismael.
Mass schedule
19-25 January
Monday: No Mass
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am at Agia Kyriaki
Wednesday: 12:00 noon at Agia Kyriaki
Saturday:
4:30 pm at Agia Kyriaki
6:15 pm in Polis
Sunday:
10:00 am, 11:00 am, 12:00 pm at Agia Kyriaki
Prayer for Vocations to Consecrated Life
Oh God, who call those you wish to follow your Son, Jesus Christ, in His very way of life and mission, send your Spirit to strengthen those you have consecrated to yourself: nuns, monks, religious men and women, hermits, consecrated virgins, consecrated widows and widowers, members of Societies of Apostolic Life.
We thank you for the precious gift of their lives and their testimony. Grant them faithfulness in their vows, courage to live their vocation with passion. Help them bring the light of your gospel to all, reflect your love, and be clear sign of your Kingdom through their lives and mission.
Send your Holy Spirit to those you call to consecrate their lives to you and those who are discerning this path, so that they may hear your voice clearly and respond with trust and generosity.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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