Solemnity of the Ascension

17 May 2026

Collect Prayer

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we, who believe that your Only Begotten Son, our Redeemer, ascended this day to the heavens, may in spirit dwell already in heavenly realms. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

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Readings

 Acts 1: 1-11   Psalm 47   Ephesians 1: 17-23 Matthew 28: 16-20

At that time: The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him, but they doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

Readings Next Sunday (Pentecost)

 Acts 2: 1-11   Psalm 104   1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7, 12-13   John 20: 19-23  

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Saints of the Week

Tue 20 - St. Bernardine of Siena, priest

Thu 22 - St. Rita of Cascia, widow and religious

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What does the Ascension mean?

(Catechism, n°132)

After forty days during which Jesus showed himself to the apostles with ordinary human features which veiled his glory as the Risen One, Christ ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of the Father. He is the Lord who now in his humanity reigns in the everlasting glory of the Son of God and constantly intercedes for us before the Father. He sends us his Spirit and he gives us the hope of one day reaching the place he has prepared for us.

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St. Bernardine of Siena

This Franciscan friar in his youth had cared for a blind, elderly relative. Her utterance of Jesus’ Holy Name taught Bernardine a simple yet profound prayer. Bernardine thus gained a devotion to the Holy Name and made its preaching his life’s mission. Due to a speech impediment, Bernardine's success as a preacher seemed unlikely. However, Our Lady's prayers removed that impediment. Bernardine thus began an preaching apostolate that lasted 38 years. Using inspired words and displaying the Holy Name of Jesus on a tablet at the end of his sermons, Bernardine obtained miraculous conversions and reformed the greater part of Italy. He was denounced as a heretic, but after many trials, he lived to see his innocence proven. The Feast of the Holy Name commemorates at once his sufferings and his triumph. Bernardine passed away on Ascension Eve in 1444. (Lives of the Saints, ed. Alban Butler, Benziger Bros.)

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Weekly News

Study Group: Compendium of the Catechism

Next encounters: 22 May. To join, please, contact fr. Alessandro.

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.

Dress Code in Church

Please dress modestly.

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Mass Schedule

04 - 09 May

Mon: No Mass;

Tue: Mass at 9:00am in Agia Kyriaki

Wed: Mass at 12:00pm in Agia Kyriaki

Thu: Mass at 9:00am in Agia Kyriaki

Fri: Mass at 9:00am in Agia Kyriaki

Saturday: 4:30pm (AK); 6:15pm (Town of Polis)

Sunday: Masses at 10am, 11am & 12pm (AK)

Eucharistic Adoration: Wed at 10:50am in AK; Thu at 6pm in AK

Holy Rosary: Sat at 4pm in AK

Filipino Mass: last Sunday of the month at 12pm.

Sri-Lankan Mass: on 3rd Sunday of the month, 12pm (Presbitery chapel)

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Prayer for Missionaries and Catechists

Heavenly Father, source of all missions, we lift before you all missionaries, catechists, and all who proclaim the Gospel by their words and by their life. Bless the missionaries you have sent to the nations, to villages, and cities, to classrooms, homes, and hearts. Sustain them, and renew their joy in serving your people.

Bless all catechists of the Church. May their love reflect the patience of Christ, the Good Shepherd. We pray for all those whom you call to missionary life, whether as catechists or in other ways, to spread the Gospel. Open their hearts to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Grant them the courage to respond generously and guide them with wisdom and peace as they discern your will.

Through the intercession of Mary, the first Missionary of Christ, may the Church continue to go forth, proclaiming the Gospel. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.