Third Sunday of Easter

St Paul's Catholic Parish
Apr 21
5 min read

19 April 2026

Collect Prayer

May your people exult for ever, O God, in renewed youthfulness of spirit, so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption, we may look forward in confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of Resurrection. Through our Lord...

Readings

Acts 2:14, 22-33 Psalm 16 1 Peter 1:17-21

Luke 24:13-35

On the first day of the week, two of the disciples of Jesus were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other

about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognising him.

And he said to them, ‘What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you

walk?’ And they stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’

And he said to them, ‘What things?’ And they said to him, ‘Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.’

And he said to them, ‘O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. So they drew near to the village to which they were going.

He acted as if he were going further, but they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, for it is towards evening and the day is now far spent.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at table with them, he took the bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. And he vanished from their sight.

They said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?’ And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the Eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Readings Next Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Easter)

Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 23 1 Peter 2:20b-25 John 10:1-10

Saints Of The Week

Thu 23 ST GEORGE, MARTYR AND SAINT PATRON OF ENGLAND

Countless stories are told about St. George, including the famous episode of the dragon and the girl saved by the saint. George, whose name in Greek means “farmer,” was born to a Christian family in Cappadocia around the year 280.

After moving to Palestine, he joined the army of Diocletian. When the emperor issued the edict of persecution against Christians in 303, George gave all his belongings to the poor and, in front of Diocletian himself, tore the document apart and professed his faith in Christ. For this he suffered terrible torture and was eventually beheaded.

Shortly after his death, a basilica was erected over the place of his burial in Lydda (modern-day Lod, in Israel). His relics are still visible today. As in the case of other saints wrapped in legend, the story of St George serves to remind the world of a fundamental idea, that good ultimately triumphs over evil. The fight against evil is a constant in human history. It is a battle we cannot win on our own.

Saint George was able to kill the dragon because God was acting in and through him. With Christ, evil will never have the last word.

At the breaking of the Bread

ʽMy brethren, when was it that the Lord made Himself recognised? — When He broke the bread. — So, we ourselves are convinced too, that when we break the bread, we recognise the Lord. — If He had not wanted to be recognised until that moment, it was for our sakes, we, who were not to see Him in the flesh but who were yet to eat Him in the flesh.ʼ

St Augustine (354-430) Father, Doctor of Grace

This marvellous Gospel text already contains the structure of Holy Mass: in the first part, listening to the Word through the Sacred Scriptures; in the second part, the Eucharistic liturgy and communion with Christ present in the Sacrament of his Body and his Blood. In nourishing herself at this two-fold table, the Church is constantly built up and renewed from day to day in faith, hope and charity. Through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, let us pray that in reliving the experience of the disciples of Emmaus every Christian and every community may rediscover the grace of the transforming encounter with the Risen Lord.

(Benedict XVI°, Angelus 6 April 2008)

Weekly News

Study Group: Compendium of the Catechism

Next encounters: 24 April, 8 & 22 May. To join, please, contact fr. Alessandro.

World day of prayer for vocations (2-3 May)

Will be held in Larnaca. Check the program on the board. To participate, please contact fr. Ismael.

Liturgical Retreat

Friday, 1st of May: For all those who help with the liturgy. Will be held in Perivolia (Larnaca). €30. Check the program on the board. To participate, please, contact fr. Ismael.

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

20 April - 26 April

Mon: No Mass;

Tue & Thu: Mass at 9:00am in Agia Kyriaki

Wed: Mass at 12:00pm 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 8pm in AK

Holy Rosary: Sat at 4pm in AK

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

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

Prayer for Vocation to Priesthood

Almighty and eternal God, in your unfailing love you provide ministers for your Church. We pray for those whom you call to serve the Church of Cyprus as priest and deacon. Inspire in them a generous response. Grant them courage and vision to serve your people.

May their lives and service inspire your people to recognize the presence of your Spirit among us and to answer his call. May they, faithful to the Gospel and with hope in Jesus Christ, announce glad tidings to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives, set prisoners free, and renew the face of the earth.

Amen.