The most important days of the week

9 August — 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time: the disciples struggle against a headwind, and Jesus comes to them across the lake. Peter steps out of the boat, but begins to sink when he looks at the force of the storm instead of at Christ. The Gospel teaches that faith does not remove every difficulty, but enables us to recognise the Lord’s presence in the midst of fear. It is a Sunday of prayer for courage, perseverance and a heart able to cry out, “Lord, save me!”

10 August — St Lawrence, Deacon and Martyr: his life reminds us that the true treasures of the Church are the poor, the sick and those in need. The holy deacon teaches courage, joyful service and the responsible use of the goods entrusted to us.

11 August — St Clare of Assisi: the foundress of the Poor Clares points towards evangelical poverty, humility and contemplation. Her fidelity reminds us that freedom of heart is born when God becomes our greatest treasure.

12 August — Wednesday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time; St Jane Frances de Chantal: where the calendar provides for it, the optional memorial of the foundress of the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary may be celebrated. Her life teaches gentleness, patient trust and the discovery of holiness in family life, work, bereavement and ordinary responsibilities.

13 August — Thursday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time; St Pontian and St Hippolytus: a pope and a priest, once divided by conflict, were reconciled in exile and together bore witness to Christ. It is a special day of prayer for forgiveness, the unity of the Church and the healing of broken relationships.

14 August — St Maximilian Mary Kolbe, Priest and Martyr: his voluntary sacrifice at Auschwitz reveals a love that does not stop at words. St Maximilian calls us to courage, Marian trust and the creative use of modern means of communication in the service of the Gospel.

15 August — Saturday of the 19th week in Ordinary Time; the traditional date of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary: in Polish tradition, this is the feast of Our Lady of the Herbs, when herbs, flowers and crops are blessed and thanks are given for the victory of life over death. Important note for the faithful in Peterborough: according to the liturgical calendar for England and Wales, the solemnity of the Assumption is transferred in 2026 to Sunday, 16 August; Saturday, 15 August remains liturgically a weekday, while an evening Mass may already belong to the Sunday solemnity.

The most important days of the week

28 June — Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: the Gospel reminds us that a disciple of Christ is called to love more deeply than fear, attachment and comfort. Jesus speaks of the cross, of receiving those whom He sends, and of the simple gesture of offering a cup of water. The optional memory of St Irenaeus, Bishop and Martyr, is not normally celebrated when Sunday takes precedence, but his witness still enriches the prayer of the day.

29 June — Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles: the Church remembers two pillars of apostolic faith: Peter, to whom Christ entrusted the mission of strengthening his brothers, and Paul, the tireless preacher of the Gospel to the nations. It is a day of prayer for the Church, the Pope, bishops, priests, missionaries and all who proclaim Christ by word and life.

30 June — The First Martyrs of the Holy Roman Church: the Church remembers the Christians of the first centuries who gave their lives for Christ in Rome. Their witness reminds us that the Church grows not through worldly power, but through love faithful to the end.

1 July — Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time; St Junípero Serra; St Otto of Bamberg: this weekday invites us to calm fidelity, responsibility and the ordering of the heart. The missionary witnesses of St Junípero Serra and St Otto remind us of patience, perseverance and courage in bringing the Gospel to others.

2 July — First Thursday of the month; Our Lady of Licheń: this day is a special opportunity to pray for priests and for new vocations. It is also a day of gratitude for the Eucharist, for the priesthood and for Christ who heals the paralysis of the heart, raises the human person and restores courage to live.

3 July — St Thomas the Apostle: Thomas leads us from questions and uncertainty to the confession of faith: “My Lord and my God.” His feast reminds us that Jesus does not reject the searching heart, but leads it toward deeper trust.

4 July — First Saturday of the month; St Elizabeth of Portugal: this Saturday may also be lived as a memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Saturday. The week ends with prayer for peace of heart, reconciliation, renewal of family life and Marian entrustment to Christ.

The most important days of the week

21 June — Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time: the Gospel calls the disciples of Christ to courage: “Do not be afraid.” This is a Sunday of trust in God, who knows the human heart, sees our fears and leads us through those experiences in which faith must become more concrete than fear. The calendar also marks Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, a young Jesuit and witness to purity of heart, although Sunday takes precedence in the liturgy.

22 June — Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: this weekday invites us to examine our conscience regarding judgement, pride and lack of mercy. On this day the Church may commemorate Saint Paulinus of Nola, bishop, and Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, martyrs of conscience.

23 June — Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: Jesus reminds us of the golden rule of the Gospel and of the narrow gate that leads to life. It is a day of prayer for a simple heart, ready to choose good not because it is easy, but because it is the road that leads to God.

24 June — The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist: the solemnity of the prophet who, with his whole life, pointed to Christ. John the Baptist reminds us that true greatness means not drawing attention to ourselves, but leading people to the Lamb of God.

25 June — Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time: the Gospel speaks of building a house on rock. It is a day of prayer for a faith that does not end with words, but becomes obedience, decision, stability and a life founded on Christ.

26 June — Saint Josemaría Escrivá: the priest who reminded the Church that holiness is not reserved for a few. It can be sought in work, family, duties, daily conversations and the responsible fulfilment of ordinary tasks.

27 June — Saturday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time; Saint Cyril of Alexandria: a day of remembrance for the bishop and Doctor of the Church who defended the truth about Christ. Saturday may also be lived in a Marian spirit, as a day of entrustment to Our Lady and prayer for fidelity to the Word.

Key days of the week

7 June — Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: after the solemnities of the Most Holy Trinity and Corpus Christi, the Church returns to the rhythm of daily discipleship. This Sunday reminds us that faith does not end with great feasts, but must enter ordinary days, decisions, relationships and responsibilities.

8 June — St Hedwig Queen: a day remembering authority lived as service, wisdom of heart and responsibility for the common good. St Hedwig teaches that Christian greatness does not consist in prestige, but in love, sacrifice and care for others.

9 June — St Ephrem, deacon and Doctor of the Church: the memorial of a poet, theologian and teacher of faith who led people to contemplate the mysteries of God through hymns and prayer. It is a special day of prayer for pure speech, depth of faith and the beauty of the liturgy.

10 June — St Bogumił: A Forgotten Giant of Polish Faith: the parish calendar recalls the figure of a bishop and hermit whose life speaks of humility, renunciation of honours, quiet service and prayer hidden from the world.

11 June — St Barnabas the Apostle: a day of apostolic courage, missionary zeal and the ability to lift others up. Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement”, reminds the Church that evangelisation needs not only words, but also a heart capable of strengthening brothers and sisters.

12 June — The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus: this solemnity leads us to the centre of Christian spirituality: the love of Christ revealed on the Cross, present in the Eucharist and open to sinners. It is a day of reparation, adoration and entrusting ourselves to the Heart of Jesus.

13 June — The Immaculate Heart of Mary and St Anthony of Padua: Saturday closes the week with a gaze upon the Heart of Mary, completely united with God, and upon St Anthony, preacher of the Gospel, guardian of the poor and one of the most beloved saints of the Church.

The most important days of the week

31 May — The Most Holy Trinity: the Church contemplates the greatest mystery of faith — one God in three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a day of worshipping God, who is love, communion and the source of all life.

31 May — The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary: the parish calendar also points to the mystery of Mary going to Elizabeth — a sign of faith, service, humility and the joy born from the presence of Christ.

1 June — Memorial of St Justin Martyr: a day of prayer for the wisdom of faith, courage in witness and the ability to speak to the world with the language of truth, reason and the Gospel.

2 June — Saints Marcellinus and Peter – Martyrs of Steadfast Faith: the remembrance of witnesses from the first centuries of the Church, reminding us that fidelity to Christ may be quiet and hidden, yet stronger than violence and fear.

3 June — Saints Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs: a day of remembrance for young witnesses of faith from Uganda, who chose Christ above pressure, fear and violence. Their martyrdom speaks of purity of heart, courage of conscience and fidelity to the Gospel.

4 June — The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ: the Solemnity of Corpus Christi leads the Church to a public profession of faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. It is a day of adoration, thanksgiving and prayer that Jesus may remain the centre of personal, family and parish life.

4 June — additional parish entries: the calendar also links to The Feast of Christ the Eternal High Priest and The Octave of Corpus Christi: Tradition, Faith and Community — Eight Days with the Blessed Sacrament.

5 June — Memorial of St Boniface, Bishop and Martyr: a day of missionary zeal, courage in proclaiming the Gospel and prayer for Europe, that it may not lose its Christian roots.

6 June — St Norbert, Bishop: Saturday closes the week with a call to renewal in the Church, love for the Eucharist, peace and fidelity in daily duties.