BULLETIN
25 MARCH 2007
FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT IN YEAR
3
CHURCH SERVICES
Saturday
24 March | Confession
on request from 4.30 to 5.15 pm |
Sunday
25 March | Sunday
Mass at 10.00 am Sunday Mass at 12.00 noon for a special intention |
Monday
26 March | Mass at 10.00 am for Patrick McDonald |
Tuesday
27 March | Mass at 10.00 am for Kelly Smith |
Wednesday
28 March | Mass at 10.00 am for Thomas Smyth |
Thursday
29 March | Mass
at 10.00 am for
Jane and Archie McFarlane Lent Penitential Service at 7.00 pm |
Friday
30 March | Stations
of the Cross at 9.40 am Mass at 10.00 am for Tom Adamson Closing Service for Saint Peter's School at 11.00 am |
Saturday
31 March | Mass at 10.00 am for Celia Ralston |
PARISH
CENTRE EVENTS
Sunday
25 March | 10.00
am 10.00 am 11.00 am |
Children's Liturgy |
Monday
26 March | 8.00
to 5.30 pm 9.00 to 11.30 am 9.30 to 11.30 am 12.30 to 3.00 pm 2.00 to 3.00 pm 5.30 to 6.30 pm 6.30 to 8.00 pm 7.00 pm 7.00 to 8.00 pm 7.30 to 9.00 pm 7.30 pm |
Wrap-around Care for
3 to 5 year olds |
Tuesday
27 March |
8.00 to 5.30 pm |
Wrap-around Care for
3 to 5 year olds |
Wednesday
28 March |
8.00 to 5.30 pm | Wrap-around
Care for 3 to 5 year olds |
Thursday
29 March | 8.00
to 5.30 pm 9.00 to 11.30 am 9.30 to 11.00 am 12.30 to 3.00 pm 1.00 to 2.30 pm 2.00 to 3.00 pm 6.00 to 7.30 pm 7.30 to 9.00 pm | Wrap-around
Care for 3 to 5 year olds |
Friday
30 March | 8.00
to 5.30 pm 9.00 to 11.30 am 9.30 to 11.30 am 12.30 to 2.30 pm 8.00 pm | Wrap-around
Care for 3 to 5 year olds Nursery Parents and Toddlers Kindergarten Private Party |
PRAYERS
Please
remember in your prayers:
Joseph Farrell, Susan Reid and
Nellie McGrattan who died recently;
Don Foley, Anna Bates
1997, Moira Rafferty, Terry McCabe 2005,
Devlin McIndoe
1992, Allister Nesbit 2000, Odina Carrino 1987,
Menotti
Carrino 1953, Sarah Anderson 2003, Isa Stuart 2004,
Sandy
Miller 1979, Gus Slimman 1993 and James Kelly 1983
whose
anniversaries occur at this time.
SUNDAY COLLECTION
Last weekend's
collection amounted to £631.83 - many thanks.
Banker's Orders amount
to an average of £4300 per month. Each month £4000 is repaid to the
Diocese for the building loan and levy.
PAPAL
AND EPISCOPAL CHARITIES COLLECTION
Last weekend's collection
for Papal and
Espicopal Charities including the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF)
amounted to £776.66 - many thanks.
BANKER'S ORDERS
Paying your collection by monthly or quarterly banker's order
makes money handling much safer. Banker's Order forms are available in the porch.
COLLECTION
ENVELOPES 2006/2007
Collection envelopes for 2006/2007 are now available at
the stall. If you do not use envelopes and you would like to, please leave your
name at the stall or put it in the collection bag.
LENTEN
PENANCE SERVICES There will be Lenten Penance Service in the given Churches at the stated times. | |
Saint Palladius', Dalry | Monday, 26 March at 7.00 pm |
Saint John's, Stevenston | Tuesday, 27 March at 7.00 pm |
Saint Mary's Church, Irvine | Tuesday, 27 March at 7.00 pm |
Saint Mary's, Saltcoats | Wednesday, 28 March at 2.00 pm |
Saint Brendan's, Saltcoats | Wednesday, 28 March at 7.00 pm |
Saint Peter's, Ardrossan | Thursday, 29 March at 7.00 pm |
Saint Brigid's, Kilbirnie | Friday, 30 March at 7.00 pm |
Saint Winin's, Kilwinning | Sunday, 1 April at 6.00 pm |
Saint John Ogilvie's, Irvine | Monday, 2 April at 7.00 pm |
SAINT
VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The Ozanam Centre in Glasgow is run by the Saint
Vincent de Paul Society to assist homeless men and women. We have been asked
to assist in the collection of toiletries during Lent so these might be distributed
as a very practical way of assisting those who use the Centre. Saint Peter's parishioners
have donated generously to this appeal in previous years and it is hoped that
you will do so once again. The Conference thanks you in anticipation of your kind
assistance. A box to receive donations of all kinds of toiletries will be available
in the Church Porch during Lent.
KITS
FOR KIDS
Kits For Kids tokens can be collected from the Sunday Mail and Daily
Record and placed in the box in the porch. James Reid School, Saltcoats is this
area's school.
SAINT
VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY CALL LINE
As from Saturday 24 March, requests for
assistance from the Saint Peter's Conference of the Saint
Vincent de Paul Society may be made directly to mobile phone number 07722
246169. Callers will be invited to leave their name, address and if possible,
a telephone number. A member of the Conference will be in touch with them as soon
as possible.
SAINT
PATRICK'S NIGHT SOCIAL
Thanks to all who attended the Saint Patrick's night
social and made it such enjoyable fun.
HCPT
THE PILGRIMAGE TRUST
Esther Coulter would like to thank everyone who helped
and contributed to this year's fund raising events for HCPT, The Pilgrimage Trust.
Three children from the local area will be travelling to Lourdes this Easter.
Mass will be offered for all. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us. Saint Bernadette,
pray for us.
HOLY WEEK SERVICES | |
Monday, 7.00 pm | Passover Celebration in the Parish Centre |
Tuesday, 7.30 pm | Mass of Chrism, Good Shepherd Cathedral, Ayr |
Thursday, 7.00 pm | Mass of the Last Supper, followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament |
Thursday, 9.00 pm | Night Prayers |
Friday, 12.00 noon | Children's Service |
Friday, 3.00 pm | Celebration of the Lord's Passion |
Friday, 7.00 pm | Stations and Veneration of the Cross |
Saturday, 8.00 pm | Easter Vigil |
CHILDREN'S
LITURGY ADULT HELPERS
25
March
Pre-Fives: Frances and Maria
Primary
1 to 3: Andrena and Theresa
Primary 4:
Frank and Catherine
1 April
Pre-Fives:
Frances and Maria
Primary 1 to 3: Elaine,
Eileen and Anne
Primary 4: Karen and Sharon
PARISH
ACCOUNTS 2006
Our financial year runs from January to December and The Office
fo the Scottish Charities Regulator and the Diocesan Finance Committee require
us to make annual returns. This statement is based on these returns. For the sake
of clarity, figures for 2005 have been included. The general income of the Parish
has risen from £84567 to £90341 this year. When our ordinary collections
go up - and this is generally due to more people attending Sunday Mass - then
Gift Aid rises in line. We have, however, spent more than came in and have a deficit
of £15000 compared to a surplus of £11140 last year. You will, of
course, have noticed that we now have the Presbytery back in operation and it
makes a splendid home and office for the Parish Priest. We have it furnished but
much of the office equipment, furniture, telephone system and so on were not covered
by insurance. Many of you have visited - if not, then call soon. Income from the
Parish Centre is lower than last year while expenditure is higher. Part of this
is because we had to refuse a number of bookings until we could have the original
planning condition 'Church functions only' lifted. This meant no birthday, retirement
or private funcitions. This condition was agreed at the time of building. After
much correspondence, we got the condition lifted and are now on track to make
better use of the Centre. Salaries and office costs are quite high and are being
looked at. It is, however, difficult to offer our parishioners the level of service
we do and meet the requirements of the Regulator without professional secretarial
and book-keeping services. Mainenance costs are frightening as are the heating
and lighting costs but there is no way round them as I am sure you will find at
home. I can assure your that there is very little waste in these areas and we
make full use of insurance claims for any damage to the Church or Parish Centre.
Of course, we run at a loss. That is what Churches do but we help the poor, support
Africa and the Missions, provide resources for the children and music at Mass
- currently a headache. All that we do is only possible through your Sunday collection.
We have no investments or other income and are still paying £36000 a year
in debt repayments. Please continue to give what you can afford. If it has fallen
behind, please make an increase. Can I continue to urge you to use a standing
order and, if you pay income tax, Gift Aid? Thank you for all that you do for
our Parish and for your very warm personal support of your Priest. Our Parish
is rich in its people but we could do with a little more cash.
INCOME |
2006 |
2005 |
Collections |
£ |
£ |
Sunday
Collections | 39107 |
34183 |
Bankers
Orders | 38747 |
38434 |
Inland
Revenue Gift Aid | 12487 |
11950 |
90341 |
84567 | |
Building Fund | ||
Sunday
Collections | 17058 |
13365 |
Bankers
Orders | 12916 |
12811 |
Donations | 500 | 0 |
Inland
Revenue Gift Aid | 4162 | 4367 |
34636 |
30543 | |
Fees,
Stall, Candles and Advertising |
9144 |
10517 |
Bank
Interest | 801 |
806 |
50/50
Club | 2000 |
2000 |
Special
Collections | 7047 |
7158 |
Insurance
Claims | 43009 |
88803 |
Specified
Donations | 0 |
930 |
Blessed
Sacrament Altar | 2950 |
0 |
Fund
Raising | 0 | 335
|
Parish
Centre | 13750 |
17638 |
78671 |
128187 | |
TOTAL INCOME | 203648 |
243297 |
EXPENDITURE | ||
House
Management | 17013 |
10735 |
Church
Management | 10837 |
7491 |
Parish
Centre | 20146 |
16057 |
Salaries
and Supply Costs | 23270 |
23723 |
Council
Tax, Telephone and Insurance |
10128 |
10013 |
Grounds
and Security | 7106 |
635 |
Stall |
2861 |
2782 |
Administration
Expenses | 4603 |
4197 |
Office
Equipment | 9645 |
5344 |
Travelling
Expenses | 3053 |
2532 |
Parish
Development and Education |
4350 |
5802 |
Special
Collections | 7616 |
6836 |
Diocesan
Loan | 36000 |
36000 |
Diocesan
Levy | 12000 |
12000 |
Fees
and Subscriptions | 3735 |
3023 |
Miscellaneous |
0 |
63 |
Insurance
Replacements | 46606 |
84924 |
TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 218969 |
232157 |
DEFICIT / SURPLUS |
-15321 |
11140 |
BE
STRONG
Never
allow anyone to rain on your parade and thus cast a pall of gloom and defeat on
the entire day. Remember that no talent, no self-denial, no brains and no character
are required to set up in the fault-finding business. Nothing external can have
any power over you unless you permit it. Your time is too precious to be sacrificed
in wasted days combating the menial forces of hate, jealously, and envy. Guard
your fragile life carefully. Only God can shape a flower but any foolish child
can pull it to pieces.
We seldom attribute common sense except to those who agree with us. |
One can pay back the loan of gold but one lies forever in debt to those who are kind. |
READINGS
The readings for this weekend's Masses are shown below in English. They are available
in eleven other languages
including French, German, Italian, Polish and Spanish by clicking on this
link.
First
Reading
Isaiah
43:16-21
Thus
says the Lord, who made a way through the sea, a path in the great waters; who
put chariots and horse in the field and a powerful army, which lay there never
to rise again, snuffed out, put out like a wick: No need to recall the past, no
need to think about what was done before. See, I am doing a new deed, even now
it comes to light; can you not see it? Yes, I am making a road in the wilderness,
paths in the wilds. The wild beasts will honour me, jackals and ostriches, because
I am putting water in the wilderness (rivers in the wild) to give my chosen people
drink. The people I have formed for myself will sing my praises.
Second
Reading
Philippians
3:8-14
I
believe nothing can happen that will outweigh the supreme advantage of knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord. For him I have accepted the loss of everything, and I look
on everything as so much rubbish if only I can have Christ and be given a place
in him. I am no longer trying for perfection by my own efforts, the perfection
that comes from the Law, but I want only the perfection that comes through faith
in Christ, and is from God and based on faith. All I want is to know Christ and
the power of his resurrection and to share his sufferings by reproducing the pattern
of his death. That is the way I can hope to take my place in the resurrection
of the dead. Not that I have become perfect yet: I have not yet won, but I am
still running, trying to capture the prize for which Christ Jesus captured me.
I can assure you my brothers, I am far from thinking that I have already won.
All I can say is that I forget the past and I strain ahead for what is still to
come; I am racing for the finish, for the prize to which God calls us upwards
to receive in Christ Jesus.
Gospel
John
8:1-11
Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At daybreak he appeared in the Temple
again; and as all the people came to him, he sat down and began to teach them.
The scribes and Pharisees brought a woman along who had been caught committing
adultery; and making her stand there in full view of everybody, they said to Jesus,
"Master, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery, and
Moses has ordered us in the Law to condemn women like this to death by stoning.
What have you to say?" They asked him this as a test, looking for something
to use against him. But Jesus bent down and started writing on the ground with
his finger. As they persisted with their question, he looked up and said, "If
there is one of you who has not sinned, let him be the first to throw a stone
at her." Then he bent down and wrote on the ground again. When they heard
this they went away one by one, beginning with the eldest, until Jesus was left
alone with the woman, who remained standing there. He looked up and said, "Woman,
where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she replied.
"Neither do I condemn you," said Jesus "go away, and don't sin
any more.".