Saturday
21 July
|
Our Lady's Day |
Sunday
22 July
|
Sixteenth
Sunday of the Year |
Monday
23 July
|
Feast of Saint Bridget |
Tuesday
24 July
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Betty Diamond RD |
Wednesday
25 July
|
Feast
of Saint James |
Thursday
26 July
|
Memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne |
Friday
27 July
|
Requiem Mass at 10.00am for Brian McNulty |
Saturday
28 July
|
Our Lady's Day |
|
Abbreviations - A anniversary, RD recently deceased, SI special intention |
The
Holy Mass intention list is just over two weeks ahead. Please notify
anniversaries as early as you can. Thanks. |
Saturday
21 July
|
The Church is closed for renovation. |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am Vigil Mass at 4.30pm |
Sunday
22 July
|
Sunday Mass at 11.30am |
|
Monday
23 July
|
Requiem Mass at 10.00am | |
Tuesday
24 July
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Wednesday
25 July
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Thursday
26 July
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Friday
27 July
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Saturday
28 July
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am |
|
PARISH CENTRE EVENTS |
Sunday
22 July
|
11.30
am |
Tea
and Coffee after Holy Mass |
Monday
23 July
|
7.00pm
|
|
Tuesday
24 July
|
9.00 to 11.00am |
Cardiac Rehabilition |
Wednesday
25 July
|
|
|
Thursday
26 July
|
6.30 to 7.30pm |
Pilates |
CHILDREN’S
LITURGY
The Children's Liturgy resumes in September.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
We welcome to the family of the Church Conor Thomas Kane who will baptised
next Saturday. Congratulations to Conor's parents and Godparents.
THE PRAYING HANDS
Many
of us would have seen the picture of The Praying Hands but would almost certainly
not have heard the moving story behind this popular picture. Here is the story.
Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family
with eighteen children - eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table
for this family, the father worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade
and any other paying chore he could find in the neighbourhood. Despite their
seemingly hopeless condition, two of the elder children, Albrecht and Albert,
had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art but they knew
full well that their father would never be financially able to send either
of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy. After many long discussions
at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They
would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with
his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when
that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would
support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork
or, if necessary, also by labouring in the mines. They tossed a coin on a
Sunday morning after Church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.
Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed
his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation.
Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those
of most of his professors and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to
earn considerable fees for his commissioned works. When the young artist returned
to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate
Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. Albrecht rose from the table to drink a
toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht
to fulfil his ambition. His closing words were "And now, Albert, blessed
brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue
your dream and I will take care of you." All heads turned in eager expectation
to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale
face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated,
over and over, "No ..no ...no ..no." Finally, Albert rose and wiped
the tears from his cheeks. "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It
is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to
my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately
I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot
even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment
or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother - for me it is too late."
One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht
Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and
thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply Hands
but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece
and renamed his tribute of love The Praying Hands. The next time you see a
copy of that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder,
that no one - no one - ever makes it alone! Remember them in your prayers.
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
A Parish had a pompous priest they wanted to get rid of. They prayed that
he would leave. They recommended him everywhere but no one would have him.
Finally, he received a call to be Parish Priest in another place. The Sunday
he resigned he said "When I came here five years ago, Jesus led me here
- and now Jesus is leading me away." When he was finished the organist
stood and said "Let's all sing 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus.'"
SUNDAY TEAS
Tea and coffee will be served after the 10.30am Mass next Sunday in the Parish
Centre by Jennifer's and Niamh's team.
IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH
Tremendous work has been done on the extensive perimeter railings around the
grounds with hours of work saving the Parish a great deal of money. I would
sincerely like to thank the two painters for all the hard work and generosity
over the last few weeks. The chairs in the Parish Centre have been recovered
with the Saint Ninian's Tartan - made famous as a specially designed tartan
for the visit of Pope Benedict to Scotland. Again, this has involved a lot
of time and energy to get the new coverings just right. The reception of the
Parish Centre has also been repainted and is looking very smart. Door hooks
have been placed on the Church side doors to make access - especially for
wheelchair users - easier. One of the storage areas has been tidied up and
any rubbish put in the skip. Tree bark has been put on the flower beds, new
plants planted and some indentations in the car park filled in. We'll still
have to find a solution to the kneelers in Church so that they don't fall
down. We've got one suggestion that might work. If you have any ideas, just
let me know. Sincere thanks for all the commitment and generosity! God Bless!
REFUGEE PHOTO EXHIBITION FROM JUSTICE AND PEACE
There will be a special Refugee Photo Exhibition from Justice and Peace from
Wednesday 25 July until Monday 6 August in the Parish Centre. Please come
along for a look and a visit.
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF HUMANE VITAE
Perhaps no other encyclical in the history of the Church has received so much
ridicule and caused such controversy as Humanae Vitae. Even today, fifty years
later, it still evokes heated discussions and debates, often from people who
have never read the document. Yet when encouraged to read the encyclical,
one quickly learns of its profound teaching and defence of God's divine plan
for human sexuality, marriage, family and life. The Church, in this encyclical,
is preaching Good News and is pro-love and pro-life. Pope Paul VI begins by
highlighting an understanding of God as Love, and how this love overflows
into new love and new life. The human persons God creates have an immutable
dignity - being made in the image and likeness of a loving God - and have
an immortal destiny. The beauty of Catholic Church teaching on human sexuality
is based on the dignity of the human person. The gift of life is a most precious
gift - to be cherished and respected - which enables us to anticipate and
strive for eternal life where there will be an everlasting enjoyment made
possible by union with our loving Father. God has bestowed upon spouses an
'extremely important mission of transmitting human life' - the wondrous gift
of being co-creators with Him in the creation of new persons. Having and raising
children is an act of immense generosity and immeasurable responsibility.
It enables human persons to participate in an act of inestimable value, assisting
God in bringing a new immortal soul into existence.
CHURCHES HOUSING ACTION NORTH AYRSHIRE (CHANA)
We have had a further meeting about establishing a Care and Share Lunch Club
in the Kirkgate Church, Saltcoats for those who are homeless. We agreed that
we would start on Friday 14 September. We are looking for more volunteers.
If you are interested in helping in any way please contact CHANA on 07585
665751. The next meeting is on Friday 3 August in Kirkgate Church, Chapelwell
Street, Saltcoats, KA21 5EA at 11.00am.
MARY'S MEALS - ANNUAL RAFFLE AND TEXTILE COLLECTION
The annual raffle and textile collection for Mary's
Meals will run from Saturday 18 to Sunday 19 August at 12 noon. Just a
few bin bags filled with textiles could generate enough funds to feed a child
for a whole school year - approximately £13.90. We are currently feeding
over 1.2 million children in fifteen countries across the world! Please note
that we are only able to collect textiles in any condition - for example,
clothes, household textiles, shoes, bags et cetera. Thank you for your continuing
support of Mary's
Meals and we look forward to visiting your parish.
Mary's
Meals
SCOTTISH CATHOLIC EDUCATION SERVICE PARENT GROUP
To help parents contribute to the developments in Catholic schools, there
will be a Gathering of Catholic Parents on Saturday 18 August 2018 from 9.30am
to 2.30pm in Saint Charles' Parish Hall, 5 Union Street, Paisley. Places are
free but booking is essential. To book please contact parents@sces.uk.com.
GIFT AID
The Inland Revenue now requires us to use a new style of Gift
Aid form. These are available at the back of the Church and on the parish
website. If you pay tax, please complete the new form and return it to the
box provided. This allows us to provide the additional information required
on the Gift Aid claim. Gift Aid is a vital source of income. All that is needed
is that you pay tax. You simply declare that you give funds to the Church.
We do the rest. Why not sign a form today? We get back an extra 25p for every
£1 you give the Church in your weekly collection or by way of a donation.
There is no need to cancel or renew it. We simply claim in the income we receive.
VISITORS
Are you visiting us for Holy Mass? Please know that you are very welcome.
During the 10.30 am Holy Mass outwith holidays, there is a Children’s Liturgy
provided for preschool children, children in Primaries 1 to 3 and a Sacramental
Programme for children in Primary 4. After the 10.30 am Holy Mass, tea, coffee
cakes and buns are available in the Parish Centre. At both of our weekend
Holy Masses, we have a second collection for Church maintenance.
ADVERTISER SUPPORT
Our advertisers would welcome your support. We are grateful for their continuing
sponsorship. We are grateful for the support of Mr and Mrs Sohal, Nisa Stores,
Glasgow Street for the weekly donation of tea, coffee and milk for the Sunday
teas.
PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS - MISSION STATEMENT
The Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety, wholeness
and well-being of each individual person within God's purpose for everyone.
It seeks to safeguard the welfare of people of all ages who are involved in
whatever capacity with
the Church and its organisations. As a Church community, we accept that it
is the responsibility of all of us, ordained, professed, paid and
voluntary members, to work together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional
abuse or neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults.