|
Saturday
1 December
|
Vigil
Mass at 4.30pm
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am |
|
Sunday
2 December
|
Sunday Mass at 10.00am |
Sunday Mass at 11.30am |
|
Monday
3 December
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | Service of the Word at 10.00am |
|
Tuesday
4 December
|
Requiem Mass at 10.00am | Service of the Word at 10.00am |
|
Wednesday
5 December
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Thursday
6 December
|
Service of the Word at 10.00am | Holy Mass at 10.00am |
|
Friday
7 December
|
Service of the Word at 10.00am | Requiem Mass at 10.00am |
|
Saturday
8 December
|
Vigil
Mass at 4.30pm
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am |
PARISH CENTRE EVENTS |
||
|
Saturday
1 December
|
10.30am | HCPT Christmas Fayre |
|
Sunday
2 December
|
11.30am |
|
|
Monday
3 December
|
9.30
to 11.30am |
Parents
and Toddlers |
|
Tuesday
4 December
|
9.00
to 11.00am 11.30am to 2.30pm 3.45pm |
Cardiac
Rehabilitation |
|
Wednesday
5 December
|
9.30
to 11.30am 3.45pm 1.00 to 3.00pm 7.30pm |
Parents
and Toddlers |
|
Thursday
6 December
|
|
|
|
Friday
7 December
|
9.30
to 11.30am 11.00am |
Parents
and Toddlers Tea, coffee and chat in the Snug after Benediction |
|
Saturday
8 December
|
6.30pm | Private Function |
PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
Gerald Pentleton and Therese Potie (Paris) who died recently and
John McNamara 1997, Elizabeth Theresa Walsh 1970, Jim Wallace 2014, Brian O'Hare 2009, Tom Reid 2006, Monica Tipping 2010, John Welsh 2009, Jim Delahunt 2014, Martin Lehane 2015, Mary Martin 1983, Isabella McGoogan 1998, Gordon Alexander Smith 1997, John Hughes 2010, Margaret Anne Shanks 1994, Rose Smith 1999, Anne Thompson 1986, Robert Walker 2012, Susan Connor 2009, Thomas Connor 2006, Joyce Feeney 2012, Jean Graham, Alexander Merrick 2001, May Shanks 1990, Rose Smith 1999, Sarah Braniff 1961, Katherine Fearon 1911, Janet Ferris 2013, Ann McCubbin, Robert Shanks 1996, Alexander Bartley 2017, Teresa Dorans 2006, Philip Gargan 2012, Margaret Hughes 2006, James Mathieson 1999, Gerard McCulloch 1990, Anthony McGarvey 1996, John McKay junior 1972, James McSorley 2010, Cassie Millen 2011, May O'Farrell 2013, Father Alec Smith SDB 2008 and John Tracy 1999 whose anniversaries occur at this time and those who are sick.
If deceased members of your family are not on our anniversary list, please tell Father Duncan, the parish office or contact WebsiteAuthor@SaintPeterinChains.net.
SUNDAY MASS TIMES
Sunday Mass times in Saint Peter's are 5.30pm Vigil and 10.30am. Sunday Mass times in other local parishes can be seen here.
SACRAMENT OF FORGIVENESS
The Sacrament of Forgiveness is celebrated on Saturdays between 4.45 and 5.15 pm and at other times on request.
READERS
Next weekend's readers are Marade Griffin at 5.30pm and Margaret Harvey at 10.30am.
ALTAR SERVERS
Next weekend's altar servers are Group 1 at 5.30pm and Group 2 at 10.30am.
MUSIC MINISTRY
Next weekend's musicians are the choir at 5.30pm and Andrea Hughes at 10.30am.
CHILDREN’S
LITURGY
Next week's Children's Liturgy helpers are Jacqueline
Waugh for the pre-fives, Frances Gemmell and Gayle Pateron for Primaries 1,
2 and 3 and Claire Sweenie and Linda Martin for Primary 4. The Children's
Liturgy needs some more volunteers. If you have a child or grandchild currently
in the liturgy programme or you would just like to help with these wonderful
groups, we need your help. We are having a short meeting in the Lesser Hall
of the Parish Centre on Sunday 2 December after 10.30am Mass - everyone is
welcome. We would like to ask all current volunteers to attend too as we will
discuss the new activities for the Children's Liturgy programme. Come along
and find out what's involved and how you can help.
HEALING MASS NEXT SATURDAY
The Lourdes Group is preparing a Healing Mass for Saturday 8 December at 10.00am,
the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, for those who would like to receive
the Sacrament of the Sick. Our Eucharistic Ministers and home visitors are
asked to invited to this special Mass. Refreshments will be served afterwards
in the Parish Centre.
CATHEDRAL SUNG EVENING PRAYER FOR ADVENT
Evening Prayer of the Church will be sung in Saint Margaret's Cathedral, Ayr
on Sunday 2 December at 6.00pm. You will be very welcome.
THE
INNKEEPER'S TALE
They
think I'm some kind of cruel, heartless landlord. Someone must have told them
that - but they're wrong, just plain wrong and it's time to set the record
straight, once and for all. People say I'm an innkeeper. Then came that census
the governor thought up - taxation, pure and simple! People from all over
the province flooded into town that week - filled us clean up. I must have
gotten in and out of bed ten times that night, stumbling over bodies to get
to the door. "No more room, sorry folks. No more room. Come back in the
morning. We have a couple of families leaving then." I just couldn't
make any more room. That's the honest truth. But I did make room for one more
couple. Joseph was a burly man with big arms and strong hands, down from Nazareth,
I think he said. He wouldn't take no for an answer. I would say "No,
I'm sorry" and he'd tell me about his Mary. Well, when I saw Mary she
was just about as pregnant as a woman can get and awfully pale. The barn -
that would just have to do, I told myself and led them and their donkey out
back. Joseph said "We sure are grateful, sir." Then with a serious
look, he asked me "Do you know where I can find a midwife in these parts?
We might need her tomorrow or the next day." That man didn't know much
about having babies, it was plain enough to see. I ran to Sarah's house and
pounded on the door until her husband came. I stopped a moment to catch my
breath - "and tell her to hurry." By the time we got back to the
barn, Joseph had prepared some soft, clean hay for Mary and wrapped her up
in a blanket, wiping the perspiration off her brow and was speaking softly
to her. Sarah sent me to get my Rachel and then pushed Joseph and me out of
the barn. "This ain't no place for men" she said. We waited just
outside in the shelter of the barn for hours, it seemed like. Well, all of
a sudden, we hear a little cry. "You've got a baby boy" Sarah was
saying as we peeped around the corner. She hands the young one to Rachel and
she wraps it up in those swaddling bands she had saved. Cute little thing,
I tell you. Well, Joseph goes over to Mary and gives her a big hug and a kiss
on the cheek. The lantern was blowing almost out, the cattle were lowing softly
and baby Jesus was asleep in his mother's arms. By the time I got back, Rachel
was in bed, and I was about ready to put out the light, step over sleeping
bodies and get under the warm covers, when I heard some murmuring out by the
barn. I'd better check, I told myself. When I peeped in, I saw shepherds.
Raggedy, smelly old shepherds were kneeling down on the filthy barn floor
as if they were praying. The oldest one was saying something to Joseph about
angels and the Messiah - and the rest of them just knelt there with their
heads bowed, some with tears running down their faces. I coughed out loud
and Joseph looked up. I was almost ready to run those thieving shepherds off
when Joseph motioned to me with his hand. "It's okay" he whispered.
"They've come to see the Christ-Child." The Christ-Child? The Messiah?
That was when I knelt, too - and watched and prayed and listened to the old
shepherd recount his story of angels and heavenly glory and the sign of a
holy baby, wrapped in swaddling bands, to be found in a manger. My Lord, it
was my stable where the Christ-Child was born. My manger he rested in. My
straw, my lamp, my wife Rachel assisting at his birth. The shepherds left
after a while. Some of them leaned over and kissed the sleeping Christ-child
before they departed. I know I did. I'll always be glad I made room in the
barn for that family - that holy family. You see, I'm not some mean innkeeper.
I was there. I saw him. Oh, I believe in him, I tell you. And, mark my words,
if you'd seen what I've seen, you'd be a believer, too.
JUST FOR A LAUGH …
• Hamish says to Dougie "Christmas is on a Friday this year." Dougie
says "Let's hope it's not the 13th."
• Hamish and Dougie find three grenades so they take them to a police station.
Dougie says "What if one explodes before we get there?" Hamish replied
"We'll lie and say we only found two."
• An old Irish farmer's dog goes missing and he's inconsolable. His wife says
"Why don't you put an advert in the paper?" He does, but two weeks
later the dog is still missing. "What did you put in the paper?"
his wife asks. "Here boy" he replies.
• A woman is cleaning her husband's rifle and accidentally shoots him. She
immediately dials 999. She says ''It's my husband! I've accidentally shot
him, I've killed him!'' The operator said ''Please calm down, Madam. Can you
first make sure he is actually dead!'' Click! ... Bang!. The woman said ''Okay,
I've done that. What next?''
ADVENT WREATH AND CANDLES
On
this First Sunday of Advent, the candles of the Advent wreath remind us of
the passing of time and our readings speak to us about the end of time. As
we begin this new liturgical year and this new era in the Church with new
texts to learn and pray and make our own, let us realise that while all created
things end and there are always new beginnings. In God there is constancy
and faithful presence.
FOLLOW THE STAR
Seasonal carols sung will be sung by the Harmonia Singers in Saint Peter's
on Sunday 9 December 2018 at 7.00pm. All donations will go to the Beatson
Cancer Hospital.
CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS
A beautiful festive concert featuring the North Ayrshire Schools' Junior and
Intermediate Choirs and guest musicians will be held in Saint Peter's on Sunday
16 December 2018 at 3.30pm. Tickets costing £5 and £3 for concessions
will be available at the door.
A VOICE CRIES IN THE WILDERNESS. PREPARE A WAY FOR THE LORD. MAKE HIS PATHS
STRAIGHT
There will be a series of events for Advent 2018 in Saint Mary's Parish Hall,
Saltcoats to which everyone is invited. It starts on Wednesday 5 December
at 7.30pm. The theme is Poverty at Home and the speaker is Neil Cowan of the
Scottish Poverty Alliance. On Sunday 9 December at 3.00 pm, the topic is The
Experience of Refugees in North Ayrshire. Some of the refugee families and
North Ayrshire Council officials will speak. Scotland and Overseas Development
with speaker Jane Salmonson of the International Development Alliance is the
subject of the meeting on Wednesday 12 December at 7.30pm. The events are
organised by the Outreach to the Poor Group of Embracing Change.
BOILER CATASTROPHE
Our Church Boilers have given up the ghost and have been both condemned by
the gas engineer so we will have to replace the boilers as soon as possible
so that the Church doesn't get too cold. The costs of replacement will be
quite substantial. Our target is £11200. We would like to offer immense
thanks to the parishioners who have handed in donations for the new boilers.
The total to date is £6980! For anyone wishing to donate, there are
envelopes at the back of the Church. If you pay tax, please complete the details
on the envelope to allow us to claim Gift Aid. I would like to thank you all
again for your support and I'll keep you posted about developments!
CHURCHES' HOMELESS ACTION NORTH AYRSHIRE (CHANA)
More than seventy people every month present as homeless to North Ayrshire
Council. We propose to make up toilet bags for those who need them. We are
asking each participating Church to concentrate one toiletry item for immediate
use and one cleaning item for use when a person gets a house. We have been
allocated shower gel and all-purpose cleaner. Please use the CHANA basket
in the foyer of the Church. Thank you for your continued generosity. Care
and Share @ the Kirkgate is a drop-in for those affected by homelessness,
with soup and sandwiches provided. It runs every Friday in the Kirkgate Hall,
Chapelwell Street, Saltcoats, from 12.30 to 2.00pm. If you can help, call
CHANA on 07585 665751.
APPEAL FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
Churches Homeless Action North Ayrshire (CHANA) is appealing for unwrapped
Christmas gifts for those in need. They would like toys for children,but not
fluffy - gift cards for teenagers and the usual adult gifts - socks, pyjamas,
gloves, scarves et cetera - mainly small to medium sizes please. Thank you
again for your continuing generosity.
CHERNOBYL CHILDREN'S LIFELINE
Can you make a difference in a child's life. Ayrshire Link is looking for
families to host two children for two or four weeks in June or July 2019.
This is a very rewarding experience and you will be supported twenty-four
hours a day. The children will take part in a full four week program. If you
would like more information, please phone 07813 650411.
MUSIC MINISTRY
We are looking for a few new helpers for the music and singing at the Sunday
Mass. If you can help in any way, please speak to Father
Duncan. Thanks.
HELP OUR PARISH GROW
If you have filled in a parish Gift Aid Form in the past, could we ask you
to complete the new version? Please speak to Margaret when you get the chance.
Thank you!
HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY
If a member of your family or a friend is sick, please let us know and give
us the details. Deacon Bill Corbett (01292 521208, 07904 248948, Rev.BillCorbett@btinternet.com)
is the chaplain to Crosshouse Hospital and is assisted by the priest on call
each week.
FINANCES
Bankers Orders for the Parish and Parish Centre amount to £3500 per
month. We are grateful for your generous support in collections. If you can
manage a little more from time to time, it would be a great help. A Standing
Order would make the handling of money so much easier. Have you signed a Gift
Aid form? If you are a taxpayer the Church would get 25p added to every £1
you donate.
COLLECTIONS
Last weekend's Offertory collection amounted to £662.93 and the Maintenance
Fund collection to £269.96 - thanks.
SUNDAY TEAS
Tea and coffee will be served after the 10.30am Mass next Sunday in the Parish
Centre by Sharon McLaughlin's team.
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.