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Saturday
29 December
|
Vigil
Mass at 4.30pm
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am |
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Sunday
30 December
|
Sunday Mass at 10.00am |
Sunday Mass at 11.30am |
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Monday
31 December
|
Service of the Word at 10.00am | Holy Mass at 10.00am |
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Tuesday
1 January
|
Holy Mass at 11.00am | Holy Mass at 11.00am |
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Wednesday
2 January
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
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Thursday
3 January
|
Service of the Word at 10.00am | Holy Mass at 10.00am |
|
Friday
4 January
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | Service of the Word at 10.00am |
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Saturday
5 January
|
Vigil
Mass at 4.30pm
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am |
Please remember in your prayers:
Julie Paterson and Anne-Marie McMail who died recently;
Anna Ferrie 2014, John Hendry 2015, May Kelly 2016, Alice Sibbald 2010, Terence Witt 2010, Alfonso Agostini 1955, Brian Connick 2010, Father Joseph Glendinning 1993, Catherine McAteer 2014, Joleen McIndoe 2015, William Twigg 1982, June Doherty 2010, Isabella Dougherty 2010, Charles Patrick Hendry 1967, Father Andrew Karwemera 2002, Lizzie Macnamara, James Murphy 1997, Hugh Brown 1980, Susan Burns 1986, May Rollie 2007, Frank Clark 2009, Catherine Marroni 2012, Helen McGinn 2012, John McTiernan 2016, Sister Imelda CP 2000, Sister Marie Celeste CP 2000, Gerry Brown 2010, Tom McAvennie 2011, Charles Retzbach 2000, Patrick Braniff 1991, Gary Cahill 2012, Margaret Griffin 1997, Isabella Keenan 1939, James Monan 1969 and Celia Ralston 2007 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.
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY
Next Sunday is the Solemnity of the Epiphany. The Three Kings will be placed in our Nativity and chalk will be blessed and distributed for the traditional house blessing.
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 Julie Coldwell at 5.30pm and Ami Paterson 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 Catherine Boyd and Catherine Kerr at 10.30am.
CHILDREN’S
LITURGY
The Children's Liturgy resumes on 13 January.
THE
CELEBRATION GOES ON!
Every
Christmas together with the Feast of the Holy Family, when we contemplate
Christ's total gift of himself through the Incarnation, my heart is moved,
touched, and renewed in a special way. To quote Saint Augustine, 'love, forgetful
of its own dignity, eager to raise and magnify the beloved: it has only one
measure, which is to be without measure'. What a grace to ask for during this
last week of Advent to be filled with this love without measure. Gazing upon
the beautiful face of the baby Jesus in his mother's arms never gets old for
me. It reassures me that God's love really is real, palpable and within my
grasp. It makes me want to consecrate my life to him all over again - and
it is my sincere hope that some of the joy Jesus has given to my heart over
the years will also bubble up in your heart this Christmas. Everything we
do and try to achieve here at Saint Peter's in Ardrossan is meant to remind
us of God's real presence and interest in our life and to expand our experience
of all that he wants to give you. I also want to thank all of you for your
tremendous support and generosity this year - especially by reaching our target
for the two new Church boilers - and also for your many prayers and donations.
I think that we are more convinced than ever that evangelising our town and
neighbourhoods is a worthy enterprise but we couldn't do it without your support.
Without doubt, I will be remembering you and your families in my prayers during
the Christmas in a special way. Christmas is celebrated until the Feast of
the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday 13 January 2019. So, lift your eyes to the
Star of Bethlehem and let the glory of the Lord fill you with joy, so you
can fearlessly celebrate our new-born Lord to the full this Christmas, holding
nothing back and 'loving without measure'. Wishing you still a very blessed
and Merry Christmas and health and joy for the coming New Year 2019! Father
Duncan, Parish Priest
JUST FOR A LAUGH …
• Paddy was in New York. He was patiently waiting and watching the traffic
cop on a busy street crossing. The cop stopped the flow of traffic and shouted
"Okay pedestrians." Then he'd allow the traffic to pass. He'd done
this several times and Paddy still stood on the pavement. After the cop had
shouted "Pedestrians" for the tenth time, Paddy went over to him
and said "Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?"
•A Sunday school teacher asked her students to draw a picture of Jesus' family.
After collecting the drawings, she noticed that one little boy's drawing depicted
an airplane with four heads sticking out of the windows. "I see you drew
three heads to show Joseph, Mary and Jesus" she said to the boy, "but
who does the fourth head belong to?" The boy replied "That's Pontius
the pilot."
SPECIAL
THANKS AT CHRISTMAS
I would just like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for the
many beautiful cards, gifts and greetings this Christmas. It is very much
appreciated and for this a huge 'thank you'! I will keep you all in my thoughts
and prayers throughout the Christmas Season.
THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM
Two travelling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of wealthy family.
The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest
room. Instead, the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As
they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall
and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied
"Things aren't always what they seem." The next night the pair came
to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.
After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in
their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up
the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their
only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The
younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have
let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused.
The second family had little but was willing to share everything and you let
the cow die. "Things aren't always what they seem" the older angel
replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there
was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed
with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he
wouldn't find it. Then last night, as we slept in the farmer's bed, the angel
of death came for his wife but I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always
what they seem." Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't
turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that
every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until
sometime later. Terry
Crowther
LOCKERBIE DISASTER ANNIVERSARY
On the thirtieth anniversary of the Lockerbie Air Disaster, on 21 December,
Bishop Nolan said "Although thirty years have passed since the tragic
events of 21 December 1988, the memories of the community of Lockerbie have
not faded or diminished. The Church today - as then - offers solace and support
to all those affected and will continue to be present in the community of
Lockerbie, praying for and supporting the town and its people as well as the
American victims and their families." Canon Keegans who was parish priest
in Lockerbie in 1988, will speak movingly of the aftermath of the disaster
in his homily and say of the 270 who died "You are not just a distant
memory. You are not from the past. You are precious people who live on in
our hearts, for that is where your names are truly engraved. Thirty years
ago in the darkness we kept the lights on - the light of our love. As Christmas
approaches again this year, we will hear the beautiful words concerning Christ
- A light shines in the darkness, a light that darkness could not overpower.
(John 1:5) Our loved ones who died now experience the fullness of life and
light with God."
ALEXANDER MACFADZEAN
Tuesday 8 January 2019 is the one hundred and seventieth anniversary of the
death of Alexander MacFadzean whose Monument stands on the Castle Hill. To
mark this date, Ardrossan Castle Heritage Society has arranged two events.
Firstly, there will be a short commemoration at the Monument on 8 January
at 11am. Because it is likely to be cold, the memorial will last for only
five minutes. It will recognise the free medical care that Dr MacFadzean gave
to the poor, his part in the creation of Ardrossan as a Burgh and getting
a clean water supply for the town. Provost Ian Clarkson will lay a wreath
on behalf of North Ayrshire Council. Anyone who can manage to come along will
be welcome. The second event is a display in Ardrossan Library featuring Alexander's
life and work. It will be on show from now till mid-January so please feel
free to call in to learn about what this good man did for Ardrossan.
HCPT LOURDES GROUP 376
Esther Coulter will be taking part in the annual New Year's Day dip across
from the Church at South Beach at 12 noon. Sponsor forms will be available
from group members at the weekend Masses. The group accompany adults with
additional support needs to Lourdes at Easter to join in the celebrations
with HCPT members from all over the world. Your support is appreciated. Our
Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
BOILERS UPDATE
The new boilers have now been installed and are fully functional. We would
like to offer a massive thank you to the parishioners who have handed in donations
for the new boilers. The total to date is £11.591.28! I would like to
thank you all again for your support. It is very gratefully received. Our
target was £11200 - thank you again for your tremendous generosity!
THANK YOU FROM CHURCHES HOMELESS ACTION NORTH AYRSHIRE (CHANA)
This is an extract from a letter CHANA received from one of the Homeless Hostels
in North Ayrshire. Our residents were delighted on Christmas Day when they
opened their presents with the toiletries, socks, scarves, pyjamas, hats and
gloves. This kind of donation makes our residents stay more enjoyable and
brighter in their difficult circumstances. Thank you!
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.
KNIT AND KNATTER
The Knit and Knatter group stopped on Wednesday 12 December and recommence
on Wednesday 9 January.
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 £614.71 and the Maintenance
Fund collection to £258.02 - thanks.
SUNDAY TEAS
There will be no Sunday teas this or next weekend.
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.