BULLETIN                 24 MARCH 2019

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT IN YEAR 3



CHURCH SERVICES
Saturday 23 March  

Our Lady's Day for Lent
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Agnes McLaren A
Third Sunday of Lent in Year 3
Vigil Mass at 5.30am for William Sheehan MM

Sunday 24 March  

Third Sunday of Lent in Year 3
Sunday Mass at 10.30am for Saint Peter's congregation

Monday 25 March  

Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Jimmy Carson MM and Isabella Connor A

Tuesday 26 March  

Solemnity of Saint Joseph
Stations of the Cross at 9.30am
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Catherine Kavanagh RD

Wednesday 27 March  

Holy Mass at 10.00am for Hugh McVey RD

Thursday 28 March  

Holy Mass at 10.00am for Jimmy Cotter RD

Friday 29 March  

Votive Mass of the Mystery of the Holy Cross
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Elizabeth McGee A

Saturday 30 March  

Our Lady's Day for Lent
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Dorothy Fulton RD
Fourth Sunday of Lent in Year 3
Vigil Mass at 5.30am for Kevin Doherty A

  

Abbreviations - A anniversary, MM month's mind, 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.
Any changes to the above times caused, for example, by a funeral will be notified on the home page of this website.


SAINT MARY'S AND SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH SERVICES
 
Saturday 23 March  
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm
Holy Mass at 10.00am
Sunday 24 March  
Sunday Mass at 10.00am

Sunday Mass at 11.30am

Monday 25 March  
Service of the Word at 10.00am Holy Mass at 10.00am
Tuesday 26 March  
Holy Mass at 10.00am Service of the Word at 10.00am
Wednesday 27 March  
  Holy Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 28 March  
Requiem Mass at 10.00am Service of the Word at 10.00am
Friday 29 March  
Holy Mass at 10.00am Service of the Word at 10.00am
Saturday 30 March  
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm
Holy Mass at 10.00am
 
PARISH CENTRE EVENTS
Sunday 24 March  

11.30am

Tea and Coffee after Holy Mass

Monday 25 March  

9.30 to 11.30am
5.30 to 6.30pm
6.30 to 7.30pm
7.00pm

Parents and Toddlers
Rainbows
Brownies
Saint Vincent de Paul Society

Tuesday 26 March  
9.00 to 11.00am
3.45pm

Cardiac Rehabilitation
Irish Dancing

Wednesday 27 March  
9.30 to 11.30am
3.45pm
1.00 to 3.00pm

Parents and Toddlers
Irish Dancing
Knit and Natter

Thursday 28 March  

 

Friday 29 March  
9.30 to 11.30am
11.00am
Parents and Toddlers
Tea, coffee and chat in the Snug after Benediction

PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
Catherine Kavanagh, Hugh McVey, Jimmy Cotter, Dorothy Fulton, Sheila Giebler and John McCormick who died recently;
Isabella Connor 1959, James and Ellen McCarroll 1977, Jane Kerber 2015, Brenda Simons 2008, Don Foley, Felix Gallagher 2010, Anna Bates 1997, Terry McCabe 2005, Moira Rafferty, Rebecca Walsh 2008, The Crew of HMS Dasher 1943, Sheila Love 2017, Gerald McGhee 2008, Devlin McIndoe 1992, Allister Nesbit 2000, Cathie Quinn 2015, Menotti Carrino 1953, Odina Carrino 1987, Monsignor Stephen Kennedy 2009 and Sally Wilson 2012 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 Julie Coldwell at 5.30pm and Robert Cooper 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 George McGrattan at 10.30am.

CHILDREN’S LITURGY
Next week's Children's Liturgy helpers are Emma Paterson for the pre-fives, Andrena Hughes and Frances Gemmell for Primaries 1, 2 and 3 and Claire Sweenie and Linda Martin for Primary 4.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
We welcome to the Family of the Church Rosie Melissa Reid who will be baptised today and Roman Jacob Buchanan who will be baptised this coming Saturday. Congratulations to the parents and Godparents.

REQUIEM MASS FOR JOHN McCORMICK
John's Prayers of Reception will take place in
Saint Mary's Church, Saltcoats on Wednesday 27 March at 6.00pm and his Requiem Mass will be on Thursday 28 March at 10.00am. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!

FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTION TO OUR LADY OF FATIMA
First Saturday devotions will take place on the first Saturday of every month after the 10.00am Holy Mass. The devotions take about half an hour. All are welcome!

STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR LENT
The Stations of the Cross are a fourteen-step devotion that commemorates Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. The fourteen devotions, or stations, focus on specific events of His last day, beginning with His condemnation. The stations are commonly used as a mini pilgrimage as the 'pilgrim' moves from station to station. As last year, we will pray the Stations every Tuesday of Lent, starting on Tuesday 12 March before Mass at 9.30am.

EXPOSITION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Please remember that we have adoration after Mass every Friday followed by a simple Benediction at 10.45am and finishing with refreshments in the Snug after Benediction. It is a great resolution for Lent to spend some quality time with Christ in the miracle of the Eucharist.


WHEN JESUS LOOKS
When Jesus looks upon my life,what picture does He see?
Does He see His own reflection or does He just see me?

          Does He see His likeness, the product of His hand?
          Or just another Catholic who never took a stand?
                    Does He see a child of God, a child that He set free?
                    Living life to honour Him or does He just see me?
What about the other folks I meet along the way?
Do I show them Jesus to brighten up their day?
          When someone looks into my eyes, can they truly see?
          That calm and gentle peace of God that dwells inside of me.
                    When I reach out and shake a hand Is He right there in my grip?
                    Can they feel that strength from God that steadies when I slip?
When people are in my presence do they know His Spirit's there?
Can they see that He's the one who guides me everywhere?
          When other people think of me what is on their mind?
          Do they think of Jesus Christ so gentle and so kind?
                    I try to be like Jesus every single day.
                    Spreading love and kindness all along my way.
I'm afraid that I have failed, I could not pass the test.
Deep inside my heart I know I haven't done my best.

          That's why His Spirit dwells in me, He's helping me to learn.
          In every situation where I need to turn.
                   He knew I'd never pass the test, that's why He took my place.
                    He gave His life to save my soul, He suffered my disgrace.
They should begin to ask me what is it they must do.
Just how it is they go about getting Jesus too.
          Then I get to tell them this wondrous gift is free.
          It only takes a humble heart, a prayer on bended knee.
                    Someday when I'm face to face with the Lord who set me free,
                    Will He see His own reflection or will He just see me?

IF GOD IS YOUR CO-PILOT, CHANGE SEATS
You've probably seen those clever bumper stickers, the ones with clever sayings that make us smile or think happy thoughts while we're stuck in heavy traffic on the way to the office or the supermarket. Some of the more popular ones sport messages of a spiritual nature. There's a particular saying that caught my attention a few weeks ago. It caught my attention because it described in a few short words how I once lived my life. In my case, it prompted challenging rather than happy thoughts as it reminded me of how I was always trying, despite my repeated lack of success, to be in control. The bumper sticker read God is my co-pilot. At first glance, this saying seems very thoughtful. The person behind the wheel of the vehicle advertising this message must certainly be driving along the right road. After all, they obviously consult God on at least a semi-regular basis if they have Him as their co-pilot. Shouldn't that be the goal for all of us? Actually, not quite. As we grow in our appreciation and understanding of who God is, it becomes apparent that this slogan actually encapsulates a big problem in our society today - our need to continually call the shots according to our own agenda. Especially in our comfortable Western world, we like to keep God close enough to consult or call on Him when we hit a few bumps in the road. We're okay with Him hanging out in the passenger seat but heaven forbid we allow Him to take the wheel. Just think about it for a minute. How arrogant are we to claim that the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Creator of the universe, is our co-pilot? So, step number one, if we really want to get serious about Lent, If God is your co-pilot, then, get out of your comfort zone and change seats! The bottom line is that if we want to see God work in our lives and if we truly want to grow in our relationship with Him, we have to submit to His will and believe in our hearts that He is our loving Father - and Father really does know best. He wants us to be truly happy but he is a gentleman and will not force His will on us. If we are willing to put God first and say "Jesus, I trust in you", then He will be able to work in our lives. It starts first with our complete "yes - -when we get out of our comfort zone and let God take the wheel.


OASIS DAY FOR PARISH READERS
A special day is planned for all our Parish Readers on Saturday 23 March 2019 from 12 noon until around 4.00pm. The Day for Eucharistic Ministers was a great success last year and we thought it would be good to have a Day for Readers. Please put the date firmly in your diary as your participation is really important. Leaflets are available in the Sacristy for Readers with all the Information. Thanks!


IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH
The lights in the Sacristy have been replaced and repaired, the lower brass ring on the Holy Water Barrel has been repaired and the carpet at the back of the altar has been repaired. Thank you for all the hard work!

SAINT PETER'S LENTEN RETREAT
Our Lenten Retreat this year will focus on the call to holiness that Pope Francis renewed recently in his Exhortation 'Rejoice and be glad. We will look at five aspects to this call to holiness during the five Sundays of Lent this year. A booklet, costing £1, is available at the stall to accompany the Retreat.

AYRSHIRE CURIA OF THE LEGION OF MARY
The Acies Ceremony will be held on Sunday 24 March at 3.00pm in Saint Winin's Church, Kilwinning. Rosary Legion Prayers will be followed by our consecration to Our Lady and Benediction. Refreshments will be available in the Church hall after the ceremony. All active and auxiliary members and friends of Legion of Mary are welcome!

THE RIGHT SIDE TOUR - JUSTICE, TRUTH, HISTORY
Be on the right side! The Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child is organising a tour of Scotland informing on and resisting the campaign for the extension and decriminalisation of abortion. The meeting is on Thursday 28 March at 7.00pm in Saint Winin's Hall, Kilwinning.

SCOTTISH CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL AID FUND (SCIAF) LENTEN APPEAL 2019
If you didn't manage to get the Wee Box from SCIAF last weekend, they are still available at the back of the Church. Please make sure you get one and hand it in after Lent. This is a great way of fulfilling the call to almsgiving in this special season. Uganda has one of the youngest and fastest growing populations in the world. Uganda gained independence from the United Kingdom on 9 October 1962. However, the legacy of war and a high rate of HIV and AIDS has left many orphans and a generation of young people without hope, trapped in extreme poverty. Please remember to pick up your Wee Box this weekend. Together, we can end poverty.

NEW EMAIL ADDRESSES
To comply with the recent changes to Data Protection Act, Saint Peter's has two new email addresses. If you are contacting the Parish Office, please use Ardrossan@GallowayDiocese.org.uk. If you wish to contact Father Duncan personally, then use Duncan.McVicar@GallowayDiocese.org.uk - thanks!

HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CALLOUT
Father Duncan will be on emergency callout for the Ayrshire Hospitals from this Sunday for a week. Please pray for all those in hospital at this time.

MUSIC FOR SUNDAY MASS
We are looking for parishioners who are able and willing to operate the recorded music on the Digital Piano in the choir loft in Church on Sunday mornings. You would go on a rota and be asked, more or less, every three weeks. Training will be given. We would really appreciate any help you could give. Senior pupils would also be welcome. Please speak to Father Duncan or get in touch with the Parish Office on 464063. Thank you!

OUR CLEANERS NEED SOME HELP
We are asking able-bodied parishioners - men and women - to help to keep God's House clean and tidy and to support our wonderful team of cleaners. If you can help in any way, please let us know. Thank you! Cleaning is usually on Tuesdays after Holy Mass.

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 £529.28 and the Maintenance Fund collection to £251.32 - thanks.

SUNDAY TEAS
Tea and coffee will
be served after the 10.30am Mass next Sunday in the Parish Centre by Fiona'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.