Bulletin 4 October 2020

SERVICES AND GATHERINGS
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, public Church services and gatherings are limited till further notice. Father Duncan will live-stream Holy Mass every day and assures you of his prayers for you and your family.

A READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW (Matthew 21:33-43)
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people "Listen to another parable. There was a man, a landowner, who planted a vineyard. He fenced it round, dug a winepress in it and built a tower then he leased it to tenants and went abroad. When vintage time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his produce but the tenants seized his servants, thrashed one, killed another and stoned a third. Next he sent some more servants, this time a larger number, and they dealt with them in the same way. Finally he sent his son to them. "They will respect my son" he said but when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other "This is the heir. Come on, let us kill him and take over his inheritance." So they seized him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" They answered "He will bring those wretches to a wretched end and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will deliver the produce to him when the season arrives." Jesus said to them "Have you never read in the scriptures - it was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone. This was the Lord's doing and it is wonderful to see? I tell you, then, that the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit."

REFLECTION
This is another parable where Jesus corners those opposed to him and makes them pronounce the meaning of the story, even though it is directed against them! In this parable Jesus speaks of his own death. He is the landowner's son who is killed 'outside the vineyard' - remember how he is taken 'outside the city wall' of Jerusalem in order to be crucified. The key message for us is that we too are 'tenants' - the Kingdom of God is not ours, only entrusted to us to produce fruit for God. What sorts of fruit can we produce? Perhaps have a think about the traditional twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit - charity, generosity, joy, gentleness, peace, faithfulness, patience, modesty, kindness, self-control, goodness and chastity. One for each month of the year!

THE LORD'S DAY AT HOME
If you are housebound or self-isolating at this time, please use these prayers to unite yourself with the worship of the Universal Church, and your own parish, this Sunday. If alone, read or say these prayers quietly to yourself. If with another, or in a family, someone should read the Gospel and others respond. It might be suitable to find a special, quiet place at home for your Sunday prayers.

SAINT PETER'S AND SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH SERVICES

	Saint Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and public unless otherwise stated.	Saint Bride's - All Masses are public unless otherwise stated.
Saturday 3 October Our Lady's Day Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year	Holy Mass at 10.00am for all our children celebrating their First Eucharist in September and October Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for John Connor at his anniversary
Sunday 4 October Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year	Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes	Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes
Monday 5 October	Holy Mass at 10.00am for John Mullen who died recently
Tuesday 6 October	Holy Mass at 10.00am for the special intentions of James Hughes and Eileen McNulty Private
Wednesday 7 October Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary - blessing of rosaries	Holy Mass at 10.00am for for Sister Ishbel MacPherson as a special intention at her Seventy Years Jubilee
Thursday 8 October	Holy Mass at 10.00am for James McDonald and Francis Stalker who died recently *Private*
Friday 9 October Special Mass in time of Pandemic	Holy Mass at 10.00am for Theresa Weideger as a special intention	Holy Mass at 12 noon
Saturday 10 October Our Lady's Day Twenty-eighth Sunday of the Year	Holy Mass at 10.00am for all those who prayed for Jean Conlan while she was in hospital Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Cathie Sweeney at her anniversary

SAINT MARY'S AND SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH SERVICES

	Saint Mary's Church, Saltcoats	Saint John’s Church, Stevenston
Saturday 3 October Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year	Vigil Mass at 4.30pm
Sunday 4 October Twenty-seventh Sunday of the Year	Holy Mass at 10.00am	Holy Mass at 11.30am
Monday 5 October
Tuesday 6 October	Holy Mass at 10.00am
Wednesday 7 October Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary		Holy Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 8 October	Holy Mass at 10.00am
Friday 9 October		Holy Mass at 10.00am
Saturday 10 October Twenty-eighth Sunday of the Year	Vigil Mass at 4.30pm

PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
John Clarke, Anthony Brennan, Cathie Currie and Katie Millar
Bill Andrew 2017, Gerry McGinn 2008, Robert Paterson 2004, Hugh O'Hare 2004, Charlie Scullion 2010, Kirsty Bell 2012, Elizabeth McKay 2005, Terence O'Neill 2002, Karen Marie Boulcott 2007, Greta Brennan 2017, William Cambridge 1990, John Goan 2012, James Martin 1997, Russ Otto 2012, Eunice Ward 2001, Ann Breen 2017, Alie Khan 1970, Peter Martean 1969, Catherine McHugh 1977, Joe Brady senior 1963, Vincenzo Carrino 1980, Alex Jamieson 2006, Bill Henderson, Mary Colvin 2000, Jane Coulter 1998 and Dan Donnelly 1941 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. If members of your family or friends are in need of our prayers, please tell Father Duncan or the parish office.

SAINT PETER'S NOTICES

MASS BOOKINGS
To book for Mass, please call the Parish Office on 01294 464063 between 9.00 and 11.00am on Mondays to Fridays. Thank you.

IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH
We had a serious problem with the ceiling lights in the back Sacristy. This has now been resolved and a new light fitting, emergency light and fan has been fitted.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP
The Offertory Collection last weekend amounted to £569.50 and the Retired Priests' Collection to £753.50 - many thanks.

CHURCH PIETY STALL
Our stall is now open if you should require to purchase anything, for example, Mass Cards, religious Items and so on. It is important that we only admit one person at a time and a face covering must be worn. Please do not touch the display items. Just ask Betty and she will show you them. Thank you!

LIVE-STREAMING OF MASS
All our Celebrations of Mass and other services are live-streamed, starting five minutes beforehand. You can access them every day by going to our websites. On SaintPeterInChains.net, in the top right corner, click on Live Streaming at Mass Times. On SaintPeterInChains.co.uk, click Services in the red menu bar, select Mass Times then scroll down to Click here to view Mass.

VOTIVE LAMPS FOR OUR LADY'S MOSAIC
There has been a suggestion for the mosaic of Our Lady in the Church, namely to add two small hanging votive lamps on either side of the mosaic. Parishioners are invited to make a contribution if they wish. The Votive Lamps will cost around £45 each and the hanging arm brackets will be around £20 each. Any donations will be very welcome. Thank you!

SAINT BRIDE'S NOTICES

NEW WEBSITE
Please have a look our new website at StBridesChurch.co.uk. We would be delighted to have your comments or any suggestions sent to Joe.McAleavy1804@yahoo.com.

OFFERTORY COLLECTION
Last Sunday's Offertory Collection amounted to £123.00 and the Retired Priests' Collection to £181.50 - many thanks. Paul McNulty will be happy to provide Standing Order forms.

100 CLUB WINNER
The winner of our first draw this season is Kathleen Toal - well done. Remember, if you're not in it, you can't win it. It costs only £12 for the year with half of your contribution going to our Parish. Thank you.

IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH
The left loudspeaker in the Church has been adjusted to sit properly in its bracket. The compact disc player has now been connected to the Church sound system. The Sanctuary Crucifix has been removed and the brass and woodwork will be cleaned and restored. On the reverse side of the Crucifix there is an inscription 'The Thompson Family, Christmas 1947'. Many thanks for all the hard work.

A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF THE MASS - PART 18
What happens in us when we receive Holy Communion? Communion renews, strengthens and deepens our incorporation into the Church, already achieved by Baptism. (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1396). During his last discourse, Jesus prayed to his Father "May they all be one" (Jn 17:20) and he urged his disciples "to love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 13:34). Through our participation in the Eucharist, we become bound ever more closely with the Church. As an ancient axiom goes 'The Church makes the Eucharist and the Eucharist makes the Church.'

PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in this Holy Sacrament of the altar. I love you above all things and I passionately desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul so that I may unite myself wholly to you now and forever. Amen.

PRAYER FOR STRENGTH FOR NURSES AND CARERS
Dear Lord, please give me strength to face the day ahead.
Dear Lord, please give me courage as I approach each hurting bed.
Dear Lord, please give me wisdom with every word I speak.
Dear Lord, please give me patience as I comfort the sick and weak.
Dear Lord, please give me assurance as the day slips into night, that I have done the best I can, that I have done what's right. Amen

OUR LADY OF ATHE ROSARY
October is the month to pray the rosary. Pope Saint Pius V established this feast in 1573. The purpose was to thank God for the victory of Christians over the Turks at Lepanto - a victory attributed to the praying of the rosary. Clement XI extended the feast to the universal Church in 1716. The development of the rosary has a long history. Firstly, a practice developed of praying 150 Our Fathers in imitation of the 150 Psalms. Then there was a parallel practice of praying 150 Hail Marys. Soon a mystery of Jesus' life was attached to each Hail Mary. In the sixteenth century, the rosary was developed to its present form-with the fifteen mysteries - joyful, sorrowful and glorious. In 2002, Blessed Pope John Paul II added the Mysteries of Light to this devotion. The purpose of the rosary is to help us meditate on the great mysteries of our salvation. Pius XII called it a compendium of the gospel. The main focus is on Jesus - his birth, life, death and resurrection. The Our Fathers remind us that Jesus' Father is the initiator of salvation. The Hail Marys remind us to join with Mary in contemplating these mysteries. They also make us aware that Mary was and is intimately joined with her Son in all the mysteries of his earthly and heavenly existence. The Glory Bes remind us that the purpose of all life is the glory of the Blessed Trinity. The rosary appeals to many. It is simple. The constant repetition of words helps create an atmosphere in which to contemplate the mysteries of God. We sense that Jesus and Mary are with us in the joys and sorrows of life. We grow in hope that God will bring us to share in the glory of Jesus and Mary forever. Blessed Pope John Paul once wrote "The rosary, though clearly Marian in character, is at heart a Christ-centred prayer. It has all the depth of the gospel message in its entirety. It is an echo of the prayer of Mary, her perennial Magnificat for the work of the redemptive Incarnation which began in her virginal womb. It can be said that the rosary is, in some sense, a prayer-commentary on the final chapter of the Vatican II Constitution Lumen Gentium, a chapter that discusses the wondrous presence of the Mother of God in the mystery of Christ and the Church."

JUST FOR A LAUGH - SOME CATHOLIC ONE-LINERS ...
• The phrase that is guaranteed to wake up any congregation - and in conclusion
• Some minds are like concrete - thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
• Be ye fishers of men. You catch 'em - He'll clean 'em.

SUNDAY OBLIGATION
Sunday obligation to attend Holy Mass remains suspended for the time being and availability is restricted for those wishing to attend. Some of our parishioners are working during the week and can only attend at the weekend. Therefore, to make Holy Mass available to everyone we would be grateful if you wish to attend Mass and are able to attend on a weekday please do so, leaving seats for those parishioners working during the week. Thank you.

GALLOWAY VOCATIONS
Parishioners are encouraged to 'like' the new Facebook page called Galloway Vocations which encourages our Diocesan family to pray for Vocations to the Priesthood and the Religious Life.

ANNUAL SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT TO PARISHES
As we celebrated last week the Feast of the Guardian Angels, the Annual Safeguarding Statement to Parishes is published. The Statement is available on our Parish websites. Sincere thanks to our Safeguarding Co-ordinators.

TELEVISED MASS FROM TROON
BBC Scotland has recorded a Mass from the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption and Saint Meddan in Troon. The Mass will be broadcast on Sunday 4 October at 12.00 noon as part of BBC Scotland's 'The Service'.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT
It is now possible to make online donations to Saint Peter's. Details are on the Donations page and this News page. Thanks for your generosity.

STANDING ORDERS - PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT
The parishes have taken quite a 'knock' through lockdown when public Mass was not available for sixteen weeks. This has had a huge impact on our parishes' finances. Could you consider taking out a Standing Order? It would be of great benefit to our parish. Forms are available from the Parish Office and here. 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.

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.