CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
BULLETIN 18 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 22:15-21)
The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what
he said - and they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians,
to say "Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way
of God in an honest way and that you are not afraid of anyone because a man's
rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to
pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But Jesus was aware of their malice and
replied "You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see
the money you pay the tax with." They handed him a denarius and he said
"Whose head is this? Whose name?" "Caesar's" they replied.
He then said to them "Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to
Caesar - and to God what belongs to God."
REFLECTION
This is a wonderful moment when Jesus manages to turn the tables on those
who are trying to trap him. They think they have the perfect question - if
he says Yes he is collaborating with the hated Romans. If he says No they
will haul him off to the Roman Governor as a troublemaking dissident. Jesus
very cleverly avoids their trap, makes them fall in it themselves and teaches
something profound about our dignity and destiny. When he asks for a coin,
he knows quite well they will produce a Roman denarius - would the Pharisees
feel ashamed at having Roman coins in their pockets? Jesus has already got
them on the back foot! Then he reminds them of the teaching of the Law - by
asking whose image is on the coin, they will immediately think of Genesis
1:27 - 'So God created humankind in his image'. Jesus almost dismisses the
tax question and reminds his listeners - and us = of our dignity as creatures
in God's image and likeness and our duty to 'give ourselves back to God'.
|
Saint
Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and
public unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
Bride's - All Masses are public
unless otherwise stated. |
|
|
Saturday
17 October |
Holy Mass at 10.00am
for Margaret Collins' special intention Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Mary McAtee at her anniversary |
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Sunday
18 October
Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes | Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes |
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Monday
19 October
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am
for the special intention of Cian and Calum Lawrence |
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Tuesday
20 October
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am
in thanksgiving for prayers during Marie Murray's recent stay in hospital Private |
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Wednesday
21 October
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for the Lawrence family as a special intention |
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Thursday
22 October
Memorial of Saint Pope John Paul II |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Harry Roy who died recently Private |
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Friday
23 October
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am as a special Mass in time of pandemic | Holy Mass at 12 noon |
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Saturday
24 October |
Holy Mass at 10.00am
for all Missionaries Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Kathleen Cairns who died recently |
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Saturday
17 October |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
|
Sunday
18 October
Twenty-ninth Sunday of the Year |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
|
Monday
19 October
|
||
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Tuesday
20 October
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
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Wednesday
21 October
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
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Thursday
22 October
Memorial of Saint Pope John Paul II |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Friday
23 October
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Saturday
24 October |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm |
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SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
MASS
BOOKINGS |
|
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
IN
AND AROUND THE CHURCH |
BISHOPS
OF SCOTLAND MESSAGE TO CLERGY AND PEOPLE
The Covid-19 pandemic has presented the Church with unprecedented challenges.
Since the resumption of public worship, our parishes have been meticulous
in controlling infection and ensuring the safety of all those who cross the
threshold of a Catholic Church. The Bishops wish to commend the work and cooperation
of priests, parishioners and volunteers whose extraordinary efforts have ensured
that Catholic churches are among the safest places for people to attend in
the midst of this pandemic. We have every confidence that, if parishes continue
these high standards, public worship and parish life can carry on and we will
continue to attend to the spiritual welfare of the nation. From long experience
of plagues and disasters, the Church knows how the want of prayer and faith
can do great harm to the spiritual wellbeing of nations and how our public
worship - owed to God - can bring His special divine assistance in times of
national trouble. Now, more than ever, our Church doors need to be open and
consolidating our hard work to date will ensure this blessing for ourselves
and for our country.
NOVEMBER FOR THE HOLY SOULS
The feast of All Saints on Sunday 1 and All Souls on Monday 2 November remind
us that this is the month of remembrance and we pray for our departed loved
ones. Our prayers invoke God to receive our faithful departed into his heavenly
Kingdom. If you would like to have your deceased relatives and friends remembered
in our Masses during this month, please take a sheet and envelope as you leave
church, list their names on this sheet with a donation if possible and hand
it in to the office or place in a pink collection bucket. Take a little time
to remember and write the names so they should never become forgotten souls.
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.
WHAT'S
YOUR EXCUSE?
Jacob was a cheater! Peter had a temper! David had an affair! Noah got drunk!
Jonah ran from God! Paul was a murderer! Gideon was insecure! Miriam was a
gossiper! Martha was a worrier! Thomas was a doubter! Sara was impatient!
Elijah was moody! Moses stuttered! Zaccheus was short! Abraham was old and
Lazarus was dead. Now what's your excuse? Can God use you or not? God doesn't
call the qualified, he qualifies the called. It's not ability, it's availability!
A LITTLE BOY'S MIRACLE
It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in
almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The rivers
and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would
bankrupt several farmers before it was through. Every day, my husband and
his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to
the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water
rendering plant and filling it up with water but severe rationing had cut
everyone off. If we didn't see some rain soon, we would lose everything. It
was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the
only miracle I have seen with my own eyes. I was in the kitchen making lunch
for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year-old son, Billy, walking
toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth
but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking
with a great effort, trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared
into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I couldn't take
it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey.
He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked, being very careful
not to spill the water he held in them - maybe two or three tablespoons were
held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches
and thorns slapped his little face but he did not try to avoid them. He had
a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing
sight. Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to
them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers
was dangerously close - but the buck did not threaten him. He didn't even
move as Billy knelt down - and I saw a tiny fawn lying on the ground. Obviously
suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion, it lifted its head with great
effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand. When the water
was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree.
I followed him back to the house to a tap with which we had shut off the water.
Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He
knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift 'cup' as
the sun beat down on his little back. It took almost twenty minutes for the
drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there
in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting"
was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him - with a small pot of
water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was
his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart
I have ever known working so hard to save another life. As the tears that
rolled down my face began to hit the ground, other drops - and more drops
- and more suddenly joined them. I looked up at the sky. It was as if God,
himself, was weeping with pride. Some will probably say that this was all
just a huge coincidence. Those miracles don't really exist. It was bound to
rain sometime - and I can't argue with that. I'm not going to try. All I can
say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm - just like the actions
of one little boy saved another. Don't tell God how big your storm is. Tell
the storm how big your God is!
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
Three
priests from the Three Towns were having lunch in a restaurant. One said "You
know, since summer started I've been having trouble with bats in my loft and
attic at Church. I've tried everything - noise, spray, cats - nothing seems
to scare them away. Another said "Yea, me too. I've got hundreds living
in my belfry and in the attic. I've even had the place fumigated and they
won't go away." The third priest said "I baptised all mine and welcomed
them into the Family of the Church - I haven't seen one back since!"
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.
SPECIAL COLLECTION
Next Sunday, there will be a special collection on behalf of Missio Scotland.
There will be separate buckets out for this or you can donate online at www.MissioScotland.com
or text MISSIOSCOT to 70085 to donate £3.
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.