CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
BULLETIN 6 DECEMBER 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 MARK
(Mark 1:1-8)
The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written
in the book of the prophet Isaiah 'Look, I am going to send my messenger before
you. He will prepare your way. A voice cries in the wilderness "Prepare
a way for the Lord, make his paths straight." And so it was that John
the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance
for the forgiveness of sins. All Judaea and all the people of Jerusalem made
their way to him and as they were baptised by him in the river Jordan they
confessed their sins. John wore a garment of camel-skin and he lived on locusts
and wild honey. In the course of his preaching, he said "Someone is following
me, someone who is more powerful than I am and I am not fit to kneel down
and undo the strap of his sandals. I have baptised you with water, but he
will baptise you with the Holy Spirit."
REFLECTION
Cribs - or mangers or nativity scenes - comes in all shapes, styles and sizes,
from the tiniest that can be contained in a matchbox to life size versions
in Cathedrals and public squares. But though they are all different and have
the same 'cast' - Mary and Joseph, the baby, one or more shepherds with assorted
sheep, an ox and an ass and probably three wise men with at least one camel.
One figure that you are not likely to see in a nativity scene is John the
Baptist. Now while this is entirely understandable since he was only a six-month-old
baby himself when Jesus was born, we welcome John the Baptist into our Advent
journey this week and next. Every year he fills up two Sundays so close to
Christmas! He is calling us to recognise something important - Christmas is
not just the birth of a baby but the birth in the flesh of the one who is
to come - the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, the one who
baptises with fire. There are many people who will gaze at a crib this season
and feel sweet and moving thoughts at the baby born in such circumstances
- but are we willing to look where John points and see beyond the baby to
the mighty God of heaven who empties himself for us? If we can glimpse that,
what must we do to prepare his ways, to make his paths straight?
|
Saint
Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and
public unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
Bride's - All Masses are public
unless otherwise stated. |
|
|
Saturday
5 December |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Alistair MacMillan Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Kathleen Fraser and Jean Strachan who both died recently |
|
|
Sunday
6 December
Second Sunday of Advent |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes | Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes |
|
Monday
7 December
Solemnity of Saint Ambrose |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Margaret Marshall who died recently and the special intentions of Alistair, Fiona, Clare and Elaine | |
|
Tuesday
8 December
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am
for Mr and Mrs McPake and the special intention of Suzanne Private |
Holy Mass at 10.00am |
|
Wednesday
9 December
Memorial of Saint Juan Diego of Guadalupe |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Jim McIntosh at his anniversary and Mr and Mrs MacMillan | |
|
Thursday
10 December
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Theresa
Loudon who died recently, Isabella MacMillan at her anniversary and
the special intentions of Vicky, Michelle and Suzanne Private |
|
|
Friday
11 December
|
Requiem Mass at 10.00am for John Clarke | Holy Mass at 12 noon |
|
Saturday
12 December |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Charlotte
Hutchison who died recently Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Stephen Weideger who died recently and John Hutchison |
|
Saturday
5 December |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
|
Sunday
6 December
Second Sunday of Advent |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
|
Monday
7 December
Solemnity of Saint Ambrose |
||
|
Tuesday
8 December
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Wednesday
9 December
Memorial of Saint Juan Diego of Guadalupe |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Thursday
10 December
Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Loreto |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Friday
11 December
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Saturday
12 December |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm |
|
SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
MASS
BOOKINGS |
|
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
ADVENT
BOOKLET |
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.
MIRACLE OF THE HOLY NIGHT
Once upon a time, many, many years ago, an old shoemaker and his wife lived
in a tiny cottage. This humble shoemaker had few worldly possessions but whatever
he owned he shared with others. Symbolic of his generosity and love of his
neighbour was a lighted candle he placed in the window of his cottage which,
every night, shone forth as a welcome sign of hospitality to any weary traveller
in search of shelter. War and near destruction fell upon this little village
- but never once did the little candle fail to send its beams as a message
of hope and cheer to all. Somehow, the shoemaker and his wife suffered far
less than the other villagers. It seemed there was a special love guarding
both of them. Discouraged and weary, the village peasants gathered together
one evening to discuss the shoemaker's fortune. "Surely there is something
special about him. He is always spared from all misfortunes. What does he
do that we do not do?" "Perhaps it is his little candle" said
one of the villagers. "Let us all put a candle in our windows too, this
Christmas, and see if that is the mysterious secret" Now, it so happened
that the day of the peasant's meeting was the day before Christmas and the
first night that a candle was lit in the window of every home was Christmas
Eve. The candles burned all that night. When morning came, a soft mantle of
snow covered all of the village and an air of hope and contentment filled
the hearts of all the villagers. Before the first ray of the morning sun,
a messenger rode into the village to bring the great news - the war was over,
peace had come! Tiny silver church bells chimed - never before had there been
such a feeling of Christmas glory and joy as there was on that day. The peasants
were awed. "It was the candles" they whispered. "It was the
candles! They have guided the newborn Saviour to our very doorsteps of our
homes and families and have brought an answer to all of our prayers. We must
never again fail to light our candles when we celebrate the Miracle of the
Holy Night!"
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
The
local news station was interviewing an eighty-year-old lady in Ardrossan because
she had just married for the fourth time. The interviewer asked her questions
about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at eighty and
then about her new husband's occupation. "He's a funeral director"
she answered. "Interesting" the newsman thought. He then asked her
if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and
what they did for a living. She paused for a few moments, needing time to
reflect on all those years. After short time, a smile came to her face and
she answered proudly, explaining that she had first married a banker when
she was in her twenties, then a circus ringmaster when in her forties and
a clergyman when in her sixties and now - in her eighties - a funeral director.
The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished and asked why she had married
four men with such diverse careers. Wait for it. She smiled and explained
"I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and
four to go."
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.
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.