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 (1:21-28)
Jesus and his disciples went as far as Capernaum and as soon as the sabbath
came, he went to the synagogue and began to teach - and his teaching made
a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with
authority. In their synagogue just then, there was a man possessed by an unclean
spirit and it shouted "'What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth?
Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God."
But Jesus said sharply, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" and the unclean
spirit threw the man into convulsions and with a loud cry went out of him.
The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it
all meant. "Here is a teaching that is new" they said "and
with authority behind it. He gives orders even to unclean spirits and they
obey him" - and his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all
the surrounding Galilean countryside.
REFLECTION
There is a lot of talk nowadays about the erosion of authority. Whereas once
upon a time, not that long ago, certain figures in society had an automatic
authority - police officers, doctors, judges, teachers and priests - nowadays
people frequently question that authority or at least do not assume it. We
doubt our doctors' diagnoses, we see corruption in our police forces and we
are sometimes suspicious of priests. These suspicions originate both in the
democratisation of information brought about by the digital information revolution
and in the ways in which that authority has unquestionably been abused by
some individuals. Nevertheless, we still need authentic authority - which
is what Jesus displays in the Gospel today. We can trust the authority of
Jesus - but recognising his authority should mean that we obey his voice,
just like the unclean spirit! How much do we allow Jesus to teach us? We should
also pray for all those who have authority over us. May they practise an authenticity
of life that will allow their teaching and guidance to have a deep impression
on us.
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 CHURCH SERVICES
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All
Masses are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.
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Saturday
30 January
Fourth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
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Vigil
Mass at 5.30pm for Sadie Gallagher and Robert Montgomery who both died
recently and Valerie Welsh |
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Sunday
31 January
Fourth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
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Holy
Mass at 10.30am
for our parishes |
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Monday
1 February
Memorial of Saint
Bride
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Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Josephine Motroni who died recently |
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Tuesday
2 February
Feast of the Presentation of
the Lord - Blessing of Candles
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Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Jimmy
and Emily McLaughlin at their anniversary
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Wednesday
3 February
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Requiem
Mass at 10.00am for Anne Taylor
not live-streamed |
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Thursday
4 February
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Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Nicholas Donnelly who died recently |
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Friday
5 February
Memorial of Saint Agatha
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Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Tom Slimmon who died recently |
Saturday
6 February
Fifth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
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Vigil
Mass at 5.30pm for Mary McSpurran who died recently |
SAINT
MARY'S AND SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH SERVICES
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All
Masses are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.
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All
Masses are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.
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Saturday
23 January
Third Sunday
in Ordinary Time
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Vigil
Mass at 4.30pm |
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Sunday
24 January
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
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Holy
Mass
at 10.00am
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Holy
Mass
at 11.30am
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Monday
25 January
Feast of the Conversion of
Saint Paul
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Requiem
Mass at 10.00am |
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Tuesday
26 January
Memorial of Saints Timothy
and Titus
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Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
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Wednesday
27 January
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Requiem
Mass at 2.00pm |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am |
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Thursday
28 January
Memorial
of Saint Thomas
Aquinas
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Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
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Friday
29 January
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Holy
Mass at 10.00am |
Saturday
30 January
Fourth Sunday
in Ordinary Time
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Vigil
Mass at 4.30pm |
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PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
Bill Holden, Jim Boyle and Canon Archie Brown;
Annie Taylor, Josephine Motroni, Nicholas Donnelly, Tom Slimmon, Michael McManus
brother of Canon Matt and Mary
McSpurran who died recently;
Marie Coyle sister of Father Joe Boland 2017, Joseph Lynn 1997, John McKay,
Ellen McCarroll 1980, James McDermid 2005, Peggy McKechan 2018, Rachel Cairnie
1988, Canon Shaun Crowley 2001, Joseph Foran 1994, Jessie Flynn, Rena Heneaghan
1976, Mary Kelly 2006, Marie Matthews 2005, Emily McLaughlin 2014, Ronnie
Sliwinski 2016, Sadie Burns 2009, Rachel Cairnie 1998, Janet Cunningham 1999,
Father Joe Davie SDB 2002, Sister Margaret of Jesus (Theresa Campbell) 2016,
Tony Tourish 1993, Mary C McManus 1973, Margaret Mitchell 2004, Mae Murray
2018, Michael Barrett 1972, Paul Hamilton 2020, Kathleen McIlroy 2009, Archie
McLaren 2009, Peter Mitchell 1973, Joseph Brodie 1961, Eileen Busbridge 1978,
Lilli McCulloch 2011, Catherine McIlroy 2009, James Meechan 2019 and Marjory
O'Connell 1986 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.
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SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
REQUIEM
MASS FOR ANN TAYLOR
Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Ann Taylor who died on
10 January 2021 aged 88 years. Her Requiem Mass on Wednesday 3 February
at 10.00am, will be followed by her interment at the High Road Cemetery,
Stevenston. May she rest in peace and rise in glory!
SAFEGUARDING AUDIT FOR 2020
Sincere thanks to Myriame Sammons and George Poole for preparing
and delivering the Parish Safeguarding Audit for last year. Thanks
for all the hard work and commitment!
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SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
FEAST
DAY OF SAINT BRIDE
On Monday 1 February, we celebrate the Feast of Saint Bride, our patron
saint. Born in 453 AD, she founded a monastery in Kildare and is famed
for her strength of character, charity, depth of faith, healing and
poetry. She died on 1 February 525 and we ask her to give our Parish
Family a special blessing from on high.
SAFEGUARDING AUDIT FOR 2020
Sincere thanks to Laura McLean for preparing and delivering the Parish
Safeguarding Audit for last year. Thanks for all the hard work and
commitment!
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BLESSING OF CANDLES
This coming Tuesday 2 February is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
- also known as Candlemas - where we bless the candles for use in the Church.
SAFEGUARDING
IN THE DIOCESE
The
diocesan website has been updated to reflect the current work of the Safeguarding
Team. The pages can be accessed by visiting www.GallowayDiocese.org.uk
and selecting Safeguarding. This will bring you to a new page with a further
menu providing information on different aspects of Safeguarding within the
diocese. Please note that any volunteers who still require training can visit
the Training page and contact any trainer to arrange a session or can join
a session scheduled in the calendar.
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.
IN CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME
I saw him in our Church for the first time on Wednesday. He was in his mid-seventies,
with thinning silver hair and a neat brown suit. Many times in the past
I had invited him to come to Church. Several other friends had talked to
him about God and the Sacraments and had tried to share our faith with him.
He was a well-respected, honest man with so many characteristics a Catholic
should have, but he had never accepted Christ, nor entered the doors of
the Church. "Have you ever been to Mass in your life?" I had asked
him a few years ago. We had just finished a pleasant day of visiting and
talking. He hesitated - then with a bitter smile he told me of his childhood
experience some sixty years ago. He was one of many children in a large,
impoverished family. His parents had struggled to provide food, with little
left for housing and clothing. When he was about ten, some neighbours invited
him to come to Mass. He had never heard such songs and stories before! He
had never heard anyone read from the Bible! After Mass was over, one of
the parishioners took him aside and said "Son, please don't come again
dressed as you are now. We want to look our best when we come into God's
house." He stood in his ragged, unpatched overalls - then looking at
his worn-out shoes, he answered softly "No, missus, I won't-ever."
"And I never did," he said, abruptly ending our conversation.
There must have been other factors to have hardened him so but this experience
formed a significant part of the bitterness in his heart. I'm sure that
parishioner meant well - but did she really understand the love of Christ?
What if she had put her arms around the dirty, ragged little boy and said
"Son, I am so glad you are here and I hope you will come back every
chance you get to hear more about Jesus and pray with us." I reflected
on the awesome responsibility a parishioner, a teacher, a priest or a parent
has to welcome little ones in his name. How far-reaching her influence was!
I prayed that I might be ever open to the tenderness of a child's heart
and that I might never fail to see beyond the appearance and behaviour of
a child to the eternal possibilities within. I did, however, see him in
the Church for the first time on Wednesday last. As I looked at that immaculately
dressed old gentleman lying in his coffin before the altar, I thought of
the little boy of long ago. I could almost hear him say "No, missus,
I won't-ever." - and I wept for him and for me also.
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
• Lot's Wife - The primary school teacher was describing
how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt when little
Jason interrupted "My Mummy looked back once while she was driving"
he announced triumphantly "and she turned into a telephone pole!"
•
Did Noah Fish?
- A school teacher asked "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing
when he was on the Ark?" "No" replied Johnny. "How could
he, with just two worms."
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The Lord Is My Shepherd - A teacher
decided to have her young class memorise one of the most quoted passages
in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter.
Little Rick was excited about the task but he just couldn't remember the
Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On
the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the
congregation at Mass, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped
up to the microphone and said proudly "The Lord is my Shepherd, and
that's all I need to know."
•
Unanswered Prayer - A parishioner's
five-year-old daughter noticed that the parish priest always paused and
bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked
her mum why. "Well" she began, proud that her daughter was so
observant. "He is asking the Lord to help him preach a good sermon."
"How come God doesn't answer it?" she asked.
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
is not available. 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.
