Bulletin 14 February 2021

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 1:40-45)
A leper came to Jesus and pleaded on his knees "If you want to" he said "you can cure me." Feeling sorry for him, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. "Of course, I want to!" he said. "Be cured!" - and the leprosy left him at once and he was cured. Jesus immediately sent him away and sternly ordered him "Mind you say nothing to anyone but go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your healing prescribed by Moses as evidence of your recovery." The man went away but then started talking about it freely and telling the story everywhere so that Jesus could no longer go openly into any town but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived. Even so, people from all around would come to him.

REFLECTION
At Mass in Church this Sunday, the first reading is rather peculiar - until you get to this Gospel. It is the instructions laid down by Moses for treating someone who has contracted leprosy - what today we call Hansen's disease. They are to be considered 'unclean' and must live outside the camp, away from everyone else. Knowing this is important so that we really understand what Jesus is doing. This story works on several levels. This miracle first shows the simple kindness and love of Jesus for a person in need. The man has faith in him but perhaps because of ill treatment from others in the past - people who have only been following the Law of Moses - he is diffident, hesitant and unsure. "If you want to, you can cure me." How beautiful are the words of Jesus, resonating through the centuries to anyone who turns to him in time of need. "Of course I want to!" - but there is another, deeper layer to this story. Despite Jesus' warning, the man talks about the miracle everywhere with the surprising result that Jesus almost seems to become a leper himself. 'He could no longer go openly into any town but had to stay outside in places where nobody lived.' This is exactly the condition the man he cured had to endure before he was made whole again. So while Jesus restores his health, as well as probably returning the man to his home, his family and his job, he takes something of his suffering - his isolation - on himself. This is entirely consistent with what we believe of the Mission of Jesus. Remember how in Lent and Holy Week we focus on the cross, the moment when Jesus 'takes our sins upon himself' so that we can be renewed. Let's think today of the remarkable compassion of Jesus, who carries our sufferings, who bears our sins.

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

	*All Services are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.*
Saturday 13 February Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time	Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Jeanette Burry who died recently and her family, Frank Barrett who died recently and Peggy McKechan at her anniversary
Sunday 14 February Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time	Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes
Monday 15 February	Holy Mass at 10.00am for Pat Maxwell at his anniversary and Paul Quay who died recently
Tuesday 16 February	Votive Mass to Saint Joseph at 10.00am for the special intention of Thomas Twigg and Nicholas Donnelly who died recently
Wednesday 17 February Ash Wednesday	Holy Mass at 10.00am for Annie Docherty and Michael McManus who both died recently
Thursday 18 February	Holy Mass at 10.00am for Josephine Atkins and Jo Carswell who both died recently
Friday 19 February	Stations of the Cross at 9.30am Holy Mass at 10.00am for those who have suffered abuse
Saturday 20 February First Sunday of Lent	Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Norma Clarke and Millicent Ward at their anniversaries

SAINT MARY'S AND SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH SERVICES

	Saint Mary's Church, Saltcoats	Saint John’s Church, Stevenston
	*All Masses are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.*	*All Masses are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.*
Saturday 13 February Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time	Vigil Mass at 4.30pm
Sunday 14 February Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time	Holy Mass at 10.00am	Holy Mass at 11.30am
Monday 15 February	Requiem Mass at 10.00am
Tuesday 16 February	Holy Mass at 10.00am
Wednesday 17 February Ash Wednesday	Holy Mass at 7.00pm	Holy Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 18 February	Holy Mass at 10.00am
Friday 19 February		Holy Mass at 10.00am
Saturday 20 February First Sunday of Lent	Vigil Mass at 4.30pm

PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
Jim Boyle, Canon Archie Brown and Robert Stevenson;
Josephine Atkins, Frank Barrett, Paul Quay, Nicholas Donnelly, Annie Docherty, Michael McManus and Jo Carswell who died recently;
Mary Hall 1989, Patricketta Maxwell 2004, Canon Tom McGread, Winnie McLaughlin 2015, Catherine Morrison 1977, John Carrick 2010, Edward McCann 2019, James McLaren 1964, Isabel Rodgers 2020, Patrick Kelly 1989, Lucia Valenti 1972, Rose Walker 1985, Jack Conlan 2013, Nathan Murray-Collier 2005, Ellen Reilly 1954, Eileen Watkins 2015, Jean Wylie, Francis Clark 1953, Helen Clark 1973, Hugh McGinn 2013, Kelly Smith 2007, Norma Clarke 2018, John Patrick Collins 2012, Rose Folan 2012, Patrick Haggarty 2017 and George Monaghan 2004 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.

THE SEASON OF LENT STARTS ON ASH WEDNESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY
When you give up chocolate for forty days, you lose a pound or two. When you learn how to pray and develop a daily habit of conversation with God - your whole life changes and, in fact, the person you are changes! This year, don't just give up chocolate for Lent. Do something life-changing. After all, Lent isn't about what you give up. It's about who you become. Here are a few resources on our websites to help us get the most out of Lent this year.
   • Ash Wednesday at Home 2021 if you cannot receive Ashes on the day
   • Lenten Reflections 2021 for the Sundays of Lent
   • Prayers of the Stations of the Cross so that you can pray with them faithfully during the weeks of Lent
   • Forty Ways to get more out of Lent 2021
We could develop a personalised prayer routine that will continue after Lent finishes. We could find a lasting peace rooted in Christ! Don't let another Lent go by without immersing yourself in the history, tradition and beauty of this wonderful time of preparation and growth! We are never alone. We support each other and God's grace is always at our disposal.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS FOR LENT
The Stations of the Cross refers to the fourteen images depicting Jesus' Passion that we see in many Churches. These stations are a meditative exercise that has been around since before the Middle Ages. The purpose of the exercise is to make a spiritual pilgrimage through what is arguably the most dramatic moment of Christ's life. Each station is a profile in character and each one is a demonstration of Jesus' integrity. We can learn what it means to be truly human - and by this I mean the kind of human that God wants us to be - by meditating on these events. The Stations reveal the lowest point in Jesus' life and, in turn, the Stations resonate with the difficult times we experience in life as well as the tough times that we hold in our memories. In this way, the Stations appeal more to the heart than they do to the head. When we take Jesus's suffering into us and ponder the events he experienced in our hearts, we are stirred from spiritual sleepwalking. The point of the exercise is to nudge us into thinking about how, as Christians, we are supposed to be imitating Christ's life. The Prayers of the Stations of the Cross can be found on our parish websites. They will also be live-streamed from Church every Friday before Mass at 9.30am. Please join us if you can. We begin on Friday 19 February at 9.30am.

SAINT PETER'S 50/50 CLUB
2020 has proved a very difficult year in the life of our parish and 2021 is still tough on everyone. Since we cannot meet with each other, not even at Church, we cannot have our usual 'Sign-Up' meeting in the Parish Centre. We are grateful to those who responded in renewing their membership by post or letterbox drop to the Promoter, Mrs M Sammons at 30 Seafield Court, Ardrossan, KA22 8NS. We ask members to do the same at your earliest convenience by sending your cheque for £15 in the post made payable to Saint Peter's 50/50 Club and including your name and address or alternatively cash by letterbox drop to the Promoter at the above address. Please do not send cash in the post. Thank you for your continued support.

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.

LITANY FOR THE YEAR OF SAINT JOSEPH
The Litany of Saint Joseph, one of only six approved by the Church for public as well as private use, sums up qualities that made him such an important part of the Holy Family. Although he does not appear much in scripture, this 'just man' - as he is called in Matthew 1:19 - a humble carpenter, served our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary faithfully as his 'foster-father' and her 'chaste guardian', as he is called below. In referring to Saint Joseph as a 'diligent protector' of Christ, this litany brings to mind his important role in taking Mary and the infant child Jesus to Egypt to protect our Lord from being killed by King Herod (Matt 3:13-16). The Litany of Saint Joseph, in referring to him as a 'patron of the dying' gives one of many examples of his patronage.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
   God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
   God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
   God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
   Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us - after each line
   Saint Joseph
   Renowned offspring of David
   Light of Patriarchs
   Spouse of the Mother of God
   Chaste guardian of the Virgin
   Foster-father of the Son of God
   Diligent protector of Christ
   Head of the Holy Family

   Joseph most just
   Joseph most chaste
   Joseph most prudent
   Joseph most strong
   Joseph most obedient
   Joseph most faithful
   Mirror of patience
   Lover of poverty
   Model of artisans
   Glory of home life
   Guardian of virgins
   Pillar of families
   Solace of the wretched
   Hope of the sick
   Patron of the dying
   Terror of demons
   Protector of Holy Church
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
   He made him the lord of his house
   And ruler of all His substance.
Let us pray.
O God, who in Thine unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thine own most holy Mother: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may deserve to have him for our intercessor in heaven, whom we reverence as our defender on earth: who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
Fearing the battle was over and I'd already lost the war
I was tired of trying and failing, I just couldn't fight anymore
   So, dragging my battle-scarred body, I crawled to the foot of the cross
   And I sobbed "Oh please, Lord forgive me but I tried, I tried and still lost."
Then the air grew silent around me, I heard his voice just as clear as the dawn
"Oh, my child, though you are tired and weary, you can't stop, you have to go on."
   At the foot of the Cross, where I met him, at the foot of the cross, where he died
   I felt love as I knelt in His presence, I felt hope, as I looked in his eyes
Then He gathered me lovingly to him as around us God's light clearly shone
And together we walked though my lifetime to heal every wound I had known
   I found bits of my dreams, long forgotten and pieces of my life on the floor
   But I watched as He tenderly blessed them and my life was worth living once more
I knew then why I had been losing, I knew why I had not grown
At the foot of the Cross came the answer, I'd been fighting the battle alone
   At the foot of the Cross, where I met him, at the foot of the cross, where he died
   Then I knew I could face any challenge, together - just my Lord and I

JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
Some Tommy Cooper Jokes
   • My friend drowned in a bowl of muesli. A strong currant pulled him in.
   • "Doc, I can't stop singing The Green, Green Grass of Home." "That sounds like Tom Jones syndrome." "Is it common?" "It's not unusual."

EMERGENCY ON-CALL AT HOSPITALS
Father Duncan will be on emergency call-out for the Ayrshire hospitals from Sunday 14 until Sunday 21 February. Please keep all the sick in your prayers at this time.

GIFT AID AT SAINT BRIDE'S
Saint Bride's received Gift Aid from last year amounting to £5056. Sincere thanks for all the generosity and support.

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.