CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
Meeting people where they are - leading them to where God calls them
to be!
BULLETIN 14 MARCH 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 JOHN (John 3:14-21)
Jesus said to Nicodemus "The Son of Man must be lifted up as Moses lifted
up the serpent in the desert so that everyone who believes may have eternal
life in him. Yes, God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so
that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life.
For God sent his Son into the world not to condemn the world but so that through
him the world might be saved. No one who believes in him will be condemned
but whoever refuses to believe is condemned already, because he has refused
to believe in the name of God's only Son. On these grounds is sentence pronounced
- that though the light has come into the world, men have shown they prefer
darkness to the light because their deeds were evil. And indeed, everybody
who does wrong hates the light and avoids it for fear his actions should be
exposed but the man who lives by the truth comes out into the light so that
it may be plainly seen that what he does is done in God."
REFLECTION
Our Scripture readings today are a complicated mix, but the main theme is
Down and Up - in that order! In Church, our first reading and psalm are
about the exile of God's people to Babylon and their eventual return. Down
and Up. In the second reading, Saint Paul talks about us being 'dead through
sin' - Down - and raised through grace - Up! Down and Up again! The Gospel
is the same - a part of a long conversation Jesus has with the Pharisee
Nicodemus by night. Jesus talks about what salvation means. People
who have gone Down into the darkness, living lives ruled by sin, will be
brought Up into the light by virtue of the cross, Jesus himself being 'lifted
up' to be the invitation to faith that brings eternal life. Down and Up!
We all have our downs in life, some bigger than others. The promise of Jesus,
who himself descended into hell before ascending to heaven, is that by believing
in him, we can hope to rise up eternally. As we live through our Downs let
us hope in his Ups - and rejoice!
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 March |
Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Marion Borland who died recently |
Sunday
14 March
Fourth Sunday of Lent Mothers' Day |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes |
Monday
15 March
|
Holy Mass 10.00am for Josephine Atkins who died recently and Elizabeth McGee at her anniversary |
Tuesday
16 March
|
Requiem Mass at 10.00am for Marion Borland |
Wednesday
17 March
Feast of Saint Patrick |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Michael Reilly and Janie Aitken at their anniversaries |
Thursday
18 March
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Declan Cody who died recently and Thomas Rourke at his anniversary |
Friday
19 March
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary |
Stations
of the Cross at 9.30am Holy Mass at 10.00am for Robert Stevenson and Margaret Friel who both died recently |
Saturday
20 March |
Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Sister Moira Donnelly who died recently and Nan Reid's special intention |
All
Masses are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.
|
All
Masses are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.
|
|
Saturday
13 March |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
Sunday
14 March
Fourth Sunday of Lent Mothers' Day |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
Monday
15 March
|
|
|
Tuesday
16 March
|
||
Wednesday
17 March
Feast of Saint Patrick |
||
Thursday
18 March
|
||
Friday
19 March
Solemnity of Saint Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary |
||
Saturday
20 March |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm |
SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
REQUIEM
MASS FOR MARION BORLAND |
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
PALM
SUNDAY - COLLECTION OF PALMS |
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.
COME BACK TO HOPE - COME BACK TO CHURCH
As Easter approaches, our hope is that we can slowly return to normal
as a faith community. The greatest way God communicates himself is through
our participation in the Eucharist. We will never be closer to God this
side of heaven than when we are at Mass. Therefore, after time of prudently
finding ways to safely and reverently celebrate Mass, it is vital that
all who are able return to physical participation in the Mass. While there
cannot be a guarantee from all the harms of this world, including Covid-19,
few places are as safe as our Churches. Let people know that they can
come back to Mass without greatly increasing their susceptibility of getting
sick. Here are three easy ways that we as joyful missionary disciples
can invite others to come back to Mass. Firstly, make a personal invitation.
Nothing substitutes for personally inviting someone. Each of us knows
someone who has not been back to Church since the pandemic began. By reaching
out to them by a phone call, a text message or through social media, we
demonstrate our care for them and could provide them with the gentle nudge
that makes the difference. Secondly, share an individual or a family selfie
at Church on social media. For better or worse, social media sites like
Instagram and Facebook are the places we are most likely to give an anonymous
encouragement to someone to return to Mass. Thirdly, ask your parish how
you can help. We have to look together and how we can welcome our friends
and neighbours back to Church. 'Business as usual' just won't make any
impact any more. As we return to the regular practice of Sunday Mass and
invite people once again to take up the obligation to participate at Sunday
Mass as an expression of our faith, hope and love, it's important that
we do that joyfully and as missionary disciples so that many people can
participate in the graces God wants to give them by being physically present
at Church for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
FOUR LITTLE WORDS
If there is something one cannot do without, it is a mother. Father loves
her, daughter imitates her, son ignores her, salesmen thrive on her, motorists
hurry around her, teachers phone her and the woman next door confides
in her. She can be sweeter than sugar, more sour than a lemon, all smiles,
and crying her heart out - all within any given two-minute period. She
likes sewing, detective stories, having her birthday remembered, Church,
a new dress, the cleaning woman, father's praise, a little lipstick, flowers
and plants, Coronation Street on television, dinner out on Sunday, policemen,
one whole day in bed, crossword puzzles, sunny days, tea and a good chat.
She dislikes doing the dishes, father's boss, having her birthday forgotten,
the motorist behind her, spring cleaning, her oldest child's report card,
rainy days, the neighbour's dog, stairs and the man who was supposed to
cut the grass. She can be found standing by, bending over, reaching for,
kneeling under and stretching around but rarely sitting on. She has the
beauty of a spring day, the patience of a saint, the appetite of a small
bird, the memory of a large elephant. She knows the lowest prices, everybody's
birthday, what you should be doing and all your secret thoughts. She is
always straightening up after, reminding you to and taking care of, but
never asking for. Yes, a mother is one thing that nobody can do without
- and when you have harassed her, buffeted her about, tried her patience
and worn her out, and it seems that the end of the world is about to descend
upon you, then you can win her back with four little words - Mum, I love
you!
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
• Over the massive front doors of a Church, these words
were inscribed - the Gates of Heaven. Below that was a small cardboard
sign which read Please use other entrance.
• A Catholic primary school teacher asked her little
children, as they were on the way to Mass "And why is it necessary
to be quiet in Church?" One bright little girl replied "Because
people are sleeping."
Here
are some actual announcements taken from Church Newsletters:
•
Don't let worry kill
you - let the Church help!
•
Weight Watchers will
meet at 7.00pm at the Parish Hall. Please use large double door at the
side entrance.
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.