Bulletin 21 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 12:20-33)
Among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. These approached Philip, who came from Bethsaida in Galilee, and put this request to him "Sir, we should like to see Jesus." Philip went to tell Andrew and Andrew and Philip together went to tell Jesus. Jesus replied to them "Now the hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I tell you, most solemnly, unless a wheat grain falls on the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest. Anyone who loves his life loses it. Anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it for the eternal life. If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am. My servant will be there too. If anyone serves me, my Father will honour him. Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say - Father, save me from this hour? But it was for this very reason that I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" A voice came from heaven "I have glorified it and I will glorify it again." People standing by, who heard this, said it was a clap of thunder. Others said "It was an angel speaking to him." Jesus answered "It was not for my sake that this voice came but for yours. Now sentence is being passed on this world. Now the prince of this world is to be overthrown and when I am lifted up from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself." By these words, he indicated the kind of death he would die.

REFLECTION
The Gospels are often full of paradoxes. We hear that the first will be last, that anyone who wants to be great must be a slave and today in Saint John's Gospel are two profound paradoxes - the wheat grain dies to yield life and Jesus acknowledges his troubled soul, while asking for his name to be glorified! The message is that if we try to read the Gospel in the 'world's way', these paradoxes will make no sense. In fact, if we look at the Passion and death of the Lord in the 'world's way', it will look like failure and loss and will make no sense. We need to embrace the paradox, trusting in Jesus who draws us to himself. All of this is pointing toward the cross, which is both a sign of sorrow and a sign of triumph. This is how we 'see Jesus', as the Greek visitors asked at the beginning of this Gospel. It is through the very paradox of death - when Jesus is 'lifted up' from the earth - that Jesus draws all who seek him to himself.

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 AND SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH SERVICES

	Saint Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and private unless otherwise stated.	Saint Bride's Church, West Kilbride - All Masses are private unless otherwise stated.
Saturday 20 March Fifth Sunday of Lent	Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Sister Moira Donnelly who died recently and Nan Reid's special intention
Sunday 21 March Fifth Sunday of Lent	Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes
Monday 22 March	Holy Mass 10.00am for Barbara Townsend who died recently and Ann McEwan at her anniversary
Tuesday 23 March	Requiem Mass at 10.00am for Pat Logan
Wednesday 24 March	Holy Mass at 10.00am for John Maguire and Sister Moira Donnelly who both died recently
Thursday 25 March Solemnity of the Annunciation of our Lord	Holy Mass at 10.00am for Jeff and Kate Simpson who died recently and Agnes Dougan at her anniversary
Friday 26 March	Stations of the Cross at 9.30am Holy Mass at 10.00am for Patrick Reilly who died recently and Christopher McManus and Colin James Robertson at their anniversaries Public by booking	Holy Mass at 12 noon Public by booking
Saturday 27 March Palm Sunday	Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Seamus Reilly senior at his anniversary and Pat Logan who died recently Public by booking
		*Father Duncan* is assisted by the retired priest, Father Gerry Hamill.

SAINT MARY'S AND SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH SERVICES

	Saint Mary's Church, Saltcoats	Saint John’s Church, Stevenston
Saturday 20 March Fifth Sunday of Lent	Vigil Mass at 4.30pm
Sunday 21 March Fifth Sunday of Lent	Holy Mass at 10.00am	Holy Mass at 11.30am
Monday 22 March
Tuesday 23 March	Holy Mass at 10.00am	Holy Mass at 1.30pm with Saint John's Primary School
Wednesday 24 March	Holy Mass at 1.30pm with Saint Anthony's Primary School	Holy Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 25 March Solemnity of the Annunciation of our Lord	Holy Mass at 10.00am
Friday 26 March	Holy Mass at 10.00am	Holy Mass at 10.00am
Saturday 27 March Palm Sunday	Vigil Mass at 4.30pm
	*Canon Martin Poland is assisted by Father Benjamin Mkeri.*

PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
Jim Boyle and Annie Watt;
Marion Borland, Jim Watt, Sister Moira Donnelly, Pat Logan, Barbara Townsend (Plymouth), John Maguire, Jeff and Kate Simpson (Glasgow), Patrick Reilly (Baillieston) and Breige McGee (Bishop Brian McGee's mother) who died recently;
Sam Bannon 2006, Pietro Brogi 1948, Maureen Conway 1999, Denise Devlin 2015, Patrick McDonald, Maria Monaghan 2004, Mary Reid 2002, William Shanks 1952, William Shanks 1987, Susan Reid 2007, Veronica Stevenson 2016, John Pentleton 2014, Hugh Conway 1976, Pamela Devine 2020, Sister Immanuel CP 2002, Terence McCarroll 1967, Patrick McDermott 1973, Agnes McLaren 1994, May McParland 2016, Isabella Connor 1959, James and Ellen McCarroll 1977, Jane Kerber 2015, John McLaughlin 2020, Lilian Pattison, Brenda Simons 2008,
Don Foley, Felix Gallagher 2010, Alie Khan 1954, Anna Bates 1997, Terry McCabe 2005, Moira Rafferty, Rebecca Walsh 2008 and The Crew of HMS Dasher 1943 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.

SAINT PETER'S NOTICES

REQUIEM MASS FOR MARION BORLAND
Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Pat Logan who died on Wednesday 10 March 2021 aged 79 years. Her Requiem Mass, which will be live-streamed on Tuesday 16 March at 10.00am, will be followed by her interment at Ardrossan Cemetery. May she rest in peace and rise in glory!

DONATION OF NATIVITY FIGURES
A big thank you goes to Canon Matt who donated a set of Nativity figures to Saint Peter's in memory of his brother, Michael McManus. Sincere thanks for the generosity and the gift.

PALM SUNDAY - COLLECTION OF PALMS
Palms will be available from Mass on Palm Sunday 28 March, Monday 29, Tuesday 30 and can also be collected from the porch of the presbytery on Wednesday 31 between 9.00 and 11.00am.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP
Last Sunday's Offertory Collection amounted to £387.00 - many thanks.

MASS BOOKINGS
To book for Mass, please phone the Parish Office 01294 464063 on Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 11.30am. Saint Peter's can accommodate fifty people.

IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH
The spotlights have been repaired and replaced. The spotlight over the tabernacle has been replaced and improved. The electrical sockets in the sanctuary area had to be repaired and brought up to standard. Broken tiles at the entrance to the Parish Centre have been replaced and repaired. We started an ongoing project last week to repair our church pews. Thirty kneelers have some supports missing, and fifteen have broken or damaged supports. All the kneelers will be fitted with felt pads to help with the loud noise if the kneeler falls down on the floor. I sincerely thank all those who took part and have worked so hard - all for the greater glory of God!

SAINT BRIDE'S NOTICES

PALM SUNDAY - COLLECTION OF PALMS
Palms will be available from Mass on Palm Sunday 28 March and Tuesday 30 March.

MASS BOOKINGS
To book for Mass, please phone Phyllis Howie on 01294 822320 or 07843 602745 between 7.00 and 9.00pm.

IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH
We had an excellent meeting of a few parishioners last week to look at some ongoing issues in the Church. These include dealing with some damp patches around the sanctuary area, repainting the sanctuary and the entrance, repairing and upgrading some lighting and making a shelf for the left side of the Church. Painting the main body of the Church will be considered at a later date. I sincerely thank all those who took part and have worked so hard - all for the greater glory of God!

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.

THE STORM
Years ago, I was enthralled as I listened to a priest who for several years had faithfully served the church as a retreat speaker. His responsibilities had taken him all over this country. As he concluded his message, he told of one of the most frightening yet thought-provoking experiences of his life. He had been on a long flight from one place to another. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on - Fasten your seat belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened." As he looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive. Later, the voice of the announcer said "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us." - and then the storm broke. The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air, the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash. The priest confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm. Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat. She was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly. Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again. Then she would straighten her legs but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvellous child was completely composed and unafraid." The priest could hardly believe his eyes. It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our priest lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time. Having commented about the storm and behaviour of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid. The child replied "Father, my Dad is the pilot and he is taking me home." There are many kinds of storms that buffet us - physical, mental, financial, domestic - and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our 'plane' into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky. Let us remember that Our Father is the pilot. He is in control and He is taking us home.

JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
An atheist was walking through a wood, looking at the trees and the bright blue sky. He said to himself how wonderful that all this came about by time and chance through evolution. Suddenly, he heard a noise and a great brown bear came after him and he ran at top speed. It was getting nearer and raised its arms to grab the atheist when the man cried out "God help me!" The bear stopped still, the wind died down, the clouds ceased to move and a light shone down from heaven. A voice said "Yes! - Do I take it you now want to be a Christian?" "Oh no!" said the atheist "I could not do that after all these years but could you make the bear into a Christian?" The voice said "Yes!" The clouds began to move and the wind began to blow and the bear lowered his arms and put his paws together and said, "For what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truly thankful!"

SAFEGUARDING TRAINING FOR PARISH VOLUNTEERS
Looking ahead to when we may be able to resume normal worship and return to parish ministries, it will be necessary for all parish volunteers to complete their second safeguarding induction training session, if they require a Protecting Vulnerable Groups certificate to carry out their ministries. The diocesan trainers strongly recommend that as many volunteers as possible attend this training session online, from the comfort and safety of their own homes, during this current lockdown. To book a place in an online session at a convenient time for you, please visit www.GallowayDiocese.org.uk/safeguarding-calendar, which will be regularly updated with available dates and times. If you are unsure whether you need to attend, please contact your Parish Safeguarding Coordinator. Many volunteers have already attended either in-person immediately before the pandemic, or online during it. Thank you for your commitment to your parishes.

SUPPORT OUR PARISHES THIS LENT
Our Parish Communities of Saint Bride's and Saint Peter's work tirelessly to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in a culture bent on pushing God to the margins. During this penitential season, we strip ourselves of worldly attachments and rededicate ourselves to repentance, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. To that end, we ask that you prayerfully consider making a Standing Order to aid our critical mission. We give a sincere word of thanks to all our parishioners who have done so in the last couple of weeks. It is already making a big difference. As a Catholic charity, we rely on your support to sustain our ministry. Each year, our efforts help many people to come to a closer knowledge of Jesus Christ and to deepen their relationship with him in the Church. Please consider a regular Standing Order so that we can continue to proclaim Christ in the culture in new and engaging ways. Forms are available from the Parish Office and here. Thank you.

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.

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.