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                                          28 MARCH 2021

PALM SUNDAY IN YEAR 2

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 services are live-streamed and public by booking unless otherwise stated.
Saint Bride's Church, West Kilbride
All services are public by booking  unless otherwise stated.

Saturday 27 March  
Palm Sunday  

Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Seamus Reilly senior at his anniversary and Pat Logan who died recently  
Sunday 28 March  
Palm Sunday   
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes Holy Mass at 12.15pm
Monday 29 March  
Holy Mass 10.00am for Kevin Docherty at his anniversary and Jim Watt who died recently  
Tuesday 30 March  

Requiem Mass at 10.00am for Jim Watt
  Private

Holy Mass at 10.00am
Wednesday 31 March  
Spy Wednesday 
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Pauline Greer at he anniversary and Marion Borland who died recently  
Thursday 1 April 
Thursday of the Lord's Supper 
Holy Mass at 7.00pm for John Mullen at his anniversary and Patsy Forsyth who died recently  
Friday 2 April 
Good Friday 
- a day of fasting and abstinence 
Stations of the Cross at 12 noon
Good Friday Liturgy at 3.00pm
Good Friday Service at 3.00pm

Saturday 3 April  
Easter Sunday  

Easter Vigil Mass at 8.30pm Easter Vigil Mass at 7.00pm

Sunday 4 April  
Easter Sunday  

Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes Holy Mass at 12.15pm
   
Father Duncan is assisted by the retired priest, Father Gerry Hamill.

SAINT MARY'S AND SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH SERVICES
 

Saturday 27 March  
Palm Sunday  

Vigil Mass at 4.30pm
  live-streamed
 
Sunday 28 March  
Palm Sunday   
Holy Mass at 10.00am
  live-streamed

Holy Mass at 11.30am
  live-streamed
Monday 29 March  
Holy Mass at 1.30pm with Saint Anthony's Primary School
  live-streamed
 
Tuesday 30 March  
Holy Mass at 10.00am
  live-streamed
Holy Mass at 1.30pm with Saint John's Primary School
  live-streamed
Wednesday 31 March  
Spy Wednesday 
Requiem Mass at 10.00am for Frank Gaddis
  live-streamed
Thursday 1 April 
Thursday of the Lord's Supper 
Holy Mass at 7.00pm
  live-streamed
Holy Mass at 7.00pm
Friday 2 April 
Good Friday 
- a day of fasting and abstinence 
Service at 3.00pm Service at 3.00pm
  live-streamed

Saturday 3 April  
Easter Sunday  

Easter Vigil Mass at 6.00pm
  live-streamed
 

Sunday 4 April  
Easter Sunday  

Holy Mass at 10.00am
  live-streamed

Holy Mass at 11.30am
Holy Mass at 10.00am
Holy Mass at 11.30am
  live-streamed
 
Canon Martin Poland is assisted by Father Benjamin Mkeri.


PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
Jim Boyle and Annie Watt;
Marion Borland, Pat Logan, Jim Watt, Cathie Slimman and Patsy Forsyth who died recently;
Sheila Love 2017, Gerald McGhee 2008, Devlin McIndoe 1992, Allister Nesbit 2000, Cathie Quinn 2015, Seamus Reilly senior 2020, Menotti Carrino 1953, Odina Carrino 1987, Monsignor Stephen Kennedy 2009, Sally Wilson 2012, John Mullen 2020, Sarah Anderson 2003, Pauline Greer 2020, Elizabeth Hughes 2013, James Kelly 1983, Michael McCann 2012, Sandy Miller 1979, Gus Slimman 1993, Isabella Stuart 2004, William Friel 1994, Peter Hughes 2011, Irene Mathieson 2012, Jenny Murphy 1998, Marjorie Robertson, Margaret Shanks 1993, Kenneth McSkimming 2002, Jane McFarlane 2006, Margaret Murphy, Monsignor John O'Farrell 2008, Pope John Paul II 2005, James Smith 1959, Archie McFarlane, Harry Quinn 1993, Patrick Tomelty 2004 and Thomas Watt 2017
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.




WHAT SHOULD WE DO DURING HOLY WEEK?
During Holy Week, the faithful can attend Masses and special events at their parishes such as the Stations of the Cross. In addition, everyone can commemorate Holy Week at home. We can read the Scripture, particularly the passages that teach us about the events of Palm Sunday to Good Friday. We can also pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. It is also a good week to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet, if we haven't been during Lent and on Good Friday begin the Divine Mercy Novena which leads up to Divine Mercy Sunday. Our Lord asked Saint Faustina for these devotions that the graces of the Redemption may be more abundantly poured out on souls.
                What is the meaning of Holy Week?
Holy Week, particularly Christ's Passion and Death, is a great reminder of God's Love for humanity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church in paragraph 604 says, by giving up his own son for our sins, God manifests that his plan for us is one of benevolent love, prior to any merit on our part. "In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins." God 'shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us'.
                Why is it called Passion Week?
This is the week when we reflect on the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, beginning with the Gospel reading of Palm Sunday which recounts the events of Our Lord's Pasch - Passover.
                What are the Five Days of Holy Week?
The days of Holy Week include Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday, Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday sometimes called Spy Wednesday, in reference to Judas' betrayal, Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Friday and Holy Saturday - the days immediately preceding Easter Sunday. Beginning with the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday evening, the Church also refers to the period that includes Easter Sunday as the Sacred Tridium.
                What is the most important day of Holy Week?
The most important events in Christianity are the death and later Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Good Friday, we mourn the death of our Saviour. On Easter Sunday, we joyously celebrate His triumph over death.
Joyful acclamations at Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, followed by his humiliation. Festive cries, followed by brutal torture. This twofold mystery accompanies our entrance into Holy Week each year. - Pope Francis

SAINT PETER'S NOTICES

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.

REQUIEM MASS FOR JAMES WATT
Please pray for the Repose of the Soul of Jim Watt who died on Tuesday 9 March 2021 aged 84 years. His Requiem Mass on Tuesday 30 March at 10.00am will be followed by his cremation at Holmsford Bridge Crematorium, Dreghorn. May he rest in peace and rise in glory!

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.

LOURDES GROUP HCPT 376
As we are unable to travel to Lourdes this Easter, the group is taking part in a virtual walk from Ardrossan to Lourdes. We are still fundraising as we envisage increased costs when travel can resume, hopefully Easter 2022. Any donations are welcomed. We have set up a just giving page at www.JustGiving.com/fundraising/hugh-harkin For further information, contact Esther Coulter on 602179. Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette, pray for us.

50/50 CLUB
Sincere thanks goes to all our members who have renewed their memberships for this year. However, we still have thirty memberships waiting to make payment. As we hope to make the Prize Draws for January, February and March as soon as possible, can the members who are still isolating at home please make payment by post to the Promoter or telephone Mrs Sammons on 01294 469006 to make arrangements for collection. We still have room for any new members who would like to join. Your continued support is appreciated. Winners' names will be included in the bulletin in April and will receive prizes by post.


SAINT BRIDE'S NOTICES

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

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

RECONCILIATION, CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Any children who still should receive the Sacraments of First Confession, Confirmation and First Holy Communion, please get in touch with Father Duncan as soon as you can so that they don't miss out this year. Thanks!

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.

TEN LITTLE CATHOLICS
Ten little Catholics came to Church all the time
One fell out with the priest then there were nine
        Nine little Catholics stayed up late
       One overslept on Sunday then there were eight
Eight little Catholics on their way to Heaven
One took the low road then there were seven
       Seven little Catholics chirping like chicks
       One didn't like the singing then there were six
Six little Catholics seemed very much alive
One took a holiday then there were five
       Five little Catholics pulling for Heaven's shore
       One stopped to take a rest then there were four
Four little Catholics each as busy as a bee
One had his feelings hurt then there were three
       Three little Catholics knew what to do
       One joined the sports fans then there were two
Two little Catholics each won one more
Now don't you see two plus two equals four
       Four little Catholics worked early and late
       Each brought one - now there were eight
Eight little Catholics, if they double as before;
In just seven Sundays we have 1024!
       In this little ditty there is a lesson true
       You belong either to the building or to the wrecking crew!

JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
A drunk man gets on the bus late one night, staggers up the aisle and sits next to an elderly woman. She looks the man up and down and says "I've got news for you - you're going straight to hell!" The man jumps up out of his seat and shouts "Good heavens, I'm on the wrong bus!"
Some Tommy Cooper jokes
   • Somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen. It said Parking Fine. So that was nice.
   • I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn't find any.

ANNUAL COLLECTION FOR HOLY PLACES
Our annual collection for the Holy Places will take place on Friday 2, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 April. If you would like to contribute, please place your donation in the collection bucket as you leave the Church.

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.