SERVICES AND GATHERINGS
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, public Church services and gatherings
are suspended till further notice. Father
Duncan
will celebrate Holy Mass privately every day and assures you of his prayers
for you and your family.
A READING FROM THE PROPHET ISAIAH - 50:4-7
The Lord has given me a disciple's tongue. So that I may know how to reply
to the wearied, he provides me with speech. Each morning he wakes me to hear,
to listen like a disciple. The Lord has opened my ear. For my part, I made
no resistance, neither did I turn away. I offered my back to those who struck
me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against
insult and spittle. The Lord comes to my help, so that I am untouched by the
insults. So, too, I set my face like flint. I know I shall not be ashamed.
A READING
FROM THE LETTER OF SAINT PAUL TO THE PHILIPPIANS - 2:6-11
His state was divine, yet Christ Jesus did not cling to his equality with
God but emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave, and became as
men are - and being as all men are, he was humbler yet, even to accepting
death, death on a cross. But God raised him high and gave him the name which
is above all other names so that all beings in the heavens, on earth and in
the underworld, should bend the knee at the name of Jesus and that every tongue
should acclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, to the glory of the Father.
A
READING FROM THE HOLY GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - 21:1-11
When they were near Jerusalem and had come in sight of Bethphage, on the Mount
of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them "Go into the village
facing you and you will immediately find a tethered donkey and a colt with
her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, you
are to say "The Master needs them and will send them back directly."
This took place to fulfil the prophecy - Say to the daughter of Zion. Look,
your king comes to you. He is humble, he rides on a donkey and on a colt,
the foal of a beast of burden. So the disciples went out and did as Jesus
had told them. They brought the donkey and the colt, then they laid their
cloaks on their backs and he sat on them. Great crowds of people spread their
cloaks on the road, while others were cutting branches from the trees and
spreading them in his path. The crowds who went in front him and those who
followed were all shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessings on
him who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heavens!"
And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil. "Who is
this?" people asked and the crowds answered "This is the prophet
Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee."
RECENTLY
DECEASED
Three funeral services have been arranged at gravesides in Ardrossan Cemetery.
All are for close family only. On Tuesday 7 April, there will be services
for Seamus Reilly senior at 10.00am and Pauline Grear at 2.00pm. John McLaughlin of Kilwinning and formerly of Ardrossan
will be interred on Friday 17 April at 1.00pm. The arrangements for John Mullen,
son of Betty Craig, will be posted when they are known. May they all rest
in peace.
HOW TO CELEBRATE HOLY WEEK IN YOUR DOMESTIC CHURCH
In the weeks leading up to Holy Week and Easter, the Catholic Church encourages
us to persevere in our Lenten penances so that we can 'come safely to the
paschal festivities'. But what if paschal festivities look different this
year than ever before? For all of us, Holy Week and Easter will come and go
in the liturgical calendar with no public Masses, gatherings, or traditional
celebrations. Many of us are in lockdown or quarantine situations, combatting
the reality of Coronavirus. But that doesn’t mean we can’t participate in
the beauty of Holy Week and Easter, though! If you’re looking for practical
and easy ways to enter into Holy Week and the joy of Easter from the domestic
church of your own home, here are a few ideas!
Enter into the daily Liturgy of the Word
Whether you gather to pray with a live-stream Mass or enter into a prayer
service at home, continue to make Sunday a day of worship. Beginning with
Palm Sunday, you can enter into liturgical living by covering up the crosses,
crucifixes, statues and sacred art throughout your home. This practice heightens
our senses, alerting us of the coming beauty of Holy Week and the joyful celebration
of Easter. Crosses and crucifixes are uncovered on Good Friday, while all
other sacred art and statues remain covered until the Easter Vigil.
Pray for catechumens and candidates
Easter Vigil is normally a time where catechumens and candidates come home
to the Catholic Church. But with many dioceses throughout the world canceling
public Easter Masses, those preparing to enter into the Church are surrounded
by the unknown. You can remember them specifically in your prayers in the
weeks leading up to Holy Week. If you know the names of catechumens and candidates
from your parish, remember to pray for them by name!
Palm Sunday
Shout Hosanna! It may feel a little silly to shout Hosanna, especially given
the current state of the world. But don’t worry about what the person who
shares an apartment wall will think. Enter into the liturgy unabashed. If
you still have your palm from last year, put in in a place you’ll see it throughout
the day. Newly blessed palms will be available in the porch of the presbytery.
Holy Thursday
The readings for Holy Thursday remind us of the beauty of the Eucharist and
the priesthood. Even if you can’t receive the Eucharist, you can make a spiritual
act of communion. Make time to thank God for the gift of the Eucharist and
look forward with hope to the next time you can receive him sacramentally.
Wash each other’s feet. When Christ washed the feet of the twelve, it served
as a reminder to them - and us - to serve others in our daily life. Do you
live alone? Saint Basil wrote 'Whose feet do you wash? Whom do you care for?
To whom do you make yourself inferior and last of all since you live alone?'
If you’re at home by yourself during Holy Thursday, serve others around you
in some way. Call your neighbours to see if they’re doing okay. Check in with
family who also live alone.
Good Friday
Read the readings of the day, including the passion narrative, and pray for
those traditionally remembered in the solemn intercessions, like those who
do not believe in Christ and those who are in moments of tribulation. Because
of the pandemic, the Church will add an extra petition for those who are sick
and for medical staff. Venerate the Cross. If you covered up the crucifixes
and crosses in your home in preparation for Holy Week, uncover them and show
reverence to the cross, whether by genuflecting or kissing the cross. Let
this Good Friday be a day of silence and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice
on the cross. Pray the Stations of the Cross - a beautiful prayer to remember
each step of Christ’s walk to Calvary. You can pray these with your family
at 3.00pm, honoured in a special way as the time when Christ breathed his
last.
Easter Vigil
The readings for the Easter Vigil contain seven readings, an epistle and the
Gospel. If you’re in lockdown mode, what better way to spend your time on
Easter Vigil than by tracing salvation history throughout Scripture. Light
a candle in your home.
Easter Sunday
The readings for Easter Sunday are full of hope and rejoicing – both things
we all need more of right now. Whether you tune into a live-streaming Mass
or you sit quietly in prayer, make time today for worship. Sing Alleluia!
We haven’t been able to say this word for forty days, so shout it from the
rooftops and wish your neighbours a joyful Easter!
FINANCIAL
SUPPORT
The financial support and upkeep of the Parish is also drastically affected
by the present situation. Please try and hand in your Offertory envelopes
to the Parish Office when you can or better still, consider taking out a Banker's
Order for Saint Peter's as the social isolation will probably impact us
for the next months. Banker's
Order and Gift
Aid Declaration forms are available in the Parish Office and on our website.
If you would prefer that we email you or post the forms, please let the Parish
Office know. If you require any assistance in completing the forms, please
contact George at the Parish Office and he can speak to you by phone. Thank
you for all you do and for your solidarity and generosity. In
these difficult financial times, there is no obligation to give to the Sunday
Collection. If, however, you feel able to, you can donate by text message
to an account set up by the Diocese of Galloway. It is not possible to nominate
a particular parish so all text-giving donations will be shared among parishes.
To donate, text the word SUNDAY to 70085 followed by the number of pounds,
from 1 to 20. For example, SUNDAY 5 to 70085 gives £5. This message
would cost £5 plus one standard rate message charge. Thank you for all
your commitment and support.
EMAIL
SCAM
Some parishioners have received an email, purportedly from Father Duncan,
asking for money. This is a scam. Please do not give funds to the sender.
Legitimate ways to donate to the Church are by text-giving
to the Diocese of Galloway, Banker's
Order or sending a donation, ideally by cheque, to the Church's postal
address, 1 South Crescent Road, Ardrossan, Ayrshire, KA22 8DU. Any method
not mentioned on this website is fraudulent.
THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY
Every day, Father
Duncan will celebrate Holy Mass privately, focusing on
these Thoughts for the Day.
A
message from Father Duncan on Sunday 5 April
2020
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.