CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
BULLETIN 13 SEPTEMBER 2020
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 MATTHEW (Matthew 18:21-35)
Peter went up to Jesus and said "Lord, how often must I forgive my brother
if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?" Jesus answered "Not seven,
I tell you, but seventy times seven times. And so the kingdom of heaven may
be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants.
When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents
but he had no means of paying so his master gave orders that he should be
sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet
the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master's feet. "Give
me time" he said "and I will pay the whole sum." And the servant's
master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now
as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him
one hundred denarii and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle
him. "Pay what you owe me" he said. His fellow servant fell at his
feet and implored him, saying "Give me time and I will pay you."
But the other would not agree. On the contrary, he had him thrown into prison
till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when
they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the
whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. "You wicked servant"
he said "I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me.
Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had
pity on you?" And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers
till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal
with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart."
REFLECTION
This is a Gospel of exaggerations! 'Seventy times seven' is a ridiculous number,
not to be taken seriously. Does Jesus really mean that we forgive someone
490 times and then refuse to have mercy on the 491st? It simply means 'Never
stop forgiving'. Similarly, the parable Jesus tells has a ridiculous exaggeration.
The sum the first servant owes is 10000 talents. Lots of estimates can be
found to work out what this would equal in modern money at anything between
£3 billion and £7 billion! Obviously this is a debt that can never
be repaid. This is what Jesus says our sins are like - a debt we owe to God
that we can never hope to repay. But God's mercy not only forgives but wipes
out the debt! The 100 denarii, on the other hand, is still a significant amount,
though much less - perhaps about £10000. This is what other people owe
us - which we should forgive. Letting someone off a debt of £10000 is
not easy! Perhaps forgiveness is even harder!
Saint
Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and
public unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
Bride's - All Masses are public
unless otherwise stated. |
|
Saturday
12 September |
Holy Mass at 10.00am
for Geraldine Kent as a special intention Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Kevin Rennie as a special intention |
|
Sunday
13 September
Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes | Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes |
Monday
14 September
The Exultation of the Holy Cross |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Ritano Betti and Audrey Orlege who died recently | |
Tuesday
15 September
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am
for Daniel McGoogan who died recently and Angela Body at her birthday Private |
|
Wednesday
16 September
Memorial of Saint Ninian |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for the Knit and Knatter Group at its anniversary and Frances Giblin and Mary McLellan at their anniversaries | |
Thursday
17 September
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Hugh Donohoe at his anniversary and Marie Murray as a special intention Private |
|
Friday
18 September
Special Mass in time of pandemic |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Anne (Nancy) Sheehan at her anniversary and Jimmy Templeton as a special intention | Holy Mass at 12 noon |
Saturday
19 September |
Holy Mass at 10.00am
for Margaret McCabe Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Ronnie Cairns at his anniversary |
Saturday
12 September |
Vigil
Mass at 4.30pm |
|
Sunday
13 September
Twenty-fourth Sunday of the Year |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
Monday
14 September
The Exultation of the Holy Cross |
||
Tuesday
15 September
Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Wednesday
16 September
Memorial of Saint Ninian |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Thursday
17 September
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Friday
18 September
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Saturday
19 September |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm |
SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
WEDDING
CONGRATULATIONS |
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
NEW
WEBSITE |
A
SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF THE MASS - PART 15
In the hand or on the tongue? We have the option of receiving Communion in
the hand or on the tongue. Many Catholics who were raised in the pre-Vatican
II Church think that receiving Holy Communion in the hand was a Vatican II
initiative. It is not. Though we do not know for certain, we can safely assume
that the Apostles at the Last Supper received the bread in their hands from
Jesus. We also know that back in the first millennium, Catholic Christians
usually received Communion in their hand. Saint Cyril of Jerusalem describes
the fourth century procedure in this way - When you approach, do not go stretching
out your hands or having your fingers spread out but make the left hand into
a throne for the right one, which shall receive the King, and then cup your
open hand and take the Body of Christ, reciting the Amen. During the distribution
of Holy Communion, an appropriate hymn is sung. Our participation in the singing
of the communion hymn expresses our spiritual union with all communicants.
At the end of the communion song, there is a period of silence for interior
prayer and contemplation of the gifts received.
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.
PRAYER
DURING A PANDEMIC
May we who are merely inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home remember those who must choose
between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools
close remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips remember those that have no safe place
to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country, let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbours. Amen. Cameron
Bellm
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
I often wondered as a young person what the secret was to being a good parent.
Reflecting on my childhood now, I can see clearly that my mother and father
taught me with their actions. The secret - be there. Be there for your children.
It is not about quality time. It's about quantity time.
THE NECKLACE
The
cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with
her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white
pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh mummy, please, mummy, can I have them?
Please, Mummy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little
foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's
upturned face. "£10. If you really want them, I'll think of some
extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them
for yourself." As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank
and counted out 17 pence. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores
and she went to the neighbour and asked Mrs McJames if she could pull out
the weeds for £2. On her birthday, grandma did give her £5 and
slowly she had enough money to buy the necklace. Jenny loved her pearls. They
made her feel dressed-up and grown up. She wore them everywhere - to school,
Church, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming
or had a shower. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.
Jenny had a very loving Daddy and every night when she was ready for bed,
he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.
One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your
pearls." "Oh, Daddy, not my pearls - but you can have Princess,
the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember,
Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favourite." "That's okay,
Honey, Daddy loves you. Goodnight." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's Daddy asked again, "Do
you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give
me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls - but you can have my
baby doll, the brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you."
And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss. A few nights later
when her Daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed
Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one
silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"
Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her Daddy - and
when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver,
she finally said, "Here, Daddy, this is for you." With tears gathering
in his own eyes, Jenny's Daddy reached out with one hand to take the cheap
necklace and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out
a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.
He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the cheap
stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly
Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that
he can give us beautiful treasures. Isn't God good? Are you holding on to
things that God wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary
habits and activities that you have become so attached to that it seems impossible
to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do
believe this one thing - God will never take away something without giving
you something better in its place.
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
After the Baptism of his baby brother in Church, little Johnny sobbed all
the way home in the back seat of the car. His father asked him three times
what was wrong. Finally, the boy replied "That priest said he wanted
us brought up in a Catholic home but I want to stay with all of 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.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
It is now possible to make online donations to Saint Peter's. Details are
on the Donations page and this News
page. Thanks for your generosity.
STANDING ORDERS - PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT
The parishes have taken quite a 'knock' through lockdown when public Mass
was not available for sixteen weeks. 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
RETIRED PRIESTS' COLLECTION
A special collection will be made on the last weekend of September for our
Retired Priests in the Diocese. Please collect the special donation envelopes.
Thank you for your support and generosity!
WEEKLY BULLETIN
If you would like to receive the weekly Bulletin and updates by email, please
get in touch with the parish office and send us your email address. If you
know of someone who would like to be included on the mailing list, please
let us know - thanks.
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.