CHURCH OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN  •  A Family of Parishes  •  SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE

                                                        

BULLETIN                                    20 SEPTEMBER 2020

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME IN YEAR 1

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 20:1-16)
Jesus said to his disciples "The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day and sent them to his vineyard. Going out at about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the market place and said to them "You go to my vineyard too and I will give you a fair wage." So they went. At about the sixth hour and again at about the ninth hour, he went out and did the same. Then at about the eleventh hour he went out and found more men standing round and he said to them, "Why have you been standing here idle all day?" "Because no one has hired us" they answered. He said to them "You go into my vineyard too." In the evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his bailiff "Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first." So those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came forward and received one denarius each. When the first came, they expected to get more, but they too received one denarius each. They took it but grumbled at the landowner. "The men who came last" they said "have done only one hour
and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day's work in all the heat." He answered one of them and said "My friend, I am not being unjust to you. Did we not agree on one denarius? Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last comer as much as I pay you. Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?" Thus the last will be first, and the first, last."

REFLECTION
Our Gospels recently have really been hammering home the teaching about the generosity - almost the foolish generosity - of God's mercy and today is no different. This parable is all about repentance and coming into God's kingdom - the vineyard of the story. Some people have been faithful believers for years, while some arrive at the last minute - or 'at the eleventh hour' in the story. The challenging aspect of this parable is that God will forgive even at the last minute - if repentance is genuine. Perhaps something in us rebels against this. "I've been a good Catholic for sixty, seventy, eighty years - I deserve more than some new convert!" This is jealousy and envy and it is denying God the love for every single person, whoever they are or whatever they have done. God's generosity is something that we have all received - see last week's Gospel - and so we should never begrudge that mercy to another.

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
                          public unless otherwise stated.
Saint Bride's - All Masses are public
                          unless otherwise stated.

Saturday 19 September  
Our Lady's Day  

 
 
Twenty-fifth
Sunday of the  Year 

Holy Mass at 10.00am for Margaret McCabe as a special intention
  Private
Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Ronnie Cairns at his anniversary
 
Sunday 20 September  
Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year 
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes
Monday 21 September  
Feast of Saint Matthew, apostle  
Holy Mass at 10.00am for the special intentions of Billy Sheehan and Len Harley
 
Tuesday 22 September 
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Joe McIver as a special intention
  Private
 
Wednesday 23 September  
Memorial of Padre Pio  
Holy Mass at 10.00am for John Boyle (Ireland) and Margaret Harvey who both died recently
 
Thursday 24 September  
 
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Joseph and Josephine Brady at their anniversaries
  Private
 
Friday 25 September  
Special Mass in time of 
pandemic  
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Margaret Timmons (Dunfermline) who died recently
Holy Mass at 12 noon

Saturday 26 September  
Our Lady's Day  

 
 
Twenty-sixth
Sunday of the  Year 

Holy Mass at 10.00am for Alice Morgan who died recently
  Private
Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for David Farrell at his anniversary
 

SAINT MARY'S AND SAINT JOHN'S CHURCH SERVICES
 

Saturday 19 September  
Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year  

Vigil Mass at 4.30pm  
Sunday 20 September  
Twenty-fifth Sunday of the Year 
Holy Mass at 10.00am

Holy Mass at 11.30am
Monday 21 September  
Feast of Saint Matthew, apostle  
   
Tuesday 22 September 
Holy Mass at 10.00am  
Wednesday 23 September  
Memorial of Padre Pio  
  Holy Mass at 10.00am
Thursday 24 September  
Holy Mass at 10.00am  
Friday 25 September  
  Requiem Mass

Saturday 26 September  
Twenty-sixth Sunday of the  Year 

Vigil Mass at 4.30pm  

PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
John Clarke, Frances Stalker, Anthony Brennan, Cathie Currie, Jeanette (Scott) Burry (Canada);
Alice Morgan, John Boyle (Ireland), Margaret Harvey and Margaret Timmons (Dunfermline) who died recently;
Ronnie Cairns 2018, Greta Foran 2002, Kathleen Mullin 2012, Emilio Forbes 2011, Mary McKernon 2007, Catherine McLaughlin 1998, Roseleen Casey 2010, Isa Donald 2016, David Dunbar 2005, James Forbes 2011, Bob Harriman 2014, Billy McCann 2017, Jimmy McLaughlin 2007, Rita Michelini 2002, Father Gerald Muir 2015 pictured near right, Helen Steele 2012, James Tomelty 2011, Margaret Donnelly 1997, George Logue 2011, William McNamara 2001, Patrick Breen 2015, Alice Docherty 2017, Isabella Farrell 2012, Mary McGraa 2002, Colin James Boyle 2017, Jamie Clarke 2015, Margaret Gallacher 2016, Bert Gilmour 2017, Tom McGhee 2011, Sister Mary of Saint Joseph 1975 pictured far right, Bernard Boyce 2012, Cornelius Burke 1988, Malcolm MacDonald 1999, John Mackay 2002, Thomas McGrattan 1917 and Daniel Murray 1981
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

MASS BOOKINGS
To book for Mass, please call the Parish Office on 01294 464063 between 9.00 and 11.00am on Mondays to Fridays. Thank you.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP
The Offertory Collection last weekend amounted to £802.19 and the Maintenance Fund collection to £110.00 - many thanks.

PARISH CENTRE
There is a new contact number for Parish Centre bookings and so on. Fiona's number is 07907 389703.

LIVE-STREAMING OF MASS
All our Celebrations of Mass and other services are live-streamed, starting five minutes beforehand. You can access them every day by going to our websites. On SaintPeterInChains.net, in the top right corner, click on Live Streaming at Mass Times. On SaintPeterInChains.co.uk, click Services in the red menu bar, select Mass Times then scroll down to Click here to view Mass.

VOTIVE LAMPS FOR OUR LADY'S MOSAIC
There has been a suggestion for the mosaic of Our Lady in the Church, namely to add two small hanging votive lamps on either side of the mosaic. Parishioners are invited to make a contribution if they wish. The Votive Lamps will cost around £45 each and the hanging arm brackets will be around £20 each. Any donations will be very welcome. Thank you!


SAINT BRIDE'S NOTICES

NEW WEBSITE
Please have a look our new website at StBridesChurch.co.uk. We would be delighted to have your comments or any suggestions sent to Joe.McAleavy1804@yahoo.com.

PARISH COUNCIL MINUTES
The latest Parish Council news and updates can be found on the new website. Have a look!

OFFERTORY COLLECTION
Last Sunday's Offertory Collection amounted to £138.00 - many thanks. Paul McNulty will be happy to provide Standing Order forms.

A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF THE MASS - PART 16
What happens in us when we receive Holy Communion? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (1391-1401) tells us of five different fruits we receive with Holy Communion. For the next five Sundays, we will look at each one individually. Firstly, Holy Communion augments our union with Christ (1391). The principal fruit of receiving Holy Communion is the intimate union with Christ. In his discourse on the Bread of Life, Jesus says "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him." (6:56). Paul sees this abiding in terms of putting on Christ, identifying with Christ, developing within ourselves Christ's outlook, attitudes and his commitment to the Father. Unless we abide in Christ, all our efforts are in vain (Jn 15:4). Hence, receiving Holy Communion entails a willingness to do all we can to have the same attitude that is also ours in Christ Jesus (Phi 2:5).

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


AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD
I dreamed I had an interview with God. "So, you would like to interview me?" God asked. "If you have time" I said. God smiled. "My time is eternity. What questions do you have in mind for me?" "What surprises you the most about humankind?" God answered "That they get bored with childhood, that they rush to grow up and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live in neither the present nor the future. That they live as if they would never die and die as though they had never lived." God's hand took mine and we were silent for a while. And then I asked "As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?" God replied "To learn they cannot make anyone love them. All they can do is let themselves be loved. To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness. To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in those they love and it can take many years to heal them. To learn that a rich person is not one who has the most but is one who needs the least. To learn that there are people who love them dearly but simply do not yet know how to express or show their feelings. To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it differently. To learn that it is not enough that they forgive one another but they must also forgive themselves." "Thank you for your time" I said humbly. "Is there anything else you would like your children to know?" God smiled and said "Just know that I am here. Always."


JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
A man suffered a serious heart attack and had an open-heart by-pass surgery. He awakened from the surgery to find himself in the care of nuns at a Catholic Hospital. As he was recovering, a nun asked him questions regarding how he was going to pay for his treatment. She asked if he had health insurance. He replied, in a raspy voice "No health insurance." The nun asked if he had money in the bank. He replied "No money in the bank." The nun asked "Do you have a relative who could help you?" He said "I only have a spinster sister who is a nun." The nun became agitated and announced loudly "Nuns are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God." The patient replied "Send the bill to my brother-in-law then."



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.

SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
We welcome to the Family of the Church Freya Patricia Martha Reid who will be baptised on Saturday and also Mary Clara Loi who will be baptised on Sunday. Congratulations to their parents and Godparents.

POPE FRANCIS NEW ENCYCLICAL - FRATELLI TUTTI
Pope Francis will travel to Assisi on 3 October to sign an encyclical on the social, political and economic obligations that flow from a belief that all people are children of God and therefore brothers and sisters to one another. The Vatican press office, confirming the Pope's trip, said the document will be titled Fratelli Tutti in Italian. In English, the phrase could be translated as Brothers And Sisters All but apparently it is inspired by what is known as Saint Francis of Assisi's sixth admonition to his friars. Conventual Franciscan Father Mauro Gambetti, custodian of the Assisi convent, said the document "will indicate to the world a style for the future and will give the church and people of goodwill the responsibility for building it together… The Pope is clearly inspired by Francis of Assisi who, in following Jesus, recognised in fraternity, lived under the sign of mutual and loving service, the horizon of a fulfilled and happy humanity" Father Gambetti added. The encyclical is expected to echo many of the themes Pope Francis has been discussing in his general audience talks on Catholic social teaching in light of the pandemic - human fraternity, the equal dignity of all people, the preferential option for the poor, the universal destination of goods and the obligation of solidarity. Care for the environment and the virtue of peacemaking also are expected to be part of the encyclical.

ARDROSSAN CHURCHES GROUP - LATEST NEWS
The Park Church will welcome a new minister by the end of the month - Marianne Howie. The Kirkgate Church will also welcome a new minister by the end of the year - Nigel Chikanya, originally from Zambia. We wish them both every blessing for a good start. The Remembrance Sunday Prayers on Sunday 8 November at 1.00pm will go ahead as usual, however with only two representatives from each organisation and parish. The Christmas Carol Concert will have to be cancelled this year, owing to the Covid restrictions.

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 next 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.