CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
BULLETIN 25 OCTOBER 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 22:34-40)
When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees they got together
and, to disconcert him, one of them put a question, "Master, which is
the greatest commandment of the Law?" Jesus said "You must love
the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your
mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second resembles
it - you must love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments hang
the whole Law, and the Prophets also."
REFLECTION
Every priest has probably experienced that moment when someone asks the profoundest
question at the most inappropriate moment - like asking about life after death
at the supermarket checkout or the meaning of life over the booming disco
of a wedding reception! Sometimes people want a simple, short, snappy answer
to the things that puzzle us or challenge us most. All of us, in a sense,
are searching for a simple answer to the question "What is life for?
What's it all about?" Even though Jesus is asked this question by yet
another band of opponents trying to catch him out, his simple answer resonates
through the ages - from the Old Testament to ourselves. It's very simple,
really - love God, love others. This is all we have to do. Of course, putting
that into practice is the job of a lifetime and will be filled with successes
and failures, certainty and doubt, enthusiasm and lethargy. Let us pray that
we may take these two simple commandments and 'write them on our hearts' so
that every single day, everywhere we go, everything we say or do, will spring
from love of God and love of neighbour - and if you want a highly effective
prayer for the end of the day, simply find a quiet spot, be in the presence
of God and ask "Have I loved you today, Lord? Have I loved others?"
Thank God for the ways you have and ask God's mercy for the ways you haven't.
|
Saint
Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and
public unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
Bride's - All Masses are public
unless otherwise stated. |
|
|
Saturday
24 October |
Holy Mass at 10.00am
for all Missionaries Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Kathleen Cairns who died recently |
|
|
Sunday
25 October
Thirtieth Sunday of the Year |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes | Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes |
|
Monday
26 October
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am
for William Paterson and Stephen Brennan at their anniversaries |
|
|
Tuesday
27 October
|
Requiem
Mass at 10.00am
for Kathleen Cairns Private |
|
|
Wednesday
28 October
Feast of Saints Sion and Jude, Apostles |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Annmarie Dickie and Seamus Reilly senior who died recently | |
|
Thursday
29 October
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Robert Bryson who died recently Private |
|
|
Friday
30 October
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am as a special Mass in time of pandemic and Ennis McHugh as a special intention | Holy Mass at 12 noon |
|
Saturday
31 October |
Holy Mass at 10.00am
for Jake Reid as a special intention Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Kathleen Cairns who died recently |
|
Saturday
24 October |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
|
Sunday
25 October
Thirtieth Sunday of the Year |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
|
Monday
26 October
|
||
|
Tuesday
27 October
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Wednesday
28 October
Feast of Saints Sion and Jude, Apostles |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Thursday
29 October
|
Requiem Mass | |
|
Friday
30 October
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Saturday
31 October |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm |
|
SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
MASS
BOOKINGS |
|
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
NEW
WEBSITE |
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
TO SAINT MICHAEL, ARCHANGEL
May prayer strengthen us for the spiritual battle we are told about in the
Letter to the Ephesians - Draw strength from the Lord and from his mighty
power (Ephesians 6:10). The Book of Revelation refers to this same battle,
recalling before our eyes the image of Saint Michael the Archangel (Revelation
12:7). Pope Leo XIII certainly had a very vivid recollection of this scene
when, at the end of the last century, he introduced a special prayer to Saint
Michael throughout the Church. Although this prayer is no longer recited at
the end of Mass, Saint Pope John Paul asked everyone not to forget it and
to recite it to obtain help in the battle against forces of darkness and against
the spirit of this world.
Saint
Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the
wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray and
do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the Divine Power of God cast into
hell, Satan and all the evil spirits
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
A SIMPLE
EXPLANATION OF THE MASS - PART 20
What happens in us when we receive Holy Communion? The Eucharist is our pledge
of the glory to come (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1042-1405). This fruit
was most recognisable at the Last Supper when Jesus said "I tell you
I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink
it anew in my Father's Kingdom" (Lk 22:18). Whenever we gather together
to celebrate the Eucharist, we remember this promise of our Lord and turn
our gaze towards him who is to come (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1403).
When we receive Holy Communion, we are publicly stating our willingness to
stand with Jesus in his ongoing battle against all forms of evil and suffering
in our world. The Calvary dimension of the Eucharist becomes real when we
confront with love and courage the daily crosses and persecutions of life
such as difficult family and work situations, poor health, unjust structures
of society that oppress and keep the poor in bondage. A central part of being
sincere Eucharistic people is our willingness to feed the hungry, give drink
to the thirsty, clothe the naked and visit the imprisoned (Mt 25: 31-46).
After the distribution of Holy Communion, there follows a time of quiet meditation
when we spend a few moments to contemplate on the meaning of Holy Communion
and allow it to sink deep into our hearts. We may choose to either sit quietly
in the presence of our Beloved or speak to him about the deepest concerns
of our hearts. A medieval monk said "While we rest in him, he works in
us."
NEXT SUNDAY IS THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS
Life on earth is hard. "Continuous warfare" as Job said (7:1). This
world is fallen, filled with obstacles to justice, peace, and true happiness.
As a result, the life of every Christian here on earth is a hard battle to
stay faithful to Christ and to help others do the same. The Second Vatican
Council, in its Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, taught 'For
a monumental struggle against the powers of darkness pervades the whole history
of man. The battle was joined from the very origins of the world and will
continue until the last day as the Lord has attested. Caught in this conflict,
man is obliged to wrestle constantly if he is to cling to what is good, nor
can he achieve his own integrity without great efforts and the help of God's
grace" (Gaudium et Spes, 37). We know this and we have accepted the challenge
- that's why we are here today. And yet, we get tired of fighting, sometimes.
We get worn out. That's why the Church gives us today's Solemnity of All Saints
- to rekindle our hope! Contemplating these brothers and sisters in Christ
should renew our strength, inspire us, and encourage us.
CHOOSING TWELVE APOSTLES
Who were these men and what qualifications did they have? Today companies
screen people for management positions and Church authorities also screen
people for positions of leadership. Candidates are not admitted to the priesthood
without first undergoing psychological tests. Let us imagine that the twelve
apostles were sent by Jesus to a firm of consultants for similar tests. The
following report, marked Private and Confidential, was sent back to him.
Dear Sir
Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for
management positions in your new organisation. All of them have now taken
our battery of tests. We have run the results through our computer and arranged
personal interviews for each of them with our psychologists and vocational
aptitude consultants. The results of all the tests are included and we advise
that you study each of them carefully. It is the opinion of the staff that
most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational
aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. Besides, they do
not have the team concept. We have found ample evidence of jealousy and rivalry
among them. Therefore, we would recommend that you continue your search for
persons of more experience and proven ability.
Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper so is definitely
not the man you would want to head your organisation. Andrew has absolutely
no qualities of leadership - he is just a follower and does what the others
do. The two brothers, James and John, are too hot-headed and impulsive. Besides,
they place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a
questioning attitude that would undermine morale. Matthew, the tax-collector,
is undoubtedly a man of ability but would project the wrong image for an organisation
such as yours. James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus have radical political
leanings hence, their unsuitability. There is one of the candidates, however,
who shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, good
with people, has a keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He
is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. That man is Judas Iscariot.
We recommend him as your controller and right-hand man. We wish you every
success in your new venture.
Sincerely yours
Jordan Management Consultants
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
Michael
O'Leary, Chief Executive of Ryanair, after arriving in a hotel in Manchester
went to the bar and asked for a pint of Guinness. The barman said "That
will be £1 please, Mr O'Leary." Taken aback, O'Leary replied "That's
very cheap" and handed over his money. "We do try to stay ahead
of the competition" said the barman. "We have the cheapest beer
in England". "That is remarkable value" Michael comments. "I
see you don't have a glass, you'll need one of ours. That will be £3
please." O'Leary scowled but paid up. He took his drink and walked towards
a seat. "Ah, you want to sit down?" said the barman. "That'll
be an extra £2. If you'd pre-booked it would have cost £1."
O'Leary swore to himself but paid up. "I see you've brought your laptop"
added the barman. "That wasn't pre-booked either, that's another £3."
O'Leary was so incensed and his face was red with rage. "I've had enough!
I insist on speaking to a manager!" "Here is his e-mail address
or if you wish, you can contact him between 9.00 am and 9.01am every morning,
Monday to Tuesday. Calls are free, unless answered, then there is a charge
of only £1 per second". "I will never use this bar again".
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
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.