CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
BULLETIN 8 NOVEMBER 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
25:1-13)
Jesus told this parable to his disciples "The kingdom of heaven will
be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. The foolish ones did take
their lamps but they brought no oil whereas the sensible ones took flasks
of oil as well as their lamps. The bridegroom was late and they all grew drowsy
and fell asleep. But at midnight, there was a cry, "The bridegroom is
here! Go out and meet him." At this, all those bridesmaids woke up and
trimmed their lamps and the foolish ones said to the sensible ones "Give
us some of your oil. Our lamps are going out." But they replied "There
may not be enough for us and for you. You had better go to those who sell
it and buy some for yourselves." They had gone off to buy it when the
bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding hall
and the door was closed. The other bridesmaids arrived later. "Lord,
Lord" they said "open the door for us." But he replied "I
tell you solemnly, I do not know you." So stay awake, because you do
not know either the day or the hour."
REFLECTION
Remember how, when Jesus tells parables, everything stands for something else?
This parable is obviously about being ready for the end - whether the end
of our life or the end of time. We should be like the sensible bridesmaids
with plenty of oil for our lamps. But what does that oil stand for? Perhaps
last week's gospel - the Beatitudes - can give us an answer. The oil is our
store of meekness and kindness, compassion and peacemaking, search for justice,
purity of heart and poverty of spirit. By living according to the Beatitudes,
we store up this 'oil', so that our lamps of faith are always lit and always
ready. Have a think about how much oil is in your lamp today!
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Saint
Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and
public unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
Bride's - All Masses are public
unless otherwise stated. |
|
|
Saturday
7 November |
Holy Mass at 10.00am
for Kathleen Cairns who died recently Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Mary McGoogan as a special intention |
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Sunday
8 November
Thirty-second Sunday of the Year |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes | Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes |
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Monday
9 November
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am
for John Craig at his anniversary |
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Tuesday
10 November
Memorial of Saint Leo the Great |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am
for Ann Ward at her anniversary Private |
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Wednesday
11 November
Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Theresa Loudon as a special intention and Cathie Sweeney at her anniversary | |
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Thursday
12 November
Memorial of Saint Josaphat |
Requiem
Mass at 10.00am for John
Finnigan Private |
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Friday
13 November
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am as a special Mass in time of pandemic and Tommy Rae who died recently | Holy Mass at 12 noon |
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Saturday
14 November |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Bob McNeish Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Mary Lindsay |
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Saturday
7 November |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
|
Sunday
8 November
Thirty-second Sunday of the Year |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
|
Monday
9 November
Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica |
||
|
Tuesday
10 November
Memorial of Saint Leo the Great |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Wednesday
11 November
Memorial of Saint Martin of Tours |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
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Thursday
12 November
Memorial of Saint Josaphat |
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Friday
13 November
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Saturday
14 November |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm |
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SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
MASS
BOOKINGS |
|
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
FUNERAL
SERVICE FOR NORMA DONLEVY |
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.
A SIMPLE
EXPLANATION OF THE MASS - PART 22
We bring our series about the Mass to an end by looking at the connection
between liturgy and life. It would seem that many people who attend Mass on
Sunday see little connection between what happens in Church and what happens
in their homes, neighbourhoods and workplaces. Too few people are aware that
the time spent in the world can be a means of personal sanctification just
like the time spent in personal and communal prayer. Such separation of worship
and life, of the sacred and the secular is a perennial danger in Christian
spirituality. It is too easy for us to lose sight of the beautiful fact that
the Jesus who leads us in worship on Sunday morning is also at work in the
kitchens and offices of life, seeking to build there 'a kingdom of truth,
justice and peace'. The late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago once wrote
"The liturgy is not an extra something nice that may give us good feelings.
It is our life, our very spirit. It is the source of our identity and renewal
as a Church. When we let the liturgy shape us - from the ashes of Lent and
the waters of Baptism to the broken bread and poured out cup at every Sunday's
Mass - then we shall find what it is 'to put on Christ'".
WE REMEMBER THEM
He was very old now but could still hold himself stiffly at attention before
the monument. His war, the one to end all wars, was now just a fading part
of history. Very few could remember first-hand the savageness of the ordeal
that had sent millions of young men to their deaths. Cannon fodder, they'd
called them, sent before the guns to be mown down - blown apart by chunks
of metal which had decimated their frail bodies. The cream of a generation
was almost wiped out. He was haunted by the faces of the boys he'd had to
order into battle, the ones who'd never come back. Yet one nameless ghost
was able to bring a measure of comfort to his tormented mind. At the sound
of the gun signalling the eleventh hour he was mentally transported back to
the fields of Flanders. The battle had raged for over two hours, with neither
side gaining any advantage. Wave after wave of soldiers had been dispatched
from the muddy trenches and sent over the top. So many had died already that
day that he decided he could not afford to lose any more men before reinforcements
arrived. Perhaps they'd give the remnants a few more days of life. There came
a slight lull in the battle due to the sheer exhaustion of the men on both
sides. During this interval, a young soldier came up to him requesting that
he be allowed to go over the top. He looked at the boy who couldn't have been
more than nineteen. Was this extreme bravery in the face of the enemy or was
the soldier so scared he just needed to get it over with? "Why would
you want to throw your life away soldier? It's almost certain death to go
out there." "My best friend went out over an hour ago, Captain,
and he hasn't come back. I know my friend must be hurt and calling for me.
I must go to him, sir, I must." There were tears in the boy's eyes. It
was as if this were the most important thing in the world to him." "Soldier,
I'm sorry, but your friend is probably dead. What purpose would it serve to
let you sacrifice your life too?" "At least I'd know I'd tried,
sir. He'd do the same thing in my shoes. I know he would." He was about
to order the boy back to the ranks but the impact of his words softened his
heart. He remembered the awful pain he'd felt himself when his brother had
died. He'd never had the chance to say goodbye. "All right soldier, you
can go." Despite the horror all around them, he saw a radiant smile on
the boy's face as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "God
bless you, sir," said the soldier. It was a long time before the guns
fell silent for the last time and each side was allowed to gather their dead
and wounded. The Captain remembered the young soldier. He looked through the
many piles of bodies. They were young men so many as to give an unreal quality
to the scene before him. When he came to the makeshift hospital, he looked
carefully through the casualties. He soon found himself before the prone body
of the soldier, alive, but severely wounded. He knelt down beside the young
man and gently laid a hand on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry, son. I knew
I was wrong to let you go." "Oh no, sir. I'm glad you did and I'm
glad you're here now so I can thank you. You see sir, I found my friend. He
was badly wounded, but I was able to comfort him at the end. As I held him
dying in my arms, he looked me in the eyes and said: "I knew you'd come."
The young soldier faded between consciousness and oblivion for some time before
he finally slipped away. The captain stayed by his side until the end, tears
streaming quietly down his cheeks. Only in war could the happy endings be
so terribly sad. As the bugle sounded The Last Post, the old captain envisioned
once again the young soldier's face. Looking up, he could almost hear the
stone monument calling out to him "I knew you'd come."
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
After
a morning Mass, a mother with a fidgety seven-year-old boy told her Parish
Priest how she finally got her son to sit still and be quiet. About halfway
through the sermon, she leaned over and whispered "If you don't be quiet,
the priest is going to lose his place and will have to start his sermon all
over again!" It worked!
THE SEASON OF ADVENT STARTS SOON
The Advent Season offers us special graces and an opportunity to allow the
Lord to transform our hearts with the joyful anticipation of the coming of
his Son. Wouldn't you like your Advent to be different this year? How would
you feel about an Advent that was more peaceful, more joyful and more meaningful
than ever before? This year, I would like to invite you to journey with the
Holy Family through this special season. This year, prepare to welcome a person
and not just a day. The First Sunday of Advent is 29 November 2020.
REMEMBRANCE
SUNDAY SERVICES
The annual Remembrance Sunday services will not go ahead as usual because
of the Covid restrictions. Representatives from the different parishes and
organisations will lay wreaths at the monuments then depart.
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.