CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
BULLETIN 29 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 MARK (Mark
13:33-37)
Jesus said to his disciples "Be on your guard, stay awake, because you
never know when the time will come. It is like a man travelling abroad. He
has gone from home and left his servants in charge, each with his own task
and he has told the doorkeeper to stay awake. So stay awake, because you do
not know when the master of the house is coming, evening, midnight, cockcrow,
dawn. If he comes unexpectedly, he must not find you asleep and what I say
to you I say to all - Stay awake!"
REFLECTION
There can be something of a disconnect with the Word of God this Sunday. All
around us, people are putting up Christmas decorations, preparing as best
they can for a festive season in the midst of a pandemic and looking for moments
of 'comfort and joy' - and then we get a Gospel about the end of the world
and the Second Coming of Jesus and a stern warning to "Stay awake"!
Is the Church so out of step with the real world? Not at all - we often hear
people talking about the 'real meaning of Christmas'. While for many that
simply means Nativity Plays and religious Christmas cards, we believe that
the real meaning of Christmas is much more profound. Jesus is real, he has
walked among us and he will come again. This is the 'real meaning' we must
hold on to. The overpowering power of Christ's love is not something to fear,
but something to long for - and it is something that no virus, no pandemic,
no tragedy or disaster, not even death itself can take from us. This is what
we must be awake to, filled with longing, love and expectation. In a year
when we may be without many of the elements that we think make for a joyful
Christmas, let us focus more and more on those things that are always with
us - the love of God revealed in Jesus. Let us long for him more and more!
Saint
Peter's - All Masses are live-streamed and
public unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
Bride's - All Masses are public
unless otherwise stated. |
|
Saturday
28 November |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Wee Joe McIver Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Maria Reid at her anniversary and K Collins in thanksgiving |
|
Sunday
29 November
First Sunday of Advent |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes | Holy Mass at 12.15pm for our parishes |
Monday
30 November
Solemnity of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Michael Doherty at his anniversary and Alan Whitelaw and Theresa Loudon who both died recently | Holy Mass at 10.00am |
Tuesday
1 December
|
Requiem
Mass at 10.00am
for Margaret Taylor Private |
|
Wednesday
2 December
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am for John Finnigan who died recently and Margaret McGregor as a special intention | |
Thursday
3 December
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier |
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Sadie
McAtee as a special intention and Hugh Toye Private |
|
Friday
4 December
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am for John Higgins at his month's mind and Emma Hackett at her anniversary | Holy Mass at 12 noon |
Saturday
5 December |
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Alistair MacMillan Private Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Kathleen Fraser and Jean Strachan who both died recently |
Saturday
28 November |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
Sunday
29 November
First Sunday of Advent |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
Monday
30 November
Solemnity of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland |
||
Tuesday
1 December
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
Wednesday
2 December
|
Funeral | Holy Mass at 10.00am |
Thursday
3 December
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier |
||
Friday
4 December
|
Funeral | Holy Mass at 10.00am |
Saturday
5 December |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm |
SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
MASS
BOOKINGS |
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
ADVENT
BOOKLET |
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.
WATCHING, WAITING, DESIRING
This
weekend marks the start of Advent. The word Advent refers to the coming or
arrival of a notable person, thing or event. In the Christian sense of the
term, of course, it refers to the coming of Christ - both his first coming
in Bethlehem and his second coming when all will be consummated in the eternal
Marriage of the Lamb. "Be watchful! Be alert!" says Jesus in this
Sunday's Gospel. "You do not know when the time will come." What
keeps us alert and watchful? - desire. The final words of the Bible express
the summation of human longing 'The Spirit and the bride say come!' Great
saints like Augustine, Gregory and Bernard all tell us that Christ keeps his
bride waiting to increase and stretch her desire. Desire is the faculty that
not only pines after the divine gift but also receives it when it is given,
so the wider our desire, the more we are capable of receiving. Christ wants
us to be as wide open to his gift as possible, stretched in our desire unto
infinity, because that's what he has to offer us - the wild ecstasy of infinite
bliss in union with him. Come Lord Jesus, come!
THE INNKEEPER'S TALE
They think I'm some kind of cruel, heartless landlord. Someone must have told
them that - but they're wrong, just plain wrong and it's time to set the record
straight, once and for all. People say I'm an innkeeper then came that census
the governor thought up - taxation, pure and simple! People from all over
the province flooded into town that week - filled us clean up. I must have
gotten in and out of bed ten times that night, stumbling over bodies to get
to the door. "No more room, sorry folks. No more room. Come back in the
morning. We have a couple of families leaving then." I just couldn't
make any more room. That's the honest truth. But I did make room for one more
couple. Joseph was a burly man with big arms and strong hands, down from Nazareth,
I think he said. He wouldn't take no for an answer. I would say "No,
I'm sorry" and he'd tell me about his Mary. Well, when I saw Mary she
was just about as pregnant as a woman can get and awfully pale. The barn -
that would just have to do, I told myself and led them and their donkey out
back. Joseph said "We sure are grateful, sir." Then with a serious
look, he asked me "Do you know where I can find a midwife in these parts?
We might need her tomorrow or the next day." That man didn't know much
about having babies, it was plain enough to see. I ran to Sarah's house and
pounded on the door until her husband came. I stopped a moment to catch my
breath. "And tell her to hurry." By the time we got back to the
barn, Joseph had prepared some soft, clean hay for Mary and wrapped her up
in a blanket, wiping the perspiration off her brow and was speaking softly
to her. Sarah sent me to get my Rachel and then pushed Joseph and me out of
the barn. "This ain't no place for men" she said. We waited just
outside in the shelter of the barn for hours, it seemed like. Well, all of
a sudden, we hear a little cry. "You've got a baby boy" Sarah was
saying as we peeped around the corner. She hands the young-un to Rachel and
she wraps it up in those swaddling bands she had saved. Cute little thing,
I tell you. Well, Joseph goes over to Mary and gives her a big hug and a kiss
on the cheek. The lantern was blowing almost out, the cattle were lowing softly
and baby Jesus was asleep in his mother's arms. By the time I got back, Rachel
was in bed and I was about ready to put out the light, step over sleeping
bodies and get under the warm covers, when I heard some murmuring out by the
barn. I'd better check, I told myself. When I peeped in, I saw shepherds.
Raggedy, smelly old shepherds were kneeling down on the filthy barn floor
as if they were praying. The oldest one was saying something to Joseph about
angels and the Messiah - and the rest of them just knelt there with their
heads bowed, some with tears running down their faces. I coughed out loud
and Joseph looked up. I was almost ready to run those thieving shepherds off
when Joseph motioned to me with his hand. "It's okay" he whispered.
"They've come to see the Christ-Child." The Christ-Child? The Messiah?
That was when I knelt, too - and watched and prayed and listened to the old
shepherd recount his story of angels and heavenly glory and the sign of a
holy baby, wrapped in swaddling bands to be found in a manger. My Lord, it
was my stable where the Christ-Child was born and my manger he rested in -
my straw, my lamp, my wife Rachel assisting at his birth. The shepherds left
after a while. Some of them leaned over and kissed the sleeping Christ-Child
before they departed. I know I did. I'll always be glad I made room in the
barn for that family - that holy family. You see, I'm not some mean innkeeper.
I was there. I saw him. Oh, I believe in him, I tell you - and, mark my words,
if you'd seen what I've seen, you'd be a believer, too.
JUST FOR A LAUGH ...
•
Hamish says to Wullie "Christmas is on a Friday this year". Wullie
says "Let's hope it's not the thirteenth."
• Hamish spies a letter lying on his doormat. It says on the envelope 'Do
Not Bend'. Hamish spends the next two hours trying to figure out how to pick
it up.
CHURCHES
HOMELESSNESS ACTION NORTH AYRSHIRE (CHANA) AT CHRISTMAS TIME
CHANA usually coordinates donations of gifts to help the most vulnerable in
communities across North Ayrshire. Covid restrictions mean a different tack
is required this year and CHANA has teamed up with the Ayrshire-based charity
Night Before Christmas. CHANA is asking people to support Night Before Christmas
by donating to the Just Giving page which is already up and running https://www.JustGiving.com/nb4cc
or people could put cash in an envelope marked CHANA and put it in the collection.
Presents for those in need will be bought and distributed by Night Before
Christmas. CHANA has donated £400. Thank 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
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.