CHURCH
OF SAINT PETER IN CHAINS, ARDROSSAN • A Family of
Parishes • SAINT BRIDE'S CHURCH, WEST KILBRIDE
Meeting people where they are - leading them to where God calls them
to be!
BULLETIN 18 APRIL 2021
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 LUKE (Luke 24:35-48)
The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they
had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread. They were still talking about
all this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them "Peace
be with you!" In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were
seeing a ghost. But he said "Why are you so agitated and why are these
doubts rising in your hearts? Look at my hands and feet. Yes, it is I indeed.
Touch me and see for yourselves. A ghost has no flesh and bones as you can
see I have." And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet. Their
joy was so great that they still could not believe it and they stood there
dumbfounded so he said to them "Have you anything here to eat?"
And they offered him a piece of grilled fish which he took and ate before
their eyes. Then he told them "This is what I meant when I said, while
I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses,
in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled." He then opened
their minds to understand the scriptures and he said to them "So you
see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise
from the dead and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins
would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses
to this."
REFLECTION
The Gospels are remarkably honest about the doubts of the friends of Jesus
after his Resurrection - which should be a great comfort and help to us!
It's not easy to believe in the resurrection of the dead. If we put ourselves
in the disciples' place, we can easily imagine that our reaction might well
be the same as theirs - 'in a state of alarm and fright, thinking we were
seeing a ghost'. Just as with so many aspects of Jesus' life and mission,
our very familiarity with the story can sometimes blunt us to its significance
and meaning. The resurrection is a perfect example of this - so in response
to today's Gospel, perhaps we should step back a little and try and use
our imaginations. How would you react if you had been to a funeral on a
Friday and then saw that person walking down the street on the following
Sunday? What would you think? Would you tell other people about it or be
afraid what they might think? In the face of such doubt, the response of
Jesus is wonderful. He gently works through the doubts and fears, with great
patience and love. He reassures them he is not a ghost by letting them see
he has 'flesh and bones' and even goes so far as to eat a piece of grilled
fish 'before their very eyes'! This is important for us. We believe the
resurrection of Jesus was a physical resurrection - the resurrection of
the body that we mention in the Creed - not just a spiritual or mental or
metaphorical thing. The risen Jesus eats the fish. He has a body that can
be touched. In this last year, so many people have been denied human touch
- elderly relatives in care homes, the sick and dying in hospital, grandchildren
and grandparents. We long for that human touch once more. The bodily resurrection
of Jesus teaches us that our ultimate destiny is also a physical resurrection,
when we are raised in the body on the last day, which is definitely something
to look forward to! As the Opening Prayer today said 'We look forward in
confident hope to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection'.
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 services are live-streamed and public by booking unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
Bride's Church, West Kilbride
All services are public by booking unless otherwise stated. |
|
|
Saturday
17 April |
Vigil
Mass at 5.30pm for Pat Logan and James Watt who both died recently
and Terry McCabe and Philomena Doherty at their anniversaries |
|
|
Sunday
18 April
Third Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday |
Holy Mass at 10.30am for our parishes | Holy Mass at 12.15pm |
|
Monday
19 April
|
Holy
Mass 10.00am for Robert Ferguson and Lee Dodds who both died recently
and Daniel Kelly at his anniversary |
|
|
Tuesday
20 April
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for the special intention of Holly Collins and family
and John Mitchell who died recently |
Holy Mass at 10.00am |
|
Wednesday
21 April
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am for Duncan Lyon at his anniversary and the special intention of Betty Craig | |
|
Thursday
22 April
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for the special intention of Joanne Collins and son
and George Lee and John O'Rourke at their anniversaries Private |
|
|
Friday
23 April
|
Holy
Mass at 10.00am for Andy Dougan and Bridget McLellan at their anniversaries and John and Catherine Cahill |
Holy Mass at 12 noon for John McLaughlin |
|
Saturday
24 April |
Vigil Mass at 5.30pm for Sally and Frank McKane and Cathie Slimman who died recently and James McHugh at his anniversary | |
|
Father
Duncan
is assisted by the retired priest, Father Gerry Hamill.
|
|
Saint
Mary's Church, Saltcoats
All services are live-streamed and public by booking unless otherwise stated. |
Saint
John’s Church, Stevenston
All services are live-streamed and public by booking unless otherwise stated. |
|
|
Saturday
17 April |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
|
Sunday
18 April
Third Sunday of Easter Divine Mercy Sunday |
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am |
Holy
Mass
at 11.30am |
|
Monday
19 April
|
||
|
Tuesday
20 April
|
Holy
Mass
at 10.00am Holy Mass at 1.30pm for Saint Anthony's Primary School |
|
|
Wednesday
21 April
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Thursday
22 April
|
Holy Mass at 10.00am | |
|
Friday
23 April
|
Requiem Mass at 10.00am for Helen Robertson | |
|
Saturday
24 April |
Vigil Mass at 4.30pm | |
|
Canon
Martin Poland is assisted by Father Benjamin Mkeri and Canon
Matt McManus who is retired.
|
||
PRAYERS
Please remember in your prayers:
Jim Boyle and Annie Watt;
Sister Imelda James of the Sisters of Marie Reparatrice, Robert Ferguson,
Lee Dodds (Ayr), John Mitchell, Cathie Slimman and Sally and Frank McKane
who died recently;
William Main 2007, Robert Tracy 2004, Margaret Lesley Cahill 2018, Marie
Louise McCarroll 1982, James McCool 2009, Jane Tumilty 1983, Margaret Kelly
2011, Agnes McCann 1970, Wendy McGowan 2019, Mary McKay 1980, Rosina Millar
1999, Annie Paton 2009, Ellen Smith 2009, Charles Spencer 1969, Francis
Docherty 2015, Philomena Doherty 2001, Iris Gribben 2019, Richard Hunter
2010, Duncan Lyon 2103, Charles John McMillan 2015, Ida Narducci 2008, Adam
Whiston 1968, Father Peter Dolan 2013, Margaret Grear 1994, Bridget McLellan
1995, John O'Rourke 1993, James Welsh 1997, Sarah Coulter 1972, Andrew Dougan
2008, Agnes McKay 1969, John Murphy, Thomas Nellany 2001, Mary Robertson
1988, Rose Twigg 2014, Charlotte Bell 2009, David Cook 2018, John Maher
2010, Agnes McCann 1970 and Joseph Stevens 1993 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.
FEED YOUR SOUL - RENEWING OUR PARISH COMMUNITIES
The Apostles, faithful to the divine mandate, by witness and works, preaching,
institutions and writings inspired by the Holy Spirit, have handed on what
they received and 'in order to keep the Gospel forever whole and active
in the Church, left bishops as their successors, 'handing over' to them
'the authority to teach in their own place'. (Vatican II). The transmission
of the Gospel according to the Lord's command has been carried out in two
ways - 'through the living transmission of the Word of God, also called
Tradition, and through Sacred Scripture which is the same proclamation of
salvation in written form'. Tradition and Scripture are firmly united and
interconnected, stemming from the same source, the Revelation of Jesus.
These join together in a single stream, the ecclesial life of faith, and
work together to render the whole mystery of Christ alive and dynamic in
the Church. Tradition is not primarily a collection of doctrines but is
a life of faith that is renewed every day. The Church's Magisterium, the
Bishops in communion with the Pope, supported by the Spirit and endowed
with the charism of truth, exercises its ministry of authentically interpreting
the word of God, which it serves."
Directory
of Catechism 24-27
|
SAINT
PETER'S NOTICES
MASS
BOOKINGS |
|
SAINT
BRIDE'S NOTICES
MASS
BOOKINGS |
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.
THOUGHTS
FOR EASTER
A person resurrecting from the dead does not just appear by chance to
anyone. He appears to particular people, for specific reasons. Otherwise,
the appearance would be simply like showing off a new suit to the general
public. Jesus appeared first of all to Mary of Magdala. She was one of
the few people who stood by him as he died of crucifixion - so Jesus rewarded
her with his first appearance as a new man. Not because, as some twitter,
there was a romantic relationship between them. She called him Teacher
not Sweetheart. Jesus then appeared to Pete because he was the chief apostle
and because Jesus knew that Peter needed attention. Later, in his difficult
job as leader of the Church, Peter would be doubted by insiders and pilloried
by outsiders. He had to be assured of the unique support of his Lord.
Jesus later appeared to the disciples as a group. This was also a necessary
encounter. They had not been totally loyal in their friendship. Jesus
also appeared to a couple of disciples who had given up too soon, had
left the city and were on their way back to their old lives. Jesus appeared
to them first as a stranger in order to gauge their real attitudes, so
he would know how to help them. We don't know if Jesus appeared privately
to his mother but we can imagine that he did. He had to tell her how much
she taught him, how often he thought of her, how the memory of her love
kept him going when nothing else could. Jesus appears to everyone in a
different way because each person is uniquely different. How does he appear
to you?
GUIDELINES FROM GOD
Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes you need
to make in your life. These changes need to be completed in order that
I may fulfil my promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness
in this life. Please, follow these ten guidelines.
• Stop Worrying - Life has dealt you a blow and all
you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all
your burdens and carry them for you?
• Put It On The List - Something needs to be done or
taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not your list. Put it on my to-do-list.
Let me be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until
you turn it over to me.
• Trust Me - Once you've given your burdens to me, quit
trying to take them back. Trust in me. Have the faith that I will take
care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. All you have to
do is ask.
• Leave It Alone - Don't wake up one morning and say
"Well, I'm feeling much stronger now. I think I can handle it from
here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple.
You gave me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your
strength and cover you in my peace.
• Talk To Me - I want you to forget a lot of things.
Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because
you know I'm in control - but there's one thing I pray you never forget.
Please, don't forget to talk to me - often! I love you! I want to hear
your voice. I want you to include me in on the things going on in your
life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family.
• Have Faith - I see a lot of things from up here that
you can't see from where you are. Have faith in me that I know what I'm
doing. Trust me. You wouldn't want the view from my eyes. I will continue
to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to
trust me.
• Share - You were taught to share when you were only
two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with
those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need
encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in
such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to
cry. Share your faith with those who have none.
• Be Patient - I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime
you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an
adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel
to so many places, meet thousands of people and experience so much. How
can you be so impatient then when it takes me a little longer than you
expect to handle something on my to-do-list? Trust in my timing for my
timing is perfect.
• Be Kind - Be kind to others for I love them just as
much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you or live
the same way you do but I still love you all. Please try to get along
for my sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be
too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your
differences.
• Love Yourself - As much as I love you, how can you
not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only - to be
loved and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbours
- but also love yourself. It makes my heart ache when I see you so angry
with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me. Don't
ever forget.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS
Loving Father, help the young men and women of our parish family of Saint
Bride's and Saint Peter's to hear the call of Jesus Christ to follow him.
Our needs are great and our people thirst for your presence. Open the
hearts of many, raise up faithful servants of the Gospel, dedicated holy
priests, sisters, and brothers, who will spend themselves for your people
and their needs. Bless those who are serving now with courage, everyday
sanctity and perseverance. Grant that many will be inspired by their example
and faith and so we turn to you in Christ's Name and pray with confidence.
Our Father, who art in heaven ...
Hail Mary, full of grace ...
Glory be to the Father ...
JUST
FOR A LAUGH ...
The elderly priest, speaking to the younger priest, said ''You had a good
idea to replace the first four pews with plush bucket theatre seats. It
worked like a charm. The front of the Church always fills first now.''
The young priest nodded and the old priest continued ''And you told me
adding a little more beat to the music would bring young people back to
Church so I supported you when you brought in that rock 'n roll gospel
choir. Now our services are consistently packed to the balcony.'' 'Thank
you, Father'' answered the young priest. ''I am pleased that you are open
to the new ideas of youth.'' ''All of these ideas have been well and good''
said the elderly priest ''but I'm afraid you've gone too far with the
drive-through confessional.'' "But, Father'' protested the young
priest ''my confessions and the donations have nearly doubled since I
began that!'' "Yes'' replied the elderly priest ''and I appreciate
that. But the flashing neon sign 'Toot 'n Tell or Go to Hell' cannot stay
on the Church roof!"
SPECIAL
COLLECTION
There will be a special collection next weekend for the Student Fund.
SCOTTISH CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL AID FUND (SCIAF) WEE BOXES
Please hand in all SCIAF boxes and donations by 4 May as for SCIAF to
benefit from the Government Scheme they need to be in the SCIAF account
by 7 May. Thank you.
PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES
Canon Matt has signed up
to go on a five-day pilgrimage to Lourdes for the Feast of the Immaculate
Conception on 8 December. Travel restrictions permitting, the flight will
be from Edinburgh. Full details are available from www.NorthernStarTravel.com
and 0161 773 2115.
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING FOR PARISH VOLUNTEERS
Looking ahead to when we may be able to resume normal worship and return
to parish ministries, it will be necessary for all parish volunteers to
complete their second safeguarding induction training session, if they
require a Protecting Vulnerable Groups certificate to carry out their
ministries. The diocesan trainers strongly recommend that as many volunteers
as possible attend this training session online, from the comfort and
safety of their own homes, during this current lockdown. To book a place
in an online session at a convenient time for you, please visit www.GallowayDiocese.org.uk/safeguarding-calendar,
which will be regularly updated with available dates and times. If you
are unsure whether you need to attend, please contact your Parish Safeguarding
Coordinator. Many volunteers have already attended either in-person immediately
before the pandemic, or online during it. Thank you for your commitment
to your parishes.
SUPPORT OUR PARISHES THIS LENT
Our Parish Communities of Saint
Bride's and Saint Peter's work tirelessly to share the Good News of
Jesus Christ in a culture bent on pushing God to the margins. During this
penitential season, we strip ourselves of worldly attachments and rededicate
ourselves to repentance, prayer, fasting and almsgiving. To that end,
we ask that you prayerfully consider making a Standing Order to aid our
critical mission. We give a sincere word of thanks to all our parishioners
who have done so in the last couple of weeks. It is already making a big
difference. As a Catholic charity, we rely on your support to sustain
our ministry. Each year, our efforts help many people to come to a closer
knowledge of Jesus Christ and to deepen their relationship with him in
the Church. Please consider a regular Standing Order so that we can continue
to proclaim Christ in the culture in new and engaging ways. Forms are
available from the Parish Office and here.
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.
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.