THE VALUES OF THE KINGDOM
Today we hear again the extraordinary teachings of Jesus that changed the world forever. By our refusal to hate, we too make our world a better place for everyone.
First Reading (1 Samuel 26:2. 7-9. 12-13. 22-23). Though the King set out with an army to kill him, David refrained from harming Saul, even when the opportunity presented itself.
Second Reading (1 Corinthians 15: 45-49). Human beings have bodies. Yet a physical being may become spiritually minded and bear the image of Christ.
Gospel (Luke 6:27-38). Those who are truly God’s children resemble their heavenly Father in showing indiscriminate kindness, even towards their worst enemies.
PARISH FINANCE
Many thanks to all our parishioners for your generosity towards our parish and clergy, it is most appreciated. Our retiral collection last weekend in support of the ministry of The Apostleship of the Sea – ‘STELLA MARIS’ raised the most generous sum of £1,116. The Apostleship of the Sea thanks you most sincerely.
POPE’S SYNOD PLEA: LET’S LISTEN TO EACH OTHER
In the Church, there is a great need to listen to and to hear one another. It is the most precious and life-giving gift we can offer to each other.
“Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been committed to them by him who is himself the great listener and whose work they should share. We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the word of God”. Thus the Protestant theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer reminds us that the first service we owe to others in communion consists in listening to them. Whoever does not know how to listen to his brother or sister will soon no longer be able to listen to God.
The most important task in pastoral activity is the ‘apostolate of the ear’ to listen before speaking, as the Apostle James exhorts – ‘Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak’. Freely giving some of our own time to listen to people is the first act of charity.
A synodal process has just been launched. Let us pray that it will be a great opportunity to listen to one another. Communion, in fact, is not the result of strategies and programmes but is built-in mutual listening between brothers and sisters.
As in a choir, unity does not require uniformity, monotony, but the plurality and variety of voices, polyphony. At the same time, each voice in the choir sings while listening to the other voices and in relation to the harmony of the whole.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Our parish (P3) schoolchildren will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation (First Confession) on Monday 14th March at 7 pm in our parish Church. Please remember these children in your prayers. Parish Catechesis for the children will take place in the parish hall on Saturday 12th March beginning at 10.30 am – ending at approximately 11.30 am. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available daily to any parishioner who wishes. Please speak to our parish clergy at any time to arrange this celebration of the Sacrament.
DEEP CLEANING – SANITISING OF CHURCH
We appeal for parishioners to help clean and tidy our parish Church. Presently we have 4 regular cleaners who come along on Saturday mornings at 10 am. We could do with extra hands – there is no set time limit to the time you are able to offer – nor are you expected to come along every Saturday morning – but if we have sufficient numbers we can work on a rota system and allow those who have been involved in this ministry for the past two years a well-earned rest. We thank everyone involved in all our parish ministries and warmly invite you to help out in whatever manner possible.
SUNDAY OBLIGATION
The restoration of the Sunday Obligation will resume from Sunday 6th March, the First Sunday in Lent. The obligation does not apply to those who are sick and their carers or to those aware of their greater vulnerability to the virus.
PARISH HALL
Is now reopened for parish groups and social occasions. Ladies Tuesday Night Dancing 8th February from 7 pm – 9 pm. New members are most welcome. Wednesday Café opens after 10 am Mass on Wednesday 9th February. Saturday evening Bingo (restarted 5th February) – ‘Eyes Down’ at 8 pm. All most welcome.
ARCHBISHOP ELECT – BISHOP WILLIAM NOLAN
Bishop Nolan will be installed as our new Archbishop on Saturday 26th February at 12 noon Mass in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Clyde Street. We pray that his ministry will bring countless blessings to our Archdiocese and city.
RIP
Our parish community extend our sympathy and the support of our prayers to the family and friends of James (Jim) McSheffrey (Pikeman Road) whose funeral Mass and Committal took place on Wednesday morning (16th February).
– May he rest in peace –
LEGION OF MARY
Our parish Praesidium meets every Monday evening in our Church house at 6 pm. Anyone interested in this apostolate is most welcome to come along. There is no pressure to join. You will be warmly received. At present, our Praesidium asks that if any parishioner/family household would like to host the ‘Fatima Statue’ to please get in touch. If anyone would like to be visited by the Legion of Mary, again, please let us know. All members of our parish Legion of Mary Praesidium hold current ‘Disclosure Scotland’ safety certificates.
COVID 19 (UPDATE)
We ask that all our parishioners continue to sanitise hands on entering and leaving the Church building. Face coverings are still mandatory (unless medically exempt). Please remember to clean your ‘space’ before leaving Church and please keep a safe distance from other households. Many thanks for your consideration of the safety and wellbeing of fellow parishioners.
UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS
U.C.M. meeting in Church house – Saturday 5th March – 10.30 am.
RECENTLY DIED
Edward McCafferty, Joe O’Neill, Dougie Millar, Ellen Kennedy, Angeline (Divers) Scott, John Reilly, James (Jim) McSheffrey (Pikeman Road) and Lilias McLachlan.
– May they rest in peace –
MONTHS MIND
Vera Doran (6) and Ellen Gallacher (Birthday).
– May they rest in peace –
ANNIVERSARIES
Teresa Connolly, Mary Madden, Mary Mulrooney, Val and Stan Oliphant, Paddy Gallagher, Bob Johnstone and Ellen Friel.
– May they rest in peace –