THE JOY OF EASTER
For Christians, Easter is the greatest feast of all. This is the day Jesus, our Brother, broke the chains of death and rose in triumph from the grave. This is truly the ‘Day of the Lord’. But it is our day too, for Jesus shares with us the fruits of his victory. Let us open our hearts to the joy of this great day.
The reading from Acts is part of an early sermon of Peter. In it, he summarises the ministry of Jesus, which culminated in his death. But it didn’t end there – God raised him to life, allowing him to be seen by certain witnesses, Peter among them. He goes on to declare that Jesus is the one all the prophets spoke about (the Messiah). All who believe in him will have their sins forgiven.
The Gospel tells about the discovery of the empty tomb. The empty tomb (with the discarded linen cloths) in itself is not direct proof of the resurrection. Nevertheless, it was the first step towards establishing the truth that Jesus had escaped the bonds of death and prepared the disciples to encounter the Risen Lord.
Many readings in the Easter cycle instruct the newly baptised on the Christian way of life. Today’s Second Reading and its alternative are good examples. Thus the Easter season provides us with an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be baptised members of Christ’s body.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION (P4, St Ninian’s Primary)
The children of St Ninian’s Primary 4 will celebrate their First Holy Communion at Masses on:
Saturday 22nd May – 11.15am
Saturday 29th May – 10.30am and 11.45am.
We ask the parents/guardians of Primary 4 and also Primary 5 children (yet to receive First Communion) to speak to Fr Frank in order to arrange their First Holy Communion Mass.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (P3, St Ninian’s Primary)
The children of St Ninian’s Primary 3 – will celebrate their First Reconciliation (Confession) on:
Tuesday 4th May
Wednesday 5th May
We ask the parents/guardians of our parish P3 schoolchildren who do not attend St Ninian’s Primary to speak to Fr Frank in order to arrange their First Reconciliation Service.
SACRAMENT OF CONFIRMATION (P7, St Ninian’s Primary)
The children of St Ninian’s Primary 7 will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at Masses on:
Tuesday 1st June
Thursday 3rd June
both Masses at 6.30pm.
We ask the parents/guardians of our parish P7 schoolchildren who do not attend St Ninian’s Primary and any S1 schoolchildren yet to receive this Sacrament to speak to Fr Frank in order to arrange their Mass for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY (2nd EASTER)
Our 3pm Sunday Mass next weekend (11th April) will be celebrated in honour of the Divine Mercy.
Please note that all weekend Masses (Saturday) Vigil – 7pm, Sunday 8am, 9am, 11am, 12 noon, 3pm and 5pm must be pre-booked.
There is a limit of 50 persons at each Mass.
Please phone parish mobile number -07894999046 on Wednesday 7th (April) from 6.30pm – 8pm or on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th from 12 noon to 4pm.
2nd week of Easter (Monday to Friday) – Morning Masses at 8am and 10am.
PARISH CLERGY
Fr Celestine has now returned to St Ninian’s after his holiday to Nigeria. Both he and Fr Frank are happy to be contacted at any time. We continue to celebrate our daily Mass for your intentions and hold you each dearly in our hearts and daily prayer.
SCIAF
We have sent £1,000 onto SCIAF as our parish contribution to this year’s Lenten appeal which focuses on the ongoing crisis in South Sudan and its children living with physical and material disability who are locked out of an education and trapped in a cycle of poverty. Small WEE BOX, BIG CHANGE Lenten boxes are available and can be returned to the Church house by the end of April – money raised by SCIAF’s Lenten appeal will be doubled by the UK government.
24 HOUR LENTEN FAST FOR SCIAF
You can take part on a date of your choosing. Find out more at www.sciaf.org.uk/24hourfast
SCIAF’s work is saving and transforming lives, however, this is only possible because of the generosity and prayers of our parishes throughout Scotland.
Together, we will help children with disabilities in South Sudan to access the education and support they need to build a bright future.
Thank you again for your ongoing support year on year. You are helping to improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable children.
The deadline for sending donations to SCIAF in order for them to be doubled by the UK aid match is 11 May 2021.
If you would like a WEE BOX, BIG CHANGE pack – please contact the Church house.
During this prolonged lockdown, we can still support SCIAF and share their Lenten message. Everything you need can be found at www.sciaf.org.uk/weebox
BAPTISMS
We are delighted to announce that the Sacrament of Baptism can once again be celebrated within our parish Church buildings
Please note that no more than 50 people can be present at this celebration. For baptismal enquiries please speak to Deacon Tommy or our priests.
Our parish clergy – Deacon Tomy, Fathers Celestine, John and Frank wish all our parishioners, your families and loved ones the joy and peace of the risen Jesus.
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO DIED RECENTLY
Catherine Atken
Brian Taylor (Canada)
Joe Craig
– May they Rest in Peace –
PLEASE PRAY FOR WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR ABOUT NOW
Edward Donaghy
Alice McCafferty
John English
Isabella Quinn
Edna Dore
Ellen MacLean)
Military (Killed in Action)
Alan Mackay
Angus Mackay
Patrick Cogan
Donald Alexander Mackay
Imperial German Army
Br Gottfried (Bernhard) Kuhlmann
Br Wigbert (Theophil) Huttig
Br Gerold (Gerhard Friedrich) Luttmer
Br Otto (Leopold) Hunzelmann
Br Balthasar (Anton) Kurz
Lt Wilhelm Ritter von Thoma
Generaloberst Hans von Seeckt
Col S Paul Latiolais (USAAF)
Captain Bernard Laloe (French Army).
– May they Rest in Peace –