FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (YEAR C)
GOD’S WORD FOR US TODAY
Reading 1: Is 43: 16-21 (See, I am doing something new)
God tells the people through the prophet Isaiah that they shouldn’t keep looking to the wonders that God did for them in the past. God is always doing something new for us. We should look to the future with confidence.
Resp. Ps. (125): What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed, we were glad.
Reading 2: Phil 3: 8-14(Nothing outweighs the advantage of knowing Jesus)
Jesus is the ‘new thing’ that God has done. In Jesus we meet God’s love in the flesh, a love that died for us. Paul longs to be like Jesus and to be totally one with him. Nothing else is important to him.
Gospel Acc: Praise to you, O Christ, King of Eternal Glory (x2).
Seek good and not evil, so that you may live, and that the Lord God of hosts may really be with you.
Praise to you, O Christ, King of Eternal Glory (x2).
Gospel : Jn 8: 1-11 (The woman who was due to be stoned to death)
Another example of God’s unconditional love. Unlike the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus will not humiliate or condemn this woman. He accepts her exactly as she is. No judgement: only compassion and forgiveness. Reflect: In what ways are you like Jesus in this Gospel? In what ways might you still have to grow? Talk with Jesus. Ask for the gift that you need and desire.
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LITURGICAL CELEBRATIONS and INFORMATION
Tuesday Apr 05 9:30 am Mass, Fifth Tuesday of Lent
Thursday Apr 07 9:30 am Mass, Fifth Thursday of Lent
Friday Apr 08 7:00 pm Stations of the Cross
Saturday Apr 09 9:30 am Mass, Fifth Saturday of Lent
Sunday Apr 10 10:00 am Mass, Sixth Sunday of Lent: Palm Sunday
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PARISH INCOME, MARCH 27, 2022
Gift Aid £ 135.00
Collection £ 219.00
SCIAF £ 225.00
Votives £ 80.00
Hall £ 12.00
St. Anthony’s Box £ 14.00
Holy Souls £ 15.00
PARISH INCOME, MARCH 27, 2022
Gift Aid £ 135.00
Collection £ 219.00
SCIAF £ 225.00
Votives £ 80.00
Hall £ 12.00
St. Anthony’s Box £ 14.00
Holy Souls £ 15.00
Fr. Desmond Maguire
Will Mitchel
Eileen Mooney
Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
ARCHDIOCESE
FR. DESMOND MAGUIRE, RIP
Fr. Maguire died on March 31st. The reception of his remains will be on Tuesday, Apr 12th at 5:00 pm in St. Patrick’s, Dumbarton, and the Funeral Mass on Wednesday, Apr 13th and 12:30 pm.
AGAP: LENTFEST ONLINE CONTINUES
All free events via www.agap.org.uk/lentfest
RCAG YOUTH
The latest RCAG Youth Newsletter can be found online at RCAG Youth Spring Newsletter 2022 – YouTube. It gives details about a variety of opportunities and ventures for different age groups, including a pilgrimage to Rome, June 24-29, 2022.
COVID RESTRICTIONS UPDATE
Masks will no longer be required in the church building from Monday, April 4th, but we continue to be sensitive as we move out of restrictions by:
- Respecting the space of fellow parishioners;
- Continuing to sanitise hands on entering Church and before distributing Holy Communion;
- Ensuring good ventilation in the church;
- Respecting those who are not yet comfortable with handshaking at the Sign of Peace.
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PARISH
STATIONS of the CROSS DURING LENT
There will be Stations of the Cross on Friday at 7:00 pm. If you are willing to lead these, please contact Fr. Francis or Margaret McElroy.
JUSTICE and PEACE GROUP
Monthly meeting – this Wednesday, 7:30 pm in the hall. New members are always welcome.
Afghanistan Appeal: Please see the ‘thermometers’ at the back of Church for an update on your generosity to date. Thank you.
PRAYER for PEACE BETWEEN RUSSIA and UKRAINE
O Prince of Peace, once more we hear the guns of war and see the faces of frightened children. We pray for the people of Ukraine, that they may be granted peace; for the people of Russia, that they may demand peace; and for our own country, that we may be a positive part of peace-making in this world. O Prince of Peace, lead us from this dark time to a deeper understanding of the global human family, so that all may break bread together in the secure embrace of peace. Amen.
ST JUDE’S LOURDES PILGRIMAGE (May 29-Jun 5)
This pilgrimage is now full.
Helen Marks is selling football cards in its support. If you wish to take part, please speak to Helen.
THE SICK AND DECEASED
We continue to pray for the sick members of our parish that God will grant them strength and peace; and for those who have died, that God will bring them to the fullness of eternal life.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD
This will resume on Sunday, April 24th.
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DEANERY
SYNOD
The parish meetings are now complete. Concerns and suggestions will be summarised in a deanery document, which will be forwarded to the archdiocesan office. It will also form a working document for the deanery itself.
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OTHER
LENTEN PRAYER VIGIL FOR LIFE
Can you give one hour per week during Lent to join others outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and pray for an end to abortion? If so, further information is available at Ogilvie1615@outlook.com
RIGHT TO LIFE, UK
Many areas regarding the right to life need our prayers. Last week the Westminster Parliament approved the indefinite extension of at-home-abortions, using pills, up to week 10 of the pregnancy. Besides showing a disregard for a new life, this also endangers the physical and mental health of the mother, and it is another shift of the boundaries in our country about the value of human life.
In Scotland there are ongoing attempts to legalise assisted dying for the terminally ill who request it. Yes, there are safeguards in the proposal which are intended to prevent abuse, but they are the same safeguards that are in the 1967 Abortion Act, and which have brought us to where we are now: abortion at home without anyone knowing anything about it.
The atrocities of war are yet another illustration of the devaluing of human life.
Right to Life UK invites us to include the value of human life in April’s Bidding Prayers. This week’s prayer is: “We pray for all unborn children diagnosed with disabilities, we pray for protection for them and their mothers from the pressures of society to have an abortion, and that they will instead experience overwhelming support by all who surround them.” Perhaps you could say this prayer at home each day this week, as an expression of your desire that all human life should be respected.
SHELTER, SCOTLAND
To support homelessness services in Scotland, Shelter Scotland’s ‘Kiltwalk’ will take place on Sunday, April 24th . There are three distances. Further information is available at https://thekiltwalk.co.uk/events/Glasgow. If you are interested, you may sign up at https://shelterscotland.org /kiltwalk2022.