24rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (YEAR A)
17th SEPTEMBER 2023 – (vol.1, p.699) VOCATIONS AWARENESS WEEK Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive?
Matthew 18:21
| R 1 | Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 27:30 – 28:7 | Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you; and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven |
| Psalm | 102 | The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy. |
| R 2 | Rom 14:7-9 | Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord. |
Alleluia | Acclaim the Gospel | Alleluia, alleluia! Speak, Lord, your servant is listening; you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia! |
| Gospel | Matthew 18:21-35 | To be forgiven, you must forgive. |
| REFLECTION | ||
| A wise old scribe, Ben Sira reflected on God revealed as the God of forgiveness and mercy. Made in the image of God, it is only natural that we are happiest when mirroring God’s wisdom in not following the foolish path of quarrelling. Paul, in addressing the church in Rome, recognises the ever-present Spirit of Christ which safely guides those Christians who are truly genuine in their desire to follow their Lord. He highlights the respect and dignity with which we should be received and receive others. In the same chapter Matthew gathers all Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness. Our relationships in family and community always get entangled in quarrels over nothing, offence taken at innocent words, and even disagreement for the sake of disagreement. Jesus underlines forgiveness as the way to put the past behind us, while cementing relationships and building community, locally, nationally, and even internationally. How would you react if you suddenly discovered that you had been avoiding inconvenient truths in your life? How can you forgive the person, faction, corporation, government, internet troll, which get you most aroused to anger? | ||
SERVICES THIS WEEK
Tuesday Sep 19 09:30 am 24th week of the year (vol.2, p.314) (Green)
Thursday Sep 21 0930 am St Matthew – FEAST (vol.2, p.1198) (Red)
Saturday Sep 23 09:30 am St Pius (Padre Pio) of Pietrelcina (vol.2, p.322) (White)
INCOME 10th September 2023
Gift Aid 120.00 Offertory SDS 257.00
Special Collection: SPRED 123.00
Votives 56.00 Special Collection next ls 2.00
We remember all those who have died recently: Jane Mulgrew
…….. and those whose anniversaries occur at this time, including Kouame N’Guessan Emile Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
The Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network for SEPTEMBER 2023
For People living on the Margins
We pray for those persons living on the margins of society, in inhumane life conditions; may they not be overlooked by institutions and never considered of lesser importance.
PARISH
THE SUNDAY CAFÉ HAS RESUMED. All are welcome to the Sunday Café after Mass. All are encouraged to give donations to cover expenses and help towards charity.
SEASON OF CREATION – 2023 This year’s theme is- Let Justice and Peace Flow like a Mighty River– The Scottish Laity Network, For details see the noticeboard. This week’s ‘live-on-internet’ presentation will be made, at 7:30 PM (UK time) on Thursday, 21st September 2023, by Val King. Last year’s talks are available on the Scottish Laity Network’s YouTube site.
RIGHT TO LIFE for 24th Sunday in Ord. Time. “Let us pray for women and families suffering miscarriage, that the Lord will, over time, replace the pain of loss with His healing love. Lord hear us”.
RESUMING RECEPTION OF COMMUNION FROM THE CHALICE. Parishioners’ views on resuming the receiving of the Eucharist under both species were in favour of the provision of going back to receiving the Holy Blood from the chalice, public health conditions permitting, of course. Parishioners are encouraged to use the medicated hand gel provided. Thank you.
DONATION IS NOW POSSIBLE BY QR CODE USING YOUR PHONE. Scanning the QR code with your phone is now live. If you are a UK taxpayer you can also Gift Aid your donation, and the parish can claim from the taxman, an extra 25p for every £1 donated.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD RESTARTED. The children’s enthusiasm was marvellous to behold. Our thanks to them and to their parents who help make it possible, for ensuring them their priceless opportunity to participate and grow in the Church.
WANT TO HELP FORM A SOCIAL COMMITTEE? Anyone interested in setting up a social committee are invited to contact Fr Francis or Phil Divers, with a view to holding a meeting.
CHURCH & CHAPEL HOUSE REPAIR FUND Recent matters have underlined the need for major repairs to prevent further water damage to both church and presbytery (chapel house). Without viable alternative means of funding, it is planned, initially, to have a box for donation purposes set up at the back of the church. Monthly income updates will be published in the bulletin. We now have a purpose-built box for this purpose at the back of the church. Thank you.
2024 DIOCESAN MARRIAGE PREPARATION DAYS
Two days are planned for next year. The last one was held yesterday, Saturday 16th September 2023 at St Dominic’s, Bishopbriggs.
MARY’S MEALS – DIRECT DEBITS TRIPLED FOR THREE MONTHS. IF YOU DONATE, by 29th September 2023, using Direct Debit, generous sponsors have agreed to triple the first three donations you make. https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/campaigns/direct-debits-tripled
VISIT THE EAST END’S ‘LISTENING HEART’ in the Sisters of Charity’s Drop-In Centre, opposite St Michael’s Parkhead, on the Gallowgate. Open every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm. Please feel free to Step in and have a Cuppa and a Chat.
FORTY HOURS – IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH. Due to other commitments, the Forty Hours Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at the Immaculate Conception, Maryhill will now run from 10:00 am Mass to 7:00 pm. (Benediction and evening prayer) on Monday 18th & Tuesday 19th September. All welcome
NEWMAN ASSOCIATION – THE RELIGIOSITY OF SCOTLAND’S SUGAR ARISTOCRACY: SLAVERY< FAITH DIASPORA 1775-1838. A talk by Dr Stephen Mullen in our new venue, the Parish Hall, Immaculate Conception Church, 2049 Maryhill Road, Glasgow, G20 0AA at 7.30pm on Thursday 5th October 2023. All welcome. Refreshments provided.
ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE IN HONOUR OF VENERABLE MARGARET SINCLAIR. This will take place at Saint Patrick’s Church, Edinburgh on Sunday 17th September 2023, commencing with Holy Hour at 2:00 pm and concluding with Mass at 4:30 pm. A bus will be picking up pilgrims from St Margaret’s Clydebank, St Brendan’s Yoker, St Ninian’s Knightswood and St Paul’s Whiteinch. For more information, contact, Gerry Kane on 07810 228621.