Reflections on the Daily Readings 11th April 2022

Webmaster • April 9, 2022

Monday 11th April


Monday Of Holy Week

What’s your pet project? 


Everyone knows Saint Francis of Assisi loved animals—but so did many other saints. Saint Basil the Great urged Christians to see animals as our brothers. Saint Cuthbert made friends with birds. Saint Giles was a vegetarian. And Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, the patron saint of cats, is known for feeding and loving the strays around her monastery. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “God surrounds animals with His providential care” and Catholic moral theology and ecology have always insisted that it is an act of cruelty to abuse an animal. Today is National Pet Day, a chance to thank God for all creatures—as well as advocate for their welfare.


Today's readings: Isaiah 42:1-7; John 12:1-11

“You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”




Tuesday 12th April


Tuesday Of Holy Week

Reoiled and ready to serve


During this Holy Week your diocese will celebrate its annual Chrism Mass. Diocesan priests join their bishop as he mixes and blesses a year’s supply of sacred oils to be used across the diocese for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (Oil of Catechumens), the Anointing of the Sick (Oil of the Infirm), and the sanctification of those who receive Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders (Holy Chrism). We are anointed for a noble purpose and receive a healing balm. Give glory to God who seals us with inherent dignity and makes us whole.


Today's readings: Isaiah 49:1-6; John 13:21-33, 36- 38

“Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.”



Wednesday 13th April


Wednesday Of Holy Week

Cinema that inspires 


On this day in 1964, Sidney Poitier became the first African American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Lilies of the Field. The moment was also notable in that Poitier was an immigrant from the Bahamas and a black Catholic—bringing two marginalized groups together in one historic personage. His role was also unique, that of a handyman who helps a group of nuns—immigrants themselves—with their aging farm property. With its vision of interracial harmony and positive portrait of the church, the film attained legendary status. May we all aspire to live out the call of unity.


Today's readings: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Matthew 26:14-25

“I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.”


Thursday 14th April


Holy Thursday; Evening Mass Of The Lord's Supper

Lean into the Real Presence 


Do we ever plumb the depths of what the Eucharist means in our lives? Christ present. Blood poured out for the world. Unifying meal. The many ways to understand what Jesus gave to us on Holy Thursday may take more than a lifetime to truly grasp. Some of the deepest truths of faith are those that we cannot completely unlock intellectually. Perhaps today is a moment to let go and just relax into Jesus as we receive him at Mass. “He is present for your happiness,” Saint Francis de Sales tells us. “Welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence.”


Today's readings: Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; John 13:1-15

“This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”


Friday 15th April


Friday Of The Lord's Passion (Good Friday);

You were there for the long haul


Good Friday, called “Long Friday” in some cultures, marks the close of the long fast of Lent. The word Lent, itself, derives from Old Germanic words for long, or lengthening, days, likely referring to spring. Regardless of what we call this day or the season that brought us here, it has indeed been a long fast. Have you spent these 40 days the way you had intended? Or did you perhaps pass the cup of self-sacrifice early on? Not to worry. In the end, it is more about quality than quantity. As Doctor of the Church Saint John Chrysostom says, “No matter how much time you spend fasting, no matter how much you sleep on a hard floor and eat ashes and sigh continually, if you do no good to others, you do nothing great.”


Today's readings:Isaiah 52:13—53:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 18:1—19:42

“See, my servant shall prosper, he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.”



Saturday 16th April


Holy Saturday; Easter Vigil

Experience the real absence


Today the church is silent, the altar is bare, the tabernacle is empty. Holy Saturday is observed without ceremony of any kind. The Easter Vigil does not start until the sun goes down. Before the kindling of the Easter fire, Holy Saturday remains a blank spot in the church’s calendar signifying the real death of Jesus. Perhaps it is a good time to visit your church and experience our lifeless Lord. If you get there before the hubbub of Easter preparation begins, you can keep vigil in the quietude of a church reflecting on its beloved Christ, crucified.


Today's readings: Vigil: Genesis 1:1—2:2; Genesis 22:1-18; Exodus 14:15—15:1; Exodus 15:1-2, 3-4, 5- 6, 17-18; Isaiah 54:5-14; Isaiah 55:1-11; Baruch 3:9- 15, 32—4:4; Ezekiel 36:16-17a, 18-28; Romans 6:3- 11; Mark 16:1-7

“Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
Please pray for Our Sick : Margaret Callaghan Doreen Cleary, Michael Ritchie, Neil Boyle, John Rielly Molly Strang, James Clark, Fr. Michael McLaughlin, Patricia Henderson, Joanna Maier (Connecticut USA), Therese Gilgunn Tressy Callaghan, Suzanne McMurray, Mary Coyle, Lesley Watson (Spain) Maureen McHugh, Margaret Burke, Marie White, Kathleen Daly, John McGuire, Jill Brown, Karen Pritchatt, Louise Newton, Faith Lyndsey, Jill Brown, Marie McGuire, James Morton, Paul Kearney, Thomas Daly, Andrew McCluskey, Premature Baby Vincent McDowell, Bill Allan, Gudren Berk (Germany), Jaqueline McReynolds, Mary Morrison, Helen Howarth (Easterhouse) Eugene McVey and all our sick.

Dates for your diary

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
Mass of the Sick Saturday 14th February 10am Mass Ash Wednesday 18th February: Masses 7am, 10am & 6pm Sacramental Meetings Tuesday 24th February St. Peter's & St. Mark's 6pm First Confession 6.30pm First Communion  7pm Confirmation Meetings will take place in the Church

Gift Aid

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
If you wish to sign up for Gift Aid. It is a great way to help the parish financially, costing you absolutely nothing. If you wish to sign up contact myself or Doreen Lee and we will give you the form and hand it back as you can and we can get it organised. As I said it costs you nothing, but helps the parish so much.

This week's readings

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
First Reading Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13 There will be a people who remain sheltered from God’s anger. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 146:6-10 The Lord is faithful forever. Second Reading 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 God chooses the weak to show his power. Gospel Reading Matthew 5:1-12a Jesus teaches what it means to be happy. Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s reading is the beginning of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is found in Matthew’s Gospel. The form of the Beatitudes found here is not unique to Jesus. Beatitudes are found in the Old Testament, in the psalms, and in wisdom literature, for example. They are a way to teach about who will find favor with God. We quickly note in this reading that the people whom Jesus calls “blessed” and “happy” are not people we think of as blessed or happy . . . the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted. This Gospel is one of reversals. Jesus’ blueprint for happiness reflects little of what the world might call happiness.  “Blessed” is sometimes translated as happy, fortunate, or favored. In other words, Jesus is saying that divine favor is upon those who are poor, those who mourn, those who are persecuted. This news might have been welcome—and surprising—to the crowds who heard Jesus that day. The Beatitudes can be understood as a framework for Christian living. Our vocation as Christians is not to be first in this world, but rather to be first in the eyes of God. By referring to the good things that the faithful will experience, Matthew reminds us that those who act in the manner described in the Beatitudes will find their reward with God.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
Our Recently Dead Frances Drummond, Mary McCrudden, Mary Mearns, Grace Hogg (Wishaw), Baby Lila Rose Kasap (2 months) Anne Marie Watson, Jean Murdoch Month Minds & Anniversaries John Corns, Margaret McCluskey, Helen Connolly, Catherine, Patrick & James O'Donnell, Mary Lyons, Margaret Mine, Marie McLaughlin, Jean & Mary Kane, Mary, Pat & Margaret Cox, Edward & Margaret Rodden Please if you could make sure all month minds and anniversaries are handed in no later than Wednesday Night. If they come in after that they will be read out at Mass on Sunday. If the recently dead come in after the Wednesday deadline they too will be read out at Mass on the Sunday

Powerpoint Remote Control:

By Webmaster • January 30, 2026
I am looking for Volunteers to move the power-points on during the Sunday Masses, Vigil 4pm, 9.30am & 11am. It is very easy to operate, if we get enough volunteers for each Mass we would put a wee rota together. It would take a wee bit of pressure off me.

Year of St Francis of Assisi

By Webmaster • January 24, 2026
The “Year of St Francis of Assisi”, was proclaimed by Pope Leo, in Rome to mark the 800th Anniversary of St Francis’ death in 2026. I am proposing to put a statue of St. Francis in the Church for this jubilee year. This is from EWTN Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a “Special Year of St. Francis” to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. During this time of grace, which will extend until January 2027, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence . This Franciscan Jubilee Year, considered a gift for the entire Church and an occasion for authentic spiritual renewal, was inaugurated on Jan. 10 with a decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See. Until Jan. 10 of next year, the faithful can obtain this grace under the usual conditions — sacramental confession, Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope — by making a pilgrimage to any Franciscan conventual church or place of worship dedicated to St. Francis anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the elderly, the sick, and those who, for serious reasons, cannot leave their homes can obtain the plenary indulgence  by spiritually joining in the jubilee celebrations and offering their prayers, pains, or sufferings to God.

Mass of the sick

By Webmaster • January 17, 2026
Mass of the Sick Saturday 14th February 10am Mass Ash Wednesday 18th February more details to follow.

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time - 18th January

By Webmaster • January 17, 2026
The Second Sunday of the Year A, falling on January 18, 2026, is known as the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, featuring readings from Isaiah (calling the Messiah a shoot from Jesse), 1 Corinthians (emphasizing unity in Christ), and John's Gospel (John the Baptist identifying Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world). This Sunday marks a shift after Christmas and Epiphany into the regular flow of Ordinary Time, focusing on discipleship, God's calling, and Jesus's identity as revealed through the Baptist. Key Readings (Year A): ● First Reading : Isaiah 49:1-7 (The Servant Song, foretelling the Messiah's mission). ● Responsorial Psalm : Psalm 40 (A response of praise and commitment). ● Second Reading : 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (Paul's greeting and call to unity). ● Gospel : John 1:29-42 (John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God). Themes & Focus: ● The Calling of Disciples : The Gospel highlights Jesus's first disciples (Andrew and another) meeting and following Him. ● Identity of Jesus : The powerful declaration "Behold the Lamb of God" is central, connecting Jesus to sacrifice and redemption. ● Unity in Christ: 1 Corinthians speaks to the diverse people called to be saints, united in Christ. ● Ordinary Time : Moving from festive seasons into regular liturgical focus on Christian life and growth. Context: ● This Sunday often coincides with the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Baptism of the lord

By Webmaster • January 11, 2026
The Baptism of the Lord is observed as a distinct feast in the Roman rite, although it was originally one of three Gospel events marked by the feast of the Epiphany. Long after the visit of the Magi had in the West overshadowed the other elements commemorated in the Epiphany, Pope Pius XII instituted in 1955 a separate liturgical commemoration of the Baptism.  Currently, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is usually celebrated the Sunday after Epiphany. The exception is when Epiphany is observed on January 7th or 8th; this causes the Baptism to be celebrated on the Monday immediately following Epiphany.When celebrated on Sunday, the Baptism is part of Christmas Time,
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