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 • June 27, 2026
Please pray for Our Sick : Margaret Callaghan Doreen Cleary, 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), Margaret Loan, Avril McCluskey, Carol Corr, Thomas Kennedy, David Borland, and all our sick .

Sacramental Dates 2027

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
Confirmation: St. Peter's & St. Mark's Monday 22nd February 2027 7pm Mass First Confession: St. Peter's Monday March 15th 2027 6.30pm St. Mark's Tuesday March 16th 2027 6.30pm First Communion: St. Peter's Saturday May 8th 2027 10am Mass St. Mark's Saturday May 15th 2027 10am Mass

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 28th June

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
First Reading Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11 Now I know it is indeed true: the Lord has saved me from the power of Herod. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-9 The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him. Second Reading 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 All that remains now is the crown of righteousness. Gospel Reading Matthew 16:13-19 You are Peter; and I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven. Background on the Gospel Reading Mark places this incident at Caesarea Philippi. Luke, because of the importance he wishes to give to prayer in his Gospel, places it in the context of Jesus praying. But Matthew keeps it at Caesarea Philippi. In today's Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples for a “field report” by asking what people are saying about him. He refers to himself as the Son of Man, a term derived from the Jewish Scriptures, found in the book of Daniel and in other apocryphal writings. Many scholars suggest that “Son of Man” is best understood to mean “human being.” As Jesus turns the question directly to the disciples and asks what they believe, Peter speaks for all of them when he announces that they believe Jesus to be the Christ. “Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for “messiah,” which means “the anointed one.” At the time of Jesus, the image of the “messiah” was laden with popular expectations, most of which looked for a political leader who would free the Jewish people from Roman occupation. Because Jesus has referred to himself a number of times in Matthew by Christological titles this moment is not the revelation of who Jesus is as in Mark. Instead it marks an important moment in the development of the Church. Jesus uses this occasion to bless Peter, who represents all the disciples but also has a unique role to play in the founding of the new community. Peter is blessed not because of a personal insight but because God revealed to him who Jesus is. Peter is the rock on which Jesus will build the Church.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
Our Recently Dead John Holton, Baby Koa McKendrick, Hamish McGregor, Pat Dougan, John Feeney Month Minds & Anniversaries Hugh Burns, James, Ruby & Mary McDaide, Jim Carter, Archie Findlater, Eric Findlater, Tracey Archibald 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

This week's readings - Sunday 21st June

By Webmaster • June 19, 2026
First Reading Jeremiah 20:10-13 Jeremiah expresses confidence that the Lord will protect him. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 69:8-10,14,17,33-35 God responds to the prayers of those in need. Second Reading Romans 5:12-15 Sin came into the world through one person; so salvation came through one person for many. Gospel Reading Matthew 10:26-33 Jesus assures the Twelve that God cares about them. Background on the Gospel Reading We read today’s Gospel in the context of last week’s Gospel in which Jesus sent the twelve disciples to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. In between last week’s reading and today’s reading, Jesus has predicted that the disciples will face difficulties in their mission. Many people will not receive them well, even within the land of Israel. Even family members will turn away from the disciples because of the disciples’ commitment to Jesus and the kingdom. Today’s Gospel offers the disciples consolation against this difficult truth. This section of Matthew’s Gospel should be read in the context of Matthew’s intended audience, a Jewish-Christian community. The Gospel alludes to the dangers and persecutions that this community has most likely already faced and will continue to face. To reassure this community, Matthew recalls for them the encouraging words of Jesus that we read today. In this Gospel passage, Jesus might be understood as putting suffering in perspective. The disciples of Jesus are called upon to keep their focus on God. Those who can harm the body do not have ultimate power; God does. Still persecution and suffering can not be avoided or prevented. But Jesus reassures his disciples that God knows and cares about what happens to his children.  We might not face the same type of persecution, but we do experience difficulties as we endeavor to live a Christian life. Sometimes we let the opinions of others prevent us from doing what we know to be right. We need the reminder that what God thinks about us is more important. We are reassured by the promise that God cares for us and protects us.

Donations please

By Webmaster • June 19, 2026
A parishioner Cara Quigley is volunteering in a Catholic School in Kenya. She is looking for donations of the following: 1. Story books. 2. Flash cards (Alphabet, Numbers & Shapes). 3. White Board Pens. 4. Educational Toys (Building Blocks etc). 5. Sensory Materials. 6. Pencils (Normal & Coloured). 7. Crayons. 8. Skipping Ropes. She leaves on the 18th July 2026 Last pick up date is Sunday 12th July 2026

Confirmation

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
Confirmation 2026 St. Peter's & St. Mark's 18th June 2026 7pm Bishop Toal

Gift Aid

By Webmaster • June 12, 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 - Sunday 14th June

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
First Reading Exodus 19:2-6a God tells Moses that the Israelites will be his special people. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 100:1-3,5 We are the people of God. Second Reading Romans 5:6-11 Christ died for us while we were still sinners and reconciled us to God. Gospel Reading Matthew 9:36-10:8 Jesus sends the twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. Background on the Gospel Reading In today's Gospel, Jesus shares his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his disciples. The signs of the kingdom's presence consist of the work that Jesus has already been doing: the sick are cured, lepers are cleansed, demons are driven out, and the dead are raised to life. The disciples are sent to continue doing the work that Jesus has begun. This is a moment of transition in Matthew's Gospel. The focus has shifted from the ministry of Jesus to the work of the community that he has inaugurated. More than any other Gospel, Matthew's Gospel elaborates on the work of the Church, which is to continue after Jesus' death and resurrection. The Gospel reports that Jesus commissions twelve disciples. Many scholars believe that the twelve disciples symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. It designates, therefore, continuity between Israel and the Church. Matthew lists the names of the twelve disciples, as do Mark and Luke. Matthew also uses the word apostlewhen referring to the Twelve. The word apostlemeans “one who is sent.” In this context, Matthew is calling attention to the mission that the twelve disciples are being given. They are sent by Jesus to proclaim the kingdom of heaven in word and deed.  As Jesus sent his disciples to continue his work and mission, so too the Church is sent by Jesus. The Church is his continuing presence on earth. Every member of the Church is sent by Jesus to contribute to this mission.

Leavers masses

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
P7 Leavers Masses St. Peter's 17th June St. Mark's 19th June
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