Reflections on the Daily Readings 13th December 2021

Webmaster • December 11, 2021

Monday 13th December


Memorial Of Lucy, Martyr

I can see clearly now


In these darkening days of December, the Scandinavian festival of light held on Saint Lucy’s feast day is a cheerful sight to brighten spirits. In these countries—and wherever Scandinavians are found—girls dress as Lucy in long white gowns with wreaths of candles on their heads, carrying sweets in procession as songs are sung. Similar practices can be found in Italy and Croatia. Whether you belong to those ethnicities or not, why not incorporate the festival into your family holiday traditions? Saint Lucy is the patron and protector of eyesight—ask her to help you focus yours, to see more clearly the coming of the radiant king.


Today's readings: Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a; Matthew 21:23-27

“By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?”



Tuesday 14th December


Memorial Of John Of The Cross, Priest, Doctor Of The Church

Carried by love


Saint John of the Cross was named a doctor of the church for his profound, poetic writings on Christian mysticism. As a spiritual phenomenon, mysticism is difficult to explain. Central ideas, though, connect love and suffering. Today, pause to remember the tragic school shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary and contemplate this meditation by John and remember to love: “I saw the river over which every soul must pass to reach the kingdom of heaven, and the name of that river was suffering. And I saw a boat which carries souls across the river, and the name of that boat was love.”


Today's readings: Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13; Matthew 21:28-32 (188).

“Then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself.”



Wednesday 15th December


Advent Weekday

Jesus, our justice and our peace


The coming of Jesus into the world was ultimately the coming of true justice and peace. In today’s psalm, these two virtues are said to have “kissed” when the Messiah arrived on Earth. What an incredible image! Every promise of God finds its yes in the One who frees us from sin and death. In the gospel reading, Jesus proves by his miraculous love that he is the long-hoped-for Messiah. Today, remember that as we anticipate Christmas, the fulfillment of all our hopes and dreams is the justice and peace of Jesus. Perhaps not what we expected, but what we need!


Today's readings: Isaiah 45:6c-8, 18, 21c-25; Luke 7:18b-23

“Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.”



Thursday 16th December


Advent Weekday

Differently blessed


Today’s first reading refers to an idea repeated many times in the Bible: that children are a blessing from God. Catholic teaching on situations where bearing children is not possible is not the inverse, however. The church has never taught that infertility or any other limitation is a punishment or “curse” from God. To the contrary, Catholic tradition emphasizes that persons in every situation or condition deserve our full attention, respect, and caring concern. How can you practice empathy toward those whose family life has taken a less common direction?


Today's readings: Isaiah 54:1-10; Luke 7:24-30 (190).

“Among those born of women, no one is greater than John; yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he.”


Friday 17th December


Advent Weekday

(O Wisdom) Make the wise choice


Today the church begins to sing the O Antiphons to accompany the Advent evening prayer of Mary’s Magnificat. These short, sung phrases remind us of our need for salvation and our desire to embody the divine characteristics of our Savior. Today we pray for knowledge. This is not the knowledge that wins arguments around the dinner table, but the knowledge that shines a light on who we are, where we came from, and what we are called to do. It is the knowledge that comes with discernment and brings us peace. May wisdom be our teacher.


Today's readings: Genesis 49:2, 8-10; Matthew 1:1-17

"O Wisdom of our God Most High, guiding creation with power and love: come to teach us the path of knowledge!”



Saturday 18th December


Advent Weekday

(O Sacred Lord) Walk each other home


The theme for this year’s International Migrants Day is “Reimagining Human Mobility.” U.N. SecretaryGeneral António Guterres calls upon citizens of the world to “seize the opportunity of the recovery from the pandemic to implement safe, orderly, and regular migration and enable migrants to build more inclusive and resilient societies.” Today’s O Antiphon recalls the migration of Israel from Egypt to Palestine and asks God to guide the movement of peoples. Because we all can trace our ancestry back to migrating people at one time or another, it is appropriate today to pray for people on the move seeking new homes and new lives in new lands.


Today's readings: Jeremiah 23:5-8; Matthew 1:18-25

“And they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • April 20, 2025
Please pray for Our Sick : Ellen Blair, Margaret Callaghan Doreen Cleary, Michael Ritchie, Neil Boyle, John Rielly Molly Strang, Baby Elliot (15 month old) Joan Hart, 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, and all our sick.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • April 20, 2025
Our Recently Dead: Ann Blair, Gina Sinclair, Liz McAtamney, Janie Maloney, John Lavery, Eileen Sweeney, Mary Johnston, Kathleen Corrigan, Kathleen Croser Month Minds & Anniversaries Archie Findlater, Jane McKenna, The McLean Family, The Moran Family The McLaughlin Family The Leary Family, Hugh Rodgers, Annie Rodgers, Winifred O'Hare, Susan McLaren Jamieson, Eva De Marco, Agnes Longrigg

Fr. Frank's 60th Birthday

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
Carrigan’s - Friday 11 July If you wish to add your name to the list you can give your details to Chrissy or Anne at the door after 4pm mass, or you can email Chrissy at: chrissyrooneyis@gmail.com Deposits not required but payment of £17:50 for the meal requires to be paid no later than 4 July.

Fr. Frank's 30th Anniversary of Priesthood

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
Anniversary Mass will take place on Thursday 26th June at 7pm. There will be refreshments in the hall afterwards

Palm Sunday

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
Palm Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter each year and marks the start of Holy Week. But what is the actual significance of this Holy Day, and how does it play a part in the greater story of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection? The Palm Sunday Account Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem with His disciples to celebrate Passover. When they reached the Mount of Olives, He sent two of the disciples to retrieve a donkey colt for Him to ride. He instructed them to untie it, and if anyone asked them why they were doing so, to tell them that the Master has need of it. They did as He instructed, and brought the colt to Him, laying their cloaks over it for Him to sit on it. As He rode into the city, people spread their cloaks and palm branches in the road, proclaiming, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” The spectacle attracted the attention of those in the city, and many wondered who He was. The entry into Jerusalem is documented in all four gospels, with slight variations in each account.  Today, the celebration of Palm Sunday opens Holy Week. The priest blesses palms and distributes them to the congregation. The palms are either kept and used as a reminder of Christ’s victory throughout the year, or are burned and used as the ashes for the next year’s Ash Wednesday service.

Powerpoint Remote Control:

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
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.

Pope Francis Lent Fast

By Webmaster • April 11, 2025
Fast from hurting words and say kind words. Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude. Fast from anger and be filled with patience. Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope. Fast from worries and have trust in God. Fast from complaints; contemplate simplicity. Fast from pressures and be prayerful. Fast from bitterness; fill your hearts with joy. Fast from selfishness and be compassionate. Fast from grudges and be reconciled. Fast from words be silent and listen.

Gift Aid Envelopes

By Webmaster • April 5, 2025
1. They are different, they come in a box. It will be easier to use for everyone. 2. Look for your name not necessarily your number.  3. They will be available this weekend. Thank you for your patience. 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.

Covering of the Statues Fifth Sunday of Lent

By Webmaster • April 5, 2025
We begin the fifth week of lent this weekend it is a new stage in the Lenten Season we will cover the statues and take down all the pictures in the Church. The reason we do this is: The practice of veiling images alerts us that something is different, it can be startling at first, but the last two weeks of Lent are a time of immediate preparation for the celebration of the Sacred Triduum. The veils are hard to miss and they serve as a reminder to get ready! The veiled images build within us a longing for Easter Sunday. The veils seem out of place, and even counterintuitive. It can seem strange that the crucifix is covered up during Passiontide. Through this absence of images, our senses are heightened and we become more aware of what is missing. Similarly, the suppression of the Alleluia during Lent effectively demonstrates that we are in exile from our true Home, where the angels sing Alleluia without ceasing. When images are unveiled before the Easter Vigil, we are reminded that we, in a sense, live in a veiled world. It is through our own death that we are able to see our true home, and the veil is lifted. Christ lifts the veil through His Resurrection. Jesus told her, “ I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die . John 11:25-26

Novenas to St. Anthony and Mary Un-doer of the Knots

By Webmaster • March 28, 2025
The reason the Novenas stopped because if a Funeral fell on a Tuesday & Wednesday the Novenas had to be cancelled. Therefore, I am looking for volunteers to lead the Novenas. If you are interested in leading the Novenas contact myself and hopefully then the Novenas can resume.
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