Reflections on the Daily Readings 14th February 2022

Webmaster • February 12, 2022

Monday 14th February


Memorial Of Cyril, Monk, And Methodius,

Courting faith


Today may be the feast day of Saint Valentine, but Saints Cyril and Methodius get higher billing by the church with a memorial today. These brothers who were missionaries shared the love of Christ, not by penning endearing notes to loved ones, but by translating the Bible into a local language. In fact, they invented an alphabet so they could do it! The best way to reach people is to meet them where they are. If someone is in a different place on their spiritual journey, do you insist they “catch up” to you? Or do you run up to greet them and speak of God's love in terms they understand? Maybe you’ll end up walking arm in arm in the same direction.


Today's readings: James 1:1-11; Mark 8:11-13

“The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.”


Tuesday 15th February


Faith and facts fit together


Galileo, father of the scientific method, was born on this day in 1564. Famously, the Catholic Inquisition condemned him for insisting the Earth revolved around the sun—an unpopular position made twice as controversial for seeming to defy the pope. Ever since, Galileo remains the poster child for “faith versus reason,” which feeds the unjustified stereotype that Catholicism s “anti-science.” It’s not. In fact, practicing Catholics, including priests and nuns, are found among notable scientists, past and present. And when Pope John Paul II issued an official apology in 1992, it came through the Pontifical Academy of Science. Time to unite spirit and intellect to help us understand the glories and challenges God's creation presents to us.


Today's readings: James 1:12-18; Mark 8:14-21

“All good giving and every perfect gift is from above.”


Wednesday 16th February


“Holy Spirit, come” 


The Catholic Charismatic Renewal has helped reinvigorate the faith and refreshed the experience of worship for diverse pockets of churchgoers. Beginning with the 1967 Duquesne Weekend—a meeting in Pittsburgh at an Episcopalian prayer service, where a group of Catholics encountered the “charismatic gifts” of speaking in tongues, miraculous healing, and other supernatural occurrences— Catholics across the country and eventually around the world began to experience a similar sense of renewal and ecumenical connection. Though the gifts of the Spirit are available to all, not everyone will experience them in the same way. What is essential is to be open to the Holy Spirit at all times.


Today's readings: James 1:19-27; Mark 8:22-26

“He laid hands on the man’s eyes a second time and he saw clearly.”


Thursday 17th February


Memorial Of The Seven Holy Founders Of The Servite Order,

God Calls Us Each By Name 


Today the church honors the seven men who founded the Servite religious order in Italy nearly 800 years ago. The Servites have branches for every type of Catholic vocation: laity, priests, brothers, contemplative nuns, and active (apostolic) sisters. This international religious institute is nearly 800 years old, with rich traditions of prayer and service. If you are single and seeking your path, have you considered life as a consecrated brother, sister, or priest? VocationMatch.com is a good place to begin your exploration.


Today's readings: James 2:1-9; Mark 8:27-33

“ ‘But who do you say that I am?' Peter said to him in reply, ‘You are the Christ.’ ”


Friday 18th February


Cross-culture conflicts


The concept of “taking up one’s cross” has never been an easy one to understand. It does not mean to suffer in silence and passively accept our fate. When we “take up our cross,” we signal our willingness to suffer for the sake of good, to give witness to what is right, to announce charity where there is greed, love where there is hate, and peace where there is war. Blessed Titus Brandsma, a Carmelite priest who was martyred in Dachau after speaking out against Nazism, wrote, “They who want to win the world for Christ must have the courage to come into conflict with it.”.


Today's readings: James 2:14-24, 26; Mark 8:34—9:1

“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”



Saturday 19th February


Let your prayer shine


The Holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary traditionally contained three sets of mysteries—the Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious—each set reflecting on five events in the life of Jesus and Mary. In 2002 Pope Saint John Paul II introduced a fourth set, the Luminous Mysteries, which included the Baptism of the Lord, the Wedding at Cana, the Proclamation of the Kingdom, the Transfiguration, and the Institution of the Eucharist. Each of these additional mysteries reveals a facet of the identity of the Lord. Saint Irenaeus wrote of the Transfiguration: “The glory of God is a live human being and a truly human life is the vision of God.” Take time to know Jesus better by praying the Luminous Mysteries.


Today's readings: James 3:1-10; Mark 9:2-13

“And he was transfigured before them.”

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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