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 • 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,
Show More