Reflections on the Daily Readings 18th April 2022

Webmaster • April 16, 2022

Monday 18th April


Monday Within The Octave Of Easter

How do you solve a mystery named Mary? 


There are so many women named Mary mentioned in the New Testament that we’re not even certain how many there were—could be six to nine—because the same women might be identified different ways. The various Marys get mentioned 54 times in 49 verses, so it’s hard to sort them all out. Not only does it reveal to readers that Mary was a popular name then, but also that Jesus had a lot of women followers who were very close to him—women who were key figures in the key moments of his life and ministry, his death, and his Resurrection. Which Mary was which might confuse us today, but their various important roles in his life are clearly deserving of honour.


Today's readings: Acts 2:14, 22-33; Matthew 28:8-15

“Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went away quickly from the tomb . . . and ran to announce the news to his disciples.”



Tuesday 19th April


Tuesday Within The Octave Of Easter

Grant us peace


Today is the anniversary of Benedict XVI becoming pope in 2005. As a theologian, Benedict wrote extensively of faith and politics in pluralistic societies. One of his prayers pleads: “God of peace, bring your peace to our violent world: peace in the hearts of all men and women and peace among the nations of the Earth.” This is a good prayer to have on hand, particularly on a day that marks the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.


Today's readings: Acts 2:36-41; John 20:11-18

“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ ”



Wednesday 20th April


Wednesday Within The Octave Of Easter

Look up!


The disciples on the road to Emmaus were grieving Jesus but failed to recognize him when he approached them. In our daily rush to and fro, it is easy to overlook what is happening all around: the dance of creation, day in and day out. As Earth Day approaches, take a moment from the busyness to contemplate with awe the beauty great and small. Keep these words of Saint Augustine in mind about the book of God’s creation: “Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead, He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?”


Today's readings: Acts 3:1-10; Luke 24:13-35

“Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.”


Thursday 21st April


Thursday Within The Octave Of Easter

Journey into the unknown


The worldwide church is now about halfway through a process with a rather unwieldy name: “Synod on Synodality.” The idea is for the church at all levels to “listen and dialogue.” The word synod means “to travel together,” and this synod is refreshing, as a bottom-up approach in a church accustomed to top-down leadership. By its nature, there is no clarity about where it leads, but the process itself is the main point. Let’s pray the church’s Synod Prayer for Unity, that the process “lead us closer to [God’s] Son and so to one another.”


Today's readings: Acts 3:11-26; Luke 24:35-48 (264).

“He stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ ”


Friday 22nd April


Friday Within The Octave Of Easter

Embrace the Resurrection: Plant a garden 


The Easter season gives us ample time and resources to delve into the Paschal Mystery. Scripture, liturgies, and feast days all help us embrace the Resurrection as part of our own story. That’s not always easy to comprehend. Fortunately, there are glimpses of Resurrection everywhere! So much of Easter is represented through nature—lilies, tulips, lambs, bunnies—indeed the whole season of spring helps us bodily embrace the Resurrection. This Easter season, consider planting a garden or fostering a kitten (April is National Garden Month as well as Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, and today happens to be Earth Day as well!). Embrace the Resurrection in the world all around you.


Today's readings: Acts 4:1-12; John 21:1-14

“Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them, and in like manner the fish.” 



Saturday 23rd April


Saturday Within The Octave Of Easter

Every day an Easter


Easter isn’t just a day, it is a season, an ongoing feast. The Octave of Easter (Easter Sunday and the seven days that follow) has been, since the earliest centuries of Christian history, a time of extended celebration. The joy of Easter Sunday is prolonged for a full eight days, an octave of rejoicing. Every day of the Octave is treated as another Easter, a tradition preserved in our liturgy, with readings and rituals that mirror what occurs on Easter Sunday. Rise up! It’s still Easter!


Today's readings: Acts 4:13-21; Mark 16:9-15 (266).

“When Jesus had risen . . . he appeared first to Mary Magdalene.” 

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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