Reflections on the Daily Readings 30th January 2022

Webmaster • January 29, 2022

Monday 31st January


Memorial Of John Bosco Celebrating a lovely education


Saint John Bosco, a 19th-century Italian priest, was an educator ahead of his time. He understood the power of positive reinforcement long before modern psychology came along—and he applied this theory to teaching poor kids who had rough lives. His method? Quite simply, love. Rather than punish kids, he was kind. During Catholic Schools Week, offer a prayer of thanks for the educators who nurtured you through your formative years. Whether you went to Catholic schools or not, those special teachers were reflecting Christ’s love back to you. Remember how their good works shaped the Christian you are today.


Today's readings: 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13; Mark 5:1-20 (323).

“Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”



Tuesday 1st February


Catholic education for a better world


We encourage schools to today recognise students’ accomplishments—but also have them embrace the “grounding in faith, knowledge, and service” a Catholic education provides. In a June 2021 address to Latin American Catholic schools, Pope Francis expands this vision even more. He urges “welcoming schools” that “do not retreat into a selfish elitism, but that learn to live together with everyone . . . knowing that everything is connected.” His wish? That “schools have conscience and create conscience.” Pray for all Catholic students today.


Today's readings: 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14b, 24-25a, 30—19:3; Mark 5:21-43

“The girl, a child of twelve, arose immediately and walked around. At that they were utterly astounded.”



Wednesday 2nd February


Feast Of The Presentation Of The Lord Comfort food for the soul


Mexican American neighborhoods will be filled with the sweet aroma of warm tamales today, served because of a special connection this day has to January 6, the Epiphany. On Epiphany, La Rosca, a cake in the shape of a crown, is shared by family and friends in honor of the Magi, a.k.a., the three kings. The person who finds a small figure of Jesus hidden in their slice of cake is tasked with throwing a tamale party today, the day the infant Jesus is presented at the Temple. Welcome Jesus to your table today.


Today's readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22- 40

“When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.”


Thursday 3rd February


Lift up her voice


Servant of God Mother Mary Elizabeth Lange, O.S.P., died on this day in 1882. Born into a well educated family of means in the Caribbean, she immigrated to Baltimore in the early 1800s as a free black woman in a slave state. Seeing the need for education among her fellow Caribbean immigrants, she taught out of her home, opened a school in 1828, took first religious vows a year later, and founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence. Mary Elizabeth and her fellow sisters devoted themselves to works of mercy and social reform, working with communities of color facing poverty, racism, and the degradations of slavery. Nearly 200 years later, the order’s work continues strong, as does the canonization process for this remarkable woman. Let Mary Elizabeth’s example inspire you to respond to injustice with courageous compassion.


Today's readings: 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12; Mark 6:7-13

“The Twelve drove out many demons, and they anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.”


Friday 4th February


Invest your humanity


On this Friday of Catholic Schools Week, Pope Francis offers supportive words for Catholic educators. “To educate is an act of love, it is to give life. And love is demanding, it calls for the best resources, for a reawakening of the passion to begin this path patiently with young people. The educator in Catholic schools must be, first and foremost, competent and qualified but, at the same time, someone who is rich in humanity” and able to promote spiritual growth. For this, Francis said in 2014, “it is necessary to invest.” How can you help support Catholic educators today?


Today's readings: Sirach 47:2-11; Mark 6:14-29.

“He added beauty to the feasts and solemnized the seasons of each year.”



Saturday 5th February


Be careful what you ask for


The wisest thing Solomon ever did was to ask for wisdom. Given the chance to ask for anything, he didn’t go the route of wealth, fame, immortality, but rather chose the road less traveled. For, as one biblical commentator put it, wisdom is “a bountiful crop with a meager harvest.” Often personified in biblical testimony as the feminine face of the Divine, Proverbs tells us that she “cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks: ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?’” We are Solomon, and the choice is ours to make. What will you choose?


Today's readings: 1 Kings 3:4-13; Mark 6:30-34 “The LORD was pleased that Solomon made this request. . . .

‘In addition, I give you what you have not asked for.’ ”

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,
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