Reflections on the Daily Readings 31st October 2022

Webmaster • October 29, 2022

Monday 31st October


Hallowed be the Eve


Given its association with witches, goblins, and the like, it might seem strange that Halloween is actually a Catholic holiday. Halloween, or Hallowe'en, is an abbreviation for “All Hallows Eve,” a celebration the night before All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days (November 1 and 2). Just like on the night before Christmas or before Ash Wednesday, people make merry on October 31—with costumes and parties for kids and adults alike—before the more solemn days to come. Take a cue this week from Mexican culture’s festive Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) to pay respects with a joyful heart to those who have gone before us.


Today's readings: Philippians 2:1-4; Luke 14:12-14 (485).

“When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.”



Tuesday 1st November


It’s the company you keep 


“It is the example of the righteous that we must make our own,” instructed Pope Clement of Rome. “Seek the company of the saints, for those who seek their company shall be sanctified.” Catholics believe in the communion of saints: all who have attained a place at the heavenly banquet—and from whom we seek inspiration, example, and intercession. They include Saint Francis as well as someone’s Uncle Frank, Saint Gertrude the Great along with a great many grandmas. Images of both famous and ordinary saints informed the work of artist John Nava for the stunning Communion of Saints tapestries at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles; let them grace your prayer today. SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS


Today's readings: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12a (667).

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven."



Wednesday 2nd November


Dressing for the dearly departed


All Souls’ Day is celebrated in many different ways, depending on one’s culture. Some celebrate the season by dressing up. Others honor Día de los Muertos by having feasts at cemeteries, where stories are told and gifts are offered to the ancestors. Some spend the day with doors and windows wide open as a symbol of welcoming the dearly departed. In all different ways, life is celebrated, the life we shared with loved ones who have died, and the life we continue to share with them and one another in new ways. What will be your All Souls’ Day custom today? COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS’ DAY)


Today's readings: Wisdom 3:1-9; Romans 5:5-11 or Romans 6:3-9; John 6:37-40 (668).

“The souls of the just are in the hand of God.”


Thursday 3rd November


The struggle for racial justice continues


In 1947, the Catholic Interracial Council of Los Angeles sued the state of California to challenge the law that prohibited interracial marriages. At the time laws in 30 states made interracial marriages illegal. The challenge cited Catholic teaching to argue that racism is inherently evil and irrational. The lawsuit succeeded, a step along the long road to racial justice. Peruvian Saint Martin de Porres, born out of wedlock in 1579 to a Spanish nobleman and a formerly enslaved African woman, is patron of mixed-race people and all those seeking racial harmony. Ask Saint Martin to help us keep up the fight for racial justice. MEMORIAL OF MARTIN DE PORRES, DOMINICAN BROTHER


Today's readings: Philippians 3:3-8a; Luke 15:1-10 (488).

“He, the LORD, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail.”


Friday 4th November


An inspiration in trying times


Many lessons can be drawn from our experience these difficult years of the epidemic. Foremost among them is that we have to be there for each other. During the 1576-78 Plague of Milan, when many city officials fled the scene, Archbishop Borromeo stayed the course, not only organizing a wide-ranging clerical response to the temporal and spiritual needs of the people, but even selling his own possessions and borrowing funds to care for the many hungry, homeless, and dying souls. Dismissing concerns over infection, he made visitations across the diocese and personally ministered to the sick. What can we do today to honor his memory and serve those in need? MEMORIAL OF CHARLES BORROMEO, BISHOP


Today's readings: Philippians 3:17—4:1; Luke 16:1-8 (489).

“Prepare a full account of your stewardship.”



Saturday 5th November


Loosen that grip 


Imagine going through an entire day having left your wallet or purse at home, carrying no money of any kind (cash, credit card, or otherwise). Now imagine going through your entire life that way! More than likely, that’s how Jesus lived. He had a lot to say about money, especially our relationship to it, but we never read of Jesus carrying any himself. When he’s challenged about paying taxes, he asks to be shown a coin in order to respond, so he likely wasn’t carrying any of his own. While Jesus did not command us to live without money, he cautioned us to use it ethically and to be careful how tightly we hold it in our hands—and our hearts.


Today's readings: Philippians 4:10-19; Luke 16:9-15 (490).

“If, therefore, you are not trustworthy with dishonest wealth, who will trust you with true wealth?”

Prayers for the Sick

By Webmaster • February 14, 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), Margaret Loan, Avril McCluskey and all our sick.

Ash Wednesday

By Webmaster • February 14, 2026
Ash Wednesday 18th February What is Ash Wednesday? Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent—and a wonderful opportunity to make yourself 100% available to God! How available to God are you? 50%? 75%? 96.4%? No matter what your answer, Ash Wednesday is the perfect time to decide that you will spend this Lent increasing that number. On Ash Wednesday, you can get your forehead blessed with ashes at Mass or a prayer service. These ashes are a reminder that we need to repent. Repentance is a powerful invitation. When John the Baptist first appeared in the desert of Judea, this was his message: “Repent, prepare the way of the Lord” (Matthew 3:2). Later, when Jesus began his ministry, he led with this message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). But what does it mean for us to repent, here and now, more than two thousand years later? It means the same as it did to the people walking around the dusty pathways in their sandals, trying to inch closer to Jesus as he passed through their town or village. Repent means “to turn back to God.” We all find ourselves needing to turn back to God many times a day, in ways small and large. It is not a matter of guilt and it is not a shameful thing. It is simply that we are a better version of ourselves when we return to his side!  Ash Wednesday Mass Times 18th February: Masses 7am, 10am & 6pm

This week's readings

By Webmaster • February 14, 2026
The Sermon on the Mount continues as the focus of the Gospel readings during Winter Ordinary Time, and today’s passage from Matthew chapter 5 contains some of the most challenging verses in the Gospel. Before turning to that teaching, however, let’s consider the other readings. The First Reading comes from the Book of Sirach, also known by its Latin title Ecclesiasticus, or “Church Book,” so called because the early Church made extensive use of this wisdom text in moral instruction for catechumens and the faithful. Sirach reflects powerfully on moral freedom: If you choose, you can keep the commandments; they will save you. Before you are life and death, good and evil; whichever you choose shall be given you. Freedom of the will is one of God’s greatest gifts. God places before us the choice between good and evil and invites us to choose life. What is equally clear is that God does not choose sin or injustice on our behalf. The responsibility for our moral choices rests with us. The Second Reading continues from Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Writing to a Christian community surrounded by moral confusion, Paul reminds them that true wisdom does not come from the world, but from God: What eye has not seen and ear has not heard… what God has prepared for those who love him, God has revealed through the Spirit.  This reading complements Sirach beautifully. If the First Reading emphasizes our freedom to choose, the Second reminds us that God does not leave us unassisted. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, God prepares us to live according to divine wisdom rather than worldly standards. Together, these readings lead us into today’s Gospel. Jesus makes it clear that he has not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. He then calls his disciples to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees – not through legal technicalities, but through holiness of heart. Jesus’ striking examples – equating anger with murder and lust with adultery – may sound harsh to modern ears. Yet Matthew presents these teachings to a Jewish Christian community still shaped by strict legal interpretation. Jesus’ strong language is meant to awaken his listeners to the truth that holiness requires more than outward observance. It calls for an interior conversion, where the heart itself is transformed by God’s grace.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • February 14, 2026
Our Recently Dead Thomas Gallacher, Frank Cook, John Harkins, Bridie McKechnie, Mary Irvine, Frances Drummond, Mary McCrudden, Paul McGoldrick, Kevin McMahon, Christine Divers (Glasgow), Ellen Thomson (Glasgow), Eugene McVay, Catherine Chrighton (Holytown), James Neary, Campbell McFall (St. Ninian's), John Monaghan, John Collin Month Minds & Anniversaries John Corns, James, Ruby & Mary McDaide, Elizabeth & Stuart Johnston, Margaret Fox, Laraine Fox, Christine Archibald, Ann Rodgers, Hugh Rodgers, Giovanni Battiste Fionda, Marie Carmen Fionda, Johny D'Ambrosio, Margaret D'Ambrosio 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

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.

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.
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