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 • November 13, 2026
Please pray for Our Sick : Margaret Callaghan Doreen Cleary, Neil Boyle, John Rielly, James Clark, Fr. Michael McLaughlin, Patricia Henderson, Joanna Maier (Connecticut USA), Therese Gilgunn Tressy Callaghan, Suzanne McMurray, Marie White,Lesley Watson (Spain) John McGuire, Jill Brown, Maureen McHugh ,Margaret Burke, Paul Kearney,Kathleen Daly, Karen Pritchatt, Louise Newton, Faith Lyndsey, Marie McGuire, James Morton, Thomas Daly, Andrew McCluskey, Margaret Loan, Premature Baby Vincent McDowell, Gudren Berk (Germany), Jaqueline McReynolds, Mary Morrison, Helen Howarth (Easterhouse), Avril McCluskey, Carol Corr, Margaret Park, Thomas Kennedy, Alana Hepburn, Michael Ritchie, Hugh O'Donnell, Mary Brandon, Michelle McDade, Pope Leo, Baby Matteo, Angela Hendry, Patsy McMenemy, James McLernon (Blantyre) Joan Daly, and all our sick . .

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • November 13, 2026
Our Recently Dead Matt Bradley, Robert Gallacher, Jean Dougan, Paul Kearney Month Minds & Anniversaries Jim Smith, Rosemarie Burns, Joseph Lyons, Kay Healy, Duncan McShannon 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

St. Martin of Tours 11th November

By Webmaster • November 6, 2026
Saint Martin of Tours’ Story A conscientious objector who wanted to be a monk; a monk who was maneuvered into being a bishop; a bishop who fought paganism as well as pleaded for mercy to heretics—such was Martin of Tours, one of the most popular of saints and one of the first not to be a martyr. Born of pagan parents in what is now Hungary, and raised in Italy, this son of a veteran was forced at the age of 15 to serve in the army. Martin became a Christian catechumen and was baptised when he was 18. It was said that he lived more like a monk than a soldier. At 23, Martin of Tours refused a war bonus and told his commander: “I have served you as a soldier; now let me serve Christ. Give the bounty to those who are going to fight. But I am a soldier of Christ and it is not lawful for me to fight.” After great difficulties, he was discharged and went to be a disciple of Hilary of Poitiers. He was ordained an exorcist and worked with great zeal against the Arians. Martin became a monk, living first at Milan and later on a small island. When Hilary was restored to his see following his exile, Martin returned to France and established what may have been the first French monastery near Poitiers. He lived there for 10 years, forming his disciples and preaching throughout the countryside. The people of Tours demanded that he become their bishop. Martin was drawn to that city by a ruse—the need of a sick person—and was brought to the church, where he reluctantly allowed himself to be consecrated bishop. Some of the consecrating bishops thought his rumpled appearance and unkempt hair indicated that he was not dignified enough for the office. Along with Saint Ambrose, Martin rejected Bishop Ithacius’s principle of putting heretics to death—as well as the intrusion of the emperor into such matters. He prevailed upon the emperor to spare the life of the heretic Priscillian. For his efforts, Martin was accused of the same heresy, and Priscillian was executed after all. Martin then pleaded for a cessation of the persecution of Priscillian’s followers in Spain. He still felt he could cooperate with Ithacius in other areas, but afterwards his conscience troubled him about this decision. As death approached, Martin’s followers begged him not to leave them. He prayed, “Lord, if your people still need me, I do not refuse the work. Your will be done.”Reflection Martin’s worry about cooperation with evil reminds us that almost nothing is either all black or all white. The saints are not creatures of another world: They face the same perplexing decisions that we do. Any decision of conscience always involves some risk. If we choose to go north, we may never know what would have happened had we gone east, west, or south. A hyper-cautious withdrawal from all perplexing situations is not the virtue of prudence; it is in fact, a bad decision, for “not to decide is to decide.” Let us pray that we are able to journey this life of ours with the same passion and zeal as Martin of Tours. And let us hope that our efforts, however brave or futile, can convert hearts to God’s overflowing grace. Saint Martin: Pray for us! Saint Martin of Tours is a Patron Saint of: Horses, Soldiers & South Africa

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 8th November

By Webmaster • November 6, 2026
First Reading Wisdom 6:12-16 Wisdom will come to those who seek it. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 63:2,3-4,5-6,7-8 Our souls are thirsting for God. Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (shorter form: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14) God will raise all those who have died. Gospel Reading Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus tells the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, teaching his disciples the importance of being prepared to receive the Kingdom of Heaven Background on the Gospel Reading In this week’s Gospel, Jesus talks about what it means to be prepared to receive the Kingdom of Heaven. This week’s reading follows a series of warnings and predictions by Jesus about the coming of the Son of Man. Jesus wants his disciples to understand that the exact day and time cannot be predicted. He teaches the disciples that they must remain vigilant so that they will not be caught unprepared. When thinking about the parable of the wise and foolish virgins, it is important to consider the first-century wedding traditions of Palestine. Scholars tell us that it was the custom of the day for young maidens—friends and family members of the bride—to meet the bridegroom when he came to bring his bride to her new home.  As with many of Jesus’ parables, several levels of interpretation are possible. In last week’s Gospel, we heard Jesus warn against following the example of the Pharisees and scribes. If read in the context of early Christianity’s struggle to define itself against Pharisaic Judaism, this parable is a continuing critique of Judaism. It suggests that the Jewish leaders were like the foolish virgins, unprepared to meet Jesus, the bridegroom of Israel. In the chapter preceding this parable, however, Jesus warns about the destruction of Jerusalem, the tribulation of the end times, and the coming of the Son of Man. When read in this context, today’s parable is a warning to the Christian community to remain vigilant and prepared to receive Jesus, the Son of Man who will return at the end of time. This interpretation is supported by the reference to the delay of the bridegroom. The Christian community for whom Matthew wrote this Gospel was coming to terms with the realization that the promise of Jesus’ return would not be fulfilled within their lifetimes. The question remains for us to ask ourselves, Are we ready to receive Jesus? Will we be prepared to receive him?

Coffee mornings

By Webmaster • November 6, 2026
Coffee Morning Every Tuesday. Next one 10th November

Annual Mass of the Dead

By Webmaster • November 6, 2026
This Saturday the 7th November is our Annual Mass for the Dead. Invitations have been sent out to the families of those who lost a loved one in the last year. However, the Mass is open to anyone who wants to come and pray for their loved and to remember them by lighting a candle for them.

November Lists

By Webmaster • October 30, 2026
Will be available in the porch from this weekend. Mass will be offered each day in November for those names included on the list. You may include an offering alongside the list in your envelope.  And from Tuesday there will be a box in the porch to return them.

Panto 2027

By Webmaster • October 30, 2026
Panto 2027 January 8th 2027 Goldilocks  Price £36 including Bus Sign up Sheet in Porch Scan the QR code on the notice board in the Church Click on the following link as well. St Peters Panto Trip Jan 2027 – Fill in form

St.Charles Borromeo 4th November

By Webmaster • October 30, 2026
Saint Charles Borromeo’s Story The name of Charles Borromeo is associated with reform. He lived during the time of the Protestant Reformation, and had a hand in the reform of the whole Church during the final years of the Council of Trent. Although he belonged to the Milanese nobility and was related to the powerful Medici family, Charles Borromeo desired to devote himself to the Church. In 1559, when his uncle, Cardinal de Medici was elected Pope Pius IV, he made Charles cardinal-deacon and administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan. At the time Charles was still a layman and a young student. Because of his intellectual qualities Charles was entrusted with several important offices connected with the Vatican, and later appointed secretary of state with responsibility for the papal states. The untimely death of his elder brother brought Charles to a definite decision to be ordained a priest, despite his relatives’ insistence that he marry. Soon after being ordained a priest at age 25, Borromeo was consecrated bishop of Milan. Working behind the scenes, Saint Charles deserves the credit for keeping the Council of Trent in session when at several points it was on the verge of breaking up. Borromeo encouraged the pope to renew the Council in 1562, after it had been suspended for 10 years. He took upon himself the task of the entire correspondence during the final phase. Because of his work at the Council, Borromeo was unable to take up residence in Milan until the Council concluded. Eventually, Borromeo was allowed to devote his time to the Archdiocese of Milan, where the religious and moral picture was far from bright. The reform needed in every phase of Catholic life among both clergy and laity was initiated at a provincial council of all the bishops under him. Specific regulations were drawn up for bishops and other clergy: If the people were to be converted to a better life, Borromeo had to be the first to give a good example and renew their apostolic spirit. Charles Borromeo took the initiative in giving a good example. He allotted most of his income to charity, forbade himself all luxury, and imposed severe penances upon himself. He sacrificed wealth, high honors, esteem, and influence to become poor. During the plague and famine of 1576, Borromeo tried to feed 60,000 to 70,000 people daily. To do this he borrowed large sums of money that required years to repay. Whereas the civil authorities fled at the height of the plague, he stayed in the city, where he ministered to the sick and the dying, helping those in want. Work and the heavy burdens of his high office began to affect Archbishop Borromeo’s health, leading to his death at the age of 46. Reflection Saint Charles Borromeo made his own the words of Christ: “…I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36). Borromeo saw Christ in his neighbour, and knew that charity done for the least of his flock was charity done for Christ.  Saint Charles Borromeo is a Patron Saint of:Catechists, Catechumens & Seminarians

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 1st November

By Webmaster • October 30, 2026
First Reading Revelation 7:2-4,9-14 John describes his vision: those who have endured the trials worship the Lamb. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 24:1-2,3-4,5-6 Those who seek the face of the Lord shall be rewarded. Second Reading 1 John 3:1-3 We are God's children now. Gospel Reading Matthew 5:1-12 Jesus teaches what it means to be happy. Background on the Gospel Reading Every year the Church recalls the example, witness, and prayer of the holy women and men who have been identified by the Church as Saints. These saints are more than just role models; they are family members with whom we continue to share relation, in a bond of prayer, called the Communion of Saints. Every year when we celebrate this day, the Gospel we proclaim recalls for us Jesus' teaching about happiness, the Beatitudes. We quickly note in this reading that none of those Jesus names as “blessed” or “happy” are expected . . . the poor in spirit, the meek, the persecuted. Jesus' blueprint for happiness reflects little of what the world might call happiness.  What does Jesus mean when he uses the word “blessed?” This word is sometimes translated as “happy” or “fortunate” or “favored.” In other words, Jesus is saying that divine favor is upon those who are poor, who mourn, who are persecuted. This might have been welcome and surprising news to the crowds who heard Jesus that day. The Beatitudes can be understood as a framework for Christian living. Because of this, it is natural that we proclaim this Gospel on the Feast of All Saints. Saints are people who lived the spirit of the Beatitudes as Jesus lived. On this day, we too are challenged to model our lives on the spirit and promises of the Beatitudes.
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