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 • June 27, 2026
Please pray for Our Sick : Margaret Callaghan Doreen Cleary, 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, Carol Corr, Thomas Kennedy, David Borland, and all our sick .

Sacramental Dates 2027

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
Confirmation: St. Peter's & St. Mark's Monday 22nd February 2027 7pm Mass First Confession: St. Peter's Monday March 15th 2027 6.30pm St. Mark's Tuesday March 16th 2027 6.30pm First Communion: St. Peter's Saturday May 8th 2027 10am Mass St. Mark's Saturday May 15th 2027 10am Mass

This Sunday's readings - Sunday 28th June

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
First Reading Acts of the Apostles 12:1-11 Now I know it is indeed true: the Lord has saved me from the power of Herod. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 34:2-9 The angel of the Lord will rescue those who fear him. Second Reading 2 Timothy 4:6-8,17-18 All that remains now is the crown of righteousness. Gospel Reading Matthew 16:13-19 You are Peter; and I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven. Background on the Gospel Reading Mark places this incident at Caesarea Philippi. Luke, because of the importance he wishes to give to prayer in his Gospel, places it in the context of Jesus praying. But Matthew keeps it at Caesarea Philippi. In today's Gospel, Jesus asks the disciples for a “field report” by asking what people are saying about him. He refers to himself as the Son of Man, a term derived from the Jewish Scriptures, found in the book of Daniel and in other apocryphal writings. Many scholars suggest that “Son of Man” is best understood to mean “human being.” As Jesus turns the question directly to the disciples and asks what they believe, Peter speaks for all of them when he announces that they believe Jesus to be the Christ. “Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word for “messiah,” which means “the anointed one.” At the time of Jesus, the image of the “messiah” was laden with popular expectations, most of which looked for a political leader who would free the Jewish people from Roman occupation. Because Jesus has referred to himself a number of times in Matthew by Christological titles this moment is not the revelation of who Jesus is as in Mark. Instead it marks an important moment in the development of the Church. Jesus uses this occasion to bless Peter, who represents all the disciples but also has a unique role to play in the founding of the new community. Peter is blessed not because of a personal insight but because God revealed to him who Jesus is. Peter is the rock on which Jesus will build the Church.

Prayers for the recently dead, months, mind and Anniversaries

By Webmaster • June 27, 2026
Our Recently Dead John Holton, Baby Koa McKendrick, Hamish McGregor, Pat Dougan, John Feeney Month Minds & Anniversaries Hugh Burns, James, Ruby & Mary McDaide, Jim Carter, Archie Findlater, Eric Findlater, Tracey Archibald 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

This week's readings - Sunday 21st June

By Webmaster • June 19, 2026
First Reading Jeremiah 20:10-13 Jeremiah expresses confidence that the Lord will protect him. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 69:8-10,14,17,33-35 God responds to the prayers of those in need. Second Reading Romans 5:12-15 Sin came into the world through one person; so salvation came through one person for many. Gospel Reading Matthew 10:26-33 Jesus assures the Twelve that God cares about them. Background on the Gospel Reading We read today’s Gospel in the context of last week’s Gospel in which Jesus sent the twelve disciples to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. In between last week’s reading and today’s reading, Jesus has predicted that the disciples will face difficulties in their mission. Many people will not receive them well, even within the land of Israel. Even family members will turn away from the disciples because of the disciples’ commitment to Jesus and the kingdom. Today’s Gospel offers the disciples consolation against this difficult truth. This section of Matthew’s Gospel should be read in the context of Matthew’s intended audience, a Jewish-Christian community. The Gospel alludes to the dangers and persecutions that this community has most likely already faced and will continue to face. To reassure this community, Matthew recalls for them the encouraging words of Jesus that we read today. In this Gospel passage, Jesus might be understood as putting suffering in perspective. The disciples of Jesus are called upon to keep their focus on God. Those who can harm the body do not have ultimate power; God does. Still persecution and suffering can not be avoided or prevented. But Jesus reassures his disciples that God knows and cares about what happens to his children.  We might not face the same type of persecution, but we do experience difficulties as we endeavor to live a Christian life. Sometimes we let the opinions of others prevent us from doing what we know to be right. We need the reminder that what God thinks about us is more important. We are reassured by the promise that God cares for us and protects us.

Donations please

By Webmaster • June 19, 2026
A parishioner Cara Quigley is volunteering in a Catholic School in Kenya. She is looking for donations of the following: 1. Story books. 2. Flash cards (Alphabet, Numbers & Shapes). 3. White Board Pens. 4. Educational Toys (Building Blocks etc). 5. Sensory Materials. 6. Pencils (Normal & Coloured). 7. Crayons. 8. Skipping Ropes. She leaves on the 18th July 2026 Last pick up date is Sunday 12th July 2026

Confirmation

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
Confirmation 2026 St. Peter's & St. Mark's 18th June 2026 7pm Bishop Toal

Gift Aid

By Webmaster • June 12, 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 - Sunday 14th June

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
First Reading Exodus 19:2-6a God tells Moses that the Israelites will be his special people. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 100:1-3,5 We are the people of God. Second Reading Romans 5:6-11 Christ died for us while we were still sinners and reconciled us to God. Gospel Reading Matthew 9:36-10:8 Jesus sends the twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of heaven. Background on the Gospel Reading In today's Gospel, Jesus shares his mission to proclaim the kingdom of heaven with his disciples. The signs of the kingdom's presence consist of the work that Jesus has already been doing: the sick are cured, lepers are cleansed, demons are driven out, and the dead are raised to life. The disciples are sent to continue doing the work that Jesus has begun. This is a moment of transition in Matthew's Gospel. The focus has shifted from the ministry of Jesus to the work of the community that he has inaugurated. More than any other Gospel, Matthew's Gospel elaborates on the work of the Church, which is to continue after Jesus' death and resurrection. The Gospel reports that Jesus commissions twelve disciples. Many scholars believe that the twelve disciples symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel. It designates, therefore, continuity between Israel and the Church. Matthew lists the names of the twelve disciples, as do Mark and Luke. Matthew also uses the word apostlewhen referring to the Twelve. The word apostlemeans “one who is sent.” In this context, Matthew is calling attention to the mission that the twelve disciples are being given. They are sent by Jesus to proclaim the kingdom of heaven in word and deed.  As Jesus sent his disciples to continue his work and mission, so too the Church is sent by Jesus. The Church is his continuing presence on earth. Every member of the Church is sent by Jesus to contribute to this mission.

Leavers masses

By Webmaster • June 12, 2026
P7 Leavers Masses St. Peter's 17th June St. Mark's 19th June
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