Reflections on the Daily Readings 8th November 2021

Webmaster • November 6, 2021

Monday 8th November


Mary, all the way


Nuestra Señora de los Treinta y Tres, or Our Lady of the Thirty-Three, also known as the Liberator of Uruguay, is the patron of that country. The image of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was venerated by a group of 33 revolutionaries whose actions led to the founding of modern Uruguay, and there are still pilgrimages every November to the cathedral where this image is enshrined. Mary helps all of us along the way, on the pilgrimage of life, to the liberation of her son. Honor her on her feast day today by offering prayers of praise to the one who set us free from sin.


Today's readings: Wisdom 1:1-7; Luke 17:1-6 .

“If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.”



Tuesday 9th November


Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

We gather together


Saint Paul says we’re each a temple of the Holy Spirit. Saint Peter calls us the “living stones” of the church. But having a physical place to gather and worship is of practical importance, too; it’s where we forge the bonds of Christian community and celebrate Christ’s Incarnation. And so, after Emperor Constantine’s edict in 313—allowing persecuted Christians to come out of hiding and be public in their practice—it’s significant that he gifted a young church with the Lateran properties. How can you help your own parish maintain Christian community, knowing COVID has kept many from physically gathering?


Today's readings: Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; 1 Corinthians 3:9c-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22

“No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely, Jesus Christ.”



Wednesday 10th November


St. Leo the Great ,

Follow the good doctor’s advice


The Latin word “doctor” means teacher, and so we have a number of them within the church to whom we look for inspiration and guidance on matters of significance of faith and belief. Leo the Great, whose feast we celebrate today, is one of those “doctors” whose teachings have helped form the foundation upon which we stand today as Catholic Christians. In Saint Leo’s case, it was his defense of the doctrine of Christ’s Incarnation—that Jesus is fully human and fully divine—that won him fame as a stalwart of the faith. Honour Leo by living fully the divine love showered upon you.


Today's readings: Wisdom 6:1-11; Luke 17:11-19

“Authority was given you by the Lord and sovereignty by the Most High, who shall probe your works and scrutinize your counsels.”


Thursday 11th November


St. Martin of Tours

Give us wisdom to confront and ease poverty


Saint Martin of Tours, today’s saint, is famous for tearing his cloak in two to give half to a beggar. With poverty entrenched in our world, knowing how to overcome it ourselves or how to help those who are afflicted is a constant. Perhaps the Wisdom of God, uplifted in the first reading for today, can give guidance. In the footsteps of Saint Martin, we Christians turn to “ Wisdom a spirit intelligent, holy, unique” to respond to the many kinds of pain inflicted by poverty.


Today's readings: Wisdom 7:22b—8:1; Luke 17:20-25

“For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.”


Friday 12th November


St. Josaphat

Dont let passion trump compassion


Saint Josaphat, Basilian monk and church reformer, born around 1580, worked to consolidate the Eastern and Western Christian Churches and was part of the “uniat” camp in Lithuania that supported union with Rome. Try as he might, Josaphat couldn’t persuade all of his compatriots of the value of a unified Catholic Church, and his detractors claimed he had “gone Latin.” Those against the union eventually stormed the bishop’s residence and murdered him. Passions run deep when it comes to religion and politics, but, like Josaphat, never lose sight of the ultimate commandment for Christians: to love neighbor, friend, and enemy alike.


Today's readings: Wisdom 13:1-9; Luke 17:26-37

“If they so far succeeded in knowledge that they could speculate about the world, how did they not more quickly find its Lord?”




Saturday 13th November


St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Celebrate a saint for immigrants


As we wrap up National Vocation Awareness Week, we celebrate one of the truly great American vocations of the 20th century, Frances Xavier Cabrini. Mother Cabrini was the first U.S. citizen to be made a saint. She came to the United States from Italy in 1889 to help the flood of immigrants coming to America. Starting with nothing, she founded schools, orphanages, and hospitals to provide support for her fellow immigrants. In her spirit, reach out to immigrants in need—documented or otherwise—they are everywhere to be found these days.


Today's readings: Wisdom 18:14-16; 19:6-9; Luke 18:1-8

“Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night?

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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