This Sunday's readings - Sunday 6th September

Webmaster • September 4, 2026

First Reading

Ezekiel 33:7-9

The Son of Man is appointed as guardian of Israel.


Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 95:1-2,6-9

Song of praise to God, our salvation.


Second Reading

Romans 13:8-10

The Law is summarized in the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.


Gospel Reading

Matthew 18:15-20

Jesus teaches his disciples how to settle disputes in the Church.


Background on the Gospel Reading

Today’s Gospel reading is taken from a chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, which is sometimes called the “discourse on the Church” or the “church order” discourse. In this part of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus speaks more directly about matters of Church discipline and order. In today’s reading we find one of only three instances in which Jesus uses the word church in Matthew’s Gospel. In Matthew’s record of Jesus’ teaching, we can hear echoes of the kinds of issues faced by the early Christian community.


In the first part of the “discourse on the Church” (Matthew 18:1-14), Matthew addresses the Christian community’s concerns about rank. Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus indicates that those who wish to enter the kingdom of heaven must be like children, and he cautions those leaders who might lead these “little ones” astray. He also responds with the parable of the lost sheep, indicating how God will seek out and bring back those “little ones” who have strayed.


In today’s Gospel reading, Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus addresses a common occurrence in the Christian community: a dispute between two members of the Church. Jesus outlines a procedure for settling such matters fairly. The victim should privately address the offender and attempt to resolve the dispute without outside involvement. If that fails, then the victim should bring two or three witnesses and confront the offender again. If the dispute is still unresolved, the matter should be brought to the attention of the entire community. If the offender refuses to adhere to the reparations prescribed by the community, then Jesus suggests that the offender may be expelled from the Church.


Jesus does not discourage disagreement within the community of the Church; he acknowledges the reality of conflict and error and offers his disciples a means for addressing such matters. It is in the conclusion to this teaching that the message of hope is found: Jesus is present with the community and will guide the community in its relations. If decisions are taken in prayer, then the community can be assured of God’s assistance.

By Webmaster September 4, 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, Gudren Berk (Germany), Jaqueline McReynolds, Mary Morrison, Helen Howarth (Easterhouse), Margaret Loan, Avril McCluskey, Carol Corr, Thomas Kennedy, Margaret Park, Alana Hepburn, Michael Ritchie, Hugh O'Donnell, and all our sick. .
By Webmaster September 4, 2026
 24th October Mass of the Sick 10am Mass 7th November Annual Mass for the Dead 10am Mass
By Webmaster September 4, 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.
By Webmaster September 4, 2026
Coffee Morning Every Tuesday starting from 29th September in the Side Chapel after the 10am Mass.
By Webmaster September 4, 2026
Our Recently Dead Leonard McKague, Andrew Henderson Month Minds & Anniversaries James O'Donnell Sylvia & William Mitchell  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
By Webmaster September 4, 2026
From Friday 25th September to Sunday 4th October. St. Francis' Peace Prayer will be said at the end of every Mass. Monday 28th September A Parish Mass for St. Peter's in St. John Olgivie Church7pm. Veneration of Relic of St. Francis' at the End of the Mass. I will celebrate the Mass. Bus will be available to take you to St. John Olgivie's if you do not have transport. List at back of the Church. Sunday 4th October Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Blessing of Pets After 11am Mass
By Webmaster August 28, 2026
First Reading Jeremiah 20:7-9 Jeremiah laments but cannot fail to speak in God’s name. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 63:2-6,8-9 Our souls yearn for God. Second Reading Romans 12:1-2 Paul encourages the Romans to stay faithful to God. Gospel Reading Matthew 16:21-27 Jesus speaks of his Passion and rebukes Peter for his objection. Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s Gospel continues the story that began in last week’s Gospel. Simon Peter was called the “rock” upon which Jesus would build his Church, and yet Peter continues to show the limitations of his understanding of Jesus’ identity. Now that the disciples have acknowledged that Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus confides in them the outcome of his ministry: he must suffer and die in Jerusalem to be raised on the third day. Peter rejects this prediction, and Jesus rebukes him severely, calling him “Satan.” In opposing this aspect of Jesus’ mission, Peter shows that he is no longer speaking based on the revelation from God but as a human being. Jesus then teaches all of the disciples about the difficult path of discipleship: to be Christ’s disciple is to follow in his way of the cross. Peter could not yet understand what it meant to call Jesus the Messiah. It is unlikely that the other disciples understood any better. Messianic expectations were a common aspect of first-century Judaism. Under Roman occupation, many in Israel hoped and prayed that God would send a Messiah to free the Jews from Roman oppression. The common view was that the Messiah would be a political figure, a king that would free Israel from Roman rule. This is perhaps what Peter envisioned when he was led to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. In this passage, however, Jesus is beginning to teach his disciples that he would be the Messiah in a different way.  Jesus would be more like the suffering servant described by the prophet Isaiah than the political liberator. Those who would be Jesus' disciples would be called to a similar life of service. Perhaps this is what Peter feared most in Jesus’ prediction of his Passion. He whom Jesus had called “rock” would also be called upon to offer himself in sacrifice and service to others. Christian leaders today are still called to sacrifice and serve others as Jesus did.
By Webmaster August 28, 2026
There will be a change from this First Friday 4th September. Before both schools came together for the First Friday. This has been the case since I arrived here in St. Peter's. This needs to change because of the numbers of pupils in St. Marks. And after discussion with both headteachers, the change will look like this. 4th September (First Friday Mass) St.Peter's: The Church St. Mark's: The School 2nd October: (First Friday Mass) St. Mark's: The Church St.Peter's: The School And it continue like this.
By Webmaster August 28, 2026
I am also 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.
By Webmaster August 21, 2026
First Reading Isaiah 22:19-23 God will remove Shebna from his office as master of the palace.. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 138:1-3,6,8 God’s kindness is forever. Second Reading Romans 11:33-36 Paul sings praise to God. Gospel Reading Matthew 16:13-20 Simon Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Christ and is given the key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Background on the Gospel Reading It is important to read today’s Gospel and next week’s Gospel as two parts of a single story. These readings are a turning point in Matthew’s Gospel. This week we hear Jesus name Simon Peter as the rock upon which he will build his Church. Next week we will hear Jesus call this same Simon Peter "Satan" when he reacts negatively to Jesus’ prediction about his passion and death. In today’s Gospel, Jesus asks his disciples what people are saying about his identity. The disciples indicate that most people believe that Jesus is a prophet of Israel. Then Jesus asks his disciples who they believe that he is. Simon Peter answers, identifying Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus commends Simon Peter for this profession of faith, indicating that this insight has come from God. Because of Simon Peter’s response, Jesus calls him the "rock" upon which Jesus will build the Church. This is a word play on the name Peter, which is the Greek word for "rock." Peter is then given special authority by Jesus, a symbolic key to the Kingdom of Heaven. Peter will play an important role in the early Christian community as a spokesperson and a leader. In today’s Gospel, Peter’s recognition of Jesus’ identity is credited to a revelation by God. This will contrast sharply with Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in next week’s Gospel. When Peter rejects Jesus’ prediction of his passion and death, Peter is said to no longer be thinking as God does but as humans do.  The use of the term church in today’s Gospel is one of only three such occurrences in Matthew’s Gospel. Peter in this Gospel is being credited as the foundation for the Church, a privilege granted to him because of his recognition of Jesus’ identity. The Church continues to be grounded in the faith that Jesus Christ is Lord.
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