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, Margaret Park, and all our sick. .

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.

First Reading Isaiah 55:10-11 The Word of the Lord shall achieve its purpose. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 65:10-14 A prayer of praise to God for his abundance. Second Reading Romans 8:18-23 Together with all of creation, we await God’s redemption. Gospel Reading Matthew 13:1-23 (shorter form: Matthew 13:1-9) Jesus teaches that the kingdom of heaven is like seed that has been sown on good soil.  Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s Gospel marks the beginning of the third long discourse given by Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Over the next few weeks, the Gospel readings will consist of the entire 13th Chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, a lengthy teaching discourse. Throughout this discourse, Jesus will offer several parables to illustrate for his listeners what he means by the kingdom of heaven. He begins with the parable of the sower, which appears rather straightforward—of course seeds grow best in good soil. Seeds that miss the soil, are sown on rocky ground, or are sown among other plants will not grow. The surprise in the parable is the enormous yield of the seed that is sown on good soil. Jesus then explains his use of parables. Jesus seems to suggest that he uses parables to teach because the meanings of parables are not self-evident. The hearer must engage in some degree of reflection in order to comprehend the message of a parable. In this way, the medium—the parable—models the point of the parable of the sower. Those who are willing to engage themselves in the effort to understand will be rewarded by the discovery of the message and will bear fruit. To bring home the point, Jesus interprets the parable of the sower to his disciples. The different types of soil in which the seeds are sown are metaphors for the disposition with which each individual hears the teaching about the kingdom of heaven. Some will be easily swayed away from the kingdom of heaven. Some will receive it for a time but will lose it when faced with difficulties. Some will hear the word but will then permit other cares to choke it out. Yet some will receive it well, and the seed will produce abundant fruit.

Our Recently Dead Ruth Leabody, Mary Coyle, Bobby Frew, Joe McGuire, John McKenzie, Margaret-Mary Bissett (London), Jim Gormley (Motherwell) Month Minds & Anniversaries John Gallacher, Frances Hunter, Margaret McConkey (Cardonald), Graham Clark, Cissie Clark, Christine Archibald, Frank Lyttle, Niamh,, Niall & Derek James Rooney 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

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.

I was hoping to tell you about the work this weekend. However the work was brought forward by a week. We are putting a new flooring down in the side chapel. When I was getting the sacristy recovered. People asked why we weren't doing the side chapel. At that time it would have too expensive to do the both together. The carpet has been down for over 40 years. It's the last place to be changed. A few weeks ago someone walked in with something on their shoes. We couldn't get it off. We even tried a vax to try and get it off. So I decided this was the right time for a change. So the work began yesterday. Another change is that the pews are going and we are putting chairs instead. This will make this space more viable for different things. 1. More people will be able to sit in it. 2. A meeting Room 3. A place where we could have a coffee morning every week.  The new seats will be coming in the coming weeks. I will keep you up to date.

First Reading Zechariah 9:9-10 The Lord shall come to reign in Zion. Responsorial Psalm Psalm 145:1-2,8-11,13-14 A prayer of praise to God who is our king. Second Reading Romans 8:9,11-13 Those in whom the Spirit of God dwells must now live according to the Spirit, not the flesh. Gospel Reading Matthew 11:25-30 Jesus prays in thanks to God, who has revealed himself to the lowly. Background on the Gospel Reading Today’s reading from Matthew’s Gospel comes after a discourse in which Jesus reproaches people who have witnessed his mighty deeds yet still lack belief. In this context, today’s Gospel explains the reason for this unbelief and reveals what is necessary for faith. Today’s Gospel also continues to enhance our understanding of discipleship as last week’s Gospel did. Jesus first prays in thanksgiving to God who has made himself known to Jesus’ disciples. He praises God who has made himself known to the “little ones” and not to the wise and learned. As in other recent readings from Matthew’s Gospel, a contrast is made here between the unbelieving Pharisees, who are wise and learned, and the faithful disciples, tax collectors, and sinners with whom Jesus keeps company. The second part of this reading calls to our attention the unity between the Father and the Son. God has made himself known through Jesus, and in knowing Jesus, we come to know the Father. In Jesus’ life and in his person, God reveals himself to us.  In the concluding sentences of today’s Gospel, Jesus’ teaching is again contrasted to the teaching of the Pharisees. This common theme of Matthew’s Gospel probably reflects tension that existed between Jesus and the Pharisees and between the Pharisees and the community of Christians for whom Matthew wrote. Pharisaic Judaism became the predominant form of Judaism after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem about 70 A.D. Here that tension is expressed as alternative paths of holiness. The careful observance of the Mosaic law taught by the Pharisees could be experienced by some as difficult and burdensome. In contrast, Jesus’ way of holiness is presented as uncomplicated and even restful. .

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

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.