THIRTY-FIRST sunday in ordinary time (A)
READINGS FOR THE THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)
First Reading – (Malachi 1:14–2:2, 8-10) – In this reading the prophet Malachi gives the priests of his day a right good telling off. Why? Because they have shown favouritism, thus causing distinctions and divisions among God’s people.
Responsorial Psalm – Keep my soul in peace before you, O Lord.
Second Reading – (1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13) – St. Paul gives thanks to God for the way in which the Thessalonians received the word of God.
Gospel Reading – (Matthew 23:1-12) – In this reading Jesus warns against following the example of the scribes and the Pharisees and teaches that those who would be great must be servants.
* * * * * * * * * *
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, with humble spirits and contrite hearts let us bring our prayers and those of the Church and the world before God the Father.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the leaders of the Church: that they may continue to lead the faithful on the path of holiness by being shining examples of love and humble service to others. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We continue to pray for peace in the world, especially in the Middle East: that there may be an end to hatred and violence, and that people may live in safety and peace. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for ourselves: that, as we respond to the Word of God in humility, we may become living witnesses to the Gospel, revealing the presence of the Lord in our care for others. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for all the sick of our families and our parish, those in hospital, in hospice or nursing home and those for whom we are asked to pray: that God may be their strength and grant them health, and bless those who care for them. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We remember in our prayers all our near and dear departed ones whose names are or will be on our November Lists: that God may lead them to the peace of the eternal banquet. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the souls of all those whose anniversaries, months mind and birthday remembrances we are asked to recall, as well as those who have recently died: that they may receive the reward of their faith and enjoy the happiness of heaven. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
CONCLUSION: God our Father, look kindly on those for whom we pray and grant us what we ask you in faith. We make this prayer and all our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
* * * * * * * * * *
PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE
IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK
SICK – Fr. Thomas Toal, Beth Regan, Rose Gallagher, Mary Robertson, John Hegarty, Robert Kielty, Thérèse McKeand, Mary McCafferty, Edward McCafferty, Stuart Mason, Martin McGuire, Peter Carton, David O’Hare, Ann & James Hannaway & Maureen Dolan.
I also ask your prayers for the sick and housebound
– those at home in our parish community, those in hospital,
and those in local nursing and care homes in Cambuslang, Halfway
& Blantyre and elsewhere. Our prayers for them
not only help in their suffering and pain but also reassure them
that they are not forgotten by our community of faith.
Our prayers help relieve their feelings of isolation and loneliness.
To be remembered before the Altar of God
brings them comfort and consolation.
Almighty and Eternal God, you are the everlasting health
of those who believe in you.
Hear us for your sick servants
for whom we implore the aid of your tender mercy,
that being restored to bodily health,
they may give thanks to you in your Church.
Through Christ our Lord.
Our Lady, Help of the Sick, pray for them.
* * * * * * * * * *
RECENTLY DEAD – Robert Chisholm.
MONTHS MIND – Catherine Ponsonby.
ANNIVERSARIES – Alexander Muir (First Anniversary), Arthur Grant, Morag McGettigan, May Laughlin, John Topping, Catherine Murray, Maureen McNulty, Margaret & Patrick McLaughlin, Myra Duffy & Esther O’Hare.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – NOVEMBER
Rev. Michael O’Connor 28/11/1955
Rev. Michael Ahearne 26/11/1956
Very Rev. Denis Canon Flynn 29/11/1959
Very Rev. Thomas Canon Kearney 15/11/1966
Rev. Denis Lucey 07/11/1971
Very Rev, John Canon Bredin 09/11/1977
Rev. James Monaghan 13/11/1977
Rev. Daniel Harty 28/11/1977
Rt. Rev. David McRoberts 25/11/1978
Rev. Patrick Brennan 24/11/1982
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Philip Flanagan 23/11/1983
Very Rev. Robert Douglas 03/11/1988
Rev. John Cosgrove 02/11/1990
Rev. Gerald O’Callaghan 06/11/1991
Very Rev. Patrick Canon O’Donoghue 19/11/1995
Rev. John Ward 25/11/2001
Very Rev. Gerald Canon Maher 09/11/2009
Rev. James O’Hara 20/11/2013
Canon Herbert Flack 14/11/2021
Rev William O’Sullivan 04/11/2022
May the Lord who chose them to serve him as priests,
number them among his chosen in heaven.
Requiescant in Pace.
* * * * * * * * * *
THE ANNUAL MASS CENSUS
The annual Mass census will take place at all Masses this weekend (Saturday 4th/Sunday 5th November 2023). I would like to thank all those who, through their presence Sunday after Sunday, faithfully and generously contribute to the spiritual and material welfare of Saint Cadoc’s parish. Please come and show your support to the parish by being present for any of that weekend Masses to register for our parish census.
* * * * * * * * * *
SECOND COLLECTION FOR CHURCH BUILDING
& MAINTENANCE FUND
This Sunday (5th November 2023), being the first Sunday of the month, the normal second collection will be taken up at all Masses to help support our Church Building and Maintenance Fund for the month of November. A box intended for the Church Building & Maintenance Fund Collection will be situated at the back of the church for the next two weeks beginning this weekend. Please be generous towards our second collection as this greatly helps pay for essentials such as continued maintenance and much needed repairs to our parish buildings and existing facilities.
* * * * * * * * * *
DAILY WEEKDAY MASS
Please note the changes in our weekday Masses. There will a Mass at 10am from Monday to Friday of this week, then, from Tuesday 14th November 2023 to Monday 4th December 2023, a Mass at 10 am from Tuesday to Friday. No Daily Mass on Monday or Saturday mornings during this period.
* * * * * * * * * *
month of the holy souls
During the month of November it is traditional in the Church to pray for those who have gone before us and whose loss we feel. We do this in many ways but the most common is to remember them at Mass. If you would like your dead loved ones to be remembered at Mass during the month of the Holy Souls, then please complete a November list provided with today’s bulletin and return it to any of the two boxes provided at the back of the Church.
“The remembrance of the dead, the care for graves and prayers of repose are a witness of the confident hope, rooted in the certainty that death is not the final word on the human fate, since man is destined to a life without limits which has its roots and its fulfilment in God.” Please come to Mass more frequently during the month of November to pray for all the Faithful Departed. As we pray together for our deceased family members, relatives and friends, remembering also those who have no one to pray for them, we ask the Lord to continue to watch over and bless you, your family, and your friends.
* * * * * * * * * *
STATEMENT FROM BISHOP TOAL
ON PROJECT WELLSPRING
‘I am pleased to announce that we have very recently launched a new renewal project entitled Wellspring which seeks to equip the Diocese of Motherwell for growth over the next 10 years. The primary focus of this new project will be to renew and re-energise our missions by setting-out a simple Gospel-centred vision and a fresh, new pastoral plan. It will also include a strategy for property and finance management.
We are already engaged in the early stages of planning with the clergy, supported by a small team of unpaid lay professionals who will manage the process with us. The discussion phases will very soon engage parishes and laity so that we can all contribute to the important work of preparing for the future. I expect to engage the entire diocesan community, young and old, as we move into 2024.
I am excited at the prospect of setting a new course as we look ahead with confidence to the next 10 years of mission in our diocese. Please pray that Wellspring will indeed be a great gift that renews and strengthens our bonds with the Lord and His Church. Pray, too, that it inspires our sisters and brothers who have distanced themselves to re-engage with the regular practice of our Catholic Faith. May Our Lady of Good Aid, our patroness and Mother, crown our work with her grace.’
* * * * * * * * * *
CALENDAR
Wednesday is the memorial of Blessed John Duns Scotus, the Scottish Franciscan thinker of the 13th century who contributed to the development of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. Thursday is the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, the Pope’s Cathedral, which is dedicated to John the Baptist and John the Evangelist. The first church opened for public worship once Rome had become officially Christian in the 4th century, it is known as ‘The head and mother Church of the city and the world’. Friday is the memorial of Pope St. Leo the Great (+461), a brilliantly gifted writer and preacher, many of whose sermons survive to this day. He famously diverted the invasion of Rome by Attila the Hun. Saturday is the feast of St. Martin of Tours (+397). A soldier who hung up his sword, he opened the first monastery in the West and became Bishop of Tours, France.
* * * * * * * * * *
ANNUAL INSURANCE FOR CHURCH
& PRESBYTERY
Our annual insurance renewal premium invoice for the Church and House for the 29th September 2023 to 28th September 2024 is 2,811.95.
* * * * * * * * * *
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place at 10am Sunday Mass (except school holidays). Our young ones are the future of our parish. Their participation in parish activities, such as the children’s liturgy, is an important step in their faith formation. Once again, it is my humble and hearty request to parents, guardians & carers that you bring your children to a Sunday Mass on a regular basis.
* * * * * * * * * *
parking in the streets
surrounding the church
Please avoid parking your cars on local resident’s driveway, corners or bends. You can use our car park which is situated behind the church. It can accommodate 6 cars.
* * * * * * * * * *
GENTLE REMINDER
With the colder weather, please make sure the doors to our church are closed to keep the heat in, and the cold out.
* * * * * * * * * *
right to life uk: praying for the unborn
& women facing crisis pregnancies
November 5th 2023 (31st Sunday of Ordinary Time) - “Let us pray for all those who are alone and suffering with a terminal illness in hospital or hospice care, that they might experience the love of Christ from their carers and that their suffering might be eased.”
* * * * * * * * * *
AN ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
(St. Alphonsus Liguori)
(This is a simple and loving act of Spiritual Communion we are called to make in these times,
while we are unable to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist)
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the
Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle.
Be our safeguard against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Hosts,
by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan, and all the evil spirits
who prowl the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us