second sunday of EASTER (B)

READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (B)

First Reading – (Acts 4: 32-35) – This paints a glowing picture of the first Christian community. It is a community ideally faithful to the Gospel message.

Responsorial Psalm – Give thanks to the Lord for he is good,

for his love has no end.

Second Reading – (1 John 5: 1-6) – The Christian is a child of God. He shows his love for God by keeping his commandments.

Gospel Reading – (John 20:19-31) – By touching the wounds of the risen Jesus Thomas’ doubt is turned into belief.

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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, the faith of the Apostle Thomas is also our faith. We believe that Jesus is both Lord and God, and through him we come to the Father. Let us now pray to God the Father, through Jesus, for our own needs and those of the Church and the world.

The response is… Lord graciously hear us.

╬ We pray for the church on this Divine Mercy Sunday: that she may truly be a light radiating in the darkness and a faithful herald of the Easter message so that all may experience the healing presence and mercy of God. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.

╬ We continue to pray for peace: that the Spirit will open dialogue and new understanding amongst nations, communities and families who are in conflict. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.

╬ We pray for our young parishioners who are going to receive Jesus in Holy Communion next weekend: that they may always be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be witnesses of Christ’s love. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.

╬ We pray for our parish community: that we may, like the first Christians in Jerusalem, remain faithful to the teaching of the apostles, to charity with one another, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. 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 give them strength and fortitude, and bless those who care for them. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.

╬ We pray for the souls of all those whose Easter remembrances, 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, hear your people who gather tonight to celebrate the glorious resurrection of Christ your Son. Lead us from this celebration to the joys which have no end. We make this prayer and all our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE

IN YOUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK

SICK – John Clelland, Rose Gallagher, John Hegarty, Robert Kielty, Thérèse McKeand, Mary McCafferty, Edward McCafferty, Stuart Mason, Martin McGuire, 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.

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RECENTLY DEAD – Gerry Meehan (Canada), Michael McNulty (Father of Fr. Joe McNulty), Margaret McGrath Margaret McKeown, Christine Elliot, Anne Czamecki, Leo Trainor & Maggie McCafferty.

MONTHS MIND – Mary Burke, Mary Harkin & May Carey.

ANNIVERSARIES – Fr. Damien Gilhooley (First Anniversary), Anne Smith, Con & Bridget Duffy, Leslie & Nan McKenna, John Connor & Sheena Connor, Catherine Hughes & Joan Hughes.

EASTER REMEMBRANCES – John, James, Manus & Danny Coyle, Jackie Reilly, David & Esther O’Hare, Betty Peacock, Charlie Rafferty, Helen Theresa Boyle, Agnes & John Boal, Neil & Christina Kelly, Bridget & Pat Welsh, Welsh & Gallagher Families, James & Johnny Mullen, Brian Tolver, Agnes McMullen, Tommy & Peggy Monach & Nora McGee.

Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.

May they Rest in Peace. Amen.

CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – APRIL

Rev. John O’Callaghan 15/04/1955

Rev. Edward Lafferty 05/04/1958

Rev. Charles Doherty 23/04/1982

Rev. James Flynn 11/04/1985

Very Rev. Hugh Cahill 11/04/1990

Rev. Lawrence Kenny 13/04/1992

Rt. Rev. Mgr. John Conroy 20/04/1994

Rt. Rev. Mgr. John Gillen 16/04/1995

Very Rev. Christopher Condon 08/04/1996

Very Rev. Anthony McGurk 29/04/1997

Rev. Bernard Mahoney 03/04/1998

Rev. Denis Power 28/04/1999

Rt. Rev. Mgr. Alex Devaney 18/04/2004

Rev. Michael Gallagher 23/04/2007

Very Rev. Patrick Moss 18/04/2014

Rt. Rev. Mgr. Jack Burns 11/04/2017

Rev. Richard J. Rodgers 10/04/2020

Canon Michael Walsh 28/04/2022

Rev Damien Gilhooley 10/04/2023

Rev George Donaldson 29/04/2023

May the Lord who chose them to serve him as priests,

number them among his chosen in heaven.

Requiescant in Pace.

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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

Today is the Octave Day of Easter and the conclusion of the eight days of solemn Easter celebrations. Eastertide, however, continues for another 42 days until the great Feast of Pentecost. In the ancient Church today was known as ‘Dominica in albis deponendis’, literally: ‘The Sunday of which the white garments are left aside’. This title reflects the fact that the neophytes (those who had been received into the Church at the Easter Vigil) who had worn their white Baptismal garments for the whole of the Octave, laid them aside today. In the English speaking world today is sometimes known as ‘Low Sunday’ since it contrasts with the ‘High’ celebrations and festivities of Easter Sunday. More recently, it has acquired the title, ‘Divine Mercy Sunday’, relating to the renewal of an old devotion through the life and writings of St. Faustina Kowalska.

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THANK YOU MOST SINCERELY

A special thanks to the many people who contributed to the pastoral service of our community during the season of Lent and Holy Week and also to all those who help during the year – Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, our organists, those who look after the altar linens, altar servers, sacristans, flower arrangers and those who decorate the Church, the volunteers who clean the church, ministers of the Word and ministers of the Eucharist, SVDP members, those who look after the church stall, pass keepers, offertory collection organisers, children’s liturgy helpers, safe-guarding co-ordinators, website co-ordinator, crib builders, our bookkeeper, housekeepers, those who help in the garden and maintain church grounds, those who look after the opening and closing of the church, and to the many individuals who give their time in so many ways to St Cadoc’s and whose work ensures the smooth running of the parish.

Apologies if I have missed out anyone in my acknowledgements; it was not intentional or deliberate. Every contribution you make in any way to St. Cadoc’s community is very much appreciated and valued. If you think you can help our parish in any way or in any area of parish life, do not hesitate to speak to me. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and generous spirit to become involved in the life of our parish community and I look forward to your ongoing assistance in the future. A sincere thanks too, to all who have sent me cards and gifts. May God bless you, and your family and friends, with peace in your hearts and in your homes this Easter. -- Fr. Jose Cirilo Rodrigues

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SECOND COLLECTION FOR CHURCH BUILDING

& MAINTENANCE FUND

This Sunday (7^th April 2024), 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 next 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.

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BENE MERENTI MEDALS PRESENTATION

On Sunday 9^thJune 2024, Bishop Joseph Toal, who will be the main celebrant at 9.30am Mass (Mass brought forward by half hour to give sufficient time for the celebration), will be presenting the Bene Merenti Medal to Nancy Welsh, Anne Moran, Irene Savage, Barbara Morris, John Joseph Clark and Joe McHenry towards the end of Mass.

The Bene Merenti Medal is a well-deserved honour given to people who voluntary give their time in the service of the Catholic Church. Nancy Welsh, Anne Moran, Irene Savage, Barbara Morris, John Joseph Clark and Joe McHenry deserve to be honoured by the award as they have supported the Church for most of their lives, not only at Parish level but also at Diocesan level and the Universal Church. We offer our sincere congratulations to them as we acknowledge their many dedicated years of service to the parish of St. Cadoc’s and to the Church. We implore God’s blessings upon them and their families. Please put the date in your diary and join us in for Mass that day as a mark of gratitude to them on behalf of St. Cadoc’s Parish community.

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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION

First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Saturday 27^th April 2024 (St. Charles’ Primary School) at 9.30am Mass and at 11.30am Mass (St. Cadoc’s Primary School) in St. Cadoc’s Church. The prayers of parishioners are requested for these young people and for their families that their first meeting with Jesus in the Eucharist may lead on to a life in his loyal service. Parents, guardians & carers of candidates for First Communion are reminded of the importance of attending the Sunday Mass faithfully each week.

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EASTER COLLECTION

Please support your parish’s ministry and help to maintain your Church and grounds by giving generously to our Easter collection. Special Easter Collection envelopes are situated in the porch. Gift-aid members should use the Special Offering envelope at the end of their books of envelopes; if they use a special Easter collection envelope, they should have their number added on it.

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offertory gifts procession

The traditional offertory procession will be recommenced from the first weekend in June (1st/2nd June 2024). Please say yes if the pass-keepers ask if you are willing to take forward the gifts of bread and wine.

The offertory procession is the ceremonial presentation of the gifts of bread and wine by volunteers from the congregation to symbolise the desire of the people that the priest offer the sacrifice of the Mass on their behalf - it is not only the priest who is offering the Mass but everyone present.The procession with gifts symbolises that we are all participants in the offering of the Mass as the perfect sacrifice to the Almighty Father. In return for our offering, Jesus becomes really present under the signs of bread and wine, just as he promised.

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LITURGY ROTA

Liturgy rota for Readers (April-June 2024) for 5pm (Saturday) &10am & 11.30am (Sunday) Masses is available in the sacristy. Please collect a copy before or after any of the Sunday Masses. Thanks to Mrs Anne Moran for giving her time to prepare the readers rota. If you are able to be part of this important ministry, then please contact Mrs. Anne Moran or Fr. Cirilo.

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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. We will resume the Children’s Liturgy sessions again from 5^th May 2024 at 10am Sunday Mass after their Easter break.

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GIFT-AID

Thank you to all those who have collected their new gift-aid envelopes for the 2024 - 2025 tax year, which commences next Sunday (7^th April 2024). May I ask those who haven’t done so to collect them from the stall please.

We are still looking for new members. If you pay tax on income/pension the church can claim back the tax through the Gift-Aid Scheme. I would encourage those who may be eligible to give consideration to increasing the value of their normal weekly offerings by joining this worthwhile scheme. Gift Aid forms are available in the church porch/sacristy and when completed can be returned to Jim Cunningham, our parish gift-aid organiser, or Father Cirilo. We are grateful to Jim Cunningham, our Gift-Aid organiser, for giving his time to deal with Gift-Aid envelopes.

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WELLSPRInG: A COMMON VISION, RENEWED MISSION

AND PARISH RENEWAL

Will you join us? – is the last line of the Wellspring Vision. The success of Wellspring will depend on the generous response of each one of us and our prayer that God will bless our efforts. Every parish will respond in a different way, guided by the Spirit, to promote the vision of Church that is inclusive and outward looking, renewing our missions to foster deeper faith and witness and renewing our parishes as thriving communities.

he Parish needs your help to respond. What can you contribute? Can you help develop this vision of Church? The Wellspring Vision for the Diocese invites you to ‘Imagine a church…’ you are invited make that vision a reality.

Wellspring Project Meeting, which was scheduled for Tuesday 16th April at 6.30pm, has been postponed until further notice.

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SCIAF LENTEN ALMS BOXES

Thanks to those who have returned their SCIAF wee boxes. If you have not already returned the SCIAF box, can I encourage you to please return it to the sacristy/house as soon as possible, or you may send them directly to the SCIAF.

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ST. CADOC’S 400 CLUB

St. Cadoc’s 400 Club has been an important source of income for many years and has enabled the parish to do things it would not otherwise have been able to afford. Unfortunately, a fall in membership numbers since both pandemic and post pandemic times has led to a decision to close the club which has been running for more than 25 years. On behalf of the parish, a sincere word of thanks to all members, both living and dead, co-ordinators and agents, and all others who have contributed in any way whatsoever, for their loyalty, contributions and support of the 400 Club and St. Cadoc’s Parish over the years. May God continue to bless them for their generosity, time and hard work. And may God continue to bless us at Saint Cadoc’s!

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OFFERTORY GIFTS PROCESSION

The offertory procession is the ceremonial presentation of the gifts of bread and wine by volunteers from the congregation to symbolise the desire of the people that the priest offer the sacrifice of the Mass on their behalf - it is not only the priest who is offering the Mass but everyone present. The procession with gifts symbolises that we are all participants in the offering of the Mass as the perfect sacrifice to the Almighty Father. In return for our offering, Jesus becomes really present under the signs of bread and wine, just as he promised.

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COLLECTION FOR SCIAF

Collection for SCIAF realised £793.58. Thank you for your continued generosity. Your contributions will allow SCIAF to give millions of people a hand up out of poverty.

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parking in the streets

surrounding the church

Unfortunately, parishioners of St. Cadocs’ who drive to church are in a situation where there is no private parking within the church grounds. The streets surrounding the church therefore invariably become congested with parked cars especially at weekend Mass times. Whilst acknowledging the limitations of parking in relation to the church, I would ask those drivers attending services to consider the needs of local residents to have unimpeded access to their properties when choosing where to responsibly park. You can also use our car park which is situated behind the church. It can accommodate 6 cars.

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right to life uk: praying for the unborn

& women facing crisis pregnancies

April 7^th 2024 – “While we ponder the depth of the love of God present in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, we pray that He would make us channels of His Divine Mercy, especially to those who may have suffered the loss of a baby.”

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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.

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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.