FEAST OF the PRESENTATION OF the LORD (C)
MASSES AT ST. CADOC’S
Sunday Masses: Saturday Vigil Mass at 5pm; Sunday at 10am & 11.30am.
WEEKDAY MASSES: Monday to Friday at 10am.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION (CONFESSION): Anytime on request and Saturday 4.15pm – 4.45pm.
SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM: To enquire or arrange a baptism, please contact the parish by phoning the parish number from Tuesday to Friday between 4pm - 6pm.
SICK & HOUSEBOUND - Please inform me (Fr. Rodrigues) if you, or someone you know, would like a home visit from a priest, and please provide me with the relevant name, address and phone number.
SACRAMENT OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE: Couples intending to marry should contact the Priest for arrange a date. By Diocesan policy, this must be done at least six months in advance.
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READINGS FOR THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF OUR LORD (C)
First Reading – (Malachi 3: 1-4) – The prophet Malachi says that the Lord, whom people seek, will come to the temple to purify and refine the people.
Responsorial Psalm – The Lord of hosts, he is the king of glory!
Second Reading – (Hebrews 2: 14-18) – The writer to the Hebrews tells us that Jesus had to become like his fellow human that he might be a faithful high priest before God on their behalf.
Gospel Reading – (Luke 2:22-40) – Luke’s account of Jesus’ presentation in the temple forty days after his birth.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, on this Feast of the Presentation of the Lord we now join with the prayer of Jesus, Mary and Joseph presenting our prayers and ourselves to the Lord.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the Church: that she may proclaim effectively the light of Christ to all nations and bring to faith those who do not yet believe in him. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for all Christian mothers: that they may model themselves on Mary, and like her, who brought her infant son to the temple, they may lead their children by their example of love and practice of the Christian faith. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for elderly people: that, as they age, they may not be resentful of the passing of youth but, like Simeon and Anna, entrust themselves to the Lord in prayer. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for all young people who are preparing this year for their First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion or to receive the sacrament of Confirmation: that they will always keep Jesus at the centre of their lives. 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 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, you have given us Jesus your Son, the light of the world. May we always walk in his light and live by his truth. 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 – Gerald Hastings, Rona McPhee, Ann McKenna, Mary McKenna, Rose Gallagher, Thérèse McKeand, Mary McCafferty, Edward McCafferty, Stuart Mason, Martin McGuire, David O’Hare & James Hannaway.
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 – Anne Daly & Robert Kielty.
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE – Ronnie Grant.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES - JANUARY
Very Rev. James Canon McKenna 30/01/1949
Rev. William J. Smith 16/01/1961
Rev. Patrick Plunkett 20/01/1963
Rev. Peter Aloysius Murie 11/01/1964
Rev. Thomas McGhie 13/01/1965
Rt. Rev. Patrick Monsignor McGonagle 20/01/1970
Rev. Daniel McGlinchey 21/01/1972
Rev. Thomas Sheehan 22/01/1975
Rev. Anthony Donnelly 30/01/1982
Rev. Gerald B. McColgan 25/01/1987
Very Rev. James Canon Kilpatrick 04/01/1989
Very Rev. Bernard Canon Keenan 02/01/1992
Rev. James Quinn 10/01/1994
Rev. James Boyle 31/01/1998
Very Rev. John Canon Sheridan 06/01/1999
Very Rev. George Canon Fryer 20/01/1999
Rev. Isaac McLaren 11/01/2001
Very Rev. John Canon Gallagher 22/01/2003
Rev. James Small 14/01/2004
Rev. Jeremiah O'Riordan 11/01/2006
Very Rev, Thomas Canon Barry 26/01/2006
Very Rev. Henry Canon Allison 03/01/2013
ery Rev. George Canon Boyd 22/01/2013
Rev. Joseph Brannigan 02/01/2014
Very Rev. Henry Canon McGinn 14/01/2014
Rev. Leo Muldoon 27/01/2014
Very Rev Edward Canon Glackin 18/01/2016
Rev. Brian Donnelly 26/01/2016
Rev. Patrick McGovern 17/01/2017
Very Rev. Noel Canon Carey 09/01/2018
Very Rev Joseph Canon Clements 05/01/2023
Rev. John Farrell 14/01/2024
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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FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION OF the LORD
This Sunday, 2nd February 2025, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple, traditionally known as Candlemas Day.
In the old Catholic calendar, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord was the official end to the Christmas Season. It is traditional to have a blessing of candles at the beginning of Mass because of the words given to Simeon by the Holy Spirit when Jesus was presented to him: “… a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory for your people Israel.” Candles will be blessed at 10am Sunday Mass.
The light of Christ is symbolised by the candles we use at Mass, particularly the Easter Candle, the Christmas candle and the baptismal candle, revealing him to us as the Messiah and light to the gentiles. All these candles represent the love, the warmth and the joy of Christ. The blessed candles are believed to bring protection, warmth, and blessings into the home throughout the coming year. This is indeed a moment of hope and joy, and it is worth celebrating.
If you would like your candles blessed, please arrive early so that you can place them on the table, or you can make a donation and receive a blessed candle.
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CALENDAR
On Monday we have the possibility of two saints, St Ansgar, the missionary who in the 9th Century strove with limited success to bring Christianity to the Scandinavian peoples, and St Blaise, apparently a 4th-century Armenian bishop & martyr, whose later legend gave rise to his being invoked for disease of the throat; we observe the custom of blessing throats today. The 3rd century virgin and martyr St Agatha, whose name appears in the first Eucharistic prayer, is remembered on Wednesday. Thursday is the feast of the Japanese Martyrs, Saint Paul Miki and his twenty-five companions (priests, religious and laity) who were crucified by the local Shogun at Nagasaki in 1597. On Saturday we have the option of celebrating St Jerome Emiliani, a 16th-century ex-soldier who devoted his priesthood to the relief of suffering, setting up hospitals, homes for ex-prostitutes, and orphanages. Pius XI made him patron of orphans and abandoned children. On the same day we have St Josephine Bakhita, the saintly former slave from Sudan, who in the 19th century was brought to Italy, became Catholic, and spent a long life of sanctity in a convent.
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR CHURCH BUILDING & MAINTENANCE FUND THIS WEEKEND
This Sunday (2nd February 2025), 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 February. 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 today. 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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many thanks
Thank you for supporting your parish while I was away for some quiet time. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible through their time, hard work, support and commitment.
Thank you also to Fr. Eugenio Montesi & Fr. Wullie Hattie, Xaverian Missionary priests, for their time and help over the past week. Their assistance and dedication was very much appreciated. In addition, my sincere thanks to all others who contributed in any way whatsoever, during my time away. As ever, thank you, once again, for your support and prayers.
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DAY OF PRAYER FOR CONSECRATED LIFE
On the Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life, Bishop Toal has invited the religious communities of the diocese to join him for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and Evening Prayer in Our Lady of Good of Good Cathedral, Motherwell at 3pm today (Sunday 2nd February 2025). All are welcome to join in prayer for the religious of our diocese and pray for vocations to religious life.
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CHILDREN’S LITURGY
We resumed the Children’s Liturgy of the Word once again last Sunday at 10am Mass. Thank you to the Children’s Liturgy helpers for their valued support during the year. We currently have a dedicated team of 4 Children’s Liturgists (Elizabeth Gray, Marie Claire Faller, Anne-Frances McLaughlin & Bernadette Sheppard) who lead the Liturgy of the Word discussions with our young people on a weekly basis. Two Liturgists attend each week to work with our young ones. Thank you also to the young people from our local high schools, candidates for the Pope Benedict XVI Caritas Award, for their involvement with the children’s liturgy and other areas of the parish life.
Special thanks to the parents, guardians and carers who bring their children to the church to participate in our children’s liturgy on a regular basis.
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LOOKING FOR PASSKEEPERS
We are looking for more passkeepers especially for 11.30am Sunday Mass. The ministers of welcome are commonly called the passkeepers. Passkeepers have very diverse roles. The responsibilities of the pass keepers include welcoming people to Mass and other events in the church and ensuring any materials (e.g., weekly bulletins, hymn books and leaflets) are distributed to, and collected from, congregations. Pass keepers also provide practical support by ensuring that Offertory collections are undertaken with little disruption to the Mass and that proceeds are left in front of the altar and ensure that those presenting the gifts are ready to do so. If anyone is interested in joining this ministry, please contact Fr. Rodrigues.
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READERS NEEDED FOR WEEKDAY
& WEEKEND MASSES
I am still looking for volunteers who would be willing to read from the Holy Scriptures during weekday and Sunday Masses. Readings would include passages from the Old Testament, the Responsorial Psalm, and the New Testament (as well as our parish prayer intentions). If you would like to help our parish, please get in touch with Mrs. Anne Moran, our readers’ rota organiser, or Fr. Cirilo. Thanks are extended to the parishioners who have been part of this ministry for many years, those who have helped us as readers in the past and finally, those who have recently volunteered.
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FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP WITH RISING ENERGY BILLS (GAS & ELECTRICITY)
We are well into the cold season now. Keeping warm over the winter months is vital for our well-being and also to protect the fabric of the building from both surface and interstitial condensation, no matter how full the pews. And that means high heating bills.
Since the aftermath of Covid-19, the cost of living, from buying groceries to heating our church and presbytery, has been on the rise sharply every day. Overall, our expenditures have increased faster than income. Our parish relies entirely on your contributions to pay our bills. I kindly appeal to your generosity to add an extra pound or two to your weekly contributions to help defray, in particular this winter, the high costs of energy bills.
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GIFT-AID SCHEME
Many thanks to those who have answered our appeal. 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. Forms are available at the back of the church if anyone wishes to join the scheme. If you have any queries about the Gift Aid system, please contact the parish Gift Aid organiser, Mr. Jim Cunningham or Fr. Cirilo. Alternatively, you can contribute to the Sunday Mass collections via a direct debit or standing order arrangement with your bank. Thank you once again for your enduring generosity and support.
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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
AND WOMEN FACING CRISIS PREGNANCIES
2nd February 2025: “As we celebrate the Presentation of the Lord, let us pray for all new parents and pregnant mothers. During this transitional time, amidst the challenges, may they too see the light their child brings and find the support they need in our community.”
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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.
Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us