fourth sunday OF LENT (C)
READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
First Reading – (Joshua 5:9-12) – The Israelites, free at last from the humiliation they suffered in Egypt, enter the land of promise. Possession of the land becomes a reality when they eat of the produce of Canaan.
Responsorial Psalm – Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Second Reading – (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) – The whole aim of Christ’s mission was to bring about a reconciliation between God and humanity. It is the task of the Church to bring the benefits won by Christ to all people.
Gospel Reading – (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) – This contains Christ’s immortal parable – the prodigal son.
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INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, in today’s Gospel story of the father and his two sons, Jesus has spoken to us of the rich mercy which God has for all people. In the spirit of that word let us now pray to God the Father for our own needs and those of the Church and the world.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the leaders of the Church: that they may continue to show the Church and the world the meaning of mercy in their words and actions, and so help all people to be merciful toward one another. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for SCIAF’s partners who work in poor communities overseas, strengthening those who struggle for justice: that they may walk more closely with them in the years ahead. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for refugees and victims of violence and war, especially at this time for the people in the Middle East: that a just solution to the ongoing conflicts may be found and peace, security and dignity be restored for all the people. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray on this Mothering Sunday for our mothers, living and dead, and all who take a mother’s role: that the Lord may reward them for their love. 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 never fail to open your arms to us when we turn to you. Create in us forgiving and merciful hearts that can recognize the distress of others. 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 – Isobel Cannon, Rona McPhee, Mary McKenna, Rose Gallagher, Thérèse McKeand, 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 – Jacques Roy, Susan & Allan Brown.
MONTHS MIND – Jenny McCafferty.
ANNIVERSARIES – Elizabeth Gregson, Anne Smith, Catherine & Joan Hughes.
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE – James Connelly.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – MARCH
Rev. Alexander McBride 10/03/1955
Rev. John Roger 09/03/1958
Canon Patrick McCarthy 15/03/1959
Rev. Michael Little 19/03/1960
Rev. James Walsh 05/03/1965
Rev. Hugh Mahon 05/03/1971
Archbishop James Donald Scanlan 25/03/1976
Rev. Sean Mannion 10/03/1982
Rev. James McGill 12/03/1982
Rev. James Dooley 21/03/1988
Mgr. John O’Donnell 03/03/1989
Canon Patrick Kelly 29/03/1989
Rev. Patrick Kilcoyne 07/03/1990
Rev. Denis Garrity 09/03/1993
Rev. Robert Healey 13/03/1994
Rev. Patrick Brosnan 26/03/1995
Rev. John Givens 19/03/2006
Rev. William Sproule 22/03/2010
Canon Kieran O’Farrell 17/03/2014
Canon Patrick O’Hare 30/03/2016
Rev. Deacon Angus McKinnon 09/03/2018
Fr Timothy Brosnan 13/03/2018
Canon Denis Keane 29/03/2020
Monsignor Thomas O’Hare 10/03/2022
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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THE SEASON OF LENT
‘Rejoice, Jerusalem’, says the old entrance-antiphon, and today the joy of preparing for the Paschal Mystery is emphasised. The theme of joy also fits with the fine old Christian tradition of ‘Mothering Sunday’ when servants and others were allowed home to visit their mothers. (This derived from a liturgical reference and lies behind the modern ‘Mother’s day’ custom.)
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LITURGIES FOR the FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
q Daily Mass - Monday to Friday at 10am.
q Stations of the Cross – Wednesday at 9.30am, with Mass at 10am.
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SCIAF SUNDAY
This will be the last weekend if you would like to contribute for the work of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund which will go to help communities in Colombia and around the world.
For six decades, a violent civil war involving guerrilla groups, private armed groups, drug cartels and government forces have left hundreds of thousands of people dead and forced nearly seven million to flee their homes. Despite the recent peace agreement, conflict remains and Colombia has one of the highest number of internally displaced people in the world. Poverty and displacement continue to be significant problems. SCIAF has been working in Colombia since 1985, focusing on promoting peace, helping indigenous and afro-Colombian people to preserve their land, protect their land rights and protect themselves from threats from illegal mining operations. They are helping communities who were forced to flee their homes to stand up for their rights and reclaim legal access to their land. They have also provided seeds, tools, livestock and training to marginalised communities to enable them to grow more food and support themselves.
In the Jubilee Year of Hope, SCIAF is asking you once again to help bring hope to those struggling to find it in both Colombia, and around the world by supporting their annual Lenten appeal.
Jennifer Adams, our own parishioner, will make an appeal at all Masses this weekend on behalf of SCIAF.
A box intended for the SCIAF SUNDAY COLLECTION is situated at the back of the church. I hope you will contribute with your usual generosity to this collection.
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CALENDAR
On Tuesday we have the optional memorial of the Scottish 13thcentury Bishop St Gilbert of Caithness, an exemplary and civilising bishop in violent times. On Wednesday we recall the memory of St Francis de Paolo, 15th century founder of a branch of the Franciscan family called the Minims, later an adviser of kings and promoter of international peace. Friday we honour Saint Isidore, who became bishop of Seville in the year 600 and died there in 636. His writings created a veritable encyclopaedia of knowledge. He completed the Mozarabic liturgy which is still celebrated today. Saturday is the memorial of Saint Vincent Ferrer (1350-1419), Dominican priest, who preached missions throughout his native Spain, France and Italy. He helped bring unity to the Church during the Great Schism between the Avignon and Roman claimants to the papacy.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY CONFIRMED
Our heartfelt congratulations to our young people attending St. Charles’ Primary School who were Confirmed in St. Bride’s Church, Cambuslang, by Bishop Toal on Thursday of last week. We pray that the Holy Spirit may continue to guide our newly confirmed according to the path that God has set out for their life and may they always be courageous and uncompromising witnesses to Christ and his Church. We offer thanks to the teachers, parents, guardians & carers, grandparents, sponsors and all those who supported them in any way to make this event a memorable one for the children.
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LITURGY ROTA
Liturgy rota for readers (April – June 2025) 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 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 Moran or Fr. Cirilo.
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR CHURCH BUILDING
& MAINTENANCE FUND NEXT WEEKEND
Next Sunday (6th April 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 April. 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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CHILDREN’S LITURGY
We finish the Children’s Liturgy for the Easter holiday today Sunday (30th March 2025). Thank you to our dedicated team of four 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. Thank you also to the parents, guardians & carers who bring their children to our Sunday Mass on a regular basis. I wish each member of our community a safe and peaceful Easter break.
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GIFT-AID SCHEME
For those using offertory gift-aid envelopes, the new envelopes for the 2025-2026 tax year, which commences on the weekend of (5th/6th April 2025), are now available for collection at the stall. Gift-Aid members should put the date on the building fund envelope as the printer has not done this. May I ask those who haven’t done so to collect them from the stall please?
We now have three additional parishioners who have recently signed for the Gift-Aid Scheme. 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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GRATEFUL THANKS
Officially it is spring now, a time of growth and new life! Yet April can still be a cold month. Keeping warm during the cold weather is vital for our well-being and also required to protect the fabric of church buildings from both surface and interstitial condensation, no matter how full the pews. Our parish relies entirely on your donations and contributions to heat the church and presbytery. Thank you to all who donated and contributed financially to help us pay the heating and electricity bills over the winter months. Every little bit helps. Thank you once again for always being there to support your parish church. I look forward to your continued help and constant support.
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READERS NEEDED FOR WEEKDAY
& WEEKEND MASSES
Please help your parish. New readers are required for weekday and weekend Masses. If you are able to be part of this important ministry, then please contact Mrs. Anne Moran, our readers’ rota organiser, or Fr. Cirilo.
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RIGHT TO LIFE UK: PRAYING FOR THE UNBORN
& WOMEN FACING CRISIS PREGNANCIES
30th March 2025 -- “Let us pray for all those affected by the debate on assisted suicide, that they may be guided by compassion, wisdom, and respect for the dignity of every human life. May our leaders, medical professionals, and lawmakers seek to protect the vulnerable and uphold the sanctity of life in all decisions.”
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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.
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