palm sunday (C)
READINGS FOR THE PALM SUNDAY (C)
Gospel for Procession – (Luke 19: 28-40) – Christ enters Jerusalem to receive a kingdom – not an earthly kingdom, but the kingdom of God. His entry as messianic king is a sign that the peace and salvation decreed by God is at hand. We are asked to declare our loyalty publicly to him.
First Reading – (Isaiah 50: 4-7) – The prophet suffers in carrying out his mission, but he is convinced that God will eventually save him.
Responsorial Psalm – My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Second Reading – (Philippians 2: 6-11) – Because Jesus took on himself our human condition and accepted death on a cross the Father has made him Lord of heaven and earth.
Gospel Reading – (Luke 22:14-23:56) – St Luke’s version of the Passion Story. As in the rest of his Gospel, so in his account of the Passion, Luke presents a Christ who is merciful and forgiving, even to his executioners. We are involved in the Passion Story too.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate our Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and devoutly recall his passion, let us offer our prayers to God the Father, through his Son Jesus, 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 be guided by the example of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, humbly serving God and his people, and proclaiming the Kingdom of peace. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for peace in the midst of all the violence and tragedy in this world and particularly for those affected by the current conflicts in Ukraine and the Holy Land: that God may bring relief to those who suffer so unjustly. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for all those preparing for baptism, confirmation and reception into communion in our churches this Easter: that this may be for them a joyful time of growth and deepening of faith. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for those gathered here today: that together by following the events of Holy Week we may come to a deeper understanding of the life, Passion and Death of the Lord. 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, during this Holy Week, we see your love for us displayed in the sufferings and death of your Son. As you answer our prayers, give us grace to follow the example of Jesus. 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 – Patricia Scanlan, 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 – May McVey.
ANNIVERSARIES – Christine Marie McHenry (First Anniversary), Fr. Damien Gilhooley (Second Anniversary), Christina Kelly, Con & Bridget Duffy, Leslie & Nan McKenna, & Dennis Brennan (10th Anniversary) & Mary Ann Brennan.
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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HOLY WEEK
Today is Palm Sunday – also known as Passion Sunday - and the first great celebration of Holy Week. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, known as the Sacred Triduum, are the high point of the Church’s year, culminating in the Easter Vigil with its Festival of Light, its service of Readings and its blessing of Baptismal water and renewal of vows, and the Eucharist of Easter Night. Please remember that Good Friday is a day of Fast and Abstinence for those not excused by age or illness. And do make time this week to join us here for the great ceremonies, and so make this a truly holy week for yourselves and your families.
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HOLY WEEK: EASTER TRIDUUM
Holy Week is the last week of Lent, the week immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It begins with Palm (or Passion) Sunday wherein the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is observed that was once marked by the crowds who were in Jerusalem for Passover waving palm branches and proclaiming him as the messianic king. The conclusion of this week is called the Easter Triduum (Triduum comes from a Latin word meaning “three days”). The Easter Triduum begins with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in the evening of Holy Thursday and reaches its high point in the Easter Vigil and ends with Evening Prayer on Easter Sunday.
The Easter Triduum, as its name indicates, comprises three days as reckoned according to ancient Jewish custom –- a day was measured from sundown to sundown. Thus, the first day of Triduum commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper (Holy Thursday evening) and his crucifixion, death and burial (Good Friday afternoon). There are no major liturgical celebrations on the second day (from sundown on Good Friday until sundown on Holy Saturday), for it is a period evoking the time Jesus’ body rested in the tomb. The third day begins at sundown Saturday with the Easter Vigil and ends with the evening of Easer Day.
On these three most sacred days the Church celebrates the most inspiring and splendid liturgies. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday evening celebrates Jesus’ last meal with his disciples when he blessed the bread and wine with the sacred words so familiar to us. This liturgy also features the ritual washing of the feet as enjoined by Jesus in John 13, and ends with the solemn procession and prayer before the reserved Eucharist at a specially designated repository. The celebration of Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ arrest, his trial, crucifixion and suffering, death and burial. Holy Saturday has traditionally been a time of reflection. It is a day of quiet meditation as Christians contemplate the darkness of a world without hope apart from God and his grace. Originally celebrated after the nightfall of Holy Saturday is the Easter Vigil which comprises the blessing of the new fire, lighting of the Paschal Candle, the Easter proclamation; extensive readings from the Scriptures evoking the story of salvation; and the initiation of Catechumens into the Church through the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Eucharist. Easter Sunday is in essence but a continuation of this most wonderful celebration.
Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easer Vigil—these “Three Days” remind us of death and life. They are the holiest and most important days of celebration in the Catholic Church. During these three days, we focus on one event—the Passover of the Lord—Our Easter. May we enter into the spirit of liturgy of this week, watching and praying with the Lord, so that we may come closer to him.
LITURGIES FOR HOLY WEEK
q Monday & Tuesday: Daily Mass at 10am.
q Wednesday – Stations of the Cross at 9.30am; Daily Mass at 10am.
q Holy Thursday (Morning): Chrism Mass in the Motherwell Cathedral at11am.
q Holy Thursday (Evening): Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 6.30pm.
q Good Friday: Morning Prayer of the Church at 9.30am; Celebration of the Lord’s Passion at 3pm; Stations of the Cross at 5.30pm.
q Holy Saturday (Morning): Morning Prayer of the Church at 9.30am.
q Holy Saturday (Evening): The Great Easter Vigil at 6.30pm.
q Easter Sunday (20th April): Festal Masses at 10am & 11.30am.
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HOLY PLACES COLLECTION
The annual collection for Holy Places will be taken up on Good Friday. This collection goes towards the upkeep of the places in the Holy Land associated with the life and death of Jesus.
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BULLETIN NOTICES
Please ensure that notices & Easter Remembrances for the Easter Sunday bulletin reach the sacristy or the church house by Wednesday of this Week.
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COLLECTION FOR church building
& maintenance FUND
This will be the last weekend if you would like to contribute to our normal Church Building and Maintenance Fund Collection for the month of April. A box meant for the Church Building & Maintenance Fund Collections is situated at the back of the church. 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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CONFESSIONS FOR EASTER
Please find time to make a good Confession in preparation for Easter. Fr. Rodrigues will be available in the sacristy to hear confessions from Monday to Wednesday between 9.30am – 9.50am during the remaining time of Lenten Season.
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR KILRYDE HOSPICE
We are once again invited by Bishop Toal to take up a special collection to help support the work of our local hospices. This year we will take up a collection for Kilbryde Hospice. This Hospice has been in existence since August 2018 providing Specialist Palliative Hospice Care to the population of South Lanarkshire. A special collection for Kilbryde Hospice will be taken at all Masses for the next two weekends (19th/20th Aril 2025 & 26th/27th April 2025) beginning next weekend. A box intended for donations to help support the Hospice will be situated at the back of the church for the next two weeks beginning next weekend. Your kindness will help them to make a difference to the patients and their families who need their care and services. I realise the collection for Kilbryde Hospice happens to fall, this year, during the Easter festive period however, I hope you will, again, show generosity in helping the Kilbryde Hospice this year.
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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Saturday 26th April 2025 (St. Cadoc’s Primary School) at 9.30am Mass and at 11.30am Mass (St. Charles’ 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 book of envelopes; if they use a special Easter collection envelope, they should have their number added on it.
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PASTORAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Thank you to all those parishioners who joined me on Tuesday (8th April 2025) evening for our pastoral planning committee meeting and for all of their feedback on the topics discussed.
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LITURGIES OF HOLY WEEK
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have volunteered as Readers & Eucharistic ministers to assist with Holy Week and the Easter Triduum services. A huge thank you also to stewards and others who have made themselves available to help with diverse tasks and responsibilities to ensure a smooth celebration of the most important days of the Church year.
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SCIAF 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 by Low Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter), or you may send them directly to SCIAF.
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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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GIFT-AID SCHEME
For those using offertory gift-aid envelopes, the new envelopes for the 2025-2026 tax year, which commenced 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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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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PARKING IN THE STREET SURROUNDING the CHURCH
Please refrain from parking your cars on our local resident’s driveway, corners or bends when attending Holy Week services. You can 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
20th April 2025 -- “As we reflect on the Resurrection and God’s victory over death, we ask the Lord to protect in body and spirit, all those who are in hospice care and all those who are terminally ill.”
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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