SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL (C)
READINGS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL (C)
First Reading – (Acts 12:1-11) - Peter is imprisoned by king Herod Agrippa, and left chained in a dungeon; but through an angel God sets him free to continue his work of leading the church.
Responsorial Psalm – From all my terrors the Lord will set me free.
Seconding Reading – (2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18) - In his prison cell, Paul feels that his time of departure from this life has come, and looks forward to the “crown of righteousness,” promised to all who serve God faithfully.
Gospel – (Mt 16:13-19) - At Caesarea Philippi, Peter declares his faith in Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God;” for this, he is appointed to lead the Church and given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus built his Church on the apostles. United with them, in fidelity to the Gospel's teaching and way of life, we now present our needs 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, supported by the prayers of these holy apostles and inspired by their lives, they may faithfully live out their vocations for the salvation of the world. 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 teachers, students and pupils as our schools, colleges and universities conclude another academic year: that they may have a safe and restful summer and be safeguarded from all harm. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for Christians who continue to suffer persecution or discrimination for upholding their faith: that they may look to Saints Peter and Paul for inspiration. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for missionaries who serve Jesus and his Church in places of danger or in the face of persecution or under difficult political conditions: that God may help them to faithfully proclaim the Good News and console them in times of loneliness and discouragement. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for each one of us here present: that we may seek the kingdom of heaven, as preached by Saints Peter and Paul, by seeking and doing the will of the Father. 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, we rejoice in the call to belong to the Church, to believe in the Gospel, and to be united with the successors of your Apostles. As you answer our prayers, increase our fidelity to the Gospel. 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 – Ron Docherty, Patricia Dougan, Patricia Scanlan, Rona McPhee, Rose Gallagher, Thérèse McKeand, 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 – Fr. Thomas Toal, Stephen Coyle (Body Reception, Wednesday 9th July 2025 at 6pm; Requiem Mass, Thursday 10th July 2025 at 10am), Agnes Quinn & James Leonard.
ANNIVERSARIES – John Goodwin & Cathie Farrell.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – JUNE
Rev. Eugene Murray 26/06/53
Rev. Michael O’Brien 11/06/56
Rt. Rev. Bishop Edward Douglas 12/06/67
Rev. John Vincent Murray 27/06/72
Rt. Rev. Mgr. John Canon Rooney 09/06/74
Very Rev. George Canon Mullen 28/06/90
Rev. James McGlinchey 26/06/91
Very Rev. John Canon Moss 25/06/92
Rev. John McMurray 03/06/01
His Eminence Cardinal Thomas J Winning 17/06/01
Rev. John Joseph Delaney 20/06/01
Very Rev. Alphonsus Canon Woods 09/06/04
Very Rev. Michael Canon Ryan 03/06/16
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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SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL
Today is the Solemnity of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. A feast has been celebrated in honour of these patrons of the Roman Church on this date since 354AD.
According to an ancient tradition, Peter (meaning Rock), the fisherman from Galilee, head of the Apostles, and first Pope, died by crucifixion in 67AD, the last year of the Emperor Nero’s reign. He was crucified at his own request with his head pointing downward, not considering himself worthy to die like Christ, his Master. Recent archaeological excavations confirm that his martyrdom took place on the Vatican Hill, which was once home to Nero’s Circus, and the site of the Papal Basilica which is dedicated in his honour today.
Saul (later Paul) of Tarsus in modern-day Turkey was a Pharisee and persecutor of Christians; he had been present in Jerusalem at the death of St. Stephen, the first martyr. He was converted after an extraordinary experience on the road to Damascus in Syria. From there he went to see Peter in Jerusalem. Soon afterwards, he set off on the first of three missionary journeys that would take him to Syria, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Rome and Spain. He returned to Rome where he was beheaded outside the city walls in the year 67AD. The place of his martyrdom is commemorated today by the Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-The-Walls.
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THANK YOU
Summer holidays are upon us and in the next few days and weeks many of us will be going away to recharge our batteries with a few weeks of well-deserved change and rest. My hope is that you will manage to get some rest during the summer weeks.
I take this opportunity to say thank you to so many parishioners and well-wishers of St. Cadoc’s who are actively involved in the day to day running of the parish for their time, energy and commitment – 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.
In truth you are the heart of the parish. Your faith and commitment are an inspiration and I appreciate the involvement of so many people at so many different levels in parish life. Your loyalty to the parish coupled with your practical concern and initiatives contributing to its spiritual and material wellbeing are deeply appreciated.
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. In the coming summer weeks and months, I hope you keep well and wish you all a safe summer! – Fr. Jose Cirilo Rodrigues
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR CHURCH BUILDING
& MAINTENANCE FUND NEXT WEEKEND
Next Sunday (6th July 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 July.
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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CALENDAR
On Monday there is an optional memorial of the First Martyrs of Rome. St. Thomas the Apostle is honoured on Thursday – sometimes known, rather unfairly, as ‘doubting Thomas’. After meeting the Risen Lord in Upper Room, it is Thomas who makes the great confession of faith ‘My Lord and my God’. Tradition says that he preached the Gospel to the people of India, where he died a martyr’s death. We are permitted on Friday to celebrate St Elizabeth Queen of Portugal, a 13th century figure rather similar to our own St Margaret, and on Saturday to recall St Anthony Mary Zaccaria, founder of the Barnabites.
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liturgy rota
Liturgy rota for Readers (July-September 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 Anne Moran or Fr. Cirilo.
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TEA PARTY TO SAY “THAN YOU” TO PARISHIONERS
& WELL-WISHERS OF ST. CADOC’S
At the concept of a parish is to provide an environment where people can experience what it means to belong to the church; it is a family, a living cell of the one family of God. Essentially, a parish is a community of people who care not only for one another but also society as a whole.
A great strength of the Parish of St. Cadoc’s is that we all pull together to make the parish work. We all participate in every aspect of the Church from attending Mass to providing a welcoming atmosphere at every service to cleaning up the grounds. There is no job that is too great for this parish family. Marvellous! To further cement the concept of the parish family I will be hosting a tea party in the Church house on Tuesday 19th August 2025 from 6pm – 8pm. This invitation, which will afford me the opportunity to say “Thank You” for supporting and contributing to the life of the parish, is open to all parishioners and well-wishers of St. Cadoc’s. Please highlight this date in your diary as one not to be missed.
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A HAPPY SUMMER HOLIDAY
As we come to the last week of the school term, I wish our children and young people, their families and staff of our Primary Schools of St. Cadoc’s and St. Charles’ and the associated Trinity High School, a restful and peaceful summer holiday. May they return from the summer break feeling refreshed and ready to take on new challenges in the new academic year in August.
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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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DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE GIFT-AID SCHEME
AND HELP THE PARISH
It’s so simple. If you are a tax payer, normally come to Church, and are prepared to put your money offering in a confidential numbered envelope (or pay by Standing order) and sign a simple form, then the parish can (at no cost to yourself) reclaim the tax you have already paid on that offering. For every pound you give, your parish will get back an additional 25 pence from the Inland Revenue. Thanks are extended to all those who have answered our appeal and have committed to gift-aid their offerings. Anyone wishing to join the scheme, please contact Jim Cunningham, our parish Gift Aid organiser 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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NEW PARISHIONERS
We would ask those who are new to the parish, or who are moving house within the parish, to record their name, address and telephone number on the registration card provided in the porch of the church. I would greatly appreciate your involvement in the parish. If you have any spare time, talents, or skills to share, I rely on the kindness and support of parishioners like you to help us grow and serve our community better. It is also very helpful if those moving from the parish let us know, so that our statistics can be kept up to date. Please be assured that any data we have (including the parish survey I undertook in 2016) will be held in a secure way and will never be shared or given to anyone else.
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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
June 29th 2025 – “Today, we celebrate the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Let us pray that we follow in their footsteps as apostles of Christ. May we be like the saints, loving and supporting the most vulnerable in society, the poor, the helpless and the unborn.”
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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