FIRST sunday OF ADVENT (a)
READINGS FOR THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
First Reading – (Isaiah 2: 1-5) – With its vision of universal peace, this reading is surely one of the most inspiring in the Bible. But this vision will only become a reality if people put away the weapons of war and take up those of peace.
Responsorial Psalm – Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Second Reading – (Romans 13: 11-14) – St. Paul urges us to wake up, to turn away from the darkness of evil and to walk in the light of goodness.
Gospel Reading – (Matthew 24: 37-44) – This Gospel passage urges us to stay awake because we do not know the day or the hour when the Master will return.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, in the season of Advent, as we prepare ourselves to celebrate Christ’s birth and await his return in glory, let us ask God the Father for all the graces we need to stay spiritually awake for the coming of his Son Jesus into our lives.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the leaders of the Church: that they may guide and lead the Church to faithfully prepare for the coming of Jesus at this time of year. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the nations where there is war, poverty and human suffering: that their troubles may soon be a distant memory for them. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for our young parishioners from St. Cadoc’s Primary who will be confirmed by the gift of the Spirit on Tuesday of next week: that, planted in faith and grounded in love, they may bear witness to Christ the Lord by their way of life. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for all the people who look forward to the celebration of Christmas: that Christ’s words and values may find a place in their hearts. 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 remember in our prayers all our near and dear departed ones whose names are, or will be, here on our Altar: that they may be granted eternal rest and peace in the loving presence of God, our Father. 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, give us the grace to ‘stay awake’ so that we will meet Jesus, your Son, in the worship we offer, in the Scriptures which we read, in the person of the poor and needy, and in those who show us kindness and forgiveness. 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 – Sarah Agnes Quinn, Baby Archie Thomson, Alex McLeod, Ron Docherty, 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. Pat Gaffney, Sean O’Neil, Alice Chatfield, Barney Brown, Tom Evans, Kate McDaid, Denis Keatings, David Blake & Eric Noel Bowner.
ANNIVERSARIES – James (Jim) Connelly (2nd Anniversary), Patrick Innes (50th Anniversary), James Coyle, Danny O’Donnell, Nellie McPhillips, Kathleen Mcguire, Tommy McGuire & Findlay Marr.
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE – Elizabeth Gregson.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – NOVEMBER
Rev. Michael O’Connor 28/11/1955
Rev. Michael Ahearne 26/11/1956
Very Rev. Denis Canon Flynn 29/11/1959
Very Rev. Thomas Canon Kearney 15/11/1966
Rev. Denis Lucey 07/11/1971
Very Rev. John Canon Bredin 09/11/1977
Rev. James Monaghan 13/11/1977
Rev. Daniel Harty 28/11/1977
Rt. Rev. David McRoberts 25/11/1978
Rev. Patrick Brennan 24/11/1982
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Philip Flanagan 23/11/1983
Very Rev. Robert Douglas 03/11/1988
Rev. John Cosgrove 02/11/1990
Rev. Gerald O’Callaghan 06/11/1991
Very Rev. Patrick Canon O’Donoghue 19/11/1995
Rev. John Ward 25/11/2001
Very Rev. Gerald Canon Maher 09/11/2009
Rev. James O’Hara 20/11/2013
Canon Herbert Flack 14/11/2021
Rev William O’Sullivan 04/11/2022
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 ADVENT
Advent is a liturgical season of preparation for Christmas that includes the four Sundays and weekdays before Christmas. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming”.
Each week of Advent emphasises themes such as hope, peace, joy, and love. It begins on the Sunday that is closest to St Andrew’s Day, this year 30th November. In our Catholic Church tradition, the Advent season reminds us about the importance of Christ in our lives, prepares us to celebrate Christ's birth at Christmas, and refers to his second coming at a future time. I invite you to make Advent special by taking time out from your Christmas preparations to spend with Christ.
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CALENDAR
Wednesday is the memorial of St. Francis Xavier, the 16th century Jesuit Apostle of the East who from his centre at Goa brought the Gospel of Christ to many places in the East; he is patron of the Missions. Of the original band of companions of St Ignatius he was the one who fulfilled the Jesuits’ main intention of being a missionary order. St. John of Damascus, noted eighth century theologian (especially as regards Our Lady’s Assumption) and composer of hymns, incidentally an official in a Muslim administration, is remembered on Thursday. Saturday is the memorial of St. Nicholas, a holy Eastern Bishop of the fourth century around whom many picturesque legends were built up, and whose name is the origin of Santa Claus.
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COLLECTION FOR CHURCH BUILDING
& MAINTENANCE FUND
Next Sunday (7th December 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 December.
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.
The Church Building and Maintenance Fund Collection is dedicated to ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the church building. This includes things like roof repairs, heating system, electrical work, and other essential maintenance tasks. The usual weekly offertory collection helps us cover the day-to-day costs of running the church, such as utilities (electricity, heating, water), insurance, church services, general maintenance of church properties, administrative needs and various sundry expenses. On the other hand, the undertaking of any of the major repair works previously mentioned, when needed, plus other essential costs associated with the running of the parish, would not be possible without your additional help and support. Your parish church dedicated to St. Cadoc’s very much depends on your contributions and generosity.
Once again, I thank all those who, over the years, have attended this church dedicated to St. Cadoc’s and I appreciate the many contributions that have been and continue to be made to the parish, and I look forward to your ongoing assistance in the future.
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MANY THANKS
Thank you for supporting your parish while I was away home. Thank you to everyone who has made this possible through their time, hard work, support and commitment. Thank you also to Fr. Joe McNulty for his time and help over the past two weeks. His 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. Finally, I am most grateful to all parishioners and well-wishers who have been making their contributions regularly during my time away. As ever, thank you, once again, for your support and prayers.
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CONFIRMATIONS
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred on the upper-Primary young people from St. Cadoc’s Primary School by Bishop Joseph Toal on Tuesday 9th December 2025 at 7pm in St. Cadoc’s Parish Church. Please pray that our young people, strengthened by the Holy Spirit through the Sacrament of Confirmation, will be true witnesses of Christ to others. May they spread and defend the faith by word and deed.
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CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMASS 2025
CHRISTMAS EVE (Wednesday Afternoon/Evening)
(The beginning of the Christmas Season)
+THE VIGIL MASS OF CHRISTMAS (4pm)
with Christingle Service (for children of all ages) at 3.30pm
+ CHRISTMAS MASS DURING THE NIGHT
with the Blessing of the Crib (5.45pm) with Carols at 5.30pm
CHRISTMAS DAY (Thursday)
+THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD
Day Masses of Christmas 10am
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parish christmas party
Join us for a wonderful evening of festive cheer and fellowship at our Parish Christmas Party on Tuesday 2nd December 2025. The celebration will take place in the church house (presbytery) from 6pm to 8pm. All parishioners and well-wishers of St. Cadoc’s Parish Community are warmly invited to the fellowship buffet. This will be a great opportunity to connect with fellow parishioners and well-wishers to celebrate the joy of the season. I look forward to celebrating the season with our parish family! There is no charge for the party, however, a donation would, if possible, be greatly appreciated. Raffle prizes (such as bottles of wine, spirits, chocolates, or any useful products you can donate) needed! It would be amazing if some of our wonderful parishioners and well-wishers could donate items to be used as raffle prizes.
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NEW VESTMENTS FOR OUR PARISH
I am delighted to announce that our new sets of liturgical vestments have arrived from Rome. The cost of the two sets of vestments (8 altogether; colours: white, green, red & purple) was £950.18, plus UK Import tax which was £345.97. The combined total of payments was 1296.15. This purchase was made possible by the prayers and generous support of many parishioners (including £970.00 so far donated in envelopes, cheques and in some instances adding extra to the collection plate, which has helped defray the total cost). I thank you for your commitment to enriching our parish life and worship. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our parish community. We are truly blessed by your faithfulness, which makes our mission possible. If you are interested to view the new vestments, you are welcome to see them by visiting the sacristy. They have been placed in the cupboard in the sacristy
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children’s liturgy
Children will have their Christmas tea party after 10am Mass in the church house on Sunday 14th December 2025. An open invitation is extended to all the children attending the children’s liturgy and other children who may not be part of it, their parents, guardians and all our volunteers who prepare, deliver and supervise it on a weekly basis and to all our altar servers and their parents and guardians. Donations of home baking will be gratefully received. I look forward to welcoming you on that day.
Thank you to our dedicated team of Children’s Liturgists (Elizabeth Gray, Marie Claire Faller, Anne-Frances McLaughlin, Bernadette Sheppard & Lucy Murdoch) 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.
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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. Thank you for your kindness and cooperation.
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right to life uk: praying for the unborn
& women facing crisis pregnancies
November 30th 2025 – (First Sunday of Advent) - “In this Season of Advent, as we expectantly wait for the Christchild to enter our hearts, let us pray for all expecting mothers, that they would have all they need to joyfully welcome their new child into the world. “
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Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us