second sunday OF ADVENT (a)
READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
First Reading – (Isaiah 11:1-10) – This reading talks about the coming of the Messiah and the two great gifts he will bring, two gifts the world desperately needs, justice and peace.
Responsorial Psalm – In his days shall justice flourish, and great peace for ever.
Second Reading – (Romans 15:4-9) – This reading talks about the importance of hope, and how we should treat others in the same friendly way as Christ treated us.
Gospel Reading – (Matthew 3: 1-12) – We hear the voice of John the Baptist, saying to us what he said to his contemporaries: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.”
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, ‘Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight’ is a call to each one of us to a change of heart. Seeking to return to the Lord, let us now present our prayers to God the Father with a humble heart.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for all who spread the Gospel: that they may preach with zeal and integrity of John the Baptist, speaking truth to all who need to hear their voice. 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 this 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 our families: that, as they spend more time together during the coming weeks, the real message of Advent and Christmas may fill them with joy, hope and love. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for each one of us here present: that we may prepare ourselves spiritually as well as we can for the coming of the Christ Child. 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, just as John the Baptist urged us to prepare for the coming of your Son at Christmas, so we offer you our prayers, knowing that, as we turn our hearts towards you, you hear even our unspoken words. 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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90TH BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE (LIVING) – Barbara Sweeney.
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RECENTLY DEAD – Charles Murphy, Fr. Paddy Gaffney, Thomas Leonard, Sean O’Neil, Ruby Rice, Joseph Burns, Denis Keatings & John Murray.
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ANNIVERSARIES – Baby Adam Downing, Bella Connor, Peter Sweeney, Patrick Innes (50th Anniversary), May Carey & Betty Clark.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – DECEMBER
Bishop Francis Thomson 06/12/1987
Rev. Hugh Macdonald 28/12/1950
Rev. John McLaughlin 03/12/1951
Rev. Daniel Colvin 08/12/1951
Rev. William Flanagan 23/12/1958
Rt. Rev. Monsignor Thomas N. Canon Taylor 01/12/1963
Rev. John Cusick 07/12/1965
Very Rev Thomas P. Canon Kelly 07/12/1969
Very Rev. Thomas J. Canon O’Neill 19/12/1975
Rev. James Fisher 04/12/1977
Rev. Ian McLaughlin 03/12/1981
Rev. John C. Brady 08/12/1982
Rev. Angus Mackellaig 11/12/1992
Rev. James Gerard Higgins 17/12/2006
Rev. John Taylor 10/12/2011
Rev. Michael Cunnane 05/12/2014
Rev. Deacon John Ferguson 31/12/2014
Rev. James Naughton 09/12/2016
Rev. Michael O’Leary 03/11/2017
Rev. John Doherty 08/12/2019
Rev. Martin O’Keefe 27/12/2019
Rev. John Breslin 29/12/2019
Rev. Patrick Walsh 20/12/2020
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
It is the Second Sunday of Advent. Today, as we continue our journey of waiting for the coming of Christ at Christmas, we learn about John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament Prophets, whose mission was to prepare the way of the Lord. Living in the desert, he turned away from his culture and shared a message of freedom and holiness. His message inspired the community, including tax collectors and soldiers, to change their lives. John offered baptism as a sign of repentance. He encouraged people to treat others well, not just pray and fast. He called them to leave distraction behind and meet the One who can fulfil them.
Today, John urges us to reflect on our lives, make changes and live as saved people. He exhorts us to treat others justly and live in peace. He invites us to look at our lives and to change any aspects that do not fit the Gospel message. The main emphasis of John’s message – repentance, change and renewal – remains the way to Jesus and his kingdom. We pray that, inspired by his example, we will be ready to welcome Christ, showing love, kindness, and forgiveness to others and turning to God with open hearts for renewal.
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CALENDAR
On Monday we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. We celebrate our belief that Mary was free from sin from the moment of her conception. The idea of Mary’s complete sinlessness was first expressed in the earliest Christian centuries and in 1854 Pope Pius IX proclaimed it a Dogma of Faith. Pope St. Damasus (+386), honoured on Thursday encouraged St. Jerome to translate the Bible into Latin for the first time, and restored the tombs of martyrs in the catacombs. Other optional memorials are St Juan Diego on Tuesday and the related feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday. On Saturday we recall St. Lucy, the early Sicilian martyr with the cure of eye-troubles.
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COLLECTION FOR CHURCH BUILDING
& MAINTENANCE FUND
This 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 this 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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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
What a fabulous evening we had at our Parish Christmas Party! I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to each and every one of you who attended and made the event a resounding success. It was wonderful to see so many parishioners and well-wishers of St. Cadoc’s Parish Community joining with me for a cup of tea and bite to eat. It was a joy to celebrate together and to see so many friendly faces.
A special thank you is also extended to everyone who had been involved in helping to prepare for this parish social event. I am especially grateful to the Clements family for providing the chairs for the day, those who contributed to help defray the cost associated with the event by giving donations and those who donated raffle prizes (including £100.00 worth Equi’s vouchers from Equi’s, Cambuslang) and bought raffle tickets on the night to cover the cost of the event. A word of appreciation and gratitude to Irene Savage, Patricia Meikle, Rita Kelly, Ellen Leonard and Ann-Frances McLaughlin who worked so hard on the day with setting up and tidying away the buffet meal. I am incredibly grateful for the time and effort they dedicated to making the party a success.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our parishioners, through raffles and donations, we successfully raised a total of £543.25 (raffles money amounted to £230.00 & cash donations 313.25) which helped us defray the cost of the party. This sum is inclusive of a donation of £200.00 made by Joseph Nelson on behalf of JOSEPH NELSON FUNERAL DIRECTORS, Halfway. I hope you enjoyed the evening as much as I did. We are truly blessed to have such a vibrant and supportive parish community. May the peace and joy of Christ remain with you all throughout the season and the New Year.
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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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CHRISTMAS COLLECTION
I do not take up a special collection on Christmas Day (apart from the normal feast day one) for the upkeep of the parish church and for the many pastoral activities in the parish as many of the parishes would do, however, I rely heavily on your continued kind generosity in your giving to the parish funds, especially at this time of year when we celebrate the feast of giving from God’s point of view: “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Please support your parish’s ministry and help to maintain your Church and grounds by giving generously to our Christmas collection. Special Christmas Collection envelopes are provided with today’s bulletin. Gift-aid members should use the weekly offering envelope from the book of envelope; if they use special Christmas collection envelope, they should have their number added on it.
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ADVENT CONFESSIONS
Please find time to make a good Confession in preparation for Christmas. Fr. Rodrigues will be available in the sacristy to hear confessions from Tuesday to Thursday day between 9.30am – 9.55am & Saturday 4.15pm – 4.45pm (in the confessional box) during the remaining time of Advent Season.
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READERS REQUIRED FOR CHRISTMAS MASSES
I am looking for volunteers who would help out as readers for Christmas Masses. Sign-up sheet is left in the porch. Please consider volunteering for one of the Masses. Thanks to Mrs Anne Moran for giving her time to prepare sign-up sheet.
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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
December 7th 2025 – (Second Sunday of Advent) - “Let us pray for all those who are alone and suffering with a terminal illness in hospital or hospice care, that they might experience the love of Christ from their carers and that their suffering might be eased.”
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Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us