THIRd sunday OF ADVENT (a)
READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (A)
First Reading – (Zephaniah 3:14-18) – In this reading Jerusalem is urged to rejoice because her salvation is at hand. God himself stands in her midst, the king and the protector of his people. We too should take heart from this message of hope.
Responsorial Psalm – Come, Lord, and save us.
Second Reading – (Philippians 4:4-7) – This urges us to rejoice in the Lord, to be free of anxiety and to live in a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving.
Gospel Reading – (Luke 3: 10-18) – John the Baptist tells various groups of people the works of justice and charity they must do in order to prepare for the Lord’s coming and to escape his searching judgement.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, as we continue this season of Advent and look forward to the celebration of the birth of Christ, let us place our prayers before God the Father whose faithful love extends from age to age.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the leaders of the Church: that they may be effective role models of mercy in our world as it hungers for compassion and kindness. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for our world: that the coming celebration of the birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace, may inspire all men and women to work for true and lasting peace, especially in the Holy Land and in all those places torn apart by war and violence. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for those striving for an inner peace, for those caught up in life’s struggles, and for anyone who is suffering loneliness or the pain of bereavement during this season of family celebration: that God’s love may shelter them and bring them warmth and joy. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for each one of us as we draw ever closer to the wonderful celebration of Christmas: that we may experience a renewal of our faith in Christ. 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, as you hear our prayers, we implore that we may experience the joy of Christmas in our daily lives, especially in times of trial, knowing that you are always near. 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 – Evelyn Gallagher, Charles Murphy, Thomas Leonard & Denis Keatings.
ANNIVERSARIES – Thomas Tinman (2nd Anniversary), James (Jim) Connolly (2nd Anniversary), Helen Clements (3rdAnniversary), Anna McNeary, Charlie Chambers, Agnes, Hugh & James McCauley.
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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GAUDETE SUNDAY
Traditionally, today is called Gaudete Sunday, which means ‘a day for rejoicing.’ The reason for celebration is that the day of the Lord’s coming is very near. ‘Gaudete in Domino Semper’ – the ancient entrance verse of today’s Mass invites us to ‘Rejoice in the Lord always’ (Philippians 4:4). St. Paul’s joyful Advent message: “Rejoice always ... give thanks in all circumstances ... hold fast to what is good.” As of today, the mood of Advent changes to one of joyful expectation in preparation for the feast of Christmas.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEWLY CONFIRMED
We had a wonderful celebration of Confirmation last Tuesday night. Our 14 newly confirmed young parishioners from St. Cadoc’s Primary School have been sealed by the Holy Spirit and confirmed in their Catholic Faith. On behalf of St. Cadoc’s Parish Community, I would like to extend congratulations to them and their families. The evening was beautiful and the celebration was truly an uplifting, spiritual and memorable event. We give thanks to God for this great occasion in the life our parish and we continue to pray for these young men and women.
We thank Bishop Joseph Toal who conferred the Sacrament upon our young people. His presence and preaching were truly appreciated. We are grateful that he took time from his very busy schedule to be with us at St. Cadoc’s.
We also offer our thanks to the teachers, parents, guardians & carers, grandparents, sponsors and all those who supported us in any way to make this event a memorable one for the children. A word of appreciation and gratitude also, to those who on the day, helped with setting up and tidying away the buffet food.
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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 August.
A box meant for the church building & maintenance fund collection 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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childer’s liturgy
We finish the Children’s Liturgy today (Sunday 14th December) with their Christmas tea party after 10am Mass in the church house. 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. I look forward to welcoming you today.
A big “thank you” to the Children’s Liturgy helpers for their valued support during the year. Thanks also to the parents, guardians and carers who bring their children to our Sunday Mass on a regular basis.
We will resume the Children’s Liturgy sessions from the beginning of February 2026.
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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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christmas remembrances
All anniversaries, months mind and Christmas Mass Remembrances for inclusion in the Bulletin should reach the sacristy/presbytery by Monday 22nd December at the latest.
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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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christmas appeal for the wayside club
As in previous years, I encourage parents and others to donate Christmas gifts/presents (such as socks, toiletries, etc.) at our Christingle Service for the less fortunate ones which will help bring Christmas cheer to some deserving person at the Wayside Club, Glasgow.
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financial assistance to help with rising energy bills (gas & electricity)
We are well into the cold season now. Keeping warm over the winter months is vital for our well-being and also to protect the fabric of church from both surface and interstitial condensation, no matter how full the pews. And that means high heating bills. I kindly appeal to your generosity to add an extra pound or two to your weekly contributions to help defray, in particular this winter, the high costs of energy bills. If I could remind you once again, please be mindful of closing the main door of the church to keep the heat in, and the cold out.
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annual insurance for church & presbytery
Our annual insurance renewal premium invoice for the Church and Presbytery for 2025/2026 is 2,566.79.
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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 14th 2025 – (Third Sunday of Advent) - “On Friday, we commemorated the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. We ask for the intercession of this patroness of the unborn, saying: ‘Let us implore the gift of children for families without children, respect for conceived life and the openness of hearts to Gospel values’.”
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Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us