thirD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (a)


READINGS FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)
First Reading – (Isaiah 8:23, 9:3) – The prophet Isaiah predicts future glory for an oppressed people: light will replace darkness; joy sorrow; and freedom, oppression.
Responsorial Psalm – The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Second Reading – (1 Corinthians 1: 10-13, 17) – This shows that even among the first Christians there were divisions. But St. Paul urges unity in Christ.
Gospel Reading – (Matthew 4:12-23) – Matthew recalls Isaiah’s prophecy that the people in darkness will see a great light; he announces the theme of Jesus’ ministry.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, having listened to the Word of God, let us now bring our prayers before God our Father.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for those who handed the gift of faith on to us: that their example may encourage us to do the same and to keep following Christ, especially when we’re put off or tempted to give up. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for our world, particularly those who make the law and endeavour to uphold it: that they may exercise their power with justice and mercy. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the work of our Justice and Peace Commission in Scotland: that it may continue to succeed in spreading the message of the Church’s social teaching. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for those in our own church and those who guide and lead Christian communities throughout the world as we come to the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity: that they may put aside past differences and work together to proclaim the message of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus 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, despite our unworthiness, you call us to follow you. As you hear our prayers, make us faithful in responding to your call. 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 – Sheila Gallagher, Jim & Susan Jamieson, Baby Archie Thomson, Alex McLeod, Ron Docherty, Rona McPhee, Rose Gallagher, Thérèse McKeand, Martin McGuire & 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 – Sr. Rosemary Reilly (Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace), George Morris, Hugh Leonard, Joseph Doran, Patricia Andrews & James McFadden.
ANNIVERSARIES – Bhupendra Shriram (First Anniversary), Elizabeth Gregson (5th Anniversary), Alice Kurian (7th Anniversary), Catherine Cavin (25th Anniversary), Tommy Smith (31st Anniversary), Sarah Topping, Elizabeth Paul, Kevin Travers & Lena Mochan.
BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE – John Hourigan.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – JANUARY
Very Rev. James Canon McKenna 30/01/1949
Rev. William J. Smith 16/01/1961
Rev. Patrick Plunkett 20/01/1963
Rev. Peter Aloysius Murie 11/01/1964
Rev. Thomas McGhie 13/01/1965
Rt. Rev. Patrick Monsignor McGonagle 20/01/1970
Rev. Daniel McGlinchey 21/01/1972
Rev. Thomas Sheehan 22/01/1975
Rev. Anthony Donnelly 30/01/1982
Rev. Gerald B. McColgan 25/01/1987
Very Rev. James Canon Kilpatrick 04/01/1989
Very Rev. Bernard Canon Keenan 02/01/1992
Rev. James Quinn 10/01/1994
Rev. James Boyle 31/01/1998
Very Rev. John Canon Sheridan 06/01/1999
Very Rev. George Canon Fryer 20/01/1999
Rev. Isaac McLaren 11/01/2001
Very Rev. John Canon Gallagher 22/01/2003
Rev. James Small 14/01/2014
Rev. Jeremiah O'Riordan 11/01/2006
Very Rev, Thomas Canon Barry 26/01/2006
Very Rev. Henry Canon Allison 03/01/2013
Very Rev. George Canon Boyd 22/01/2013
Rev. Joseph Brannigan 02/01/2014
Rev. Henry Canon McGinn 14/01/2014
Leo Muldoon 27/01/2014
Very Rev Edward Canon Glackin 18/01/2016
Rev. Brian Donnelly 26/01/2016
Rev. Patrick McGovern 17/01/2017
Very Rev. Noel Canon Carey 09/01/2018
Very Rev Joseph Canon Clements 05/01/2023
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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THE ORDINARY SEASON
We have now entered upon the Ordinary Season of the Church’s year. The liturgical colour is Green, representing life and growth. This is Year A, and our Gospel Readings are mainly, not always, from St Matthew.
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CALENDAR
On Monday we remember at Mass Saints Timothy and Titus, the trusted younger followers of St Paul to whom are directed the so-called ‘Pastoral’ letters which bear their names. On Tuesday we recall the memory of St. Angela Merici, an Italian religious educator and founder of the Ursuline order, the oldest religious order of women in the Roman Catholic Church dedicated to the education of girls. On Wednesday we remember St Thomas Aquinas, the Dominican priest of the 12th century who was perhaps the greatest medieval philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages. He developed the philosophical system of Aristotle to underpin the Christian view of God, the universe, and us, as well as illuminating in his writings all areas of Christian theology. With this he combined great personal saintliness and humility. Saturday is the memorial of St. John Bosco (+1888), friend of the street-children of Turin, and founder of the Order of St. Francis de Sales, commonly known as the Salesians.
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world day of prayer for christian unity
As we come to the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we pray for those in our own church and those who guide and lead Christian communities throughout the world, that they may put aside past differences and work together to proclaim the message of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR JUSTICE
& PEACE COMMISSION
This will be the last weekend if you would like to contribute to help support the work of our own Justice and Peace Commission in Scotland. A box intended for the Justice & Peace Commission Collection is situated at the back of the church. I hope you will contribute with your usual generosity to this collection.
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WELCOME TO XAVERIAN MISSIONARY PRIESTS
We welcome back to our community Xaverian Missionary Priests. They will be with us from Tuesday 3rd February 2026 until Wednesday 11th February 2026 while I am away for some quiet time (retreat). We thank the Xaverian Missionary Priests in advance for their help during my time away. I hope they will enjoy their time with us.
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daily weekday mass
Please note the following changes in our weekday Masses. There will be a weekday Mass at 10am from Tuesday to Friday. This arrangement will be in place from Tuesday 3rd February 2026 until Wednesday 11th February 2026. No Daily Mass on Monday and Saturday mornings during this period.
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BEST WISHES TO FR. MORTON
Fr. Paul Morton will be finishing his time in St. Bride’s, Cambuslang, after 26 years of dedicated service. Throughout his long tenure, Fr. Morton has been a compassionate pastor and a pillar of the local community. As he embarks on his next chapter, we wish him all the best in his future endeavours and pray that God may continue to guide and bless him abundantly.
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WEEKDAY MASS
Please note! There will be no 10am weekday Mass on Wednesday of this week.
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THANK YOU
Thank you to Bernadette Sheppard, our own parishioner and bookkeeper, for her help in completing and sending the Financial Return Form to the Diocese for the year ending 31st December 2025. I am also grateful to her for the amount of time she gives to help me maintain our parish books.
Thank you also to all those who contribute their time to manage the parish’s financial matters (Gift-aid Organiser, Parish Finance Committee, Parish Offertory Collection Counting Team, Collection Organisers & Pass-keepers). The parish operates sorely on your participation and generosity. I (Fr. Rodrigues) thank all those who, over the years, have attended the church of 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 and support in the future. In addition, I wish to thank you for your great enthusiasm and generous spirit demonstrated in your involvement in the life of our parish community. May God bless our efforts and create a community of faith that is alive in Christ and full of hope for the future.
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CHILDREN’S LITURGY
We will resume the Children’s Liturgy sessions from next weekend (Sunday 1st February 2026). I encourage parents, guardians & carers to bring their children to the church to participate in our children’s liturgy. Our young ones are the future of our parish. Their participation in parish activities, such as the children’s liturgy, is an important step in their faith formation. It is my humble and hearty request to parents, guardians & carers that you bring your children to a Sunday Mass on a regular basis.
We currently have a dedicated team of five 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. Two Liturgists attend each week to work with our young ones. We are looking for more volunteers. If any of you are interested in helping with the Children’s Liturgy Ministry on a Sunday, please contact Fr. Cirilo.
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pastoral planning committee meeting
Thank you to all those parishioners who joined me on Wednesday (21st January 2026) evening for our pastoral planning committee meeting and for their feedback on the topics discussed.
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR CHURCH BUILDING
& MAINTENANCE FUND NEXT WEEKEND
Next Sunday (1st February 2026), 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 February.
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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liturgy rota
Liturgy Rota for Readers (January – March 2026) 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.
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wellspring project
You will well remember that two years ago the Diocese of Motherwell launched a renewal project entitled ‘Wellspring” to encourage us respond with fervour to our baptismal calling by involving ourselves in the different ministries of our parish. The Parish needs your help to respond. Can you help us realise the vision of the wellspring project? I continue to encourage as many parishioners as possible to become involved in the day to day running of the parish. Current volunteering opportunities include Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, laundering the altar linens, arranging flowers and decorating the church, as altar servers, sacristans, help in cleaning the church, readers at Mass, ministers to help distribute Holy Communion, SVDP, as pass keepers, offertory collection organisers, children’s liturgy helpers, safe-guarding co-ordinators, website co-ordinators, crib builders, volunteers to help maintain church grounds and open and close the church, etc. We are fortunate we are a parish community that lends itself to getting involved. However, opportunities exist for more parishioners to give of their time to participate in some aspect of parish life.
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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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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
January 25h 2026 - “We pray for all who work in maternity units with expectant mothers, that they may recognise that God is truly with us in each unborn child.”
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Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us