sixth SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (a)
READINGS FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (A)
First Reading – (Sirach 15: 15-20) – This reading tells us that God wants us to do good, not evil, with our lives. Nevertheless, he has left us free to choose one or the other. With the help of his grace we can choose the good.
Responsorial Psalm – Blessed are those who walk in the law of the Lord!
Second Reading – (1 Corinthians 2:6-10) – St. Paul says something we should try to imprint on our minds and hearts. He says: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard… all that God has prepared for those who love.’
Gospel Reading – (Matthew 5: 17-37) – In this reading Jesus clarifies our ideas about true morality, which is obedience to God’s law out of a motive of love.
* * * * * * * * * *
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus calls us to a righteousness that goes deeper than mere outward compliance, and urges us to align our hearts with the love of God. Let us now bring our prayers before God the Father, asking for the grace of integrity in our lives, our Church, and our world.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the Church: that all who teach and lead may guide us in the spirit of the Gospel, upholding the dignity of every person. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for world leaders: that they may turn away from injustice and conflict, working instead for peace, reconciliation and the common good. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for all who are preparing for sacraments in the coming months: that they and their parents may be strengthened in their commitment to the faith of their Baptism. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for each one of us here present: that we may always strive to put the Lord’s law into practice and reach out to those in need. 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, you know our hearts better than we know them ourselves. Cleanse us from all hypocrisy, and grant us the integrity to live by your law of love in all that we say and do. We make this prayer and all our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen
* * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * *
RECENTLY DEAD – John Casey (Requiem Mass, Tuesday 3rd March 2026 at 10am), Ian Martin, Margaret O’Rourke, Eileen Baird, Thomas Brownlee, Claire McMillan & Michael Hartley.
ANNIVERSARIES – Erika Clark ((7th Anniversary), Patrick Dolan (8th Anniversary) & David O’Hare.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES - FEBRUARY
Rev. Bartholomew Flynn 25/02/1949
Rev. Dermott McMullan 01/02/1960
Rev. Michael Maher 02/02/1970
Rev Richard Lillis 12/02/1973
Rev. Joseph Martin 28/02/1991
Rev. James J. Keegan 03/02/1999
Rev. Walter Scott 01/02/2013
Very Rev. Kieran O’Farrell 17/02/2014
Rev. Sean O’Shea 19/02/2018
Very Rev. Andrew Canon Reen 16/02/2019
May the Lord who chose them to serve him as priests,
number them among his chosen in heaven.
Requiescant in Pace.
* * * * * * * * * *
ash wednesday
Wednesday of this week, 18th February 2026, is Ash Wednesday. It is a day of Fasting and Abstinence. Mass with the Blessing and Distribution of Ashes will take place in St. Cadoc’s at 10am & 6pm.
The Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. Lent is the season of fasting, prayer and penance. During the six-week period, we prepare to celebrate the Paschal Mystery: the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord. I encourage you all to prepare your hearts and minds during this season of grace and blessing by joining in prayer and participating in the liturgical and communal prayer experiences offered by the parish.
* * * * * * * * * *
day of prayer for victims
& survivors of abuse
The Catholic Church in Scotland will again keep the Friday after Ash Wednesday, 20th February 2026, as our Day of Prayer for those who have suffered, or are suffering, from abuse of all forms. We continue to pray especially for victims of abuse within the Church, for healing and consolation for those who have been so gravely wronged.
* * * * * * * * * *
calendar
Tuesday is the memorial of the seven young men in 13th century Italy who joined together to found the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, commonly known today as the Servite Order. They devoted their lives and ministry to evangelisation through prayer and penance. The Order is to be found in Scotland today at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Dundee. They are the custodians of the national shrine of St. Peregrine – patron saint of Cancer sufferers. In Argyll & the Isles they honour on Wednesday St Colman of Lindisfarne, (one of 300 saints of that name in the Irish martyrologies), an Iona monk who became Bishop/Abbot of Lindisfarne in Northumbria before migrating with followers to his native Ireland because he disapproved of accepting the Roman date for Easter. On Saturday we recall St Peter Damian, a 10th century monk and reformer of great holiness, who renounced the Cardinalate bestowed on him.
* * * * * * * * * *
first confessions
Please pray for the young people of our parish whose parents are offering them for First Reconciliation on Tuesday 3rd of March 2026 from St. Charles’ Primary School at 6.30pm and Thursday 5th of March 2026 from St. Cadoc’s Primary School at 6.30pm in St. Cadoc’s Church.
* * * * * * * * * *
collection for the sick
& retired priests’ fund
The annual collection to help support the Sick and Retired Priests of the diocese will be taken up at all Masses for the next two weeks (14th/15th February 2026 & 21st/22nd February 2026) beginning today. This collection ensures our elderly and sick priests are financially supported in their senior years, after years of service to God and their parishioners.
Our priests baptised us, counselled us in times of sorrow, and celebrated with us in times of joy. Since we have received so much from their generosity, it is now our turn to assist them in their old age. By giving to the sick and retired priests’ fund, you can ensure that their housing, medical, convalescence, companionship and spiritual support needs are met.
A box intended for this worthwhile cause is situated at the back of the church for the next two weeks beginning this weekend. Please be generous as you can in your support of this appeal and please continue to pray for our clergy - active, retired and ill, as well as those who have passed on.
* * * * * * * * * *
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. Eugenio Montesi Fr. Wullie Hattie & Fr. Lawrie Ryan, Xaverian Missionary priests, for their time and help over the past two weeks. Their assistance and dedication were 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.
* * * * * * * * * *
confirmations
The Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred on the upper-Primary parishioners from the parish communities of St. Cadoc’s and St. Bride’s attending St. Charles’ Primary School by Bishop Joseph Toal this year on Thursday 26th March 2026 at 7pm in St. Cadoc’s. 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.
* * * * * * * * * *
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place at 10am Mass (except school holidays). 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.
* * * * * * * * * *
SCIAF WEE BOX LENEN APPEAL 2026
During this year’s Lenten appeal SCIAF will be focusing on the country of Ethiopia, where decades of progress is being undone by conflict, droughts, floods and cuts to international aid. Millions are being pushed back into poverty, essential services are collapsing, children are going hungry, and clean water – the most vital resource for life – is becoming harder to access. Yet there is hope. Through SCIAF and our local Church partners, your generosity can make a real difference. Water sources bring life to communities, help young people receive an education, and support families recovering from conflict and disasters. Beyond water, SCIAF support families to grow food, rebuild homes and access healthcare.
Pope Leo XIV reminds us that the poor are at the heart of the Church’s mission; that faith and love for the poor cannot be separated.
As we enter the season of Lent in February 2026, SCIAF is asking you once again to help those who are less fortunate by supporting their WEE BOX LENTEN APPEAL. The boxes should be handed in at the end of Lent.
* * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * *
financial assistance to help with rising energy bills (gas & electricity)
We are moving into the final month of winter until spring arrives. 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.
* * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * *
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.
* * * * * * * * * *
right to life uk: praying for the unborn
& women facing crisis pregnancies
Sunday 15th February 2026 - “We pray for all considering abortion. We pray that the love and kindness of those around them would support pregnant women everywhere to continue with their pregnancy and find peace and joy in what the future holds.”
* * * * * * * * * *
Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us