fourth sunday of lent (a)
READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (A)
First Reading – (1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13) - God chooses David, the last and the most insignificant of Jesse’s sons, to be king of Israel. This shows that whereas man looks at appearances God looks at the heart.
Responsorial Psalm – The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Second Reading – (Ephesians 5:8-14) - St Paul tells the Christians at Ephesus that once they were in darkness but now the light of Christ has dawned on them. Therefore, they must adopt a lifestyle which is appropriate to their new state.
Gospel Reading – (John 9:1-41) - Jesus is the light of the world. He not only gives sight to those who are physically blind, but the light of faith to those who are spiritually blind, provided they are open to receive it.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, confident that God the Father listens to all who devoutly follow him, let us now raise our voice to him and plead for his mercy.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for all Christians: that this Laetare Sunday may fill us with holy joy, strengthening our commitment to prayer, fasting, and charity as we journey toward Easter. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We continue to pray for an immediate end to violence and warfare in the Middle East: that a just solution to the ongoing conflicts may be found and peace, security and dignity be restored for all the people. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for SCIAF’s partners who work in poor communities overseas, strengthening those who struggle for justice: that they may walk more closely with them in the years ahead. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray on this Mothering Sunday for our mothers, living and dead, and all who take a mother’s role: that the Lord may reward them for their love. 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, we thank you for sending your only Son into the world to show us how to lead our lives. Help us as we strive to follow his example. 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 –Baby Archie Thomson, Alex McLeod, Rona McPhee, 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 – Rose Gallagher, Tom Amos, Joe McLaughlin, Margaret Quigley & Stephen Potter.
MONTHS MIND – Jenny McCafferty.
ANNIVERSARIES – Bella O’Donnell (30th Anniversary) & Edward O’Donnell, Charlie Coyle, Hugh & Peggy Rafferty, John & Mary Pearson & Dennis Stewart.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES - MARCH
Rev. Alexander McBride 10/03/1955
Rev. John Roger 09/03/1958
Canon Patrick McCarthy 15/03/1959
Rev. Michael Little 19/03/1960
Rev. James Walsh 05/03/1965
Rev. Hugh Mahon 05/03/1971
Archbishop James Donald Scanlan 25/03/1976
Rev. Sean Mannion 10/03/1982
Rev. James McGill 12/03/1982
Rev. James Dooley 21/03/1988
Mgr. John O’Donnell 03/03/1989
Canon Patrick Kelly 29/03/1989
Rev. Patrick Kilcoyne 07/03/1990
Rev. Denis Garrity 09/03/1993
Rev. Robert Healey 13/03/1994
Rev. Patrick Brosnan 26/03/1995
Rev. John Givens 19/03/2006
Rev. William Sproule 22/03/2010
Canon Kieran O’Farrell 17/03/2014
Canon Patrick O’Hare 30/03/2016
Rev. Deacon Angus McKinnon 09/03/2018
Fr Timothy Brosnan 13/03/2018
Canon Denis Keane 29/03/2020
Monsignor Thomas O’Hare 10/03/2022
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 lent
‘Rejoice, Jerusalem’, says the old entrance-antiphon, and today the joy of preparing for the Paschal Mystery is emphasised. The theme of joy also fits with the fine old Christian tradition of ‘Mothering Sunday’ when servants and others were allowed home to visit their mothers. (This derived from a liturgical reference and lies behind the modern ‘Mother’s Day’ custom.)
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LITURGIES FOR THE FOURTH WEEK OF LENT
q Daily Mass - Monday to Friday at 10am.
q Stations of the Cross – Wednesday at 9.30am, with Mass at 10am.
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calendar
On Tuesday we remember St Patrick, the 5th century British bishop whose missionary work in the north of Ireland began a cult which made him the major patron of that country. On Wednesday we have the 4th Century Bishop of Jerusalem, St Cyril, as renowned for his pastoral writings as for the liturgical initiatives which gave the Church its celebration of Holy Week and Easter. Thursday is the Solemnity of St Joseph, foster-father of Our Lord, who plays such a large part in the Infancy gospels.
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SCIAF SUNDAY
This Sunday (15th March 2026) we celebrate ‘SCIAF’ Sunday’, a day when we remember the poor and the needy of the world and show our solidarity with them by praying for them and by helping them financially. The annual collection for the work of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, which will be taken up at all Masses for the next two weekends of 14th/15th March 2026 and 21st/22nd March 2026, will go to help communities in 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.
Jennifer Adams, our own parishioner, will make an appeal at all Masses next weekend on behalf of SCIAF. A box intended for the SCIAF SUNDAY COLLECTION will be situated at the back of the church for the next two weeks beginning today. I hope you will contribute with your usual generosity to this collection.
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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.
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ST. PATRICK’S SOCIAL EVENING
Please join the Knights of Saint Columba for their annual St. Patrick’s Social Evening in St. Joseph’s Chapel Hall, Blantyre, on Friday 20th March 2026 from 7pm onwards. Tickets are just £10.00 and are available from Joe Mc Henry (07932419982).
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gift-aid
For those using offertory gift-aid envelopes, the new envelopes for the 2026 - 2027 tax year, which commences on the weekend of 4th/5th April 2026, are now available for collection at the stall. Gift-Aid members should put the date on the building fund envelope as the printer has not done this. May I ask those who haven’t done so, to collect them from the stall please?
We now have three additional parishioners who have recently signed for the Gift-Aid Scheme. We are still looking for new members. If you pay tax on income/pension the church can claim back the tax through the Gift-Aid Scheme. Forms are available at the back of the church if anyone wishes to join the scheme. If you have any queries about the Gift Aid system, please contact the parish Gift Aid organiser, Mr. Jim Cunningham 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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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.
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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 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.
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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
Sunday 15th March 2026 (Fourth Sunday of Lent) - “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.”
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Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us