second sunday of easter (A)


READINGS FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER (A)
First Reading – (Acts 2:42-47) – ‘By their fruits you shall know them’ – so Jesus said. The first Christians showed the kind of faith they had by the way they lived.
Responsorial Psalm – Give praise to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures for ever.
Second Reading – (1 Peter 1: 3-9) – We base our hope of eternal glory on the resurrection of Christ from the dead. This hope helps us to bear the trials of life with joy.
Gospel Reading – (John 20:19-31) – By touching the wounds of the risen Jesus Thomas’ doubt is turned into belief.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, as we continue to celebrate the Resurrection, we are confident that Christ intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. With faith in his mercy, we offer our prayers to God the Father for our own needs and those of the Church and the world.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the church: that we may remain steadfast in the teaching of the apostles and the communal life of the breaking of bread, witnessing to the risen Lord. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for world peace: that the risen Christ, who brings peace, may guide leaders to end conflict and violence, especially in troubled regions. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for those young people of our parish who are to receive the Lord Jesus in Holy Communion for the first time in weeks to come: that they may always love him with all their hearts and forever live faithfully. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for ourselves on this Divine Mercy Sunday: that we may renew our commitment to compassion, love, mercy and forgiveness in all our dealings with our family, neighbours and particularly those who may have injured or offended us in the past. 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 Easter remembrances, 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 acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and our God. Through him, grant all that we have asked you today. 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 – David Tarelli, Alex McLeod, 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 – Patricia Gault (Requiem Mass, Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 10am), Frances Hourigan (Body Reception, Tuesday 21st April 2026 at 6pm; Requiem Mass, Wednesday 22nd April 2026 at 10m), Laura Anne Stuart, William Darroch, Tom Amos, Rona McPhee, James Burke, Jamie McNulty Neil Hastings, Michael Fallon & Frank Campbell.
MONTHS MIND – Rose Gallagher, Peter, Harry & Andrew Harkin.
ANNIVERSARIES – Patrick Dolan (47th Anniversary), Catherine & Joan Hughes, Thomas Mochan, Betty Gallagher, Lizzie Cameron, Dennis & Mary Brennan.
EASTER REMEMBRANCES – James & Bella Connor, Kevin Coyle, John, James, Danny & Manus Coyle, Margaret McEwan, Connor & Coyle Families, David O’Hare (Snr & Jnr) & Esther O’Hare, Charlie Rafferty & Betty Peacock, Helen Boyle, Theresa Boyle, Christine Elliot, Neil & Christina Kelly, Coyle & McInulty Families.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – APRIL
Rev. John O’Callaghan 15/04/1955
Rev. Edward Lafferty 05/04/1958
Rev. Charles Doherty 23/04/1982
Rev. James Flynn 11/04/1985
Very Rev. Hugh Cahill 11/04/1990
Rev. Lawrence Kenny 13/04/1992
Rt. Rev. Mgr. John Conroy 20/04/1994
Rt. Rev. Mgr. John Gillen 16/04/1995
Very Rev. Christopher Condon 08/04/1996
Very Rev. Anthony McGurk 29/04/1997
Rev. Bernard Mahoney 03/04/1998
Rev. Denis Power 28/04/1999
Rt. Rev. Mgr. Alex Devaney 18/04/2004
Rev. Michael Gallagher 23/04/2007
Very Rev. Patrick Moss 18/04/2014
Rt. Rev. Mgr. Jack Burns 11/04/2017
Rev. Richard J. Rodgers 10/04/2020
Canon Michael Walsh 28/04/2022
Rev Damien Gilhooley 10/04/2023
Rev George Donaldson 29/04/2023
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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DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY
Today is the Octave Day of Easter and the conclusion of the eight days of solemn Easter celebrations. Eastertide, however, continues for another 42 days until the great Feast of Pentecost. In the ancient Church today was known as ‘Dominica in albis deponendis’, literally: ‘The Sunday of which the white garments are left aside’. This title reflects the fact that the neophytes (those who had been received into the Church at the Easter Vigil) who had worn their white Baptismal garments for the whole of the Octave, laid them aside today. In the English-speaking world today is sometimes known as ‘Low Sunday’ since it contrasts with the ‘High’ celebrations and festivities of Easter Sunday. More recently, it has acquired the title, ‘Divine Mercy Sunday’, relating to the renewal of an old devotion through the life and writings of St. Faustina Kowalska.
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THANK YOU MOST SINCERELY
A special thanks to the many people who contributed to the pastoral service of our community during Holy Week and also to all those who help during the year – Parish Pastoral Council, Finance Committee, our organists, those who look after the altar linens, altar servers, sacristans, flower arrangers and those who decorate the Church, the volunteers who clean the church, ministers of the Word and ministers of the Eucharist, SVDP members, those who look after the church stall, pass keepers, offertory collection and 400 club organisers, children’s liturgy helpers, safe-guarding co-ordinators, website co-ordinator, crib builders, our bookkeeper, housekeepers, those who help in the garden and maintain church grounds, those who look after the opening and closing of the church, and to the many individuals who give their time in so many ways to St Cadoc’s and whose work ensures the smooth running of the parish.
Apologies if I have missed out anyone in my acknowledgements; it was not intentional or deliberate. Every contribution you make in any way to St. Cadoc’s community is very much appreciated and valued. If you think you can help our parish in any way or in any area of parish life, do not hesitate to speak to me. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and generous spirit to become involved in the life of our parish community and I look forward to your ongoing assistance in the future. A sincere thanks too, to all who have sent me cards and gifts. May God bless you, and your family and friends, with peace in your hearts and in your homes this Easter. -- Fr. Jose Cirilo Rodrigues
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SECOND 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 April. 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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FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Saturday 25th April 2026 for St. Charles’' Primary School at 9.30am Mass and St. Cadoc’s Primary School at 11.30am Mass in St. Cadoc’s Church. The prayers of parishioners are requested for these young people and for their families that their first meeting with Jesus in the Eucharist may lead on to a life in his loyal service. Parents, guardians & carers of candidates for First Communion are reminded of the importance of attending the Sunday Mass faithfully each week.
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR KILBRYDE HOSPICE
We are once again invited by Bishop Toal to take up a special collection to help support the work of our local hospices. This year we will take up a collection for Kilbryde Hospice. This Hospice has been in existence since August 2018 providing Specialist Palliative Hospice Care to the population of South Lanarkshire. A special collection for Kilbryde Hospice will be taken at all Masses for the next two weekends (18th/19th April 2026 & 25th/26th April 2026).
A box intended for donations to help support the Hospice will be situated at the back of the church for the next two weeks beginning next weekend. Your kindness will help them to make a difference to the patients and their families who need their care and services. I hope you will, again, show generosity in helping the Kilbryde Hospice this year.
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PARISH WEBSITE
We thank Pat Moran for all his help in updating our parish website every week. Our website gets updated every weekend and, normally, includes a copy of the weekly Parish Bulletin.
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EASTER COLLECTION
Please support your parish’s ministry and help to maintain your Church and grounds by giving generously to our Easter collection. Special Easter Collection envelopes are situated in the porch. Gift-aid members should use the special offering envelope at the end of their book of envelopes; if they use a special Easter collection envelope, they should have their number added on it.
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LENT, HOLY WEEK & EASTER TRIDUUM
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all those who have volunteered as Readers & Eucharistic ministers to assist with Holy Week and the Easter Triduum services. A huge thank you also to stewards and others who have made themselves available to help with diverse tasks and responsibilities to ensure a smooth celebration of the most important days of the Church year.
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LITURGY ROTA
Liturgy rota for Readers (April – June 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. Thanks to Anne Moran for giving her time to prepare the readers rota. If you are able to be part of this important ministry, then please contact Mrs Moran or Fr. Cirilo.
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CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The Children’s Liturgy of the Word takes place at 10am Sunday Mass (except school holidays). 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. Once again, 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 will resume the Children’s Liturgy sessions again from Sunday 3rd May 2026 at 10am Sunday Mass after their Easter break and we will finish it for summer on Sunday 14th June 2026 with a tea party after 10am Mass in the church house.
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GIFT-AID
For those using offertory gift-aid envelopes, the new envelopes for the 2026-2027 tax year, which commenced on the weekend of (5th/6th April 2025), 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. Thanks to them and all others who have answered our appeal. 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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PASTORAL PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING
Our next pastoral planning committee meeting will take place on Wednesday (15th April 2026) at 7pm in the church house. Minutes of the last meeting and the agenda for the next meeting can be found on the notice board at the back of the church.
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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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HOLY WATER
Holy Water to take home is available in the sacristy room. You are welcome to take it from this location. Please bring a suitable container or a bottle and help yourself.
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COLLECTION FOR SCIAF
Collection for SCIAF realised £813.11. Thanks for your generosity. Thanks also to those who have returned their SCIAF wee boxes. If you have not already returned the box, can I encourage you to please return it to the sacristy/house by next Sunday (Second Sunday of Easter), or you may send them directly to SCIAF. Thank you also to Jennifer Adams who sorted out coins and carried them to the bank.
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annual insurance for church & presbytery
Our annual insurance renewal premium invoice for the Church and House for 2025/2026 is £2566.79.
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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
A core part of our mission is to be good neighbours, both to one another and to those who live around our church. A handful of our neighbours have reached out with concerns about their driveways being blocked by vehicles during our services and gatherings. Please be mindful of where you park to ensure you are not blocking access to our neighbours’ homes. Thank you for your kindness and cooperation.
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right to life uk: praying for the unborn
& women facing crisis pregnancies
April 12th 2026 (Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday) – “While we ponder the depth of the love of God present in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ, we pray that he would make us channels of His Divine Mercy, especially to those who may have suffered the loss of a baby.”
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an act of spiritual communion
(St. Alphonsus Liguori)
(This is a simple and loving act of Spiritual Communion we are called to make in these times,
while we are unable to attend Mass and receive the Eucharist)
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the
Most Holy Sacrament.
I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already there
and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
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prayer to st. michael
St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in the day of battle.
Be our safeguard against the wickedness
and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Hosts,
by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan, and all the evil spirits
who prowl the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.


Holy mary, mother of god,
st. Joseph,
st. Michael and holy angels,
ST. CADOC,
Pray for us