SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL (A)
READINGS FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER AND PAUL (A)
First Reading – (Acts 12:1-11) - Peter is imprisoned by king Herod Agrippa, and left chained in a dungeon; but through an angel God sets him free to continue his work of leading the church.
Responsorial Psalm – From all my terrors the Lord will set me free.
Seconding Reading – (2 Tm 4:6-8, 17-18) - In his prison cell, Paul feels that his time of departure from this life has come, and looks forward to the “crown of righteousness,” promised to all who serve God faithfully.
Gospel – (Mt 16:13-19) - At Caesarea Philippi, Peter declares his faith in Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God;” for this, he is appointed to lead the Church and given the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.
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PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
INTROUCTION: Dear brothers and sisters, as we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, we give thanks for these two foundational pillars of our Church. Inspired by their fearless faith and unwavering devotion, let us place our prayers and those of the Church and the world before God the Father.
The response is… Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for the leaders of the Church: that they may be fearless and humble leaders who guide the Church through the challenges of our time, remaining steadfast in the truth of the Gospel. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for world leaders and peace: that they may be guided to put aside hostilities, working tirelessly for justice and enduring peace among all nations, just as Peter and Paul transcended their cultural and personal differences to build the early Church. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for missionaries who serve Jesus and his Church in places of danger or in the face of persecution or under difficult political conditions: that God may help them to faithfully proclaim the Good News and console them in times of loneliness and discouragement. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for those affected by the powerful earthquake in Venezuela: that those who have died may have eternal life, and those that were spared may receive the medical care, food and shelter which they urgently need. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for teachers, students and pupils as our schools, colleges and universities conclude another academic year: that they may have a safe and restful summer and be safeguarded from all harm. Lord, hear us; Lord graciously hear us.
╬ We pray for ourselves: that we may be granted the courage to live out the Gospel in our daily lives and the strength to share God’s love openly in our families, workplaces, and local communities without fear of judgment. 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 the courageous witness of Saints Peter and Paul. Help us to follow their example of faith, courage, and love, dedicating our lives to your Gospel. 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 – Margaret McGeachie, 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 – Sadie Cunningham, Jim McGuinness & Sharon Kearney.
MONTHS MIND – Rose Gallagher (4th Months Mind), John Kelly (6th Months Mind) & William McCafferty.
ANNIVERSARIES – Joseph Cullie (17th Anniversary), James Connor & Cathie Farrell.
Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they Rest in Peace. Amen.
CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES – JUNE
Rev. Eugene Murray 26/06/53
Rev. Michael O’Brien 11/06/56
Rt. Rev. Bishop Edward Douglas 12/06/67
Rev. John Vincent Murray 27/06/72
Rt. Rev. Mgr. John Canon Rooney 09/06/74
Very Rev. George Canon Mulle 28/06/90
Rev. James McGlinchey 26/06/91
Very Rev. John Canon Moss 25/06/92
Rev. John McMurray 03/06/01
His Eminence Cardinal Thomas J Winning 17/06/01
Rev. John Joseph Delaney 20/06/01
Very Rev. Alphonsus Canon Woods 09/06/04
Very Rev. Michael Canon Ryan 03/06/16
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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SOLEMNITY OF SAINTS PETER & pAUL
Today, 28th June 2026, is the Solemnity of Saints Peter & Paul. The day commemorates the martyrdom of these two saints on this date since 354 AD. According to an ancient tradition, Peter (meaning Rock), the fisherman from Galilee, head of the Apostles, and first Pope, died by crucifixion in 67AD, the last year of the Emperor Nero’s reign. He was crucified at his own request with his head pointing downward, not considering himself worthy to die like Christ, his Master. Recent archaeological excavations confirm that his martyrdom took place on the Vatican Hill, which was once home to Nero’s Circus, and the site of the Papal Basilica which is dedicated in his honour today. Saul (later Paul) of Tarsus in modern-day Turkey was a Pharisee and persecutor of Christians; he had been present in Jerusalem at the death of St. Stephen, the first martyr. He was converted after an extraordinary experience on the road to Damascus in Syria. From there he went to see Peter in Jerusalem. Soon afterwards, he set off on the first of three missionary journeys that would take him to Syria, Turkey, Cyprus, Greece, Rome and Spain. He returned to Rome where he was beheaded outside the city walls in the year 67AD. The place of his martyrdom is commemorated today by the Basilica of St. Paul-Outside-The-Walls.
[With effect from 2 December 2018, the First Sunday of Advent, the Bishops of Scotland have made some changes to our calendar of Holy Days of Obligation - the first amendments in 32 years – and have been approved by the Holy See. The days are: Feast of SS Peter and Paul (29 June) and Feast of the Assumption (15 August). Where the Holy Days of SS Peter and Paul and the Assumption fall on a Saturday or Monday they will be transferred to the Sunday. All Saints Day will move to the Sunday if it falls on a Saturday, but not if it falls on a Monday, this is to ensure that All Saints and All Souls fall on consecutive days.]
Tomorrow (Monday), I will be twenty-one years ordained. As I reflect on these years of ministry, I give thanks to God for the profound gift of my vocation. I am deeply grateful to all those communities and institutions in which I have been a part over the years and who have supported and encouraged me and let me serve them in God’s name. Please keep me in your prayers as I continue this journey of serving the Lord and his people.
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THANK YOU
Summer holidays are upon us and in the next few days and weeks many of us will be going away to recharge our batteries with a few weeks of well-deserved change and rest. My hope is that you will manage to get some rest during the summer weeks.
I take this opportunity to say thank you to so many parishioners and well-wishers of St. Cadoc’s who are actively involved in the day to day running of the parish for their time, energy and commitment – 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 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. In truth you are the heart of the parish. Your faith and commitment are an inspiration and I appreciate the involvement of so many people at so many different levels in parish life. Your loyalty to the parish coupled with your practical concern and initiatives contributing to its spiritual and material wellbeing are deeply appreciated.
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. In the coming summer weeks and months, I hope you keep well and wish you all a safe summer! – Fr. Jose Cirilo Rodrigues
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SECOND COLLECTION FOR THE WORK OF THE APOSTOLATE OF LIFE (DAY FOR LIFE)
This will be the last weekend if you would like to contribute for the work of the Apostolate of the Pro-Life.
Day for Life is a day in the Church’s year dedicated to raising awareness about the meaning and value of human life at every stage and in every condition. The Church teaches that life is to be nurtured from conception to natural death. In Scotland we keep our Annual Day for Life on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 31st May. Once again, this year, our Bishops have asked us to reflect on pro-life issues and to continue promoting and defending the dignity and sanctity of human life. This relates especially to, in the mother’s womb and at other vulnerable stages. We are also encouraged to contribute financially to help the various agencies which promote the pro-life cause.
This year’s theme is ‘The Wonder of the Child in the Womb’ and reflects on the humanity of the unborn child and acknowledges, with compassion, the deep grief experienced by parents who lose a child before or shortly after birth.
A box intended for the work of the Apostolate of Life is situated at the back of the church. I hope you will contribute with your usual generosity to this worthwhile cause.
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LITURGY ROTA
Liturgy rota for Readers (July – September 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.
While our 10am Sunday Mass is well-covered, we urgently require volunteer readers for the Vigil Saturday Mass and 11.30am Sunday Mass. Sharing the scriptures is a beautiful way to serve your parish family. If you can help us in the reading ministry, please let Anne Moran or me know before or after any of the weekend Masses.
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CLERGY ANNIVERSARIES
Fr. Gerard Chromy & Fr. Stuart Parkes, sons of the Parish of St. Cadoc’s. Halfway, will be celebrating their special ordination anniversaries.
The Golden Jubilee Mass for Fr Gerard Chromy will take place in St. Joseph’s Church, Blantyre, on Thursday 2nd July at 7pm. The Silver Jubilee Mass for Fr Stuart Parkes will take place at Sacred Heart Church, Bellshill, on Monday 6th July at 7pm. We wish both Fr. Chromy & Fr. Parkes joy and blessings on their special occasion. May God continue to bless them in the work he called them to and may his constant love guide them along their future way.
Fr. Chromy and Fr Stuart extend a warm invitation to everyone to celebrate their respective Jubilees with them.
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A HAPPY SUMMER HOLIDAY
As we come to the last week of the school year, I wish our children and young people, their families and staff of our Primary Schools of St. Cadoc’s and St. Charles’ and the associated Trinity High School, and children attending schools elsewhere a restful and peaceful summer holiday. May they return from the summer break feeling refreshed and ready to take on new challenges in the new academic year in the middle of August.
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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
28th June 2026 - (Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul) - “On Wednesday, we celebrated the Nativity of St John the Baptist. We pray that, like St John the Baptist leaping in his mother’s womb, we may recognise Christ in our neighbour, especially the unborn.
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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