​                                              Fourth Sunday Easter Year A    30th  April 2023
 
                                                                St John the Evangelist: Collections: 
First Collection GA £ 456.90 NGA £944.88             Monthly Standing Orders: £3,818.00                        
Building Fund GA £ 70.00                                                St Anthony £32.54                              
Second Collection 29th/30th April: Vocations and Ecclesiastical Students: This collection pays for our Paisley Seminarians studying in Rome.  Currently we have one student whose seminary fees are £20,000 per year. As well as supporting our seminarians this collection goes to the upkeep of our Scots College in Rome.
Funerals this week: Wed 3rd May. Clare Gilchrist, Thurs 4th May, John Lafferty. Fri 5th May, Minnie Monaghan.
First Communions: St John’s Primary 4 pupils will celebrate their First Holy Communion next Saturday the 6th of May at 10.00am and St Mark’s Primary 4 pupils the following Saturday the 13th of May also at 10.00am.
First Friday Children’s Rosary. This Friday the 6th May at 6.30pm. This is an opportunity, for children of all ages to gather together to pray the rosary. All families are invited to attend and pre- school children are very welcome. The idea is that children as young as 4 or 5 and up to around 14 can learn to lead the rosary and make the rosary part of their daily lives. The rosary only lasts around 15 minutes. Please contact Lesley Ward if you need any further information ([email protected] or call 07910266821).
 
First Friday Evening Mass: Mass after the Children’s Rosary at 7pm.
 
Qualified First Aiders required for Sunday Masses. This would involve obtaining a PVG, which would be arranged by the Paisley Diocese. Please see Fr Joe or Mary Hallan/Mary Murray if interested.
 
Pass keepers: We are looking for new Pass keepers to help with Offertory and Second Collections at Sunday Masses  and in particular the 11.30am & 5pm Mass. See one of existing pass keepers or Fr Joe if interested.
 
New Gift Aid Weekly & Second Collection Envelopes for 23-24: These are now available from the link corridor for those who pay tax.
 
First Fridays for Life - 5th May 7pm - St Mary's, Paisley: Will you fast and pray every First Friday for Life? Bishop John invites you to fast and pray on the First Friday of each month for the protection of the unborn child and the flourishing of the Pro-Life movement so that our society will build an authentic culture of life.
 
Family Night & Meal To welcome all our new parishioners and to give all parishioners a chance to meet and enjoy good food, there will be a dinner in the hall on Friday 19th May at 7pm. The idea is that everyone brings a dish of prepared food to share. Hopefully this will lead to a mix of traditional Scottish fayre and food from other countries such as Hong Kong, Nigeria, Poland, Italy, Singapore & Spain. The parish will supply the crockery, glasses and cutlery. There will also be some haggis neeps and tatties on offer. Please bring your own drinks (byob). Volunteers needed to help set up so please give your name to Fr Joe or contact Lesley Ward for further details ([email protected] 07910266821).  Please also contact Lesley (preferably by email) if you plan to attend so that we have an idea of numbers, ideally no later than 12 May 2023.
 
A Family Day with Mary – Sunday 14th May: Join families from throughout the Diocese at St. John’s, for an afternoon of celebration in honour of Mary our Mother which includes prayer, activity and games for children. The day will begin with refreshments at 2pm, and concludes with Holy Mass at 4pm celebrated by Bishop John.
No 5pm Mass on this day.
 
Teas/Coffees: There are teas/coffees after the 10.00am Mass this weekend and on every weekend up until the school summer holidays.
 
Eastertide Flowers: To defray the costs, you may wish to place a donation in the flower box in the porch. Thank you.
 
We pray for those who have died recently: Clare Gilchrist, John Lafferty, Minnie Monaghan and for the Anniversaries of Sadie Cunningham, Helen Monaghan, Janet Mullen, John Mc Gorrian, Matilda Mc Gorrian, Maurice Mc Guire, William Mc Master, James Mc Shane, Bert Readie, Alexander Young.
 
 
 
Good-Shepherd Sunday 2023
Bishop’s Pastoral Letter
 
Dear brothers and sisters,
 
Today our Church celebrates Good Shepherd Sunday and World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life.
 
This year we celebrate the tenth anniversary of Pope Francis in the See of St. Peter and ten years of much change in our society, our Church and, of course, our Diocese.
 
Among the most memorable moments for Pope Francis was his visit to the United States of America where he was accorded the honour of being the first Pope invited to address a joint session of Congress.
 
His speech that day touched on key events in the history of America – the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement and the country’s emergence as a global superpower.  America was a place of dreams, which inspired participation, commitment, action and freedom; dreams that awaken the deepest and truest hopes of our lives and times.
 
Pope Francis reflected on those Americans whose dreams had shaped their nation: Abraham Lincoln with his dream of liberty; Martin Luther King and his dream of racial harmony; Dorothy Day with her dream of social justice, and Thomas Merton with his dream of a spirituality in tune with God’s presence in our world.
 
In our time, we have our own dreamers: people who inspire us; whose vision speaks to us; who, despite the difficulties of the present moment, encourage us to believe in a brighter and fairer future for the human family. For me, Pope Francis is one of these dreamers.
 
But what does God dream for us, for our lives, our communities and our world?  For Pope Francis, the call to priesthood is a call to make God’s dreams come true.
 
Our priests are our dreamers too.  In their commitment to the teaching of the Church, in their celebration of the Sacraments, in their care for the poor, and their love for the Gospel of life, our priests lead us to believe that one family of humanity is not just wishful thinking or pie in the sky, but the very dream God has created us to live and enjoy.  
 
Eastertide is the season where death turns to life and fear to hope. It is always a time of dreams.  For some, it is a time to let go of old and tired dreams; for others, it is a time to embrace new dreams and visions.
 
I wonder what God dreams for your life; if you dream of being part of God’s plan for the world; if our parishes can be places where the dream of serving God is nurtured and sustained; if some of you can dream of service in the Priesthood?
 
Today, amid the dramatic events of our time, I pray that you, God’s Holy People, hear His dream for you and respond to it with love, generosity and faith. 
 
May the light of the Holy Spirit help us so that we play our unique part in God’s dream for our Church and our world.
 
 
Yours in Christ,
 Bishop John 

                               Third Sunday Easter Year A    23rd April 2023
 
                                 St John the Evangelist: Collections: 
First Collection GA £ 459.80. NGA £827.28           Monthly Standing Orders: £3,818.00                        
Building Fund GA £ 91.00                                                    St Anthony £40.60       
                       
Second Collection 29th/30th April: Vocations and Ecclesiastical Students: This collection pays for our Paisley Seminarians studying in Rome.  Currently we have one student whose seminary fees are £20,000 per year. As well as supporting our seminarians this collection goes to the upkeep of our Scots College in Rome.

Qualified First Aiders required for Sunday Masses. This would involve obtaining a PVG, which would be arranged by the Paisley Diocese. Please see Fr Joe or Mary Hallan/Mary Murray if interested.
 
Eastertide Flowers: If you would like to defray the expenses of the Eastertide flowers, you can place monies into the flower box in the porch. We also take this opportunity to thank Mairi Goodwin who is stepping down due to ongoing health reasons.
 
New Gift Aid Weekly & Second Collection Envelopes for 23-24: These are now available from the link corridor for those who pay tax.
 
Sacrament of Confirmation for St Johns/Marks Primary 7 Pupils: This will take place here in St Johns this Thursday 28th April at 6.30pm. Please keep the children and sponsors and families in your daily prayers.
 
Funeral this week: John Lafferty on Friday 28th at 11am. (provisional).
Fr Jonathan will celebrate Mass for S3 of St Luke’s High School as part of their day retreat at 10am.
 
Rethink Abortion Interactive Training Day: To learn to have more productive conversations on abortion and get equipped to deal with real life scenarios.  Clarify your own beliefs and become more effective in your pro-life communication.  Sat 13th May from 10am-5pm in Turnbull Hall Catholic Chaplaincy, 15 Southpark Terrace.  For more info or to book a place go to https://www.marchforlife.co.uk/rethink-abortion/ Tickets are £25 with lunch included.
 
"First Communicant Retreat Day: This will be held this Sunday 23 April 9am - 15.30pm. This retreat aims to give the children a chance to encounter Jesus in an intimate way before their First Holy Communion. It will include catechism, meditation and Mass. Please bring a packed lunch for the children attending the retreat.
 
Diocesan Young Adults (18-35) In the next talk, Male and Female He Created Them, Fr Emmet O’Dowd will discuss the Catholic understanding of the human person and some contemporary ideological challenges. Please arrive at the Diocesan Office before 7pm this Wednesday 25th April. The talk will be followed by an opportunity to socialise over drinks in a local bar. Details of future talks in the series can be found on Facebook.
 
Film Cross Mountain: One night only at Cineworld Cinema, Parkhead on Tues 25th April @7.30pm. Buy tickets at TicketSource CrossMountain. Film is about 8 young adults who go on Pilgrimage to Cross Mountain, Medugorje that completely transformed their lives.
 
Social Security Scotland: There are information sheets in the porch for Funeral Support Payment available for those on certain benefits or tax cuts.
There are also information sheets for Adult Disability Payment, extra money to help if you have a long- term illness or a disability that affects your every- day life.
 
A Family Day with Mary – Sunday 14th May: Join families from throughout the Diocese at St. John’s, for an afternoon of celebration in honour of Mary our Mother which includes prayer, activity and games for children. The day will begin with refreshments at 2pm, and concludes with Holy Mass at 4pm celebrated by Bishop John.
No 5pm Mass on this day.
 
We pray for those who have died recently: Clare Gilchrist, John Lafferty, Minnie Monaghan, the 3 months mind of Catherine Mc Lachlan, the 6 months mind of Anna Breslin and for the Anniversaries of James Bisland, Edward & Mary Brady, Jim Cassidy, Barbara & John Clyde, Margaret Ellis, Christopher Gribben, Theresa Haggerty, Edward Hone, Patrick, Patricia & Susan Hone, Theresa Hood, James Hunter, Barbara Mc Aleavy, Tony Mc Cann, Gerard & Marie Mc Guire, Agnes & Patrick Mc Kenna, Fr John Mc Namara, (O.C.D) James & Mary Mc Sorley.
 
 
 
 
 

                                                             Divine Mercy Sunday A    16th April 2023
 
                                                                St John the Evangelist: Collections: 
First Collection GA £ 484.00 NGA £1202.87         Monthly Standing Orders: £3,818.00                        
Building Fund GA £ 109.00.                                               St Anthony £67.01                              
Holy Places: £971.16
 
St Anthony’s Box March: £341.74 was raised throughout March and the first week of April and has been sent to Mary’s Meals.
 
Eastertide Flowers: If you would like to defray the expenses of the Eastertide flowers, you can place monies into the flower box in the porch.
 
New Gift Aid Weekly & Second Collection Envelopes for 23-24: These are now available from the link corridor for those who pay tax. For those who pay by Standing Order on the First Collection, there are Gift Aid envelopes for the 12 Monthly Building Fund and Diocesan Special Collections (9).  
 
St. Conval’s Cemetery Mass: The Cemetery Mass will take place this Sunday 16th April at 2pm, celebrated by Bishop John. All welcome. There will be a link available to be able to watch from home if you cannot participate in person. 
 
Divine Mercy Sunday Celebration Sunday 16 April 2023 4 p.m. – St Mary’s Church, Paisley: There will be a Holy Hour at 4 p.m. led by Fr Michael Kane. Confessions will be available during the Holy Hour and then Holy Mass will be celebrated after the Holy Hour by Bishop Keenan at 5 p.m. In one of the most extraordinary homilies of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II repeated three times that St Faustina is "God's gift to our time, the "bridge to the third millennium
Funeral this week: John (Ian) Grady on Thursday 20th April at 10.00am.
SPUC Pro-Life Chain:  We will peacefully witness to over 10 million lives lost to abortion in this country since the Abortion Act came into effect in 1968. This takes place on Saturday 22 April at Lothian Road, Edinburgh from 11:00 – 13:00 There will be a Rosary offered by Archbishop Leo Cushley at 10:00 in Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston, ahead of the chain. Refreshments will be available after the event.
Rethink Abortion Interactive Training Day: To learn to have more productive conversations on abortion and get equipped to deal with real life scenarios.  Clarify your own beliefs and become more effective in your pro-life communication.  Sat 13th May from 10am-5pm in Turnbull Hall Catholic Chaplaincy, 15 Southpark Terrace.  For more info or to book a place go to https://www.marchforlife.co.uk/rethink-abortion/ Tickets are £25 with lunch included.
 
Sacred Heart Companions Prayer Group: Next meeting this Tuesday 18th April from 1pm-2pm in Oratory.
 
"First Communicant Retreat Day: This will be held next Sunday 23 April 9am - 15.30pm. This retreat aims to give the children a chance to encounter Jesus in an intimate way before their First Holy Communion. It will include catechism, meditation and Mass. Please bring a packed lunch for the children attending the retreat.
 
Diocesan Young Adults (18-35) Our series of talks, In God's Image: A Defence of Catholic Moral Teaching, continues on Wed 26th April. In the next talk, Male and Female He Created Them, Fr Emmet O’Dowd will discuss the Catholic understanding of the human person and some contemporary ideological challenges. Please arrive at the diocesan office before 7pm. The talk will be followed by an opportunity to socialise over drinks in a local bar. Details of future talks in the series can be found on Facebook.
 
Film Cross Mountain: One night only at Cineworld Cinema, Parkhead on Tues 25th April @7.30pm. Buy tickets at TicketSource CrossMountain. Film is about 8 young adults who go on Pilgrimage to Cross Mountain, Medugorje that completely transformed their lives.
 
We pray for those who have died recently: John (Ian) Grady, Anne Kelly, John Lafferty and for the Anniversaries of John Bentley, Nan Brady, Margaret Conafray, Eamon Delaney, John Delaney, Marietta Felletti, Sharon Giblin, Christopher Lunday, Robin Millar, Helen Mullaney, Thomas Mc Allister, David, Robert & Susan Mc Carthy.
 
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                                                              Easter Sunday A    9th  April  2023
 
                                                                St John the Evangelist: Collections: 
First Collection GA £ 450.00 NGA £971.21            Monthly Standing Orders: £3,818.00                        
Building Fund GA £ 409.50. NGA £507.39                                                St Anthony £ 64.00                              
 
New Gift Aid Weekly & Second Collection Envelopes for 23-24: These are now available from the link corridor for those who pay tax. For those who pay by Standing Order on the First Collection, there are Gift Aid envelopes for the 12 Monthly Building Fund and Diocesan Special Collections (9).  If you pay tax and you haven’t already signed a Gift Aid declaration for the parish, please do so. All your contributions will be augmented by 25% at no cost to you. In the year 2021-2022, the Gift Aid on contributions amounted to £18,000.
SPUC Pro-Life Chain:  We will peacefully witness to over 10 million lives lost to abortion in this country since the Abortion Act came into effect in 1968. This takes place on Saturday 22 April at Lothian Road, Edinburgh from 11:00 – 13:00 There will be a rosary offered by Archbishop Leo Cushley at 10:00 in Sacred Heart Church, Lauriston ahead of the chain. Refreshments will be available after the event.
Rethink Abortion Interactive Training Day: To learn to have more productive conversations on abortion and get equipped to deal with real life scenarios.  Clarify your own beliefs and become more effective in your pro-life communication.  Sat 13th May from 10am-5pm in Turnbull Hall Catholic Chaplaincy, 15 Southpark Terrace.  For more info or to book a place go to https://www.marchforlife.co.uk/rethink-abortion/ Tickets are £25 with lunch included.
 
Sacred Heart Companions Prayer Group: Next meeting now moved to Tuesday 18th April from 1pm-2pm in Oratory.
 
"First Communicant Retreat Day: This will be held on Sunday 23 April 2023, 9am - 15.30pm. This retreat aims to give the children a chance to encounter Jesus in an intimate way before their First Holy Communion. It will include catechism, meditation and Mass. Please bring a packed lunch for the children attending the retreat.
 
Welcome to our Newly Baptised & Confirmed: Siu Mui Cheung & Hi Tung Cheung. Ian Thomson who was initiated into the Catholic Church. Kwan-Yiu Lee, Tsz To Yiu who were Baptised and received First Communion. Kin Fei Yiu, who was Baptised. Flourish Ibe and Michelle Chimdinma Don- Opute who were Confirmed and Nellie Ibe who received First Communion. Thank you to our Catechists for their devotion and commitment in preparing these Catechumens/Candidates.
 
St. Conval’s Cemetery Mass: The Cemetery Mass will take place on Sunday 16th April at 2pm, celebrated by Bishop John. All welcome. There will be a link available to be able to watch from home if you cannot participate in person. 
 
Divine Mercy Sunday Celebration Sunday 16 April 2023 4 p.m. – St Mary’s Church, Paisley.
 There will be a Holy Hour at 4 p.m. led by Fr Michael Kane. Confessions will be available during the Holy Hour and then Holy Mass will be celebrated after the Holy Hour by Bishop Keenan at 5 p.m. In one of the most extraordinary homilies of his pontificate, Pope John Paul II repeated three times that St Faustina is "God's gift to our time, the "bridge to the third millennium." The Lord is offering you forgiveness of your sins if you recite the Novena to the Divine Mercy from Good Friday until Holy Saturday, attend confessions, venerate the picture of Divine Mercy and attend Holy Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist. What a promise from the Lord. All are welcome.
 
Diocesan Young Adults (18-35) Our series of talks, In God's Image: A Defence of Catholic Moral Teaching, continues on Wed 26th April. In the next talk, Male and Female He Created Them, Fr Emmet O’Dowd will discuss the Catholic understanding of the human person and some contemporary ideological challenges. Please arrive at the diocesan office before 7pm. The talk will be followed by an opportunity to socialise over drinks in a local bar. Details of future talks in the series can be found on Facebook.
 
Holy week and Easter Liturgies: Thank you to all who gave of their time by cleaning the Church, arranging the beautiful flowers and to the sacristans, altar servers, choirs, pass keepers, readers & extra-ordinary eucharistic ministers who carried out their ministries with such diligence and fidelity. Your service is very much appreciated.
 
We pray for those who have died recently: John (Ian) Grady Eileen Lynagh, John Morrow, Alexis Mc Creath and for the Anniversaries of John Gray, Hannah Hughes, John Hughes, Jeannie Kelly, James Kierney, Hugh Lynch, Ann Miller, John & Walter Mc Cready, Kathleen Pieczara, Robert Phillips, Baby Patricia Reynolds, Nancy Wilson.