Twenty Sixth Sunday Year A      1st October 23
 
                                                                                  Sunday Collections 
First Collection GA: £398.00 NGA: £827.25                          Monthly Standing Orders: £5,194.50
St Anthony’s Box: £92.73                                                                   Vocations GA £10.00 Pro-life GA £3.00
Building Fund GA: £35.00   
                                         Monthly Building Fund Collection:    This weekend 30th Sept /1st Oct
 
Annual Safeguarding Statement from Bishop John: Will be read before all Masses this weekend.
 
October Devotions: Rosary and Benediction at 3pm today.
 
Relics of Scottish Saints( St Andrew, St Columba & St Margaret) The relics are on a tour around Dioceses in Britain, in association with the Knights of St Columba. They will arrive in St Mirin's Cathedral on Sunday 1st October at 5pm. Evening Prayer will be prayed at this time, as the relics are welcomed. The relics will remain on view for private veneration until after 10am Mass on Tuesday morning. Bishop Keenan will celebrate Mass in the presence of the relics at 7pm on Monday 2nd October.
 
First Fridays for Life: 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 to protect the unborn child and for the flourishing of the Pro-Life movement so that our society will build an authentic culture of life. Join your priests throughout the Diocese on the First Friday of each month as we pray for life! To begin our next Novena of Masses for Life, Bishop John will offer Holy Mass in St Mirin's Cathedral, Paisley on Friday, the 6th of October, at 7pm ; Adoration & Confession from 6pm.
 
Parish Masses on First Friday, 6th October: 7.30 am and 10am. (Wednesday Worker’s Mass at normal time of 7.30am). No 7pm Mass to encourage people to attend the Monthly  Novena of Pro- Life Masses in the Diocese.
 
First Friday Children’s Rosary in St John’s: This Friday 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).
Divine Mercy Conference St Augustine’s, Coatbridge: Saturday 7th October with registration at 9.30am. Dana is the keynote speaker along with Prof Stephen McKinney, Fr Frankie Mulgrew.  Holy Hour and Holy Mass.
 
Marys Meals: At the moment they are using Mikey's Williams story (parishioner & pupil of St Marks) as fundraising inspiration on the website  https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/campaigns/move-for-meals So, he's going to do it all over again and add another 1k to his walk. 10k +1. The sponsor information is live on this link https://www.marysmeals.org.uk/fundraising#/detail/701P5000001tnu1IAA
 
Safeguarding Thought for the Month of October: We prioritise our Safeguarding commitments in the care and compassion we show and in the protection and healing we offer, to those who have survived abuse.
 
Bowling Event for Young Adults; Are you in your 20’s, 30’s or 40’s? Why not come along to our bowling event for young Catholic adults on Saturday 7th October at 7:30pm at Ten Pin Braehead. Our events are a great opportunity to come on your own and meet other young Catholics. Just email [email protected] for tickets or to join our mailing list and find out about future events.
 
Coffees/Teas: Each Sunday in the hall after the 10am Mass and on Tuesdays in the tea room after the 10am Mass.
 
We pray for those who have died recently: John Ferry, Margaret Irvine, Stephen Quinn and for the Anniversaries of Robert Cheney, Margaret D’Arcy, James Gerrard Gillespie, Margaret Haland, Francis Mc Carthy, Ann Mc Carney, Michael Mc Carney, John Mc Cool, Anthony Mc Lachlan, Harry Quinn, Margaret Stewart, John Weldon, Fr Patrick Rice (1983)

                                                      Twenty Fifth Sunday Year A      24th   September 23
 
                                                                                  Sunday Collections 
First Collection GA: £529.00 NGA: £867.54                         Monthly Standing Orders: £5,194.50
St Anthony’s Box: £51.92                                                                  Vocations GA £40.00 Pro-life GA £5.00
Building Fund GA: £35.00   
                                         Monthly Building Fund Collection:    Next weekend 30th Sept /1st Oct
 
Welcome to Fr Mc Gill: Fr Mc Gill arrived on Monday 18th and is settling down quickly to life here at St John’s and I am sure you will give him a warm welcome this weekend. Since we have two Fr Joes, in order not to cause confusion, we will use Surnames rather than First names.
 
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Meeting this Thursday 28th September at 7pm in the Church House for all those interested in enquiring about becoming a Catholic.
 
Monthly Divine Mercy Devotions: There will be a Divine Mercy Mass and Adoration on Wednesday 27 September 2023 at 7 p.m. at St Mary’s Church, 163 George Street, Paisley, PA1 2UN.
 
Coffee/Tea: Each Tuesday in the Tearoom after the 10am Mass, beginning this Tuesday 26th of September.
 
Parish Hall: Teas & Coffees in the hall after the 10am Mass every Sunday.
 
Massive threat to Religious Freedom- please contact your MSPS: The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, will introduce so-called buffer zones around abortion clinics. It bans prayer in certain areas, a massive attack on religious freedom and removes a lifeline for women who want to keep their babies but feel they have no other choice than abortion. Please contact your Member of the Scottish Parliament to make your views known. You can go to https:// www.spuc.org.uk/nobufferzonesscotland  . This webtool helps you edit the email template and submit to your MSP.
 
Stop the Assisted Dying Bill: Legalising assisted suicide is dangerous because it attacks human dignity. Make your voice heard by contacting your MSP on your own or as part of a group with family, friends, or in your local parish. All the information you need can be found here: Assisted Suicide – Catholic Parliamentary Office (rcpolitics.org) 
 
Free 2 Pray Zoom: We will be doing this with the Catholic Parliamentary Office on 3rd October.   This is the link if the minutes go out in time:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-2-pray-tuesday-3rd-october-745pm-tickets-704627468727    
 
Safeguarding thought for the Month of September: We are committed to improving the culture of Safeguarding in order to rebuild trust and confidence in the ways in which we ensure that children and vulnerable adults are kept safe.  
 
Think Vocation:“You go into my vineyard too.” The call to work in the Lord’s vineyard of the Church can come at any age, any moment. Could he be asking you to spend yourself in his service as priest, deacon or in consecrated life? Speak to our Vocations Director, Fr John Morrison Tel: 0141 889 5056 or email [email protected]  
 
Lourdes Re-union 23 Sunday 8th October. The Re-union will begin with Marian Devotions in the Church at 2 pm at St. Ninians’ Gourock. This will be followed afterwards but Tea etc in the Church Hall and a chance to catch up. 
 
Bowling Event for Young Adults; Are you in your 20’s, 30’s or 40’s? Why not come along to our bowling event for young Catholic adults on Saturday 7th October at 7:30pm at Ten Pin Braehead. Our events are a great opportunity to come on your own and meet other young Catholics. Just email [email protected] for tickets or to join our mailing list and find out about future events.
 
We pray for those who have died recently:  John Christopher Mc Taggart and for the Anniversaries of Jack & Isabel Barr Sarah Agnes Brady, May Connolly, Patrick Devaney, Mary Finnigan, Hugh Gaffney, Vincen Kerrigan, Mary Mc Cabe, Michael Mc Geown, Gerald Mc Laughlin, Elizabeth Mc Laughlin, John Mc Laughlin, Patricia Milton, Anthony Quinn, Catherine Quinn. Mons. Henry Farrelly (1995) and Fr. Columba Fox (2010).
Prayer for Synod
We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it. We are weak and sinful; do not let us promote disorder. Do not let ignorance lead us down the wrong path nor partiality influence our actions. Let us find in You our unity so that we may journey together to eternal life and not stray from the way of truth and what is right. All this we ask of You, who are at work in every place and time, in the communion of the Father and the Son, forever and ever. Amen.
 
 

Twenty Fourth   Sunday Year A       17th  September 23
 
                                                               
Sunday Collections                       
First Collection GA: £443.00 NGA: £779.49                                  
Monthly Standing Orders: £5,194.50
St Anthony’s Box: £38.14                                                                 
Vocations GA £576.50 NGA £487.44
Building Fund GA: £102.50   
 
Bishop John Pastoral Visit to Parish: This weekend Bishop John will celebrate the Vigil and Sunday Masses with us here in St Johns. I am sure you will give him a very warm Barrhead welcome and he will join us for tea/coffee in the hall after the 10am Mass.
 
Diamond Jubilee:  Monsignor Charles Cavanagh celebrates his Diamond Jubilee this Thursday 21st September in St Mary's, Greenock. All who know him from his various parish assignments over the last 60 years are invited to join the parish community for the joyous occasion. Holy Mass will be celebrated at 7pm
 
Workers Mass: Begins again this Wednesday at 7.30am.
 
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA). Meeting this Tuesday at 7pm in the Church house for all those interested in enquiring about becoming a Catholic.
 
Parish Garden: A big thank you to John Gillan, Tom Sproul, Ian Ross for looking after the Parish Gardens all year round and for the many hours spent in keeping it in such pristine conditions.
 
Marriage Counsellor Sought: The Diocese of Paisley is looking for an experienced counsellor to assist its excellent marriage counselling team. visit: https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/marriage-counsellor-wanted. 
 
Massive threat to Religious Freedom- please contact your MSPS: The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill,  will introduce so-called buffer zones around abortion clinics. It bans prayer in certain areas, a massive attack on religious freedom and removes a lifeline for women who want to keep their babies but feel they have no other choice than abortion. Please contact your Member of the Scottish Parliament to make your views known. You can go to https:// www.spuc.org.uk/nobufferzonesscotland  . This webtool helps you edit the email template and submit to your MSP.
 
Stop the Assisted Dying Bill: Legalising assisted suicide is dangerous because it attacks human dignity. Implicit in assisted suicide is that an individual, in certain circumstances, can lose their value and worth.  Make your voice heard by contacting your MSP on your own or as part of a group with family, friends, or in your local parish. All the information you need can be found here: Assisted Suicide – Catholic Parliamentary Office (rcpolitics.org)  
 
National Safeguarding Conference: This year's conference is an in-person event. It will take place on Sat 18th Nov from 9.30am until 4pm, at University of Strathclyde, Technology & Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1RD. Registration costs £25, which covers refreshments, lunch and resources. The conference is open to all clergy, religious, PSCs and all who have safeguarding responsibilities in Catholic parishes, religious communities and lay organisations in Scotland. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3Z93und. Anyone who has mobility difficulties can inform the organisers during registration. Alternatively, they can contact the SCSSA Office Administrator Mary Stein by calling 0141 332 7177. 
 
Lourdes Re-union 23rd Sunday 8th October. The Re-union will begin with Marian Devotions in the Church at 2 pm at St. Ninians’ Gourock.PA19 1PW.This will be followed afterwards but Tea etc in the Church Hall and a chance to catch up. 
 
Parish Hall: Teas & Coffees in the hall after the 10am Mass.
 
We pray for those who have died recently:  Helena Brannan, Joseph Finnigan, John Soutar and for the Anniversaries of Irene & Mark Clougherty, Alex Costello, Charlie Dunne, Harry Harris, Meta Mullen, Selina Pearson, Fr. Donald Bonnar (1972) and Canon James Morrow (2010) 

Twenty Third   Sunday Year A       10th September 23
 
Sunday Collections                        Second Collection this weekend:  Vocations
 
First Collection GA: £501.50 NGA: £824.27.                                Monthly Standing Orders: £5,194.50
St Anthony’s Box: £55.30                                                             Pro-life GA: £20.00 /Sick & Retired Priests: £20.00 
Building Fund GA: £529.87    NGA £436.49
 
Bishop John Pastoral Visit to Parish: Next weekend Bishop John will celebrate the Vigil and Sunday Masses with us here in St Johns. I am sure you will give him a very warm Barrhead welcome and he will join us for tea/coffee in the hall after the 10am Mass.
 
Diocesan Vocations Mass: Please join Bishop John and our Diocesan family in praying for Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and the Consecrated Life at St. Mirin’s Cathedral on Thursday 14th September 7.00pm. All welcome!
 
Feast of St Pio (Padre Pio):  Mass with relics of Padre Pio at 7pm in Our Lady & St George, Penilee on Friday 22nd of September. Main celebrant Fr Hayden Williams OFM (Cap) internationally renowned preacher from Malta. More details on poster in porch or call 07845 906 820. You can also email     [email protected]
 
Safeguarding thought for the Month of September: We are committed to improving the culture of Safeguarding in order to rebuild trust and confidence in the ways in which we ensure that children and vulnerable adults are kept safe. 
 
Safeguarding Training:  Dates and times: Sat 16th Sep (10am, St John’s church hall, Barrhead). and Tue 7th Nov (7pm, St John’s church hall, Barrhead). To book your place, email Sarah Jane at [email protected]
 
Retreat Day for Primary School Pupils: We are hosting a retreat for primary school pupils (P4-7) at St Mary’s in Paisley on Sunday 17th September from 2-5.30pm. The retreat will start in the church hall, and will include Holy Mass, activities and the chance to meet new friends. All participants must bring a signed consent form, which can be obtained from parishes and primary schools. For more info, contact Fr John Morrison by emailing [email protected] or by calling 0141 889 5056. 
 
Marriage Counsellor Sought: The Diocese of Paisley is looking for an experienced counsellor to assist its excellent marriage counselling team. visit: https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/marriage-counsellor-wanted. 
 
Massive threat to Religious Freedom- please contact your MSPS: The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, tabled by Gillian Mc Kay, will soon be debated in Holyrood. The Bill will introduce so-called buffer zones around abortion clinics. It bans prayer in certain areas, a massive attack on religious freedom and removes a lifeline for women who want to keep their babies but feel they have no other choice than abortion. Please contact your Member of the Scottish Parliament to make your views known. You can go to   
https:// www.spuc.org.uk/nobufferzonesscotland . This webtool helps you edit the email template and submit to your MSP.
 
Free 2 Pray Zoom 
We will be doing this with the Catholic Parliamentary Office on 3rd October.   This is the link if the minutes go out in time:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/free-2-pray-tuesday-3rd-october-745pm-tickets-704627468727   
 
Sacred Heart Prayer Group: Meeting in tearoom from 1pm-2pm this Tuesday 12th September.
 
RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) . Meeting with Fr Joe for those enquiring about becoming Catholics on Tuesday 19th Sept in Church house at 7pm.
 
100 Club Winners for August: 1st Thomas Reilly No 49. 2nd M & I Campbell No 26. 3rd Margaret Cassidy No 10.
4th J & M Hallan No 158. 5th B. Melee No 40.
 
Parish Hall: Teas & Coffees in the hall after the 10am Mass.
 
We pray for those who have died recently: Albert Carberry, John Docherty, Joseph Finnigan, Cormac O’ Hara and for the Anniversaries of Edward Balmer, Agnes & William Brennan, Margaret & Michael Docherty, Susan Gillan, Annie Logue, Peter Mc Kenzie, Nancy Mc Laughlin, Catherine & Mary Reilly.
 
 
DIOCESE OF PAISLEY
Bishop John Keenan
Diocesan Centre Cathedral Precincts
Incle Street, Paisley
PA1 1HR
Tel: 0141 847 6130
Fax: 0141 847 6140
 
Vocations Awareness Week
Twenty-Third Sunday of the Year
Pastoral Letter
 
To be read and/or distributed on Sunday, 10th September 2023
 
Dear brothers and sisters,
 
This Sunday, we begin our celebration of Vocations Awareness Week in Scotland.  It is a time when we are encouraged to pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood, the diaconate and the consecrated life.
 
Our Gospel this Sunday tackles the difficult issue of how a Christian community should deal with internal problems and disputes.  At first, the answer seems a bit obtuse and legalistic, at least to our modern ears.  A bit of reflection on the LORD’s advice to the community, however, opens up a horizon of love and compassion.
 
At the heart of the LORD’s instruction is a reminder that we need to be a caring community; a community that cares for any person in difficulty and that cares for the truth that alone can set them free.
 
A community that cares about the person and cares about the truth.  Might I suggest that this simple maxim, drawn from our Gospel, is a concise yet powerful description of a life of service in the Church.
 
Our priests, your priests, are called and chosen to care for each and every person, to respond to every human need wherever and however they encountered it.  Following the example of Jesus Himself, our priests seek out the lost, offer guidance to the young, forgive sinners and offer comfort to the sick, the dying and the bereaved. From the beginning to the end of our lives they offer us direction, meaning and compassion.
 
Our Priests are also called and chosen to care for the truth.  In a time of uncertainty, confusion and anxiety, they are witnesses of GOD’s presence and His promise in our world.  Faithful to a life of prayer, their priestly ministry reminds the world that GOD’s Word lasts forever, is always faithful and is ever inspiring of new ways of hope.
 
Our Vocations Awareness Week is a precious opportunity for recalling the wonder of GOD’s call to serve His People, and of gratitude for all of those who said Yes down the years.  This week I hope you and your parish communities will pray for vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Religious life, and encourage all those engaged in ministry in your community, and finally that our young people may be given time and space to discern if they are called to these special vocations in the life of the Church.
May the prayer that Pope Saint Paul VI composed for the first World Day of Prayer for Vocations accompany us on our journey: “O Jesus, Divine Shepherd of souls, You called the Apostles and made them fishers of men. Continue to draw to Yourself ardent and generous souls from among the young, in order to make them Your followers and Your ministers. Give them a share in Your thirst for the redemption of all… Open before them the horizons of the entire world.  By responding to Your call, may they prolong Your mission here on earth, build up your Mystical Body, which is the Church, and be ‘the salt of the earth’ and ‘the light of the world”.
 
May the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and the Lady of Paisley watch over you and protect you.
 
With the assurance of my prayers and blessings,
 

Bishop John Keenan
 
 

                                                      Twenty Second   Sunday Year A       3rd September 23
 
                                                               
Sunday Collections
First Collection GA: £535.00. NGA: £890.00.                            Monthly Standing Orders: £5,194.50
St Anthony’s Box: £66.52                                                                       Pro-life GA: £20.00  
Second Collection this weekend: Monthly Building Fund.                                                                   
 
New Assistant Priest (Curate) : We are delighted to welcome Fr Joe Mc Gill  as the newly appointed Assistant Priest to St John’s Barrhead. He will take up his new post on Monday the 18th of September. He has been Ordained Priest for two years and has spent those two years in St Laurence’s, Greenock. He is from Clarkston and studied for the Priesthood at the Angelicum and Gregorian Universities in Rome. 
 
Funerals this week: Monday 4th Sept James Mc Gettigan and Wednesday 6th Sept Lisa Challo (both at 10am)
 
PVG Status and Safeguarding Training. There are still a number of PVG holders, who have not responded to email requests to update their Safeguarding training. To maintain PVG status, it is essential to keep training up to date.
Please contact Mary Hallan at: [email protected] to arrange. Thank you to those who have already signed up. Dates of Sessions.
 
Wednesday 6 September 2023, 7pm        St Mirin’s Church Hall, Paisley
Saturday 16 September, 2023, 10am      St John’s Church Hall, Barrhead
Tuesday 26 September 2023, 7pm            St Mary’s Church Hall, Greenock
Saturday 30 September 2023, 10am        St Mary’s Church Hall, Greenock
Saturday 7 October 2023, 10am                St Mirin’s Church Hall, Paisley
Tuesday 7 November 2023, 7pm              St John’s Church Hall, Barrhead
 
Diocesan Vocations Mass: Please join Bishop John and our Diocesan family in praying for Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and the Consecrated Life at St. Mirin’s Cathedral on Thursday 14th September 7.00pm. All welcome!
 
Massive threat to Religious Freedom- please contact your MSPS: The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, tabled by Gillian Mc Kay, will soon be debated in Holyrood. The Bill will introduce so-called buffer zones around abortion clinics. It bans prayer in certain areas, a massive attack on religious freedom and removes a lifeline for women who want to keep their babies but feel they have no other choice than abortion. Please contact your Member of the Scottish Parliament to make your views known. You can go to https:// www.spuc.org.uk/nobufferzonesscotland  . This webtool helps you edit the email template and submit to your MSP.
 
Annual National Pilgrimage to Carfin: This Sunday the 3rd of September with Mass at 3pm. Bus leaves from St Johns at 1.30pm and leaves Carfin at 5.30pm
 
Age Concern: They are looking for volunteers to drive mini buses and help at social lunch clubs which meet each Tuesday in Albertslund Hall, Westacres, Newton Mearns and on Thursdays at the Woodfarm Pavillion, Giffnock between 10am and 2.30pm. More information contact 0141 638 2158 or email [email protected]
 
2023 National Pilgrimage for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair: This will take place on Sunday 17 September from 12.30pm - 6pm at St Patrick's Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA. 12.30-1.50 Refreshments and sale of candles & goods; 2pm Holy Hour with Rosary, Confession, Silence, Hymns & Benediction; 3pmReflection & Novena Prayers; 3.30pm Break for refreshments and sale of candles & goods; 4.30pm Holy Mass.
 
Parish Hall: Teas & Coffees in the hall after the 10am Mass. Home baking this weekend.
 
Latest rotas: The latest rotas for Ministers of the Eucharist and of The Word have been emailed to all concerned. Please check when you are on.
 
We pray for those who have died recently: Lisa Challo, John Francis Docherty, Neil Gallagher, James Mc Gettigan, Mhari Wallace, and for the Anniversaries of Jim Carroll, Jimmy Docherty, Fr Terry Donnelly CSSP, Baby Belle Henrietta Finnie, Michael Greville Snr, Laurence Mc Gowan, Alison Jane O’Kane, Eileen Mc Kelvie, Jack Shaw, John De Souza.