Second Collection this weekend: Monthly Building Fund
 
Annual Mass at St. Conval's Cemetery
Join Bishop John on Sunday 14th November at 2pm.
 
Children’s Rosary Movement (childrensrosary.org)
Would you like your family to meet and pray the Rosary with other families in the Parish? Blythe Kaufman, who established the Children's Rosary Movement will give a short Zoom talk on Monday 8th November at 7pm.  She has produced step-by-step video guides for parents of young children (age 4 to 14) who might wish to set up a Parish Children's Rosary Group.  The Zoom link is as follows: Meeting ID: 863 1354 5731. Passcode: 461579 or contact jacqueline.stewart@rcdop.org.uk for more information.
 
Donations for Migrant Help: Diocese of Paisley Christmas Appeal
Toiletries, winter clothes for men & women, rice cooker, shoes, gifts, socks, new underwear, hats, scarfs, umbrellas. Please drop off from Monday 8th November until Monday 6th December. Please call ahead to check opening hours/availability. Diocesan Offices, Incle Street, Paisley PA11HR - 0141 847 6130

Funerals this week in St John's
Mon 8th Nov: Peter Keenan
Wed 10th Nov: Joseph Hughes

Changes to Mass this week
St John's: No Mass on Friday 13th November.
St Thomas's: Only one Morning Mass this week on Friday 13th November.
 
St John's 100 Club Winners October
1st M. Davidson No 102 £140
2nd A. Philiben No 21 £70
3rd W &M Fossett No 32 £35
4th J & M Hallan No 158 £20
5th P & M Miler No 44 £20
 
St John's: Readers & Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
New rota in the Sacristy to view.
 
Sacred Heart Companions Prayer Group
This Tuesday 9th November in Tea Room from 1pm-2pm.
 
Remembrance Sunday St Thomas's
Those preparing home baking should bring their home baking to the hall on Saturday 14th November from 10:30am - 12 noon.
 
Shoppers Night
This Friday 13th November in the Church hall from 7pm for St John's Primary School Funds. Please come along and support!
 
Diocesan men's evening for Year of St. Joseph
All men are invited from 7:30pm on Thursday 11th November in St. Mirin's Cathedral hall for a time of prayer/reflection on the life of St Joseph, followed by refreshments. Register at  https://rcdop.org.uk/learning-from-st-joseph.
 
We pray for those who have died recently, especially
Sheila McGhee Anderson, Joan Dorrian, Joseph Hughes, Peter Keenan, Johnny McShane, Patsy Smith, and Michael Reilly;
the 1st month's mind of
Harry Hughes;
and for the Anniversaries of 
James Bell, Dr Gerald Boyle, Canon Luke Brady, Leo Burns, Wallace Burns, Jean Carberry, Charles & Mary Frances Carlton, James Clarke, George & Jean Docherty, James & Kathleen Duffy, Joe & Kathleen Gallagher, Billy Geddes, George Harris, Betty Hughes, Unity Lapsley, Garry Larkin, Ellen Longwill, Catherine Kelly,  Robert Martin, Mary Monaghan, Maureen Monaghan, Fr Willie McDade, Bishop Stephen, McGill, Martha McKenna, and Bill Munn.

Second Collection next weekend: Monthly Building Fund
 
Solemnity of All Saints Monday 1st November
Masses at 10am in both Parishes and 7pm only in St John’s.
 
Feast of All Souls Tuesday 2nd November, St John’s
9am, 10am (Funeral of Elizabeth Sim) and 7pm.
No Mass in St Thomas’s.
 
November Month of the Holy Souls
Mass each day in November is offered for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, assured of Heaven but judged at the moment of death in need of purification for sins committed and to make adequate reparation for them. Catechism no 1054 “Those who die in God’s grace and friendship imperfectly purified, although they are assured of their eternal salvation, undergo a purification after death, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of God”.
You can collect November Lists and return with offering for Holy Masses as soon as possible.
 
Annual Mass at St. Conval’s Cemetery
Bishop John will celebrate Mass to pray for the souls of family members laid to rest in St Conval’s on Sunday 14th November at 2pm. Later date due to COP26.
 
Aid to the Church in Need Petition
We call on the UK Government and the United Nations to take more effective steps to address the double jeopardy faced by women and girls from religious minorities in certain countries suffering sexual violence and persecution, please follow the link: Aid to the Church in Need | #REDWEDNESDAY PETITION (acnuk.org)  
 
Evening of Reflection
An Evening of Reflection before the Blessed Sacrament in St John’s in honour of the Holy Souls in Purgatory commencing with Mass, Exposition, Rosary, Way of the Cross and Private Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament on Friday, 5th November 7pm – 10pm.
 
Men on a mission: Learning from St. Joseph (Thursday 11th November)
In St. Mirin's Cathedral hall, learn from the example of his life and be inspired to fulfil our mission as Catholic men, whether single/married, fathers/spiritual fathers, sons, brothers or husbands. Find, encouragement and refreshment by socialising over a drink! To register please sign up at  https://rcdop.org.uk/learning-from-st-joseph. (7pm-9pm)
 
St John’s: Readers & Extra-Ordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
New rota in the Sacristy to view.
 
200 Club St Thomas’s October
Winner Lynn Murdoch No 133 £60
2nd John Stevenson No 73 £30
 
Children’s Liturgy St Thomas’s
Volunteers needed. PVG required. Please see Fr Jonathan.
 
We pray for those who have died recently, especially
Joan Dorrian, Peter Keenan, James O’Donnell, Elizabeth Sim, Marie Scott, Florence Stewart, and Michael Reilly;
the 1st month’s mind of
Margaret D’Arcy;
and for the Anniversaries of
Canon Luke Brady, Francis Carlton, Joe Collins, Jim Connolly, Bill Forbes, Joe Foy, Anna Nana Docherty, Eric Hickey, Theresa & Willie Irwin, Peggy Martin, Edward & Helen Monaghan, Annie & John McGowan, Noreen McGowan, Ian Pennie, Martha Sproul, and Charlie Taylor.

Reflection for 12th Sunday of the Year (A)
This Sunday's Gospel contains the beautiful words of Jesus urging us to trust in a loving God: “Can you not buy two sparrows for a penny? And yet not one falls to the ground without your Father knowing… So do not be afraid; you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows!”

Jesus is sending out his disciples to begin witnessing to him. He knows they are apprehensive at what might happen to them: will they be accepted or rejected? Will they be treated well or maybe even stoned to death? It takes real courage to stand up for what we believe in if others are opposed to it. It’s so much easier just to keep the head down, say nothing and toe the line, even if we know in our hearts it is not correct. For those disciples two thousand years ago and for us today, knowing that God is with us, watching over us, that He knows and sees everything, gives us the encouragement and strength we need to face whatever this world throws at us for believing in Him. The words of Jesus are there to guide and help, to allay fears and inspire trust. ​

As I have said to you often, our faith is not there to shield us from life, helping us live in a comfortable wee bubble but rather it’s there to help us face the trials and issues this world throws up every day. I never cease to be amazed at how the Holy Spirit is at work! Just this week, someone sent me a link to an Irish singer, Eimear Quinn, singing a beautiful song called “The Watchman” – maybe try to google it or look it up on YouTube. The words are very comforting about how the Watchman, God, watches over us and the person who sent it to me was saying how she finds such comfort in the lyrics. That conviction that we are loved and being watched over gives us strength in times of difficulty and danger and we have certainly been living through such times over the past few months with this Coronavirus!

So this week, as we look forward to the re-opening of our parish church next Sunday for private prayer, let’s thank God for his watchful love and ask Him to help us deepen our faith and trust in Him. God bless you.

Note from Bishop John
Re-opening of Churches in Paisley Diocese
Following the guidelines issued by the Bishops Conference Covid-19 Infection Control Group, we are delighted to announce the opening of our churches from Sunday 28th June.

While other parts of the country may re-open sooner, we are particularly aware that the virus has impacted our local community more heavily and tragically. The people of Paisley diocese were disproportionately harmed by it and, sadly we now know, Inverclyde had the highest level of infection and deaths in Scotland. In light of this it is good for us to be sensitive, steady and careful in our approach, ensuring our people’s trust that all our parishes are fully prepared for re-opening, with volunteers and PPE in place.

From Sunday 28th onward, churches may also open on weekdays for limited periods of time if all the sanitation and social distancing guidelines laid down by the Covid-19 Group can be followed. Parish priests who are not comfortable that such guidelines are in place will be supported in their decisions to hold off for up to another week after Sunday 28th June.

All of us who have been looking forward to the day of our churches re-opening, clergy and faithful, are glad at this news. I know that those who hoped our doors would be open immediately for private prayers from Monday will understand our short delay and the particular considerations in play in our diocese that make it more appropriate for us.

I thank Canon Tom Boyle, Father Paul Brady and Monsignor Gerry Gallagher who are our diocesan representatives on the Covid-19 Infection Group both nationally and in the diocese for all their good work and continuing to advise us well as things develop around the country.

I assure you all of my prayers and blessings.
+Bishop John


Note from Fr Joe
As Bishop John says, nothing would please myself and father Laurent more than to be able to throw open the doors on Monday, the day the First Minister says we can re-open. We have waited for the day since March 19th but a few more days to ensure as far as possible the safety of everyone visiting churches throughout the diocese, given all we have already been through, is not too big a cross to bear. Difficult as it is, it is just one more small sacrifice we unite to the Lord’s great sacrifice for us on the cross!

Next Sunday, 28th June, we will be open for private prayer and reflection from 11am until 3pm! Let’s count down the days together!

Meeting of Volunteers for re-opening the church
Would all those who volunteered to help in the re-opening of our parish church, please come along to a meeting in the church on Wednesday evening at 6pm. We will discuss then the roles which must be in place for the re-opening next Sunday. We have a great group of volunteers so far but would like even more—the more, the better!!

PLEASE NOTE:  There is a change in the guidance of who can be a volunteer! Anyone, including those aged 70+, who is in good health (no underlying conditions) is now able to volunteer.
If interested, please contact Fr Joe and give him your contact details before Wednesday.

Live streaming of daily Mass
Until we are able to join together for Holy Mass in the church (please God, sometime next month), remember we now have a camera installed in the church which streams daily Mass live at 10am every day, including Sunday. Even if you miss the Mass, you can rewind over the course of the day to when it started.

Online Day for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
Saturday 27th June, 1:00pm-2:30pm
Talks by Fr Matthew Carlin, Fr Jonathan Whitworth, Monsignor Denis Carlin on the Spirituality of Adoration, Scripture and the Eucharist and a history of Eucharistic Adoration. There will be Adoration and Benediction at the end of the meeting.

To access Zoom, either download the Zoom App onto your tablet or computer or click on the link and type in the meeting ID below.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98109408120
Meeting ID: 981 0940 8120
All Welcome!