Ash Wednesday
Masses at 10am & 7pm in both Parishes. All the Cluster schools will have Services. It is a Day of Fasting for those over 16 (one main meal and two collations, which should be less than the main meal combined and abstinence from meat for those over 14).
 
Children’s Rosary Group
There will be a children’s rosary in the church on the first Friday of each month, commencing on Friday 4th March 2022 at 6:30 pm. This is an opportunity for children of all ages to gather together to pray the rosary.  This initiative has been running in other parishes in Scotland. 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 and it is a lovely way to start the Lenten season as the Sunday obligation resumes. Please contact Lesley Ward if you need any further information (lesley@giffnockwards.co.uk 07910266821).
 
World Day of Prayer
Neilston Parish Church this Friday 4th March at 1:30pm. Tea/Coffee afterwards. All welcome!

Singers for 11:30am Mass
To join us at the 11:30am Mass please come up to the Choir Loft or call Alison on 07821 658845.
 
Healing Service
There will be a Healing Service taking place here in St John's on Tuesday 8th March at 7pm. Fr Joe and Joe Livingston will speak on the theme of Forgiveness, with Confession also available.
 
Safeguarding Training Part 2 Church Volunteers
For those who have previously attended Safeguarding Training Part One, or Safeguarding Training Level One, you can attend on Tuesday 1st March at 7pm in St. John’s hall.  To register for this session, this Tuesday 1st March in St John’s Hall, go to https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/266920525477 or go to Diocesan Website.
 
Friday 4th March 2022: Day of Prayer all those who have experienced abuse
& Monthly Mass & Holy Hour (7pm-9pm)
Please come along and pray for children, young people and vulnerable adults whose lives have been scarred by the abuse they have experienced at the hands of those whom they trusted.  Pray also for all engaged in the pursuit of peace, healing and reconciliation for the abused, the needy, the weak and the vulnerable.

200 Club St Thomas
Jan: Isabel McLeish & 2nd Theresa Millar.
Feb: Alice Meehan & 2nd Pat Layden.
Monies can be collected from the Sacristy. Winner £60, Second £30.
 
Scottish Catholic Magazine
Now available at £2. Please place monies in Paper Box.

SCIAF Envelopes (including Wee Box)
These are now available to take home and return after Easter Sunday.
 
Marriages in 2022
Please get in touch with Fr Joe to confirm marriage & arrange to complete Pre-Nuptial Enquiry Forms as soon as possible.
 
Young Adults (18-30) 30th March
Fr Patten will speak on the Sacrament of Confession from 7pm in St Mirin's Cathedral. Holy Mass at 6pm and followed by Adoration and Benediction. Connect with us on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).

We pray for those who have died recently
Paul Patrick Brophy, Esmeralda Coates, Kevin Finnell, Jim Connelly, Catherine McCreath, and Mary McGrory;
and the 3 months' mind of
James Fleming;
and the 6 months' mind of
Jane Devenny, Frank McAloon, and Michelle McCormick;
and for the Anniversaries of
​Susan Chalmers, Maurice Docherty, Bill Gilmour, Grace Glenroy, Catherine Guthrie, Dominic Greenan, Ellen Hendry, Edward & Elizabeth Hendry, Christiane Heinrich, Annie & John Lawson, Duncan McInnes, James Mullen, Billy Quinn, Helen Trainor, Moya Wilson, and Frances Winning.

St Margaret’s Children & Family Care Society
St John's £424.83 & St Thomas' £246.18 (Crib Collections)
St Anthony’s Box Collections for Dec
St John's £ 256.74 & St Thomas' £217.44. Monies sent to Marys Meals.
 
Second Collection next weekend: Sick & Retired Priests
 
Faith, Family and Fraternity: A Call to Service
Supporting our clergy, serving in our parishes, helping the needy and developing our personal and family faith with like- minded men.  If you are a man aged 16 or over, Province 1 of the KSC is recruiting in the Diocese just now. For more information on how to join Britain’s largest Catholic layman’s organisation, call John O’Donnell on 07854 886425 or email: pgk@glasgow.ksc.org.uk     
 
Marriage and family webpage
The Diocese have a dedicated page on the website for Marriage and Family life. It contains a wealth of information, support and resources for many aspects of this important vocation. For more information please visit https://rcdop.org.uk/marriage-family-life-2
 
Online Marriage Counselling available during Covid 19 Crisis
Our Diocese has a Counselling Service for Catholics Married in the Catholic Church with our dedicated Catholic Marriage Counsellor. If you are concerned about your relationship and feel you are both unable to reach a conclusion alone, it is likely that you will benefit from marriage counselling.  The counsellor is there to maintain a neutral, non-judgmental position. counselling@rcdop.org.uk
 
Pro-Life Mass
The monthly Pro-Life Mass is on Wednesday 19th January at 7:30pm at Holy Cross, 113 Dixon Ave, G42 8ER. Adoration begins at 6:15pm. All welcome. The celebrant will be Mgr John Tormey.
 
Family Planning - God’s Way, Nature’s Way
www.fertilitycare.org.uk
The Billings Ovulation Method  of Natural Fertility Regulation is very helpful for couples having difficulty conceiving and 99% effective in avoiding pregnancy with no side effects.
 
Diocesan Priesthood
Thinking about Diocesan Priesthood in 2022? The Catholic Church in Scotland is now inviting enquiries from those considering applying for seminary. For more information please contact Fr. John Morrison tel: 01418895056 or email vocations@rcdop.org.uk
 
Would you like to join our Diocesan Choir?
The Diocesan Choir are starting their rehearsals on the 27th January, at 7pm in St Mirin’s Cathedral. If you are interested please contact our Diocesan Director of Music, Michael, at director.music@rcdop.org.uk confirming your attendance.
 
Young Adults (18-30)
Join us for our next event on Wednesday 26th January. Conor and Naomi Gildea will speak on The Sacrament of Matrimony from 7pm in St Mirin's Cathedral. The event is preceded by Holy Mass at 6pm and followed by adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. The opportunity to meet for drinks after our event is subject to restrictions. More details will follow. To keep up to date with our schedule of events, connect with us on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram).
 
We pray for those who have died recently, especially:
Marion Breen, Fr Jim Docherty, David McDonald, Tommy O’Neil, Joe Wilkinson;
and for the Anniversaries of:
Ann Alford, Patrick Brady, Jim Brown, Margaret & Michael Campbell, Brain Corcoran, Desmond & Jane Coleman,  Mary Doyle, Maria Hannigan, Ethna Herbert, George Major, Bernadette Mowbray, Maureen Muldoon, Jean McAllister, Neil McDade, Maria & Tommy O’Hara, Annie & John O’Neil;
and for Clergy Anniversaries:
Canon John T. Earley (1987), Fr. Thomas F. Ryan (1997), Canon James Murphy (2002), Fr. Denis McKillop (1983), Fr. Hugh Heslin, Fr. Joseph Logue and Monsignor Francis Magauran.

Second Collection this weekend: Monthly Building Fund
Monies to be used to upgrade parking spaces in both Parishes and, looking ahead, resurfacIng the pedestrian walkway in front of St John’s Church.

Annual Safeguarding Announcement
To be read at all Masses 2nd & 3rd October.

October Evening for the Year of St Joseph in St Mirin’s: Wednesday 13th October at 7:00pm
This month, we pray and celebrate the work of those involved in the Arts and Professions. There will be Adoration, Benediction and Evening Prayer of the Church.

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The group will start this Monday 4th October. Anyone interested in enquiring about the Catholic Church should speak with Fr Joe/Fr Jonathan.

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration
From this Monday, 4th October, Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in St John’s Oratory after the 10:00am Mass until 9:00 pm on Mon/Wed/Fri. Sign-up as an Adorer willing to commit to spending the same hour each week in the Oratory. We will also be starting all-night Vigils before the Blessed Sacrament in St John’s on the first Friday of each month. The sign-up forms can be used to express an interest in the Vigils.

One Million Children Praying the Rosary
Please find below a link to our webpage for 'One Million Children Praying the Rosary' outlining our ask of schools and parishes in the UK. acnuk.org onemillionchildrenprayingtherosary

Stop the latest Holyrood Parliament Assisted Suicide Efforts
An Assisted Suicide Bill will be published in the Scottish Parliament this month which we urge you to actively oppose. It will outline details of a public consultation with which we urge all Catholics to engage. We will be working in tandem with Care Not Killing and encourage you also to sign up to their messages. 
 
‘Lets Walk for Lockerbie!’
The P7’s from St Mark’s, St John’s and St Thomas’s are walking the distance from Barrhead to Lockerbie and back throughout October, a total of 157 miles, to raise funds for their P7 residential trip next May. Donations via https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/p7-lockerbie
Thank you!                                                           
 
Blessed Carlo Acutis International Exhibition:
The Miracles of the Eucharist at Glasgow University Catholic Chaplaincy 4th-6th November and St. Columba’s Church, Glasgow 7th-9th November.  See the Poster in the porch for viewing times and talks and Adoration.
 
Please pray for those who have died recently
Agnes Brady, Peter Lavery, Helen Morran, Michael McBride, Mary McDermott, Anthony McLachlan, Bolek Pajak, Marie Tytherleigh, Jim Wall ;
the 1st month’s mind of
Jane Devenny, Michelle McCormick;
the 6 months mind of
Agnes O’Donnell;
and the anniversaries of
Helen Burns, Eileen Cameron, Robert Cheney, Patrick Collins, Eamon Duggan, Steven Ingram, Gordon King, John McCool, Agnes & Willie McHugh, Fr Brian Rice, Margaret Stewart, John & Rena Weldon, Catherine White.

Please hand in all notices and anniversaries for the bulletin by 7pm on Thursday.

Second Collection next weekend
Monthly Building Fund
 
St John’s Sunday 5pm Mass
This Mass will start again next weekend.
 
Telephone number for St John’s & St Thomas
The new number for both Parishes 0141 881 0769
 
Year of Saint Joseph Afternoon for Families
Families are warmly invited to come together to mark the Year of St Joseph on Sunday 19th September from 2:00pm in St Mirin's Cathedral Hall. The event will include an opportunity to reflect in prayer as families in faith and join together for some light refreshments.  Bishop John will conclude the gathering with the celebration of Mass in the Cathedral at 4:00pm.
 
Think Vocation
“Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you.” Does that “word” include a call to serve as a priest or in religious life? How will you respond? Speak to our diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. John Morrison – email: vocations@rcdop.org.uk or Tel 0141 8895056.
 
St Vincent de Paul Society (SSVP)
The SSVP of St John’s are asking for your help to identify anyone in need and who would benefit from support by visiting or by financial assistance. You can confidentially speak to one of the current members after Holy Mass or to Fr Joe/Fr Jonathan or call the dedicated mobile number 07486 462 480.
 
Lifting of Restrictions
Those with Smart Phones can scan the QR code with the phone camera on entry. Please continue on entry/exit to sanitise your hands and wear a face mask at all times.
 
Safeguarding Webinar Sat 2nd October (11am-1pm)
A key event, intended to help disseminate some important features of In GOD’s Image v2, Growing our Culture of Care.  To secure a place in this webinar, click on the link https://bit.ly/3gQRdPu. Following registration, you will be sent details of how to join the webinar.
 
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA)
The group will start within the next few weeks, and anyone interested in enquiring about the Catholic Church should speak with Fr Joe/Fr Jonathan
 
Readers
Please if have not done so already inform Fr Jonathan of the Mass you read at previously.
 
Garden St John’s
If you can spare some time to help in the Parish Garden, see John Logue/Ian Ross.
 
Barrhead Food Bank
They are now looking for UHT Milk & Tin Vegetables. Thank you.
 
Funeral in St John’s
Patricia Mc Ginlay on Thursday 2nd September at 10am.
 
Please pray for those who have died recently especially
Rita Connelly, Jane Devenny, Patricia McGinlay, Mary McNocher;
and for the Anniversaries of
James Cannon, Eamon & John Delaney, Greta Doyle, Agnes Geddes, Katie Gillies, Maisie McCafferty, Laurence McGowan, Mary Noon, Jack Shaw, John De Souza.
 
Please hand in all notices and anniversaries for the Bulletin by 7pm on Thursdays

St John's Sunday 5pm Mass
This Mass will not continue until September
 
Telephone number for St John's & St Thomas
​The new number for both Parishes 0141 881 0769 should start before 23:59 on Tuesday 24th August.
 
Lifting of Restrictions
Those with Smart Phones can scan the QR code with the phone camera on entry and others can sign in manually. Please continue on entry/exit to sanitise your hands and wear a face mask.
 
Think Vocation
“Lord, to whom shall we go?” Jesus is the only answer to our seeking. Could you be on to help people find him, as a priest, a deacon or a religious brother or sister? Speak to Fr John Morrison on 0141 8895056 or email vocations@rcdop.org   
 
Safeguarding Webinar Sat 2nd October (11am-1pm)
A key event, intended to help disseminate some important features of In GOD’s Image v2, this webinar – Growing our Culture of Care. At present we have over 200 participants registered.  To secure a place in this webinar, click on the link https://bit.ly/3gQRdPu. Following registration, you will be sent details of how to join the webinar.
 
The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Carfin
This will take place on Sunday the 29th August. Holy Mass with the Anointing of the Sick at 3pm followed by the Rosary Procession at 5:30pm.
 
St John's Garden
If you can spare some time to help in the Parish Garden, see John Logue/Ian Ross.
 
St Thomas: St Anthony’s donations
Please put into the box marked St Anthony, below his statue.
 
St Thomas Toilet
Please make sure the tap is completely turned off before you leave.
 
Barrhead Food Bank
They are now looking for UHT Milk & Tin Vegetables. Thank you.
 
Weekday Masses in St John's & St Thomas this week
St John's:     Tues 24th, Wed 25th, Fri 27th, Sat 28th at 10am.
St Thomas:  Mon 23rd, Thurs 26th, Sat 28th at 10am.
 
Funeral Mass of Patricia Campbell
Tuesday 24th August at 10am in St John's.
 
Please pray for those who have died recently especially
Patricia Campbell, Rita Connelly, Peter Connor, David Coia, Michael Curran, John Hylands, Kevin Markie;
and for the Anniversaries of
Jean & John Arbuckle, Teddy Boylan, Elizabeth & James Carberry Snr, James Carberry Jnr, Sacramenta Coelho,  James Harris Devine, Jean Fenn, Agnes Geddes, Patrick Kerr, John McClune, Barry McGettigan, Terence McGowan, Ann & John McGuire, Cecilia Mbeh, Betty Mooney, Albert Vincent O’Kane,  Jacqueline O’Neill, Margaret Stevenson.

Please hand in all notices and anniversaries for the Bulletin, by 7pm on Thursdays.

Reflection from Fr Laurent on this Sunday’s Scripture Readings
On this 14th Sunday, mother church invites us all, to reflect in a special way on Jesus’ humility, kindness, gentility and compassion for the poor, weak and unprivileged. These virtues of our Master and saviour, are very necessary for us all in our Christian journey; to help us live and relate well with others .
 
The first reading this Sunday, foretells the humility of the king who was to come; Christ Jesus. The reading gives great hope of good life to the poor in spirit and the oppressed.

In the second reading we are reminded of the need and importance of living in the spirit of the creator. God’s spirit makes us His own beloved children. Let us pray for the grace to  submit to God’s spirit, because once we accept to give in to God’s spirit, (to allow the spirit to direct our lives), then just like Jesus we shall possess the fundamental virtues necessary for our Christian life.
 
Jesus in the gospel reading reveals to us the master key to find favour with Lord. This key of humility and gentility is necessary for us to unlock the secrets that God would never make known to the proud hearted.
 
We pray for the grace to be humble, kind  and gentle children of our heavenly father, so as to do His will. Amen.
 
Note from Fr Joe
“This has been a momentous week in the near one hundred and eighty year history of our parish. After months of locked doors, we are now open again for private prayers and reflection. Please God, it won’t be too long before we can celebrate Mass again together! As Parish Priest, I must say a HUGE thank you on behalf of the whole parish community to the scores of people who volunteered to be Stewards and cleaners for the re-opening of the church. It would have been simply impossible to re-open without their generosity. All has gone very smoothly and we were able to re-open the church in a safe and sanitised way.
 
Remember we are open every day, excluding Thursdays, from 11am until 2pm for you to visit for private prayer and reflection. If visiting, please follow the directions of the Stewards on duty who will ensure you have a face covering, sanitise your hands and give some general guidance. Remember, the toilets in the church must remain closed due to the coronavirus--sorry!
God bless you all and maybe see you if you are visiting this week.”
Fr Joe
 
Funerals this week
Jim Geddes – Requiem Mass on Tuesday at 9.30am
Jim McCaffrey – Requiem Mass on Thursday at 10.00am
Please remember, there are strict restrictions on numbers attending funerals to reduce the risk of contagion. Only immediate family and friends may be in the church, agreed with the family beforehand so we know exact numbers attending. Thanks to the camera now installed in the church, you can follow live from home funerals or anything else happening in the building 24 hours a day. To do so, just click here or search St John's Barrhead on YouTube.
 
Please also keep in your prayers
Canon Barney Canning (former PP in St Thomas’, Neilston), Annemarie Cassidy, Maureen Coogan and Margaret Brown who all died recently.
As well as William Breslin, James Wilson and Maisie Fitzgerald whose anniversaries occur around this time.
May they all rest in peace with the Lord in Paradise. Amen.

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!