The Fourth Sunday of Advent

St John the Evangelist Parish
Aurs Rd., Barrhead, G78 2RW.
 
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
21st December 2025
 
Rev Monsignor John Canon Tormey: Parish Priest
Rev Fr Joseph J McGill: Curate
Rev Denis Murphy:  Deacon
Email: [email protected]  Tel: 0141 881 0769
Website: www.stjohns-barrhead.org
 
Mary Hallan: Safeguarding Co-Ordinator: [email protected]
 
Times of Holy Mass:
Sunday: 4pm (Vigil), 10:00am, 11:30am and 5:00pm.
Weekday Mass: Monday-Saturday 10:00am.
Rorate Mass: Wednesday 7:30am.
Holy Days of Obligation: Vigil 7:00pm, 8:00am and 10:00am.


Times of Christmas Masses:
Christmas Eve Mass 6:00pm.(Nativity and Carols: 5.30pm)
Thursday 25th December: 12:00 Midnight Mass (Carols from 11.30pm) and 10am on Christmas Day.
 
Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession):
Saturday 10:30am-11:00am, 3:15pm-3:45pm.
Monday-Friday 9:30am-9:50am​.
 
The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be available after 10:00am Mass on Monday 22nd, Tuesday 23rd and Wednesday 24th December in the build up to Christmas.
 
If a funeral Mass should take place on a Saturday at 10:00am in the future, there will be a Priest available to hear Confessions afterwards.
 
Last Week’s Collections:
First Collection GA: £355.00 NGA: £1,046.10
Building Fund GA: £22.00
 
A special thank you to the very generous parishioner who donated £1,000 to the Church Restoration Fund.
 
Response to Psalm:
‘Let the Lord enter; he is the king of glory.’
 
St Vincent de Paul Society:
The SVdP provide spiritual, social and financial support to anyone in need. We visit parishioners of St John’s at their homes or in local care homes. If you know of anyone who might benefit from this offer from the members of the SVdP, please get in touch by calling: 075123 02877 or speak to one of our members after Mass who will be collecting for the Society in the porch. (All information will be treated confidentially).
We pray for those who have died recently:
Iain Campbell, Derek Cassidy, Jim McGauley, Robert Clarke, Pat Byrne.
 
We pray for the anniversaries of:
Carol-Ann Burns, Mariano Coelho, Betty Donegan, Thomas Donegan, Denis Doyle, Roseanne Hannigan, Jean Herrity, John Herrity, Patrick Kearney, Moma Kemmett, Joseph Millar, Frances MacEwan, Walter McCready, Sheila McKee, Susan McKee, Elizabeth McQuade, James McQuade, Phil Owen, Anastasia Pinto, Liz (Geddes) Thomson, Kelly Sanders, Betty Walker, Thomas Wood and for the six month’s mind of Kathleen Friel.
 
Forthcoming Funerals:
Derek Cassidy: Tuesday 23rd December, 10:00am Mass, thereafter to Hurlet Crematorium for 11:00am.
 
Wednesday 24th December 7:30am Rorate Mass:
Please join us for the final 07:30am candlelit Rorate Mass of Advent as we wait for Christ, the light of the world.                                                                                                                                                                                                       

St John’s Parish Website:
You can keep up to date with funeral dates, Mass times, church restoration news and Parish events by visiting the Parish Website: https://www.stjohns-barrhead.org
The photos from the afternoon Tea are available to view online. 
 
Barrhead News Thought for the Week Co-Ordinator:
The Barrhead News have confirmed that they require a person to co-ordinate all of the news and the Thought for the Week contributions from the local churches of the town. If nobody comes forward from any of the local churches, then the churches information page will cease to exist from the end of January. It is not an especially onerous task and probably requires an hour or so once a week to co-ordinate. The team at the Barrhead News would be more than happy to talk any potential volunteer through the role and help them get established.
 
Piety Stall Christmas Items and Western Catholic Calendars:
The remaining Christmas items are available to purchase in the Piety Stall after Mass and Western Catholic Calendars for 2026 are available to buy for £3.50 each.
 
St John's Social Committee.
The social committee would like to thank everyone who has contributed in any way this year, be it setting up events, donating money and raffle prizes or attending and spending money. We are truly grateful for your support and wish you the happiest and most peaceful Christmas.
 
The total amount of money raised in 2025 will be published early in the new year, after the final fundraising events have taken place. 
Christmas Coffee Morning Sunday 21st December:
The Parish Hall committee, in partnership with St Mark’s Parent Council, will be running a Christmas Coffee morning after 10:00am Mass on Sunday 21st December. There will be live music, a raffle, entertainment and a very special guest!
 
Carols in the Cathedral Saturday 27th December:
All are welcome at this annual diocesan event, as we come together as a community and worship in song, the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We begin at 2pm on Saturday 27th December in St Mirin’s Cathedral, with the Diocesan Choir and Schola Benedicti.
 
Marriage Preparation Residential Weekend Course (9th - 11th January 2026):
The CHC’s weekend marriage preparation course is intended for couples who wish to engage more deeply with the Catholic vision for marriage. Structured around the elements of the marriage rite, couples will reflect deeply on foundational Scriptural texts to gain a deeper understanding of both the natural and Sacramental aspects of Matrimony. The weekend is framed by prayer, time for reflection personally and as a couple, group discussion and a social.
 
Parish Burns Celebration Saturday 24th January:
The Social Committee are planning a Burns celebration in the church hall on 24th January, further details to follow but if anyone plays a fiddle, accordion, recites poetry etc and would like to 'do a turn' please contact Anna Marie Johnston on 07897405000.
 
St John’s Primary Parent Council Laser Light Spectacular on Thursday 30th January:
St John’s Primary Parent Council is delighted to present a Laser Light Spectacular on Thursday 30th January at 6.00pm, taking place in the grounds of St John’s Church Hall.
This family-friendly event features an exciting laser show synchronised to popular favourites, including Taylor Swift, Fortnite, Stranger Things, Disney and more. All funds raised will go towards a fun and safe playground upgrade for the children of St John’s Primary School.
Tickets are available now, and will make a great Christmas stocking filler.
For tickets or further information, please contact Jennifer on 07846 600881.
 
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 Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell, Satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl through the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Love & Beauty in St John’s Spiritual Canticle (20th – 22nd February 2026):
2026 marks the centenary of the declaration of St John of the Cross as a Doctor of the Church. In honour of this anniversary, Fr Matthew Blake OCD, will offer a weekend reflecting on the themes of love and beauty in the most celebrated poetry of the great Spanish mystic. 
https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/love-beauty-in-st-johns-spiritual-canticle/
 
Marriage Preparation Courses 2026 – Diocese of Paisley:
We invite engaged couples to register for one of the Marriage Preparation courses on offer in 2026. The course consists of two evening in-person sessions, and one Saturday morning workshop, which will be held in St. Mirin’s Cathedral Hall, Paisley. For any additional details or queries please contact Rebecca Harrison at [email protected]
The cost for the course per couple is £70 which includes a gift with additional reading materials, couple exercises, books and light refreshments during the workshop. Once couples have registered we will contact them directly regarding attendance at the course and a certificate will be issued upon completion. This course fulfils church requirements regarding preparation before marriage and is a wonderful opportunity to meet other couples and share in fellowship. You can follow the link to access further information https://www.rcdop.org.uk/marriage-preparation or use the QR code to see the course dates and go straight to our booking page. We look forward to seeing you!
 
Diocese of Paisley Vocations:
Our new Diocesan Vocations social media pages are officially up-and-running!
Instagram - dioceseofpaisleyvocations
TikTok - paisleyvocations
X - @DoPVocations
Vocations Director, Fr. Eoin Patten explains our new Vocations message - “He is There!”
Be sure to like, follow and share.
 
Diocesan Finance Department Temporary Vacancies:
The Diocesan finance department have 2 temporary vacancies for a minimum of 6 weeks with immediate effect.
Accountant to prepare quarterly curial and parish accounts, processing payroll and assisting the finance director in ad hoc duties to cover sick leave. Experienced bookkeeper to assist with parish and curial processing on sage. If you are interested and have the relevant experience please contact Jackie Brett by email [email protected]