Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

St John the Evangelist Parish
Aurs Rd., Barrhead, G78 2RW.
 
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
28th 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.
Workers’ Mass: Wednesday 7:30am.
Holy Days of Obligation: Vigil 7:00pm, 8:00am and 10:00am.

Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession):
Saturday 10:30am-11:00am, 3:15pm-3:45pm.
Monday-Friday 9:30am-9:50am​.
 
Last Week’s Collections:
First Collection GA: £461.00 NGA: £1,085.00
Building Fund GA: £5.00
 
Response to Psalm:
‘Blessed are all who fear the Lord, and walk in his ways.’
 
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. 
 
Western Catholic Calendars:
Western Catholic Calendars for 2026 are available to buy for £3.50 each at the piety stall.
 
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 SSVP, 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:
Dennis Boyle, Patricia Byrne, Derek Cassidy, Robert Clarke, Joe Gribbon, Robert McCann, Dill McCrystal and James McGauley.
 
We pray for the anniversaries of:
Mary Armstrong, Tam Armstrong, Madge Burns, Mark Clougherty, Irene Clougherty, Mary Connolly, James Darcy, Jackie Devlin, Roseanne Hannigan, Archie Hughes, Mary Hughes, Jimmy MacDuff, Mary MacDuff, Annie McCann, Billy McCann, John McCann, Kathleen McGeadie, Harry McKelvie, Margaret McGuire, Sarah Quinn and Thomas Wood.
 
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. 
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.
 
Close of Jubilee 2025 Diocese of Paisley (Sunday 28th December): 
The Jubilee Year will formally end in dioceses across the world on Sunday 28th December 2025 (the Feast of the Holy Family). The Vicar General of our diocese, Monsignor Burke, will formally preside over the Closing Rites at 11:00am Mass in St Mirin’s Cathedral.
 
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.
 
St Mary's Greenock First Friday for Life (Friday 2nd January):
Will you fast and pray every first of the month 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! The next Mass of the season will be offered in St Mary's, Greenock, on Friday 2nd of January at 7:00pm with Adoration and Confession from 6:00pm.
 
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 (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.
 
Catholic Families for Life Newsletter:
“Catholic Families for Life” Newsletter from the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life - latest version can be found at www.marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk
 
 
Retrouvaille Programme (Thursday 12th February):
The Retrouvaille programme helps marriages. It can bring hope and healing to relationships and the next session is on Thursday 12th February.
www.retrouvaille.org.uk   Tel: 07887 296983
 
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/
 
Stella Maris Lourdes Pilgrimage (Monday 25th – Saturday 30th May 2026):
We warmly welcome serving or retired seafarers, fishers and their family members or carers to spend six grace-filled days of prayer, healing, and fellowship in the beautiful sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
This pilgrimage will be fully funded (including travel, accommodation, and meals).
To register your interest, or request further information please contact:
Dcn. John Fogarty: [email protected] | 07986 723015
Hugh Ramsay: [email protected] | 07432 654032
 
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!