First Sunday of Lent

St John the Evangelist Parish
Aurs Rd., Barrhead, G78 2RW.
 
1st Sunday of Lent
22nd February 2026
 
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: £290.50 NGA: £966.52
Restoration Fund GA: £20.00 SPRED GA: £42.00
Donation to Restoration Fund: £5,000
 
The Second Collection next week (1st Sunday of the Month) is for the Restoration Fund Collection.
 
Response to Psalm:
‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, for we have sinned.’
 
St Vincent de Paul Society: 
The SSVP 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.
 
Parish Pastoral Council (Tuesday 24th February):
The Parish Pastoral Council will meet this Tuesday 24th February at 7pm in the Parish Tea Room. Agenda will be sent by email. If you cannot download it, there will be copies in the sacristy.
 
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.
 
We pray for those who have died recently:
Gerry Connelly, Don Guidi, Hugh Hendry, Nessie Redmond and Susan Watson.
 
We pray for the anniversaries of:
Fr Douglas MacMillan, Agnes and William Brennan, Jim Cook, Anne Docherty, William Donn, Frank Hill, Damien and Norah Lafferty, Robert Martin, Ian McArthur, Philip McKenna, Ramon McLean, Catherine and Patrick Smith, Chrissie and Jack Stuart, Frances Winning and for the 3 Month’s Mind of Jim Murphy, 6 Month’s Mind of Christine McGuire and 12 Month’s Mind of John Cahill and May Phillips.
 
Funerals Notices:
The Requiem Mass for Hugh Hendry will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday 27th February.
 
St John’s, Barrhead Accounts Report from the Diocese of Paisley Finance Department:
The profit and loss account for 12 months ending 31st December 2025 shows a profit for the Parish of: £88,400.
 
The balance on 31st December 2025 on the parish loan to Diocese was: £104,199.
The balance on 31st December 2025 on Investment with Diocese was: £567,648.
 
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of the parish and would ask and encourage parishioners wishing to set up new standing orders to complete a standing order form and gift aid declaration, if applicable, and return them to the parish priest. These forms can be obtained from the parish website. Alternatively, you can set up regular faster payment to the parish via your online banking system. Parish bank details as follows:
 
St Johns Church
Sort Code 80-05-54
Account No 00761597
 
Thank you. Jackie Brett, Finance Director, Diocese of Paisley

St John’s Restoration Work:
As you will know, tenders were due back on Wednesday 4th February for the works here in our parish of St John’s, and we have now received tenders from five out of the six tendering contractors as outlined below (these figures do not include 20% VAT): Contractor A £668,354.30    Contractor B £901,367.30      Contractor C £947,995.51 Contractor D £1,047,831.22      Contractor E £1,049,173.62  
The Diocesan Fabric and Property Department met on Friday 20th February to decide on what contractor will get the job which means that we should have a start date very soon. Our budget for the project was restricted at £907,000 (including VAT and Fees). However, two grants totalling £35,000 will now be added to this total, making it £942,000. The Diocese will consider if we have to reduce some of the works or if we require additional funding before the project can go ahead. Please keep the project in your prayers so that we may get a start date very soon.
 
Diocese of Paisley Young Adults (Wednesday 25th February):
The Young Adults series on the Doctors of the Church continues on Wednesday 25th February at 7:00pm in the Diocesan Office, with a talk on St Thomas Aquinas by Fr Matthew Carlin.  All young Catholics 18-35 are welcome. For more information contact Fr. Joe McGill at [email protected] or Fr Paul Laverty [email protected] 
 
P4-P7 Lenten Retreat Day (Sunday 1st March): 
The Diocesan Youth Commission invites children in P4-P7 to a Retreat Day on Sunday 1st March from 1.45pm-5pm. In this special Jubilee Year of St Francis, the theme is "Our Friends, the Saints: The Franciscan Saints." The Retreat takes place in St Francis of Assisi church and halls on Auchenbothie Road in Port Glasgow (PA14 6JD). It will include Holy Mass. A light dinner will be provided. Registration is necessary: www.tinyurl.com/dpy-lent-2026. Email Fr Ryan for more info: [email protected].
 
Men’s Lenten Night (Monday 2nd March):
All men are warmly invited to the Men’s Lenten Night at St Joseph’s RC Church (Clarkston) on Monday 2nd March 2026 at 8:00pm, for an evening of guided prayer, reflection and hymns in preparation for Easter. A meaningful opportunity during Lent to pause, pray and deepen your faith alongside other men. Teas and coffees will be available in the hall afterwards. Hosted and organised by The Community of the Risen Christ (SCO004170)
 
SPRED MASS (Sunday 8th March):  
The 11.30am on Sunday 8th March will celebrate SPRED. All Welcome.
World Day of Prayer (Friday 6th March):
The ABC (Action of Barrhead Churches) is taking part in this annual event, and this year St. John’s is hosting the service, which will be held in the hall from 2–4pm. There will be readings and prayers, music, à collection, then tea and chat. Everyone is very welcome.
 
Retreat Weekend for People thinking about what’s next in Life (Friday 13th – Sunday 15th March / Friday 8th – Sunday 10th May):
'Navigating the way forward' - Either 13-15 March (Conforti, Coabridge) or 8-10 May (Benedictine Monastery, Largs)
Take time out with God for reflection, input and community as we consider how to discern where we are and where we might be invited to next steps. For those facing choices in life, or wondering if there are changes which would lead to greater growth.
 
Coalition Against Assisted Dying Vote (Thursday 26th March):
The next few weeks are very important for our country and we must make every effort both practically and spiritually to defeat the assisted suicide bill which will be voted on, before our parliament goes into recess and before the election, on Thursday 26th March 2026.
We have prepared a letter for all parishioners to send to Mr Tom Arthur MSP detailing the key reasons he should vote against the bill and I would ask you to sign and address the letters which will be available at the back of the church. These letters should be sent to Mr Arthur to show our collective opposition, as a parish community, to the bill.
 
'Going Deeper’ - For People New to the Catholic Faith (RCIA) (Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd May):
Pluscarden Benedictine Monastery, Elgin
Take time to pause and reflect on your faith journey in the beautiful surroundings of Pluscarden Benedictine Monastery. Arrivals from 5pm on Friday 1st May and leaving after 12:00 noon lunch on Sunday 3 May.
This residential retreat is designed for those who have been through RCIA (a programme which prepares people to become Roman Catholic).
The weekend will include opportunities to try different ways of praying, exploring some of the Ignatian (Jesuit) and Benedictine traditions, and sharing with others on living a reflective life. 
 
SPUC News:
SPUC has recently launched The Legacy of Life Fellowship, which has been established to encourage SPUC supporters to become invaluable partners in this mission.  If you are interested in leaving a legacy and would like to find out more information about joining The Legacy of Life Fellowship, please email [email protected] or telephone 020 7820 3136.
 
Anwar is walking for St John's! (Sunday 16th August):
Anwar Rafiq has generously volunteered to take on the Dundee Kiltwalk this August in support of the Church’s Restoration Fund and is hoping to hit the goal of raising £1,000.
The amount raised so far is:£452
Let’s cheer Anwar on and help him make every step count!
All donations for Anwar’s Kilt Walk can be made at the Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/st-john-the-evangelist-barrhead-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL&utm_campaign=020