Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time February 8th 2026

St John the Evangelist Parish
Aurs Rd., Barrhead, G78 2RW.

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
8th 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: £367.75 NGA: £1,032.35
Building Fund GA: £768.50 NGA: £767.68
 
The Second Collection this week will help fund the great work that SPRED do for our parishioners with additional support needs, helping them understand and celebrate their faith.
 
Response to Psalm:
‘A light rises in the darkness for the upright.’
 
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. (All information treated confidentially).

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, Rose Friel, Alan Ross, Angela Smith,
Charles Wright and Kayden Young.
 
We pray for the anniversaries of:
John Bennett, John Dickson, Betty Donegan, Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Tom and Jeanette Gallacher, James Garry, Paul Goodwin, Jenny Hughes, George Logue, Bridget McGowan, James and Noreen McGowan, Jean Pattison, David Reynolds, Patrick Reynolds, Robert Stewart, Patrick Walker and Cecilia Wright.
 
Funerals Notices:
The Requiem Mass for Alan Ross will be celebrated on Wednesday 11th February at 10:00am.
 
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in St John’s and the Diocese of Paisley:
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion will shortly receive a letter from Fr John. They are asked by the bishop to attend two Saturday meetings next month for an opportunity to deepen their understanding of what the Church teaches about the Mass and Holy Communion, and to be re-commissioned to give out Holy Communion at Mass. The dates for the remaining sessions available in the Diocese:
East Renfrewshire: 21st and 28th February in St. Joseph’s Hall, Clarkston.
 
Sacred Heart Prayer Group (Tuesday 10th February):
The Prayer Group will meet in St John’s Tearoom on Tuesday 10th February from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
 
Quiz Night – First of 2026! (Friday 13th February):
Join us for our first quiz night of the year on Friday 13th February 2026 in the Church Hall at 7:00pm.
Everyone is welcome — bring friends, family, and anyone who enjoys a fun evening of questions, competition, and community spirit.
Entry: £2 per person
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is all around… and so are the quiz questions!
We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Ash Wednesday Across St John’s and the Diocese (Wednesday 18th February):
Ash Wednesday schedules for the whole diocese can be found on the diocesan website at rcdop.org.uk/ash. You can search by parish, by time, by location, or download a spreadsheet will all the schedule information. Please check back regularly as we will add to the page as parishes confirm their schedules. (QR code graphic attached.)
The Ash Wednesday schedule here in St John’s is as follows: 7:30am, 10am, 7pm.
 
Love & Beauty in St John’s Spiritual Canticle (Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd February 2026):
2026 marks the centenary of the declaration of St John of the Cross as a 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/

Safeguarding Induction Training – 2026:
If you are a new volunteer, or one who completed Part 1 training more than two years ago, you are invited to sign up for one of the following training sessions.  Please contact Sarah Jane Colhoun at the Safeguarding Office to register.  Tel: 0141 847 6138 or [email protected]
Dates:                                                                       
Tuesday, 10th February, 7pm, Diocesan Centre Paisley 
Saturday, 28th March, 10.30am, St Joseph’s Greenock  
Tuesday, 21st April, 7pm, Diocesan Centre Paisley 
Saturday, 16th May, 10.30am, St Mary’s Greenock 
Tuesday 9th June, 7pm, Diocesan Centre Paisley
 
Safeguarding Through for the Month of February:
We take time to respond to the Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse on Friday 20th February 2026.
 
Marriage Preparation residential weekend course (Friday 13th – Sunday 15th March 2026): 
The CHC’s weekend marriage prep 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. https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/marriage-preparation
 
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, Coatbridge) 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.
 

'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. 
 
Applying for Seminary:
At this time of year, the Catholic Church in Scotland welcomes applications for Seminary for the year 2027. If you think God may be calling you to the joyful life of a Priest in the Diocese of Paisley, to serve His people, to celebrate the Sacraments and to Preach the Word, ‘do not be afraid – He is there.’ To find out more about the application process and Seminary itself, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Eoin Patten, by email [email protected]
New Vocations Website!
 
Diocese of Paisley Vocations Website:
Our new Vocations web pages are up-and-running! You can check them out at rcdop.org.uk/dp-vocations.
Please join us in praying for more vocations to the Diocese of Paisley – “He is There!”.
You can also support us by liking, sharing and following our Vocations social media pages:
Instagram: @dioceseofpaisleyvocations
TikTok: @paisleyvocations
X: @DoPVocations
Thank you for helping to promote and pray for vocations in our Diocese!
 
World Day of Prayer on March 6th.
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.

Children's Rosary.
The next children's Rosary will be on Friday, 13th February at 6pm