Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time January 31st 2026

St John the Evangelist Parish
Aurs Rd., Barrhead, G78 2RW.
 
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
1st 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: £450.10 NGA: £949.77
White Flower Appeal: £1,001.79
Restoration Fund: £190.00
 
There will be a second collection this weekend for the Building Fund (First Sunday of the Month) and there will be a second collection next week for SPRED.
 
Response to Psalm: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’
 
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).
 
St John's Social Committee:
The Social Committee meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm in the tea room. If anyone has any fundraising ideas, initiatives, grant awareness or simply wants to get involved, please come along — everyone is welcome.
 
We pray for those who have died recently:
Delia Delaney, Rose Friel, Alan Ross and Kayden Young.
 
We pray for the anniversaries of:
John Brady Sr, John Brady Jr, Ian Burnett, Harriet Finnigan, Audrey Fitzgerald, Anna Gaffney, Paul Goodwin, Moira Henry, Jean Howell, Frances MacEwan, Agnes and Peter McGoldrick, Rose and John McGoldrick and Anna McGuire.
 
Funerals Notices:
The Requiem Mass for Delia Delaney will be celebrated on Friday 6th February at 10:00am and 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.
 
First Fridays for Life (6th February 2026 - St Charles', Paisley): Will you fast and pray every First 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 Charles', Paisley, on Friday the 6th of February at 7:00pm; Adoration & Confession from 6:00pm.
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.
 
Acutis Evening (Friday 6th February): 
S4-6 pupils are invited to the next Acutis Evening for catechesis, dinner and prayer, on Friday 6th February. It will take place in St James’s Church and halls (Greenock Road, Paisley) from 6:00-8:00pm. Please note that (one-time) registration for these events in necessary. Parents/guardians should visit www.tinyurl.com/dpy-acutis-evenings. Email Fr Ryan Black for more info at [email protected].
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!
 
Ladies' Spring Fling in aid of the Restoration Fund (Sunday 22nd February):
St John's Fundraising Committee is delighted to announce, that the Ladies’ ‘Spring Fling’ in the Church Hall on Sunday 22nd February from 2pm to 6pm is SOLD OUT. 
Thank you to all, who have purchased tickets.
All proceeds will go to St John’s Church Restoration fund.
 
Marriage Preparation residential weekend course (13 - 15 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):
Pluarden 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]
 
100 Club January Draw:
1st Prize - John Joe Reilly – No.100 (£100).
2nd Prize – Ian Ross – No.08 (£50).
3rd Prize – M.M. Davidson – No.78 (£30).
4th Prize – Lara Mechan – No.122 (£20).
5th Prize – Margaret Dougan – No.43 (£20).
 
All winners can collect their prizes from the Sacristy.