The First Sunday in Advent

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

The First Sunday of Advent
30th November 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.
Worker's 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: £353.00 NGA: £1,055.70
Education GA: £30.00        
 
We are very pleased to report that we have received a grant of £10,000 for our restoration work from the National Churches Trust.
 
Response to Psalm:
‘Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.’

St Nicholas is coming to town: 
The Diocesan Marriage, Family & Life Commission and Catholic Mothers invite families to celebrate the feast day of St Nicholas on December 6, 2025 at St John’s hall Barrhead, 3.00-4.30pm. Crafts & activities for children; talk for parents; teas, coffees and cakes for everyone, and… a special guest! No fees but donations appreciated. Please register by December 1 at: rcdop.org.uk/st-nicholas-celebration

St John’s Hogmanay Party:
We are delighted to announce the re-introduction of our Hogmanay Party on Wednesday 31st December, from 9:00pm – 2:00am.
Tickets are priced at £20 for adults and £10 for children and are selling fast. Proceeds to the Restoration Fund.
The ticket price includes a disco and buffet.
This event will be BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle).
To purchase tickets, please contact Teresa O’Hara on: 07896988096.
 
We pray for those who have died recently:
Mary (Mae) Burns, Rosemary Gibb, John (Ian) McMahon, Leanne McWilliams, Jim Murphy, Sarah O’Neill and John Wilson.
 
We pray for the anniversaries of:
Neal Crossan, Michael Doherty, Catherine Doyle,  Joseph Gallacher Jr, Archie Hughes, Charlie Hughes, Maureen Hughes, Helen McCarthy, Thomas McCrossan, Annie McDougal, Ian McGarrigle, Mary McQuade, John McTaggart, Jane Sloan and Monica Tipping.
 
Forthcoming Funerals:
Sarah O’Neill 10am, Tuesday 2nd December.
Leanne McWilliams 10am, Wednesday 3rd December.
John (Ian) McMahon 10am, Thursday 4 December.
John Wilson, 10am, Tuesday 9 December.
May Burns, Vigil 6pm Friday 12 December, Funeral 10am Saturday 13 December.
 
Raffle to Win Signed Dr Who Script:
Scan the link below or scan the QR code to purchase a ticket.  £1 per ticket. Alternatively, you can scan from the posters on the church and hall noticeboards.
Raffle to win a signed Dr Who script, signed by Peter Capaldi. Series 2- Episode 8. “Into the Dalek.”
Paypal.com/pool/9jtvuDV3Ds
All proceeds in aid of St. John’s Restoration fund.
For those who are experiencing difficulties accessing the raffle using the QR code, there will be an opportunity to purchase tickets (£1 an entry) in the porch after the weekend Masses.
Keep up to date with our fundraising projects on St John the Evangelist Community and Fundraising Group on Facebook.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/816999461224626/
 
Advent Prayer Breakfast:
Every Friday from November 28th until December 19th at 9am, join our brothers and sisters at St. Bernadette’s, Erskine, for a joyful breakfast followed by a short prayer reflection. Mass will be at 8:30 am on these Fridays.
 
P4-P7 Advent Retreat Day Sunday 30th November: 
The Diocesan Youth Commission invites children in P4-P7 to a Pentecost Retreat Day on Sunday 30th November from 1.45pm-5pm. The theme is "Our Friends, the Saints: The Saints of Scotland." The Retreat takes place in St James’s church and halls on Greenock Road in Paisley (PA3 2LD). It will include Holy Mass. A light dinner will be provided. Registration is necessary: www.tinyurl.com/dpy-primary-advent25. Email Fr Ryan for more info: [email protected].
 
Advent at St Joseph’s, Clarkston:
Reflection sessions Mondays 7 - 9pm.  Dec 1, Dec 8 (online) and Dec 15.  
With a team from the Ignatian Spirituality Centre. 
A time to prepare for Christmas by reflecting on the Advent scriptures using Ignatian tools. 
There will be space for personal prayer and community time through our imagination, sacred reading, poetry and images.
Feel free to come along - meeting in the Church. Please note the session on 8 December will be online. 
 
All-Day Advent Eucharistic Adoration:
There will be all-day Eucharistic Adoration each Tuesday at St. John Bosco church, Erskine and Thursday in St. Bernadette’s Church, Erskine, from 10am until 7pm. With a Holy Hour from 6pm until 7pm. From the 2nd of December until the 18th of December.
Confessions are available from 5pm to 6pm at St. John Bosco on Tuesdays and at St. Bernadette’s on Thursdays.
 
Diocese of Paisley Young Adults Wednesday 3rd December:
The Young Adults series on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - “Heaven Meets Earth” Continues on Wednesday 3rd December at 7pm in the Diocesan Office, with ’Old Testament Roots’ by Fr Paul Denney. All young Catholics 18-35 are welcome. For more information contact Fr. Joe McGill at [email protected] or Fr Paul Laverty [email protected] 
 
Carols of Peace Service Thursday 4th December:
Join Aid to the Church in Need for Carols for Peace, a beautiful evening of music, stories, and prayer as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ.
Thursday, 4th December, St John the Baptist, Uddingston, 7:30pm - 9:30pm. Free event.
Reserve your free ticket at https://www.trybooking.com/uk/FNIM. For more information, please contact the ACN Scotland office at [email protected] or call 01698 337 470.
 
First Fridays for Life – 5th December 2025 - St John's, Barrhead: 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 John's, Barrhead, on Friday the 5th of December at 7pm.
 
Advent Retreat Saturday 6th December:  
Saturday, 6th of December, 10am until 12 noon in St. Bernadette’s, Park Drive, Erskine. This retreat offers a chance to reflect on our service, deepen our faith, and connect in the mission of our church. Guided reflections with prayer and worship music, with an opportunity for Confession.
 
1st Barrhead Guides Christmas Shoppers’ Night Tuesday 9th December:
The 1st Barrhead Guides are running their Christmas Shoppers’ Night on Tuesday 9th December from 7:30pm-9pm in the St John’s parish hall. Tickets are priced at £3 per adult and kids go free! Admission includes a refreshment and a biscuit. There will be a variety of local businesses showcasing their fantastic products so please come along to support a great cause.
 
Barrhead Burgh Band Wednesday 10th December:
Churches from Barrhead and Neilston are joining together for a Christmas carol service, supported by the Barrhead Burgh Band, in a celebration of faith and togetherness.
The service will be held at St Andrew’s Church on Ralston Road, Barrhead, at 7pm on Wednesday, December 10.
It is organised by Action for Barrhead Churches (ABC), a group dedicated to promoting unity among congregations in the area.
 
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!
 
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]