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Thirty Marian shrines are involved in leading the Church throughout the world in praying during May for an end to the pandemic.
Prayers from the Pontifical Council for Promotion of the New Evangelisation can be found by clicking on the link below
First Reading: Acts 1:15-17. 20-26
One day Peter stood up to speak to the brothers—there were about a hundred and twenty persons in the congregation: “Brothers, the passage of scripture had to be fulfilled in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, foretells the fate of Judas, who offered himself as a guide to the men who arrested Jesus—after having been one of our number and actually sharing this ministry of ours. In the Book of Psalms it says: Let someone else take his office. “We must therefore choose someone who has been with us the whole time that the Lord Jesus was travelling round with us, someone who was with us right from the time when John was baptising until the day when he was taken up from us—and he can act with us as a witness to his resurrection.” Having nominated two candidates, Joseph known as Barsabbas, whose surname was Justus, and Matthias, they prayed, “Lord, you can read everyone’s heart; show us therefore which of these two you have chosen to take over this ministry and apostolate, which Judas abandoned to go to his proper place.” They then drew lots for them, and as the lot fell to Matthias, he was listed as one of the twelve apostles. The Word of the Lord
PSALM
R/ The Lord has set his sway in heaven
My soul, give thanks to the Lord, all my being, bless his holy name, My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings. R/
For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins. R/
The Lord has set his sway in heaven and his kingdom is ruling over all. Give thanks to the Lord, all his angels, mighty in power, fulfilling his word. R/
Second Reading: I John 4:11-16
My dear people, since God has loved us so much, we too should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but as long as we love one another God will live in us and his love will be complete in us. We can know that we are living in him and he is living in us because he lets us share his Spirit. We ourselves saw and we testify that the Father sent his Son as saviour of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him, and he in God. We ourselves have known and put our faith in God’s love towards ourselves. God is love and anyone who lives in love lives n God, and God lives in him. The Word of the Lord
Gospel: John 17:11-19
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: “Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.”
PROMPTS FOR FAITH-SHARING
In the first reading Matthias is chosen to join the apostles as a “witness to Jesus’s resurrection.” In your journey of faith, who have been the most effective witnesses for you of Jesus’s light and life?
In today’s second reading we hear the familiar statement “God is love.” As a Christian, how do you try to live this truth?
In today’s gospel, Jesus prays to God that his disciples “may be one like us.” What is the biggest obstacle to unity in your parish church? How might God be calling you to address this?
This is our final week of the Easter season. How has your relationship with Jesus been renewed throughout this time of celebration?
We will be livestreaming all our Masses in both churches. You can access this by following this link – https://tinyurl.com/rcstevenstonsaltcoats .
Or by accessing our websites and use the Livestream Heading
BBC Alba has agreed to a repeat showing of their three-part series:
Sgoil nan Sagart which followed the preparation for ordination of Fr Ronald Campbell they will be shown on 2nd, 9th and 16th June:
BBC Alba
Virgin Media Channel 120 (Scotland) Channel 161 (Rest of UK)
Freesat Channel 109
Sky Channel 117 (Scotland) Channel 169 (Rest of UK)
Livestreamed every Tuesday at 7pm During May.
Are keen to fill the following positions. Volunteers, Catechists, Trustee Board Members and Chair of the Board of Trustees. If you would like more more information please visit their Facebook page and website, Facebook/spredgalloway; www.spredgalloway.org.uk. Or contact Janette Douglas, Coordinator for SPRED Galloway on 07568346391 or email info@spredgalloway.org.uk for an application pack.
Please click on link below for an update on SCIAF and ways to donate / fundraise
Don’t worry if you are not able to support your parish financially at this time. Maybe you are having to get by on a reduced income, maybe you are anxious about losing your job. Many people are. In these difficult circumstances you should not feel obliged to give what you do not have.
The diocese, though, has set up a facility online for those who are able to give and who are not already contributing by standing order.
Use the link below, or scan the QR code, to access the page on the diocesan website where you can contribute to your parish by credit/debit card. You can also gift aid your donation.
The most important thing at the moment is not for us to give in the collection but to pray for one another, particularly for all those who are suffering and whose lives have been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
May we support each other by our prayers.
Kind regards,
+William Nolan
Bishop of Galloway
The link for the diocese page is: http://www.gallowaydiocese.org.uk/parish-collections
Our specific links for St Mary’s and John’s can be found by clicking on either rcsaltcoats or rcstevenston link and follow below the instructions.
https://tinyurl.com/rcsaltcoats
https://tinyurl.com/rcstevenston
You can also use the QR codes In the same way as web links.
St Mary’s:
St John’s
Please click on link below for Issue 3
GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION
The Regulation came into force on Friday 25th May 2018, and gives individuals greater rights and control over the use of their personal information. Your privacy is important to the Parish Communities of St. John’s and St. Mary’s. We use the personal data, provided by you for Pastoral support and the administration of weekly collections. The information is held securely and confidentially in electronic or paper format. We will not share this information with third parties without your prior consent. A fuller Privacy Notice is now available on the Diocesan website. www.gallowaydiocese.org.uk/privacy-policy-and-gdpr