PARISH BULLETIN

St Kieran’s, the Church in Campbeltown and Islay Ceann Loch Chille Chiarain 17th of January 2021

St. Kieran’s

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: Holy Mass 10am

Holy Mass, 10.00 am

Current restrictions announced by the Scottish Government mean it is necessary to close places of worship. Therefore, Holy Mass will regrettably only be celebrated without people present and will be broadcast on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/campbeltownrcchurch) and Zoom (Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6593787274) .

Anyone requiring should contact Fr. Wood: 01586 552160 or [email protected]

Psalm response Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. acclamation Alleluia, alleluia! We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace. Alleluia! Communion Antiphon You have prepared a table before me, and how precious is the chalice that quenches my thirst. Take Five Invest just five minutes a day, and your faith will deepen and grow — a day at a time. Monday, Jan 18, 2021 world have been observing annually the Week of Abide your time this week Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18-25). For For more than 100 years, Christians around the Catholics, this week is an opportunity to also ponder how we spread the wonderful gift of the moved by her story and lifted her up for Eucharist as the real presence of the Lord. . Agnes was executed for her TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 5:1-10; Mark faith in the fourth century. Centuries later 2:18-22. “Can the wedding guests fast while memories of Agnes continue to inspire the the bridegroom is with them?” faithful. Take a moment to reflect on a woman of Tuesday, Jan 19, 2021 faith who inspires you. Pray the ’s prayer for peace TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 7:25—8:6; Exactly 60 years ago tomorrow, John F. Mark 3:7-12. “Jesus is always able to save Kennedy gave an inaugural address that quoted those who approach God through him.” Romans 12:12, reminding citizens to be Friday, Jan 22, 2021 “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation.” One Embracing your inner apostle year later, Pope John XXIII became a secret How many apostles did Jesus call? If you said intermediary between Kennedy and Soviet 12, well, you are sort of correct. Indeed, Jesus leader , speaking a message appointed 12 followers to be His close of peace to the entire world during the Cuban companions, to learn from Him, and to preach Missile Crisis. Haunted by the experience, he the Good News. But it doesn’t stop at 12. Jesus penned his final encyclical, , continues to call forth apostles in the Church. stressing the Church’s Christian duty to address We have bishops who continue the mission via international issues of peace and human rights the tradition of apostolic succession. We also, — speaking to all persons “of good will,” not only thankfully, have every single person in the Catholics. Pray for peace and the perseverance Church, including you! “The whole Church is of hope. apostolic, in that she remains . . . in communion TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 6:10-20; of faith and life with her origin: and in that she is Mark 2:23-28. “Hold fast to the hope that lies ‘sent out’ into the whole world,” says the before us.” Catechism of the . How will you Wednesday, Jan 20, 2021 respond to your call to apostleship? OPTIONAL OF SAINT FABIAN, TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 8:6-13; Mark POPE, MARTYR 3:13-19. “Jesus went up the mountain and Be open to the Spirit of surprise summoned those whom he wanted and they In the year 236, Fabian left his farm and headed came to him.” to . He wanted to be in town for the Saturday, Jan 23, 2021 election of a new pope. The furthest thing from OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT MARIANNE his mind, or anyone’s mind, was that he would COPE, RELIGIOUS be elected. Legend holds that as clergy Remarkable, two times over discussed worthy candidates, a dove landed on Imagine leaving all that is familiar to minister in a the head of bystander Fabian. Thinking it was a far-off land. Now imagine doing it twice! sign from the Holy Spirit, the crowd elected German-born Marianne Cope went to the United Fabian by acclamation. A kind and capable States as a young woman and, as a member of administrator, he had the respect of both the the Sisters of St. Francis of Syracuse, New York, faith community and three different emperors in became a founding leader of St. ’s a period of rare peace. Although that peace Hospital in the city, one of the first general eventually ended and persecution cost him his hospitals in the country. Then in 1883 she life, Fabian’s legacy endures. Be open to relocated with six other sisters to Hawaii to care unexpected visitations of the Holy Spirit! for persons suffering leprosy and to help develop TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 7:1-3, 15-17; the medical infrastructure of the island chain. Mark 3:1-6. “Come up here before us.” Pray today for an ounce of the courage and Thursday, Jan 21, 2021 sacrifice she modelled for us all. MEMORIAL OF SAINT AGNES, , TODAY'S READINGS: Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14; MARTYR Mark 3:20-21. “Jesus came with his disciples Draw inspiration from women of faith into the house.” Today we honour Saint Agnes, virgin and martyr. The devotion to her grew from grassroots popularity; that is, ordinary Christians were

Readings for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time 1 3:3b-10, 19 Sleeping near the ark of God, Samuel learns to recognise the call of the Lord. Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 God does not ask for sacrificial offerings but only an obedient heart. 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 We belong to God body and soul and have been purchased at a dear price. John 1:35-42 The disciples are invited to make their home with Jesus. Two stories A young woman read the biography of St. Teresa of Avila through one night. When she finished the book, she closed it and said: This is true. She decided to become a Catholic and religious sister. As a Jewess, she was murdered in the concentration camp of Auschwitz. We are talking about who in 1988 was acclaimed a saint and one of two patrons of Europe. One young very wealthy man, liked among friends, with great prospects of a stunning career in the profession of his father, set off to war with a neighbouring city-state in . He was taken into captivity but soon was freed. When he returned home, he met a leper. He gave alms to him and decided to live for God in poverty. This is St. Francis of . Both descriptions of these people combine in an attitude of determination. It was their response to the call of God. They received this call, not through angels or as the result of some strange event, but in a simple way. They wanted to belong to God, immediately. There was once a young man who was sent to stay with me for a while as he discerned whether to go to seminary. He didn’t want to give up his flat, and wanted to find somewhere to store his possessions. Finally – mostly due to this – he didn’t go to seminary. Undoubtedly, before the followed the voice of Christ, they had some of their own experiences, sometimes painful. They even lived in unbelief. Equally, the apostles were in the beginning disciples of , because they were searching for God. Whoever has no desires, longings, expectations or dreams, will never know what lies beyond the limited horizon of earthly life. Jesus perceived two disciples following Him, and asked: “What are you looking for?”. Much more often in life we are told what to do, and yet the key to a person is actually knowing what he wants. Whoever stands before some life decision, must be aware what he lacks, to where his desire is taking him. How does Jesus react? Incredibly simple: “Come, and you will see”, that is He invites. No preliminary conditions, moral knowledge, teachings, not even any prayer. An ordinary “I invite you”, and then you can say: “No, thank you”. The apostles went and stayed a day, but in reality stayed with Christ now for ever. He didn’t give them an earthly career but gave them the heavenly kingdom. Earlier He had demolished their previous and accustomed lives, but gave ill-treatment and martyrdom.

If someone thinks that the Church, faith or Jesus Christ only limits him, and gives him nothing, then he must consider that he still has a lot to do. Jesus, at least once, I would like to stand on the road, Which You are on Hear Your steps getting closer And know what You are like.

At least once to hear Your voice As You say my name And how You say: Come, I have called you.

At least once I would like to walk with You a little way, Follow You from morning to evening And then break bread with You At least once. (R. Breitenbach, Sechs-Minuten-Predigten) Prayer Please pray for those who are in need or have asked for our prayers: Catherine Walker and Russell Carroll. Remember all those who are vulnerable to the severe effects of the current epidemic and the doctors, nurses, First Responders, carers who continue to aid the sick and vulnerable, as well as key workers who help us all. Please remember in your prayers all those whose anniversaries occur at his time. Rest in peace Archbishop Philip Tartaglia who died on the Feast of St. Kentigern and Bishop Emeritus Logan who died on Thursday. News Weekday Masses: during this heightened period of restrictions, all Masses and devotions will be without people present but live-streamed. PVG 5 year renewals: members who need to renew their PVG membership should provide the three proofs of identity to Fr. Tony so that the Diocesan Office can process the renewal. Friends of St. Kieran: it has been decided to suspend the draws until COVID-19 restrictions are sufficiently eased. Anyone who has made contributions in advance will have them carried forward to when the draws restart. Mass on Islay: after much consideration and consultation, I have decided not to travel to Islay during the mainland lockdown for the safety and peace of mind for everyone. Let us offer this short term sacrifice for those who serve us at most risk. If anyone needs care of the sick, I will travel across to Islay in that circumstance.