Newsletter

Thirtieth Sunday of the Year

October 26th 2025

 

My dear parishioners,

Pope Leo has issued his first Apostolic Exhortation, Dilexi te, (I have loved you). It’s an opportunity for us to hear the voice of our new Pope, who is finding his way in his new ministry as Bishop of Rome. In this important teaching document, he reminds us that we are called to show the same love that God has for us in our love for others, especially the poor. I thought you might like to read and reflect upon the following extracts from Pope Leo’s very first Apostolic Exhortation:

 

“Love for the Lord, then, is one with love for the poor. The same Jesus, who tells us, ‘The poor you will always have with you’ (Mt 26:11), also promised the disciples, ‘I am with you always’ (Mt 28:20). We likewise think of his saying: ‘Just as you did it to the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me’ (Mt 25:40). This is not a matter of mere human kindness but a revelation: contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history.”

 

“Where the world sees threats, the church sees children, where walls are built, the church builds bridges. The church knows that the proclamation of the Gospel is credible only when it is translated into gestures of closeness and welcome. And she knows that in every rejected migrant, it is Christ himself who knocks at the door of the community.”

 

“The preference for the poor never indicates exclusivity or discrimination towards other groups, which would be impossible for God. It is meant to emphasise God’s actions, which are moved by compassion toward the poverty and weakness of all humanity. Wanting to inaugurate a kingdom of justice, fraternity and solidarity, God has a special place in his heart for those who are discriminated against, and he asks us, his church, to make a decisive and radical choice in favour of the weakest.” Pope Leo XIV

 

Thank you for the great response to the Mission Sunday Appeal to support important pastoral projects in parishes in Bolivia; our donation came to £2,000. Thank You!

 

Schedule for the Daily Liturgy:

 

Monday October 27th: Requiem for Joseph Kane at 10am; Reception on Sunday at 6pm; Novena on Monday at 7pm

 

Tuesday October 28th: Requiem for Agnes O’Donnell at 9.30am; Reception on Monday at 6.15pm

 

Wednesday October 29th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am; Adoration until 2.30pm

 

Thursday October 30th: Mass at 10am

 

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Monday November 3rd: Requiem Mass for Henry

(Sonny) O’Neill at 10am

 

You would be most welcome to join us for the daily liturgy at any time. It’s a beautiful way to begin the day. The Rosary provides a prayerful opportunity to intercede for our world and for those we feel special concern. The daily eucharist invites us to listen deeply to the word of God and to receive Jesus as Bread of Life, food for our journey through the hours of the day. Come as you are!

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Solemnity of All Saints is transferred this year to Sunday November 2nd.

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (Holy Souls Day) is transferred to Monday November 3rd.

 

RCIA is now underway and will meet this Thursday evening at 7pm in the parish meeting room. We have six people making this journey and please remember them in your prayers.

 

Xavarian Missionary Fathers will visit our parish on the Weekend of November 8-9, to make an appeal for support. Thank you. A little donation from us all goes a long way.

 

Altar Serving Training has been arranged for Saturday 1st November, 10am-11.30am. Would you like to join the Altar Servers? If you have made your First Holy Communion and would like to serve, then come along to the training. Present servers should come too, for some extra training! Serving on the altar is a big commitment, so please speak with your parents about this.

 

Wrap Up Lanarkshire Appeal: The Rotary Club of Hamilton is appealing for the donation of any spare winter coats or anoraks, which will be distributed via homeless shelters, refugee centres, organisations supporting the elderly, women’s refuges, children’s centres and other charities helping people in crisis. Please bring your coat or anorak to the church during October.

 

Recently Deceased: Joseph Kane, Agnes O’Donnell, Henry (Sonny) O’Neill, Ian McAvinchey, Charles McGuigan, Mary Wilson, Patricia Reavey (Ireland), John Burns, Kathleen Casey,

James Milligan, Tony Quinn

                                                                                                                         

Special Remembrance: Hugh Morgan, Margaret Maguire, Margaret Lynas Higgins, Stephanie Higgins, George Cree and all our own deceased relatives and friends, and all the benefactors of our parish.