Newsletter

Third Sunday of Advent

December 14th 2025

 

My dear parishioners,

 

I hope this finds you and your families well as we draw closer to the great Feast of Christmas. On this Third Sunday of Advent, I offer these words from Pope Francis for your reflection:

 

Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, which is characterised by St. Paul’s invitation, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice, the Lord is at hand.’ It is not a superficial or purely emotional cheerfulness that the apostle exhorts, nor is it the cheerfulness of worldliness or of consumerism. No, it is not that, but rather it entails a more authentic joy. It is a joy that touches our innermost being, as we await Jesus, who has already come to bring salvation to the world, the promised Messiah, born in Bethlehem of the Virgin Mary.

 

We are called to let ourselves be drawn by the feeling of exultation; it is heartfelt joy, the joy within which leads us forth and gives us courage. The Lord comes; he comes into our life as a liberator; he comes to free us from all forms of interior and exterior slavery. It is he who shows us the path of faithfulness, of patience, and of perseverance because upon his return our joy will be overflowing. Christmas is near, the signs of his approach are evident along our streets and in our homes; here too in St. Peter’s Square, the nativity scene has been set up with the tree beside it. These outward signs invite us to welcome the Lord, who always comes and knocks at our door, knocks at our heart, to draw near to us. He invites us to recognise his footsteps among the brothers and sisters who pass beside us, especially the weakest and those most in need. Today we are called to share this joy with others, giving comfort and hope to the poor, the sick, and to people who are lonely and unhappy.” Pope Francis

 

Christmas Masses:

December 24th: Vigil Mass at 4pm

First Mass of Christmas at 8pm

 

December 25th: Mass at 10.30am

 

 Schedule for the Daily Liturgy:

Monday December 15th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am;

Confessions at 6.30pm; Novena at 7pm

 

Tuesday December 16th: Mass in St. Paul’s School

9.45am (no Mass at St. Mary’s)

 

Wednesday December 17th: Requiem Mass for Mary (Mamie) Brown at 10.30am

Reception on Tuesday at 6.15pm

 

Thursday December 18th: Mass at 10am

St. Mary’s Primary will be with us

 

Thursday December 18th:

Requiem Mass for Margaret Kelso at 12.30pm

 

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The church’s daily liturgy is a wonderful gift and enables us to journey with Jesus, Mary and the Saints every day of the year; the daily Eucharist offers us the opportunity to contemplate the great mystery of Christ day by day: it is a beautiful way to prepare for Christmas.

 

St. Mary and St. Paul’s Parish, Senior Citizens Christmas Meal, Tuesday 30th December, John Carrigan’s Restaurant, Eddlewood Toll at 2pm. Attendance Forms will be available this week at the back of the church and the tear off should be returned by 20/21 December. Please join us for this very enjoyable afternoon together.

 

Sincere thanks: Mrs. Annie Stobie, who died in 2023, has left a bequest of £600 in her will to St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s Parish; as a parish community we are deeply grateful for such kindness and we will remember Annie in prayer among the benefactors of our parish, requiescat in pace.

 

Parish Choir: Do you enjoy singing? Please come along to the choir practice on Monday, December 15th in preparation for Christmas, in the parish meeting room at 7pm.

 

Santa’s Sausage Sunday, a special coffee morning to be enjoyed by all after our two morning Masses on Sunday December 14th; Christmas cards and some Fairtrade goods will be on sale. Please join us in the hall. Proceeds to the Hamilton Foodbank for Christmas.

 

Recently Deceased: Mary (Maime) Brown, Margaret Kelso, John McCearney, Camille Lynch, Stanley McGinley, Fr. Patrick Gaffney, Gordon Drummond, Maeve Mulrooney, Edward McGeough, Lewis Cuthbert, Ian Donnelly, Martha McAllister

 

Special Remembrance: Catherine Seagreave, John and Elizabeth Fulton, James Fulton, Margaret Bonar, Gerard Falsey, Mary Hepburn, James Keeney, and all our own deceased relatives and friends, and all the benefactors of our parish.

 

Diocese of Motherwell Website:

for good and reliable information about events across our Diocese

please consult www.rcdom.org.uk