Newsletter

Feast of the Baptism of Jesus

January 11th 2026

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My dear parishioners,

I hope this finds you and your families well as we begin our journey of life and faith through the months of 2026. May this be a year of fruitful discipleship for us all. I offer the following words from Pope Francis for your reflection:

 

Today, in the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, the gospels describe the scene which occurred at the river Jordan: Jesus too is among the penitent crowd that approaches John the Baptist to receive Baptism. He has stood in line. John would like to prevent him from being baptised. The Baptist is aware of the great distance there is between him and Jesus. But Jesus has come precisely to bridge the gap between humanity and God: if Jesus is completely on God’s side, he is also completely on humanity’s side and reunites what has been separated. For this reason, he asks John to baptise him, so that all righteousness may be fulfilled through the plan which takes the way of obedience and solidarity with fragile and sinful humanity, the way of humility and of God’s closeness to his children. God is very close to us.

 

At the moment in which Jesus, baptized by John, comes out of the waters of the river Jordan, the voice of God the Father is heard from on high: ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’ At the same time, the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, rests on Jesus, who publicly begins his mission of Salvation, a mission characterised by a manner: the way of a humble and gentle servant, armed only with the power of truth.

 

This is the humble and gentle servant. This is the way of Jesus, as well as the manner of his disciples’ missionary work: to proclaim the gospel with gentleness, but also firmness, without shouting, without reprimanding anyone, but gently and firmly, without arrogance or imposition. The true mission is drawing people to Christ. But how? How is this attraction to Christ achieved? With one’s own witness, starting from the unwavering union with him in prayer, in adoration, and in concrete works of charity, which is service to Jesus, present in the least of his brothers and sisters. In imitation of Jesus, the good and merciful Shepherd, and moved by his grace, we are called to make our life a joyous testimony that illuminates the way, that brings hope and love.

 

This feast makes us rediscover the gift and the beauty of being a community of baptized, that is, of sinners – we are all sinners - saved by the grace of Christ, truly integrated, by the work of the Holy Spirit, in the filial relationship of Jesus with the Father, welcomed into the bosom of Mother Church, making possible a brotherhood and sisterhood that knows no barriers or borders.

Pope Francis.

 

The Bishops’ Conference has asked that every parish takes up a special collection to support the good work of Justice and Peace Scotland; this will be taken this weekend; a little donation from us all goes a long way. Thank you.

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Schedule for the Daily Liturgy:

Monday January 12th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9,40am

 

Tuesday January 13th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Wednesday January 14th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am; adoration until 2.30pm

 

Thursday January 15th: Requiem Mass at 2.30pm

for Maria Angela Novane

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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,

 

 

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Parish Pastoral Council meets this Wednesday evening at 7pm. The Council is there to serve the parish community and your suggestions and comments are welcome and appreciated. Please speak to one of the Council members or place a note in the box at the back of the church or email PPC1846@hotmail.com.

 

Sincere thanks to everyone who came along to our Christmas Meal. Thanks also to the staff at John Carrigan’s Restaurant for their great care of us. It was a lovely afternoon. All going well we will repeat this event at the end of the year.

 

RCIA continues in our meeting room on Thursday at 7pm; please remember our six candidates in your prayers.

 

Recently Deceased: Maria Angela Novane, Frank McGeechan, Eleanor Cook,

Rose Rooney, Mary McFall, Bob Wilson (Moffat), Margaret Boyd, Johnny Carr (Carfin), Mary Linehan, Fr. Simon Bishop SJ.,

 

Special Remembrance: Wullie Savage, Mary Dorman, Ian McNab, Joseph O’Neil, Jane Newlands, Anne Hunter, Jenny and Bob Smith, James and Agnes O’Donnell, Esther and Thomas Reid, Margaret Phairs, Sally and John Tansey, Canon Sam Tansey, Winnie Maxwell, Fiona Seal, Mark Hughes, Thomas, Elizabeth and John Kane, Kevin Bryant, Ella and Joe Paterson, James McDonald, Daniel Devanney, Lynne Devanney, Catherine Devanney, Alice Kelly, Fr. Bill Tollan, Frank Tollan,

Fr. John McCluskey, George Terret, Anne Boyd

 

Diocese of Motherwell Website:

for good and reliable information about events across our Diocese

please consult www.rcdom.org.uk