Pentecost Sunday (Year A)
31ST MAY 2020

INTRODUCTION

The fifty-day celebration of Easter ends today with the great feast of Pentecost. It is a day when we consider the transforming gift of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the life of the Church. We give thanks for this amazing gift.

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Acts 2:1-11 The events of the first Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, are described in this reading.
1 Corinthians 12:3-7,12-13 Saint Paul describes the gift of the Holy Spirit.
John 20:19-23 This Gospel links Easter to the Holy Spirit.
 
The full Mass readings for today and for the next seven days can be found here courtesy of universalis.com. The Universalis app for Android and iOS provides offline access to all Mass and Divine Office texts for the complete liturgical cycle on your mobile device for a one-off cost of £9.99.

FATHER STEPHEN'S SUNDAY HOMILY

Have you ever watched a TED Talk? There are thousands available online. The powerful talks are generally less than 18 minutes and cover a huge range of topics, from science to business to social and global issues. There are talks in more than 110 languages, and they are used in schools, businesses and many other settings to educate, motivate and open minds. While the speakers come from a variety of backgrounds, the one thing they have in common is their ability to communicate. They are gifted communicators, with a passion for a particular subject, and the ability to draw their listeners in.
 
We often hear that in order to be a good communicator, we have to learn how to speak another person’s language. On the day of Pentecost, when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit each of the people gathered heard them speaking in his or her own language. The ability to communicate and to be understood was the first gift they received from the Holy Spirit.
 
Today, we need the gift of communication more than ever. There are times when we have the opportunity to share our faith, or to witness to others in the way we live our faith. We might feel that we struggle to share our faith in a way that others can understand. In order to meet people where they are, we first need to ‘speak their language’ – to know them, listen to them and recognise God’s presence in them. The Spirit that came upon the early believers is the same Spirit that guides us today.
 
It’s fifty days since we celebrated Easter, when we shouted out ‘We are Easter People’ full of joy and excitement, full of zest and energy and full of faith and hope. It has been a very different Easter this year with Covid.
 
In the readings the disciples were worried and in darkness after Christ left them at the Ascension. They were self-isolating in a room together with Our Lady. And that is what we have done for the last ten weeks. We have self-isolated from our family, friends and loved ones. Positively we start to appreciate those dear and close to us. We appreciate the people around us and our work and our daily tasks. The disciples were frightened at this time in the church. We too are afraid of the present and what the future will bring. We look at the Acts of the Apostles and see a different Peter, Paul. John and all the other disciples. We see determination, fearlessness in preaching the Gospel message. Why? because the Holy Spirit filled them with courage. And that same Holy Spirit comes upon us today. He does the same to us, as he did to the disciples.
 
We should have been celebrating Confirmations in the Cathedral with Bishop John and myself and St Joseph’s and Our Lady of the Missions Primary Schools, and all other kids across the Diocese during these 50 days.  Sadly we aren’t but when we do it will be amazing! The Holy Spirit hasn’t abandoned us! He recharges us today with His seven gifts. Gifts we need every day of our lives, not just today because of the virus and the uncertainty, but every day and every experience life brings us – whether we be in P7, or a seminarian or a parent or someone struggling with an abdication or someone struggling with mental anxiety.
 
The P7 pupils would have received Wisdom, Understanding, Courage, Knowledge, Reverence, Fear of the Lord and Right Judgement. What rare and beautiful gifts we are ready to receive! These gifts have kept us all safe and sane under lockdown. But probably most Right Judgement, or Counsel as it’s sometimes called, is the most precious gift to receive at this time during the virus.  How we have needed it to help us say the right thing at the right time – or keep our mouths shut. To do the right thing at the right time – or take a step back!
 
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are alive and active in our lives if only we would use them. Do not be afraid! They are there to offer us strength and conviction, as it did for the Apostles. Let’s pray that the Feast of Pentecost will pour out all of the Holy Spirit on us and fill us with joy, hope and love. The Holy Spirit has got us this far under lockdown, He won’t abandon us now. He will guide us through these days, where we appreciate our past and positively look forward to the future. Whatever worry or anxiety we have, let’s us place them into the power of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Priest: It is because we have received the Spirit that we can cry ‘Abba Father’. Let us in that same Spirit, call on God.

Reader:
1. We pray for a new Pentecost and a renewed Church during this time of the Covid-19 Virus
Lord, hear us. R/

2. We pray for those affected by the Covid-19 Virus or in a feeling of despair, that they may experience the hope of Pentecost.
Lord, hear us. R/

3. Let us pray for our medical staff - but also the staff in our shops, chemists, the council workers, bin and postal people, as well as the many volunteers, home helps reaching out to our elderly & housebound and all our front line services who are keeping our country going.
Lord, hear us. R/

3. We pray for our sick:
Susan Mercer, Mhairi Ferguson, Betty Noble, Gerry Sampaio, Agnes Brown, John Patterson, Michael Mulhern, Frank McCartney, Tom Devlin, Margaret Rooney, Grace Murphy, Matthew McKinnon, Jan Namespetra, Mairi Lawrie, Sheila Tierney, Douglas Walker, John McLintock, Stefan Svitek, William MacMillan, Margaret Darroch, William Gill, Stephanie Darling, Mhairi Scott, David O’Hagan, Rita Harkin, Elaine Hepburn, Tom McGoughan, Pat Power, Jim Shields, Suzanne Brett, Rosa Hashani, Eileen Lynn, Josephine McLaughlin, Dillon Newton, Mary Burke, Florence Myles, Rose Boyce, Carmela Barletta, Sally McFadden, Maureen McCarney.
Lord, Hear us. R/

4. We pray for those who have died recently, especially those from the Coronavirus 19 and:
Mary Logan, Barry McDermott, Mary Stevenson, Josephine Fulton, Michelle Torley, Edward Higgins, Agnes Monaghan    Anna O’Neill, Patricia Geary
Lord, Hear us. R/

5. ...and for the anniversaries of:
Catherine Parker, Jim Power, Father John Fitzsimmons, Michael O’Donnell, Joseph & Mary McFadden.
Lord, hear us. R/

Priest: Opening our hearts evermore to the outpouring of your Spirit, O Lord, as make these prayers. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

CHURCH CLOSURE

Obviously the Church is closed during this period of the Coronavirus. I realise there is a shutdown from the government to "Stay at Home", which is so important to observe. However, if you are out for your walking exercise, shopping or medicines and are passing the Church on Sunday remember to bless yourself and give thanks for the gift of our faith. The Spiritual Communion Prayer is on the doors; remember to pray it until we pray together as a community. Please take time to pray for our medical staff, the staff in our shops, chemists, the council workers, bin and postal people, home helps and the many volunteers reaching out to our elderly & housebound and all our front line services.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

MASSES

All Masses are suspended. Father Stephen will offer Mass on Easter Sunday for all your intentions both living and dead. He will continue to offer a daily Mass privately remembering you and your families. 

PARISH WEBSITE

SCOTTISH CATHOLIC OBSERVER

COFFEE AT SAINT BRIDGET'S

This coming Sunday 31st May at 11:30am Saint Bridget's are hosting a "Zoom" coffee for our parishioners. It will be introduced by Father Stephen with a reflection from Deacon Paul. It’s also a great chance for everyone to have a wee chat and catch up and this challenging time. If you'd like to join in please send us your email address to stbridget@rcdop.org.uk and we will send you out the zoom link. Hope you can make it!

TEA AND TOAST AT SAINT JOSEPH'S

Last week we had a very successful zoom meeting - it was lovely to see so many faces. Our next Tea & Toast @ Saint Joseph's is Sunday 7th June at 11:30am to noon.

You can join the Zoom meeting by clicking here or by going to Zoom.us and entering the following details Meeting ID: 844 7946 9009 Password: 660215.

COLLECTIONS

Last week’s collections realised £656. Please post all donations to the Church House.

UPDATE ON PARISH ONLINE OFFERTORY COLLECTION

Just to let you know that since our online Parish Offertory Collection went live two weeks ago parishioners have donated £297. You can use it to set up recurring payments.

Click here for Saint Joseph's and click here for Saint Bridget's.

You can find forms for setting up a standing order by clicking here for Saint Josephs, and by clicking here for Saint Bridget's.

LETTER FROM BISHOP JOHN

GIFT AID

MONTH OF MAY

HELP AND SUPPORT

FOODBANK

EASTER BLESSINGS AND THANKS

GIFT AID

If you pay tax, please consider signing a Gift Aid form so that the parish can claim an extra 25% on your contribution. The Parish only requires your NI number and address; no other information is required. If you are interested, please speak to Father Stephen.

LEGACIES

When making a will, have you thought of leaving a legacy to the parish or diocese?