-- FF I R S T I R S T HH O L Y O L Y CC O M M U N I O N S O M M U N I O N S --

Once again this weekend our parish family at St. Augustine’s will witness and celebrate the First Holy Communion of our young people from Primary Four at the 12noon Sunday Mass. This is a joyful occasion for the candidates themselves, as well as for their family and friends, as they approach the altar for the first time to receive the living and true God in the Holy Eucharist.

Much prayer and preparation has gone into making sure our young people are ready to make this next big step in their faith journey. Together the home, parish and school have been working in partnership over the past year to ensure our young candidates focus on the true meaning of this celebration and what it signifies for them. It has been our task to remind the children that this sacrament is about deepening a love for Jesus and His Church, much more so than any attachment to formal dress, gifts and parties, noble as these things may be. These weekends our prayer is that our focus will remain solidly on the spiritual benefits that come to our children through this amazing sacrament. With our help and encouragement we can all help our children maintain the correct focus in our celebration.

We are reminded, too, of the significance of the name given to this sacrament. ‘First’ Holy Communion signifies only the start, the beginning of a lifelong journey growing ‘in greater communion’ with the Lord. Our prayer is that this ‘first’ communion will not be an incidental, one-off celebration. Our children, from today onwards, will be welcome at the Lord’s altar every Sunday where, with their parents and families, they will be nourished and strengthened for the coming week. Yet, as in so many other areas of life, they need to be led to the altar by the example of others.

Parents, families and friends are encouraged to offer every support to our young candidates. This support, when sincere, should be evident as we welcome these children to the celebration of the Eucharist each and every Sunday. Let the joy and happiness of today be true and long-lasting!

S I X T H S U N D A Y O F E A S T E R 2 1 M A Y 2 0 1 7

T H E P A R I S H O F SAINT AUGUSTINE

C O A T B R I D G E ! S C O T L A N D

1892 - 2017

Ascension Thursday - Holy Day of Obligation -

Masses:

Wednesday 24th May, 7.30pm Vigil

Thursday 25th May, 10am

- C A T E C H I S M C O R N E R -

THE EIGHTH COMMANDMENT: ‘You shall not bear false witness’.

The eighth commandment forbids misrepresenting the truth in our relations with others. This moral prescription flows from the vocation of the holy people to bear witness to their God who is the truth and wills the truth. Offenses against the truth express by word or deed a refusal to commit oneself to moral uprightness: they are fundamental infidelities to God and, in this sense, they undermine the foundations of the covenant. Man tends by nature toward the truth. He is obliged to honour and bear witness to it. Truth as uprightness in human action and speech is called truthfulness, sincerity, or candour. Truth or truthfulness is the virtue which consists in showing oneself true in deeds and truthful in words, and in guarding against duplicity, dissimulation, and hypocrisy. The duty of Christians to take part in the life of the Church impels them to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. This witness is a transmission of the faith in words and deeds. Witness is an act of justice that establishes the truth or makes it known. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness. When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased punishment of the accused. They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions. Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbour’s thoughts, words, and deeds in a favourable way: Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honour of one's neighbour. Honour is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honour of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity. Boasting or bragging is an offense against truth. So is irony aimed at disparaging someone by maliciously caricaturing some aspect of his behaviour. A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving. Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man's relation to truth and to his neighbour, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord.

SISTER EILEEN RETIRAL MASS

The Parish will host a Mass of Thanksgiving & Reception to mark Sr. Eileen’s retirement. This will take place next Saturday 27th May at 5.00pm. Bishop Toal will be the Principal Celebrant. A general invitation is extended to all our parishioners to join us at the Mass that evening, and to the Reception in the Parish Centre afterwards where a buffet will be served. Sister Eileen has been a huge part of the life of our parish for a long time, taking on a wide variety of ministries during her time with us. In recognition of her years of service Bishop Toal will present Sister with the Diocesan Bene Merenti Medal at the Retiral Mass. This is a fitting honour to a person who has given the parish so much over the years. I hope all our parishioners will make an extra special effort to attend her Retrial Mass next Saturday as a sign of our gratitude.

Please return your envelope this weekend. This gives an opportunity for parishioners to give a monetary gift to Sister. The gift will be presented on behalf of the parishioners at the Retiral Mass. Please return your envelope to the sacristy or Parish House.

God bless, Fr. Kane

THIS SUNDAY’S MASS READINGS

First Reading: Acts 8:5-8,14-17 Second Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-18

Psalm 65 (66) Gospel: John 14:15-21

Preparing for the Lord’s Ascension – Thursday 25th May

This Thursday marks the Lord’s Ascension into heaven, one of the great solemnities of our faith. Please remember this is a Holy Day of Obligation, which means that all Catholics are required to attend Mass on this day, as we do on Sundays.

It is good, once again, to familiarize ourselves with this event through the readings for Ascension Thursday. In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, St. Luke gives the surprising news that there is more of the story to be told. The story did not end with the empty tomb, or with Jesus’ appearances to the Apostles over the course of forty days. Jesus’ saving work will have a liturgical end. He is the great high priest, and he has still to ascend to the heavenly Jerusalem, there to celebrate the feast in the true Holy of Holies, at the Father’s right hand.

The truth of this feast shines forth from the Letter to the Hebrews, where we read of the great high priest’s passing through the heavens, the sinless intercessor’s sacrifice on our behalf. Indeed, his intercession will lead to the Holy Spirit’s descent in fire upon the Church. Luke spells out that promise in the first reading for the feast of the Ascension: “in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”. Ascension is the preliminary feast that directs the Church’s attention forward to Pentecost. On that day, salvation will be complete; for salvation is not simply cancelling out our sins, but it is something even greater than that. To live that divine life we must receive the Holy Spirit. To receive the Holy Spirit we must be purified through baptism. The Responsorial Psalm presents the Ascension in terms familiar from the worship of the Jerusalem Temple in the days of King Solomon: “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord” (Psalm 47). The priest-king takes his place at the head of the people, ruling over the nations, establishing peace.

St. Paul’s Letter strikes a distinctively Paschal note. In the early Church, as today, Easter was the normal time for the baptism of adult converts. The sacrament was often called “illumination” or “enlightenment” because of the light that came with God’s saving grace. Saint Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, speaks in terms of glory that leads to greater glories still, as Ascension leads to Pentecost: “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,” he writes, as he looks to the divinization of the believers. This is the “good news” the Apostles are commissioned to spread -- to the whole world, to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem -- at the first Ascension. It’s the good news we must spread today.

Summerlee Museum Parish Jubilee Exhibition

The local Summerlee Heritage Museum will host an exhibition celebrating the 125th anniversary of St. Augustine’s Parish from Saturday 6th May until 2nd July 2017. The display appears in the Community Case within the Exhibition Hall. Opening hours for the museum are 10.00am until 5.00pm every day and admission is FREE. Please take time to visit the museum and to see all the exhibits which tell the story of our parish. Many items of historical importance have been loaned to the museum which you will find interesting. The display also features photos of past and present parishioners, Catholic societies and groups. Many thanks to Sandra Craig from the museum who has so carefully put the exhibition together for us.

PARISH JUBILEE BOOK The celebration book, with 85 pages in colour, is packed with

the history and photographs of the artefacts of the church since its foundation to present times. Also included is lots of information the groups and societies within the parish.

The book will be available from the 11th of June 2017 and to pre-order your copy, as we only a have a limited amount, you can order at the Parish Religious Shop and pay the purchase price of £10 with all funds going to the Parish.

Saturday        _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

BROADCASTING OF SERVICES Please note that all the Masses and services at St. Augustine’s are broadcast online through MCN Media. You can watch services directly through our parish website or by visiting: www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-augustines-coatbridge/

ROME PILGRIMAGE The parish is organising a pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican with ALBA Tours. It will take place 14th – 20th May 2018 (7 days/6 nights). B&B accommodation in the 4* Madre Pie Residence in central Rome. Includes a full day excursion to Assisi with lunch. Approximate cost £850pp. Deposit of £130 now required this weekend. Cheques to be made payable to ‘Pilgrimage Account’. Sign-up sheet available in the Sacristy. Deadline for sign-up Monday 29th May. Speak to Fr. Kane after Mass.

PRAYER & CONTEMPLATION SESSIONS Led by Fr. Tom Magill & Anne Moore in the Xavier Centre of Carfin Grotto 24th May from 11.15am – 12.45pm. No need to book. No cost.

COMMUNICATIONS SUNDAY Please note that the Second Collection next Sunday will be taken-up in support of the Church’s communications work. This collection helps finance the Catholic Media Office.

HOSPITAL VISITS Fr. Travers is appealing for any parishioners willing to be commissioned as Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist, to assist in bringing Holy Communion to the sick in Monklands Hospital. This requires a stable commitment for preferably 1 year. Call Fr. Travers on 423044.

MAY DEVOTIONS Please note that there will be Marian Devotions during Our Lady’s month of May. Rosary & Benediction on Fridays at 7pm. Please make the effort to support these devotions and bring along your children and young people.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION The Sacrament of First Holy Communion will take place in our Church this Sunday 21st May 12noon. Please be aware that the Church is likely to be at capacity at these Masses. First Communion children should arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of Mass. Each family will be allocated 1 central pew on arrival at the Church. These reserved seats are intended for parents of children & their immediate family. Other family members and friends are asked to sit behind the reserved area. Please be mindful of parking restrictions around the Church on these days.

GIFT-AID The gift-aid scheme allows the parish to claim an additional 25p for every £1 donated by a UK tax-payer. Please consider enrolling in the scheme. Forms available from the sacristy/Chapel House.

MONDAY PRAYER GROUP Takes place each Monday after the 10am Mass.

SCIAF WEE BOXES Please return your Wee Boxes to the Chapel House or Sacristy as soon as possible.

MINISTRIES ROTAS Rotas for Readers & Eucharistic Ministers will now be collected from the Sacristy.

ADORATION AT MAIN ALTAR During the brighter months of spring and summer Adoration will take place at the main altar in the Church. Please take time to come along and pray before the Blessed Sacrament.

FAMILY THANKS The Queen Family wish to thank all those who supported them at the loss of May Queen. Holy Mass will be offered for intentions.

PARISH NEWS

PARISH JUBILEE MASS

Please put the main Parish Jubilee event in your diary:

Holy Mass with Bishop Toal

Sunday 11th June 2017, 12noon

(Family Fun Day afterwards)

All welcome – Collect your flyer after Mass today!

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION

Mon – Fri from 10.30am – 7.00pm at the Main Altar

Parish Religious Shop Open daily after each Mass

Religious cards Statues Rosaries gifts jewellery

Candles fonts plaques books

paring spiritually for Christmas

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEW ‘WANNABEE FIT’ GROUP New kids fitness club starting soon in our Parish Centre every Thursday from 6 – 7pm. Featuring music and moves for kids of all ages. Wannabee Fit combines fun & fitness in a way that children love! To register and find out more call Joanna on 07860805666 / 07732820201 or Facebook @Wannabee Kids Clubs.

KAIROS CAFÉ Please note that the Café will be closed on Saturdays.

ALMA CLUB The group meets each Wednesday at 7.00pm.

LINE DANCING GROUP This runs every Friday in the Parish Centre from 1.00 – 2.00pm. £4 per class. These classes are for both beginners and experienced dancers. A fun afternoon with great music including soul, salsa, Irish, country & western. Tea and biscuits afterwards. Call Angela on 07763697683 for more information.

GRACE NOTES CHOIR The community choir has opened its doors to new junior and senior members. Contact Kirsten for more information on 07852820311.

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED The parish is desperately in need of more volunteers for the following groups:

- Church cleaning - Kairos Café & Dinner Club - Breakfast Club

Please consider giving the parish the gift of your time and talents. We would be grateful for even a couple of hours each month. Call the Parish Office on 423044 if you are interested.

EARLSTON AFTER SCHOOL CLUB The Club runs every school day from the upper floor of our Parish Centre. For more details contact the Manager Audrey on 07887427131 or at: facebook@earlstonafterschoolclub

MALAWI VISIT 2017 – FUNDRAISING EVENT Calum, Joseph, Mark & Liam, some of our young parishioners travelling to Malawi in October, invite to a Fundraising Event in the Parish Centre on Friday 2nd June 2017 at 7.00pm. Join them for a fun-filled social evening with music, entertainment, auctions, food and much more. Amazing raffle prizes and auction items include: Celtic ball & shirt signed by entire squad; chauffer driven experience in a Ferrari Spider; a Celtic Park tour; a beauty spa experience; luxury overnight stay; Albion Rovers Hospitality package; luxury food hamper and much more! Tickets (£5pp) available after all Masses this weekend. Many thanks to the boys for speaking at Masses last weekend! Parishioners can also donate online https://www.justgiving.com/MalawiDisabledChildren

SOCIAL NEWS

- 125 YEARS - Parish Jubilee Fun Day

Sunday 11th June 2017, 1.30 – 4.00pm

The Fun Day will take place after the 12noon Jubilee Mass.

Lots of fun for all the family, including:

BOUNCY-CASTLES FACE-PAINTING

GAMES CAFÉ BARBEQUE

TOMBOLA NAIL BAR PRIZE RAFFLE

‘BALLOON MAN’ CANDY-FLOSS

TUCK-SHOP STALLS MUSIC

Collect your flyer as you leave Mass today

5 0 + D I N N E R C L U B

Every Thursday from 3 – 5pm

3  Course  Meal  +  tea/coffee  Only  £7.50  per  person  

OPEN MON – FRI 10am – 2pm St. Augustine’s Parish Centre

Delicious Fresh Food

- High tea served daily -

SAINT AUGUSTINE’S

PARISH CENTRE OUR TWO FUNCTION SUITES AVAILABLE

FOR:

Wedding Receptions / Funeral Breakfasts Baptism Receptions / Birthday Parties

Anniversary Parties / Family Reunions / Charity Events

Call: 01236 427538 or 07917 433647

mas Family Fun Day, scheduled for Sunday 13th December (today). If you can help please leave donations in Kairos Café on Sunday morning.

PARISH TIMETABLE FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

Sunday 21 May SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

10.00am Holy Mass 12noon First Communion Mass Communion Breakfast in Parish Centre for Children & Families

Monday 22 May Sixth Week of Easter

8.00 – 8.50am Breakfast Club (Parish Centre) 10.00am – 2.00pm Kairos Café open (Parish Centre) 10.00am Holy Mass 10.30am Monday Prayer Group (Baptistery Chapel) 10.30am – 7.00pm Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel

Tuesday 23 May Sixth Week of Easter

8.00 – 8.50am Breakfast Club (Parish Centre) 10.00am – 2.00pm Kairos Café open (Parish Centre) 10.00am Holy Mass 11.00am – 7.00pm Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel 6.30pm Church Cleaning (Volunteers always welcome!) 7.00pm Fabric Group Meeting (Chapel House)

Wednesday 24 May Sixth Week of Easter

8.00 – 8.50am Breakfast Club (Parish Centre) 10.00am – 2.00pm Kairos Café open (Parish Centre) 10.00am Holy Mass 10.30am – 7.00pm Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel 7.00pm ALMA Club (Parish Centre) 7.30pm Ascension Thursday Vigil Mass

Thursday 25 May ASCENSION THURSDAY *Holy Day of Obligation

8.00 – 8.50am Breakfast Club (Parish Centre) 10.00am – 2.00pm Kairos Café open (Parish Centre) 10.00am Ascension Thursday Mass 10.30am – 7.00pm Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel 3.00 – 5.00pm Over 50’s Dinner Club (Parish Centre) 5.45pm Wannabee Fitness Class for Kids (Parish Centre)

Friday 26 May Saint Philip Neri, Priest

No Breakfast Club Today 10.00am – 2.00pm Kairos Café open (Parish Centre) 10.00am Holy Mass 10.30am – 7.00pm Adoration in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel 7.00pm May Devotions: Rosary & Benediction (Lady Altar)

Saturday 27 May Votive Mass of Our Lady

10.00am Holy Mass Confessions after Holy Mass KAIROS CAFÉ NOW CLOSED ON SATURDAYS 4.00 – 4.30pm Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 4.00 – 4.30pm Confessions 5.00pm Mass of Thanksgiving for Sr. Eileen (Celebrant: Bishop Toal) Buffet Reception afterwards in the Parish Centre

Sunday 21 May SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER Communications Sunday

10.00am Holy Mass 12noon Holy Mass 1.00pm Baptisms

 

 Advertising  space  is  still  available  in  the  Bulletin  for  local  businesses.    Contact  the  Parish  Office  on  01236  423044  for  more  information.    

 

RECENTLY DECEASED

Raymond Irvine; Mr Ashmore (Clydebank); Sally Murray; James Moan; Andrew McClay; Alec Carson (Ayr); Daisy Heaney (Parkway Court); Cathy Phee.

ANNIVERSARIES / MONTHS MINDS / BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCES

Dr. Felice Marcuccilli; David & Annie Trower; Peter, Annie, Charles & John Rafferty; John & Helen McVeigh; James & Katie McPartland; Hugh & Cathie Connolly; Patrick, Sarah & Phil Kiernan; Anne Hilley; James & Nellie Toal; Frank Fox; Frank & May Queen: Harry Brown; Kathleen McCarville; Michael Woods;

Ellen Brannigan; Betty McGilliard; Paul & Frank Downie.

SICK

Sandra O’Donnell; Arthur Mulholland; Joan Reid; Roisin O’Toole; John Steele; Frances Ronnie (Wishaw); David Miller; Marie Boswell; Margaret Davidson; James Stewart (Canada); Caroline McGoogan; Alison Black; Anne Campbell; Michael McDade: Anna McGoldrick; Ann Paterson; Patrick Clare; Frances Smith

Kathleen Coogans; Gerard Hamill; John Fagan; Kit Reilly. William McLaughlan; Colum Coyle; James Coyle.

(Please alert the clergy when a name is to be removed from the sick list)

Parish Priest

Rev. Michael John Kane

Assistant Priest Rev. James Travers

Sr. Eileen Hobbins (Pastoral Assistant) Mrs. Margaret Haggerty (Secretary)

Miss. Antoinette Parr (Safeguarding Officer)

Baptisms On the last Sunday of the month by arrangement with the clergy.

Marriages Arrangements for weddings should be made by appointment with the Parish Priest (6 months notice required).

Calling Times / Office Hours Appointments to speak to the clergy may be made through the Secretary by calling 01236 423044. (Office hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm Mondays; 9.00am – 3.00pm Fridays). Appointments may also be made outside these hours or by emailing office@saintaugustines.org.uk. Please remember that if you reside outside the boundary of St. Augustine’s, then you must ask for the sacraments in your own parish.

Sacrament of the Sick / Hospital Visitations Those who require the Sacrament of the Sick at home should contact the Chapel House to arrange for a visit from the clergy. This should ordinarily be arranged prior to any prolonged hospital visit. The Catholic Chaplain to Monklands Hospital is Fr. Travers. In cases of emergency where you or a family member require the pastoral assistance of the Chaplain please request this from the nursing staff at the hospital.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S PRESBYTERY 12 Dundyvan Road, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, ML5 1DQ t: 01236 423044

e: office@saintaugustines.org.uk / frkane@saintaugustines.org.uk / Scottish Charity Number SCO11041

P A R I S H C O M M U N I C A T I O N S

Web / Wordpress: www.saintaugustines.org.uk Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/saintaugustines

Follow us on Twitter: @FrKane

SAINT AUGUSTINE’S

PARISH CENTRE

To book any of the function suites for parties etc contact:

Mr. Chris Hamill (Manager) Tel: 01236 427538

Mob: 07917433647 parishcentre@saintaugustines.org.uk

1892 - 2017

Registering New NHS Patients Sedation For Nervous Patients

Cosmetic Dentistry Tooth Whitening

Orthodontics (Braces) Tel 01236 424575

Web www.blairhilldental.com Email info@blairhilldental.com

OPEN MON - FRI 10am – 2pm

St. Augustine’s Parish Centre

Delicious Fresh Food

- High tea served daily -

We  hope  you  like  our  new  style,  colour,  extended  Parish  Bulletin.  As  you  can  see  we  still  have  some  advertising  space  available  in  the  

Bulletin  for  local  businesses.      

Contact  the  Parish  Office  on  01236  423044  for  more  information.    

The Parish of St Augustine’s Coatbridge &

St Joseph’s Mendulo Parish, MALAWI

SUPPORTING DISABLED CHILDREN IN MENDULO PARISH

Please give generously to AIMING HIGHER IN MALAWI

www.justgiving.com/ahim Registered Charity No SC044583

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