St. Paul’s News     

RCIA

This Sunday the Candidates who are to be received into Full Communion with the Church at Easter will celebrate “The Scrutinies” and will leave the church after those celebrations.

200 Club

Numbers are now around the 150 level and we will go ahead with the 200 club.  The first draw will be on the last Sunday of April. Direct Debit slips are available for those who wish them and those who wish to pay yearly by cheque or cash should place these in an envelope addressed 200 club.  individuals will be allocated numbers before Easter and the list will be published after Easter.

Parish Summer Fayre

The PPC are quite keen to go ahead with a summer fayre in June.  Thank you to those who have volunteered to help run stalls at the summer fayre.  You will be contacted by a member of the PPC in due course!!

Eucharistic Ministers

The new rota is available at the back of the church.  Please pick up one.

Ministries in the Church

A reminder that all ministers will renew their commitment during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.  Any new minister will make the commitment at the same Mass.

 Lenten Family Prayer Group

The family prayer group will run every Sunday during Lent 3.00pm-5.00pm.  If your are interested please contact the McKeown’s 266124 or McGinley’s 283929.

 Collection

£980.00 SCIAF £680.00.Many thanks.

Church Stall

The Repository has recently taken delivery of new Religious articles and cards for Easter and First Communion. Please feel free to browse around the repository. There is a selection of booklets, rosary’s, candles and cards for all sorts of occasions.  Please support this.

Lenten Discussion Groups

No meeting this week.  We will conclude the course on the Wednesday of Holy Week.

Parents meeting for Confirmation

A reminder there will be a meeting in St. John’s School at 7pm for the parents of all the children preparing for First Communion and Confirmation. The photographs of the children are now displayed by the organ.  Please pray for each one of them.

Kits for Kids

Any readers of the Daily Record are invited to collect the kits for kids tokens and save them for St. John’s Primary team.

 Disclosure Scotland

Thank you to those who attended the meeting concerning Child Protection.  However I do have to point out that some of the parents  who take their children into the Children’s Liturgy did not come.  I can only stress that attendance at a Child Protection Meeting and compliance with Child Protection Law is MANDATORY. The Child Protection team will return to the parish in just over a month and I do expect compliance with the Child Protection Policy with the Church in Scotland.

Lily Patterson at 100

Lily who lives in Inverkar Road will celebrate her 100th birthday on April 1st.  A small family Mass will be celebrated that morning for her friends and we will present her with a Papal Blessing.  A very Happy Birthday.

Memorial Garden

Since I mentioned this idea a month or so ago a few people have indicated  they would like to plant a rose bush or shrub to remember a loved one.  Once the area is finally cleared out we will be able to gradually plant Memorial bushes.

Holy Week Ministries

Please sign up as readers, Eucharistic Ministers and for the Washing of the Feet.  Lists are in the porch.

St. Francis Xavier’s News

Heating in the Church

The new heating is now installed and after the church has been cleaned this weekend we hope to move back into the church next Saturday.  The exposed copper pipes are very hot so please keep away from them.  After Easter we will have them encased in wood.  A very special thank you to those who have made such efforts to give a thorough clean to the church.  Please note that the Sceptic tank and drawaway pipes are being installed behind the church over the next few weeks.  Please keep away from any works.

Communions to the Sick

No communions this week.

Toilets and Hall Kitchen

In the light of the views expressed at the recent parish meeting we intend to modernise  the kitchen with a few new units sink, fridge and cooker.  We will convert the toilet into a disabled toilet and modernise that.  Francis Rooney is going to draw up a plan for the toilet and kitchen and once the plan is approved we will move on with that work.

Eucharistic Ministers/Readers

We are looking for new volunteers in these ministries to augment our present number.  Any volunteers will be Commissioned into the Ministry at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

General Church News

Holy Week Services

A card containing timings for all Holy Week Services is now available in both churches.  Please take one home today.

QMA Fashion Show

QMA are having a fashion show in the school on Wednesday 31st March in aid of Badagry.  Tickets cost £5 and include refreshments.  Contact QMA on 01292 268379.   See poster in porch.

Penitential Services for Lent

Troon Sunday 21st March, Prestwick Monday 22nd March, Mossblown and Drongan Wednesday 24th March, St. Margaret’s Thursday 25th March, Maybole Sunday 28th March,

Society for Protection of the Unborn Child

The Ayrshire branch of SPUC are trying to organise door to door leafleting in various areas to highlight Pro-Life issues in their political debate leading up to the General Election.  The Church in England and Wales has already highlighted Pro-Life issues in their recent document concerning “The CommonGood”- a 10 page document issued to help us cast our votes.  If you are interested in helping with the distribution of these leaflets please sign up today.

Church Envelopes

The new envelopes for 2010 start on the Sunday after Easter.  These will be available next week in both churches.  Anyone requiring envelopes is invited to add their names to a list at the back of both churches.  Please indicate on the list if you are a UK Taxpayer, therefore allowing us to claim gift-aid on your contribution next year.

SCIAF wee boxes

Please try to bring them back as soon as possible either before or after Easter. 

On-line

Please note both parishes can access our website on www.ayrstpauls.com. Please use that site and add any comments.

 Care not Killing

“The end of life assistance (Scotland) Bill” is presently before the Scottish Parliament.  The care not killing campaign has been established in opposition to this bill being passed.  If you wish to express your opposition please pick up one of the cards available at the back of the church.

Hispanic Studies

I will be pursuing my annual course in Hispanic Studies in one of the cultural hotspots of Andalucia until 26th.  I will think of you.  Bishop Taylor will cover St. Paul’s on 285865 and Fr. Kinsler will cover St. Francis Xavier’s on 520204.

Papal Visit

It is now confirmed that Pope Benedict will celebrate Mass on the afternoon/early evening of Thursday 16th September.  I would suggest that the use of private transport is probably not advised so we need to book some buses for the event.  Please let me know the number expecting to go in the next month by adding your name to the list in the porch.  Over the next few weeks more detailed plans will be worked out concerning the preparations in the Diocese, Deanery and eventually in the Parish.  Presently about 80 from St. Paul’s and 15 from St. Francis Xavier’s have indicated they want to go to Bellahouston and I’m in the process of booking buses.

British Summer Time

A reminder that the clocks go forward next Saturday evening.