This week in St. Ninian's

Please see the THE LATEST UPDATE from Father Johney ON MEASURES RELATING TO CORONA VIRUS, CLICK HERE

FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF MASSES CELEBRATED BY BISHOP STEPHEN and others, SEE https://www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk/livestream-mass/

Sunday 18th October: TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR A

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6
The Cyrus referred to by the prophet in today’s first reading is Cyrus ‘the Great’ who lived from about 600BC to 530BC – a period during which the Jews were in captivity in Babylon. Cyrus was the ruler of the Persian empire – a vast empire stretching from India in the East, right through central and south Asia, and north into Europe and the Caucasus. He was renowned for respecting the traditions of the peoples he conquered, and profoundly influenced the history of the Jewish people through his ‘Edict of Restoration’, allowing the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem. For this reason, he was known by the Jews as ‘the anointed of the Lord’.
In the reading today Isaiah addresses Cyrus, speaking in the name of the Lord, and tells him that his power is from God and that his successes in battle are part of God’s plan for his people.
“Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus…
'It is for the sake of my servant Jacob, of Israel my chosen one, that I have called you by your name, conferring a title, though you do not know me…
Though you do not know me, I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that, apart from me, all is nothing'.”

Second Reading:Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians 1:1-5
“We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love, and persevered through hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 22:15-21
Today’s gospel echoes the theme of Isaiah, teaching that all earthly power, no matter how impressive or exalted, is nothing to God – kingdoms come and go, and we have to get on and live under whatever one of them happens to be in the ascendancy at the time, but God rules over all and it is to him that we owe our true allegiance.
The Pharisees, looking for a way to trap Jesus, approach him obsequiously, full of grovelling, oily flattery (“Master, we know that you are an honest man” etc. etc.). They put a question to him which they think he will not be able to answer without getting himself into trouble with either the Roman authorities, or with Jewish religious orthodoxy … “Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
Jesus asks for a coin, which of course has Caesar’s head on it, and says, “Whose head is this? Whose name?”, and they reply “Caesar’s”.
He then answers their ‘question’ with the teaching – to both them and us – “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s”.

Parish Notices

Please see the latest update from Father Johney on measures relating to Corona Virus, CLICK HERE

CONFESSIONS: Saturday: 5.15 to 5.40 pm

Click here, for latest Bulletin from St.Ninian's

SICK & HOUSEBOUND: If you know of any parishioner who is sick or housebound and may want a visit from Father Raphael, or would like to have Holy Communion brought to them at home, please let Father know.

HOSPITAL chaplaincy Please note the change in contacts for requesting a priest to visit a person in hospital. Fr Ninian Doohan has advised of new telephone numbers to contact the Hospital Chaplain: 07821 624124, or 01382 660111 to page him. Please alert him when someone requires Pastoral Care while in any of the hospitals.

WANTED! READERS & EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS - Please consider taking a more active part in the Liturgy as a reader. Readers are currently in short supply, especially for our Saturday Vigil Mass. If you would like to participate as a reader please add your name to the sheets at the back of the church or speak to Canon, Theresa or May. Thank you. New rotas are now available in the porch.

SERRA MASSES FOR VOCATIONS
Serra Masses will be held at 7pm in Lawside Convent on the last Tuesday of each month – See poster in porch. Our need for vocations to the priesthood and to consecrated life has never been so critical and we should all pray fervently that the Lord will send us the Priests and Religious who are so necessary to preserve our Church in these difficult times.

Are you interested in the Priesthood? - If you would like more information about the priesthood, please contact the Director of Vocations, Father Jim Walls at St. Stephen's, 8 Bank Street Blairgowrie: tel:01250 872171, or email: jimwalls@btinternet.com

THE PERMANENT DIACONATE
The Church is in great need of vocations to the permanent diaconate. If you are a man over 30yrs old - married or single, please consider whether you may be being called to offer yourself in service to the Church as a Deacon. To read more about the permanent Diaconate, click on the link DEACONS

DUNDEE LATIN MASS
"The Extraordinary Form of the Mass, the Traditional Latin Mass, began to be offered once more in St Joseph’s Lawside Convent Dundee on the fourth Sunday of Lent, March 15th 2015. The Lord Bishop of Dunkeld invited Father John Emerson (of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter) to re-establish this liturgical apostolate at the request of the lay faithful of the diocese." For further information about Masses, which now take place in Saint Pius X, Balerno Street, Dundee, please visit the website, at https://dundeelatinmass.com/

CHILDREN'S LITURGY
There is a 'Little Church' for children every Sunday Morning. Children rejoin the people at the Offertory procession, having been out for a while learning about the readings of the day in their own way.
We are still looking for at least one volunteer to help with supervising, assisting the liturgists in the activities. This would mean taking a turn about once a month. Please see Mgr. if you can help. Thanks a lot!

ST. NINIAN'S PRIMARY SCHOOL
St. Ninian's Primary School Parent Council
If you would like to get in touch with the School's Parent Council for any reason, their email address is stninians@dundeeparentcouncil.org

CAKE & CANDY:
The Cake & Candy table at our Sunday Mass is in great need of helpers to sell our cakes. If you feel you are able to give a few minutes once a month, please contact Helen Scroggie. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

DUNDEE FOOD BANK:
Many thanks for your donations. This is an ongoing project in the parish and there are boxes at theback of the Church, and lists of foods this charity needs posted on the notice board. Your donations also would be most gratefully received.

EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network)
Have you discovered EWTN yet?! - the TV network for Catholics. Traditional Catholic programmes for all ages. Fascinating interviews, wonderful children's programmes, live Mass, Rosary, Papal audiences, etc. etc. Visit the EWTN website by clicking HERE.
You can get EWTN If you have Sky t.v., or a Freesat box for either Sky or BBC on the 'Religion' tab, number 588; and you can watch it live on your computer as it goes out on the TV channel.