26th November 2023 - Christ the KING - Year A
 

(Parish News follows Liturgy of the Word)

LITURGY OF THE WORD
 

First Reading: A reading from the prophet Ezekiel [34:11-12.15-17]
As for you, my sheep, I will judge between sheep and sheep.
The Lord says this: I am going to look after my flock myself and keep all of it in view. As a shepherd keeps all his flock in view when he stands up in the middle of his scattered sheep, so shall I keep my sheep in view. I shall rescue them from wherever they have been scattered during the mist and darkness. I myself will pasture my sheep, I myself will show them where to rest - it is the Lord who speaks. I shall look for the lost one, bring back the stray, bandage the wounded and make the weak strong. I shall watch over the fat and healthy. I shall be a true shepherd to them.

As for you, my sheep, the Lord says this: I will judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and he-goats.
© 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman and Todd, and Doubleday and Co Inc., and used by permission.

Responsorial Psalm [Ps 22:1-3.5-6]
Response:  The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me,
to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path;
he is true to his name.

You have prepared a banquet for me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing.

Surely goodness and kindness shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for ever and ever.

Second Reading: A reading from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians [15:20-26.28]
He will hand over the kingdom to God the Father, so that God may be all in all.
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of all who have fallen asleep. Death came through one man and in the same way the resurrection of the dead has come through one man. Just as all men die in Adam, so all men will be brought to life in Christ; but all of them in their proper order:
Christ as the first-fruits and then, after the coming of Christ, those who belong to him.  After that will come the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, having done away with every sovereignty, authority and power.  For he must be king until he has put all his enemies under his feet and the last of the enemies to be destroyed is death.  And when everything is subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subject in his turn to the One who subjected all things to him, so that God may be all in all.
© 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman and Todd, and Doubleday and Co Inc., and used by permission.

Alleluia, alleluia!
Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessings on the coming kingdom of our father David!
Alleluia!

Gospel: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew [25:31-46]
He will take his seat on his throne of glory, and he will separate men one from another.
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory. All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right hand, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome; naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.” Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you; sick or in prison and go to see you?” And the King will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.” Next he will say to those on his left hand, “Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink; I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.” Then it will be their turn to ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?” Then he will answer, “I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.” And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.’
© 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman and Todd, and Doubleday and Co Inc., and used by permission.

                                            PARISH NEWS

WELCOME
If you are just visiting our parish today, we bid you welcome.  If this is the first time you have been to Mass for a while, welcome back!  We hope our time together unites us in God’s love.

RIP
Your prayers are asked for the repose of the soul of Assunta Gunn whose Funeral Service was in St Patrick’s church on Friday.  May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

SECOND COLLECTION
The second collection next Sunday in St Patrick’s is in aid of the Building Fund.

ADVENT RETREAT
An Advent Retreat is being arranged for Saturday, 9th December 2023 in St Patrick’s church hall from 11.00am to 3.00pm.  Please bring a packed lunch.  Tea and coffee will be provided.  All welcome.
 

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION
Christmas Celebration in St Patrick’s hall after 11.00am Mass on Sunday, 10th December.  Please bring nibbles to share.  Tea and coffee will be provided.  All welcome.

CHRISTMAS TIMETABLES
The Christmas Timetables will be available next Sunday in each of our churches.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION
Sacramental classes are being offered during the year for anyone over the age of 7 years who is interested in being prepared to receive the Sacraments of Baptism, Holy Communion and Confirmation.  For more information please contact the Sisters or the Parish Office.

DIVINE MERCY
The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is recited each Monday at 9:30am before 10:00am Mass in Ss Kenneth & Bernard’s and each Thursday after the 10:00am Mass in St Bride’s.

ORATORY
This group is open to all primary school children aged 6 - 12 years of age.  The group will meet each Friday in St Patrick’s hall between 4.00-6.00pm.  Cost is £1-00.

CLUSTER WEBSITE
Please check for any late changes or updates on www.thecluster.org.uk
 

        Attendance/Offertory Collections Sunday, 19th November 2023

Thank you, without your contributions the work of God’s church would not be possible.