Gospel
Mark 6:14-29
‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’

At that time: King Herod heard of Jesus, for his name had become known. Some said, ‘John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.’ But others said, ‘He is Elijah.’ And others said, ‘He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.’ But when Herod heard of it, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.’ For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.’ And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, ‘Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.’ And he vowed to her, ‘Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.’ And she went out and said to her mother, ‘For what should I ask?’ And she said, ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, ‘I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.’ And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

Gospel
Mark 6:7-13
‘He began to send them out.’

At that time: Jesus called the Twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff — no bread, no bag, no money in their belts — but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, ‘Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.’ So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has announced that, on 3 February 2026, a decree will be published adding the memoria ad libitum of Saint John Henry Newman to the General Roman Calendar, together with the related liturgical texts.

From 3 February 2026, Saint John Henry Newman will be formally included in the Church’s worldwide liturgical calendar as an optional memorial, to be observed on 9 October. This means that parishes across the universal Church may choose to remember him at Mass on that day, using newly approved prayers and liturgical texts.

Saint John Henry Newman, pray for us.

Gospel
Mark 5:21-43
‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’

At that time: When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.’ And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, ‘If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.’ And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, “Who touched me?” ’ And he looked round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha cumi’, which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ And immediately the girl got up and began walking, for she was twelve years of age, and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is pleased to announce the appointment of Fr Matthew Carlin as Vice Rector of the Pontifical Scots College in Rome.

Fr Matthew, a priest of the Diocese of Paisley, will take up this important role in the coming months, assisting the Rector in the formation of Scottish seminarians preparing for priestly ministry. He succeeds Fr Nick Welsh, whose dedicated service to the College is warmly acknowledged by the Bishops.

Fr Matthew studied at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome from 2009 to 2017. He was ordained to the priesthood on 30 June 2016 at St John’s Church, Barrhead.
Following ordination, he served as curate at St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley, from 2017 to 2019. He was appointed Parish Priest of St Francis, Port Glasgow, in 2019, serving there until 2024. Since then, he has been Parish Priest of St Aidan’s, Johnstone, and since 2025 has also served Christ the King, Howwood.

In addition to parish ministry, Fr Matthew currently serves as Vicar Episcopal for Education in the Diocese of Paisley and as Defender of the Bond at the Scottish Catholic Inter-diocesan Tribunal.

Commenting on the appointment, Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley and President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, said:
"I want to thank Father Matthew for his generosity of spirit in accepting this important role in the formation of our future priests. He has been happy and thriving in his parish work, in his commitments in the diocese regarding our schools as well as in his national work at our Tribunal. We will miss him from our diocese both personally and pastorally for the time when he is away. I know he will now accept this latest appointment by the bishops of Scotland with his same characteristic faithfulness, dedication and zeal. We assure him of our prayers and wish him a joyful and fruitful ministry in Rome."

Fr Matthew said:
“I was privileged to spend eight years at the Scots College in Rome, studying, praying, and preparing to serve God's people. I am immensely grateful for everything I received during that time, and I look forward to assisting others in their formation for the diocesan priesthood. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Bishop John Keenan for his guidance and encouragement, and to all the Bishops of Scotland for their trust in appointing me as Vice Rector. I ask everyone to keep me, and all those involved in priestly formation, in their prayers.”

The Rector of the Pontifical Scots College, Fr Mark Cassidy, said:
"I am delighted that Fr Matthew will be joining the College as vice rector in succession to Fr Nick Welsh. Bringing his own talents and gifts to the role, I am sure that Fr Matthew will build on the good work done by his predecessor in helping to develop the formation programme here at the College. I know that Fr Matthew will be a great example and mentor to our men studying for the priesthood."

The Bishops of Scotland commend Fr Matthew to the prayers of the faithful as he prepares to take up this important role in the life of the Church in Scotland.