Newsletter

Twenty-Second Sunday of the Year

August 30th 2026

 

My dear parishioners,

 

Please welcome Fr. Xavier Alvarado, a priest from the Comboni Missionaries, who will celebrate the liturgy this weekend and share something of the good works carried out by his order in various parts of the world. We will take up a second collection to support the Comboni Missionaries. As I have said to you so often, a little donation from us all goes a long way.

 

The following information has been sent by the diocese: it is always worthwhile consulting the diocesan website for more detailed news about what is happening across the Diocese of Motherwell, www.rcdom.org.uk.

 

South Lanarkshire Council – Education Resources Statutory Consultation – proposal to alter the catchment areas of St. Mary’s, St. Paul’s, St. Peter’s and Our Lady and St. Anne’s Primary Schools, 31st August to 23rd October 2026.

A Public Meeting will be held on 22 September 2026 from 6-7pm in St. Peter’s School, Hamilton.

 

Mass for the New Evangelisation: Archbishop Rino Fisichella, Pro-Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelisation will visit Motherwell Diocese on Thursday 24th September to address the clergy of the Diocese in a Day Conference. The archbishop will then celebrate mass at 7pm in the Cathedral. The whole diocesan community is invited to participate in this celebration. Tea and coffee will be served afterwards in St. Bride’s Centre.

 

National Pilgrimage at Carfin, Sunday 6th September 3pm; this is an opportunity for Catholics from across Scotland to come together in prayer, renewing our devotion to Our Lady and celebrating the gift of faith as one national community. Everyone is warmly invited to join this special day of prayer and pilgrimage at Scotland’s National Shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes.

 

Schedule for the Daily Liturgy:

 

Monday August 31st: Mass at 10 am;

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Tuesday September 1st: Mass at 10am;

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Wednesday September 2nd: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am; adoration until 2.30pm

 

Thursday September 3rd:

Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am

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Parish Pastoral Council: Please find on the notice board at the back of the church a little summary, prepared by the PPC, of some of the work attended to during the session 2025-2026. Let’s continue to work at making St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s an open and welcoming parish community for all; each one of us has our own special part to play in making this happen. The PPC will meet again on Wednesday 23rd September at 7pm; please speak with one of the Council members or put a note in the box at the back of the church or email PPC1846@hotmail.com

 

The Beginning Experience are holding a weekend for those who find themselves suffering bereavement through divorce, separation or widowhood. The weekend will take place from 16-18 October at the Conforti Centre, Coatbridge. For details contact Maggie on 07786 687631 or email: beginningexperiencescotland2@gmail.com.  Completed applications must be returned by 2nd October 2026.

 

The St. Vincent de Paul members will host a coffee morning in the parish hall after the Sunday morning Masses on September 6th. Proceeds will be shared between Hamilton Foodbank and Drop-In-Centre. There will be a raffle with children’s prizes, so please bring your cash and pocket money! Please join us in the hall and enjoy some tea/coffee toast and home-baking. Donations of home baking are welcome.

 

Please remember in your prayers Craig Paterson, one of our parishioners, who has left to begin his formal studies for the priesthood at the Scots College in Rome.

 

Fr. O’Brien will be on annual leave until Friday 18th September; the Spiritan Fathers from Carfin will provide pastoral cover. Please contact Mrs. Mary Hoggan at the church house if any pastoral need arises.

 

Recently Deceased: Charles Dempsey, Gerald McDonald, Patricia McKale, Elizabeth McPhelim, Luciana Fullerton Polli, Grainne Dunn, Agnes McMahon, Mirella Rossi

 

Special Remembrance: Jaime Donnelly, Eilidh McHugh, Mary and Joseph Cluckie, Sadie and Jim Moonie, Krystyna and Zygmunt Jasniewicz, John and Elizabeth Fulton, James Fulton, Jim Carter, Ellen McCabe, and deceased relatives, friends and benefactors of our parish.