Newsletter

Fourth Sunday of Easter

May 11th 2025

 

The Bishops of Scotland have asked that the following statement be read and made available in every parish in Scotland this weekend:

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

The Bishops Conference of Scotland welcomes the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, as Pope Leo XIV. We ask all Catholics in Scotland to pray for the new Pope as he begins his ministry.

 

During his short address to the faithful from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo highlighted that his pontificate would be a service of peace. His opening words were ‘Peace be with you’, a greeting given by Our Lord to those who were afraid and doubting. Pope Leo prayed that peace would enter the hearts of all men and women, of all families and nations and that evil would be overcome.

 

Echoing the words of Pope Francis and thanking our late Holy Father, the new Pope asked for dialogue and building bridges, for walking together on a synodal path as missionaries in our world. Pope Leo reminded the crowd that he is a son of St. Augustine, the great saint and doctor of the church, who brought light and understanding to a world that was falling apart in the 4th century. We pray that our new Holy father will bring that same spirit of peace, light and understanding to all men and women in Scotland and throughout the world, that the church will embrace those who are afraid and doubting.

God bless our Pope!

 

Bishop Toal sends this message to the people of the diocese:

With our fellow Catholics, and so many others across the world, we in the Diocese of Motherwell thank God for the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. It is great news that Cardinal Prevost was chosen quickly by his fellow Cardinals and there is reassurance that they have placed this confidence in his abilities to lead the church in the great mission of preaching Christ and upholding and strengthening our communion as the Body of Christ, the People of God. We trust that his choice has been inspired by the Holy Spirit and his actions will always be guided by the same Holy Spirit.

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May God bless Pope Leo, and may he be sustained by the prayers of all the faithful. We commend his ministry as the Successor of St. Peter to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, and to that of all the saints.

 

We will celebrate a Diocesan Mass in Thanksgiving for the Election of Pope Leo XIV in Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell on Monday 26th May at 7pm. All are most welcome to attend.

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I offer here the Schedule for the Daily Liturgy:

 

Monday 12th May: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am; Confessions at 6.30pm; Novena at 7pm

 

Tuesday May 13th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Wednesday May 14th: Mass at 10 am

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Thursday May 15th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Saturday May 17th: First Holy Communions

Mass at 10.30am and at 2pm

 

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The Parish Pastoral Council met last Wednesday and discussed the possibility of establishing a befriending group in our parish. We would take advice from other organisations which are experienced in running such groups and of course training would be provided. If you are interested in taking part in such a group or if you wish to find out more about what is involved, then please phone Justine Docherty on 07951397616.

 

Credo, the parish faith sharing group, meets this Tuesday in the meeting room at 1 o’clock; members enjoy some tea and biscuits after their meeting.

 

Recently Deceased: Jim Breslin, Walter Stewart, Greg Leighton, Mairi McLean, Ann Callaghan

 

Special Remembrance: Margaret Boyd, Bettina Julie Miller, Hannah Devlin,

Joseph McMenemy, Anne McMenemy, Mark Hughes, Thomas, Elizabeth and John Kane, Catianna Darragh, Brian Carolan Snr and Jnr, Tom Bridges, Michael and Mary O’Brien and all our own deceased relatives and friends, and all the benefactors of our parish.

 

For reflection: Let us ask for the grace to believe that with God things really do change, that he will banish our fears, heal our wounds, turn our arid places into springs of water. Let us ask for the grace of hope, since hope revives our faith and rekindles our charity. It is for this hope that the deserts of today’s world are thirsting. Pope Francis