Newsletter

Sixteenth Sunday of the Year

July 19th 2026

 

My dear parishioners,

 

 I hope this finds you and your families well and enjoying the summer. The following information has been sent by the diocese and so I thought it best to share it through a Newsletter:

 

World Day of Grandparents and Seniors: everyone is warmly invited to celebrate this special occasion at Carfin Grotto on Sunday 26th July 2026. Bishop John Keenan will celebrate Mass at 3pm; we give thanks for the invaluable contribution of grandparents and seniors to our families, parishes and communities. Please invite your grandparents, family members and friends.

 

Pilgrimage for Life 2026: the annual Pilgrimage for Life will take place at Carfin Grotto on Saturday 1st August 2026. Bishop John Keenan will lead the day, which offers an opportunity for prayer, reflection and witness to the dignity and sanctity of every human life.

 

The Programme includes:

 

12:00 noon: Mass

2:00pm: Eucharistic Adoration

2.15pm: Stations of the Cross

2:45pm: Divine Mercy Chaplet

3:30pm: Holy Rosary

 

Families are especially encouraged to attend. All are welcome.

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Schedule for the Daily Liturgy:

 

Monday July 20th: Mass at 10am;

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Tuesday July 21st: Mass at 10am;

Rosary at 9.40am.

 

Wednesday July 22nd: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Thursday July 23rd:

Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9,40am

 

 

The church’s daily liturgy is a wonderful way to begin the day; you are always welcome to join us for the Rosary and Mass.

 

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Vocations Weekend in Sancta Maria Abbey, Nunraw, Haddington, EH41 4LW; come along and share in the life of Cistercian Monks, Friday 28th – Sunday 30th August 2026; the weekend is free of charge and is for single males, upper age limit 55 years; the weekend consists of Prayer, Reading, Meditation, Talks and Walks, all in a very beautiful rural setting; it is an opportunity to experience the daily life of a Contemplative Order: contact whitecastle200@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01620 830 223.

 

Bishop Toal shares some good news about Vocations in Motherwell Diocese:

 “I am pleased to tell you that Craig Paterson (St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s Hamilton), Aiden Quinn (St. Ignatius’ Wishaw) and Matthew Graham (St. John the Baptist Uddingston) will continue their formation for the priesthood at the Pontifical Scots College in Rome. They will be joined there by Aidan Kelly and Matthew O’Neill, who will be returning to the College after completing the Pastoral Year in our Diocese”. Please remember our five seminarians in your prayers.

 

St. Vincent de Paul Conference in our parish; thank you to those who have offered to serve our parish through the good work of the SVDP: Ronnie Boyd will serve as President, Paula Walker as vice-President, Kevin Irvine as Treasurer, Angela Lynch as Secretary. If you know of anyone who could benefit from speaking with a member of the SVDP then please let them know that our SVDP is there to listen.

 

Recently Deceased:  John McKenzie, John Feenie, Billy Breen, Jacqueline Bagley, Dominic Adams, John Holton, Alison MacIntyre, Lewis Cameron, Iain Tilston,

 

Special Remembrance: Margaret Fitzpatrick, Karen Wilson, Edward McGeary, Barney Tansey, Patrick Cavanagh, Elizabeth Samson, Thomas and Esther Reid, Catherine and Peter Phairs, Daniel and Ellen Gallagher, Anne Marie Connolly, Eddie Bradshaw and the deceased members of the Smith and Bradshaw families and deceased relatives, friends and benefactors of our parish.