Thank you  We were overwhelmed by our parishioners' generous response to the appeal for help with the recent Pilgrimage for Christ Mission Week. We are extremely grateful to everyone who helped. The PPC team (8 legionaries) visited 2208 homes in our parish, distributed around 1500 miraculous medals, and spoke to over 1200 people about the faith.This tremendous work was achieved despite several days of torrential rain through which the PPC team persistently continued with their work.During the course of the coming months, we will be following up the work begun by the PPC team bear many more seeds for Christ.Once again, our heartfelt thanks and deepest appreciation
of Mercy Praesidium, St Andrew’s.
 
The Pope Francis Faith Award– A good response so far - 27 P6 pupils have enrolled. Parish enrolment Mass - 10am Sunday 3rdNov. There will be an information evening for parents and P6 pupils – Thurs 3rdOct 7pm in St Nicholas’.

The relics of St Therese of Lisieux will be visiting Saint Theresa’s Possilpark on Monday 16th Sept, and the Cathedral on Tuesday 17th. A programme of events, plus Novena prayer card are in the porch. I would encourage everyone of you to make your own personal visit to the Relics. St Therese of Lisieux, Little Flower of Jesus, pray for us and for Scotland.
 
The RCIA programmebegins Thursday 26thSept at 7pm in the Hut. If you are interested in enquiring about the Catholic faith, please contact 942 4635 / standrew@rcag.org.uk.
 
Family fun walk Strathblane to Schoenstatt today.  Bus will leave the Hub 1.15pm, returning about 5pm. Bring a packed lunch, some drinks and your enthusiasm! 
Should be a good day. A parishes’ cluster event.
 
Vocations Awareness - As part of St Nicholas’ Primary marking Vocations Awareness, Fr Currie, Deacon Tommy, Fr Mackle and Sr Andrea from the Sisters of the Gospel of Life will meet with the P7 pupils and their teachers on Tuesday 17th Sept 2pm to have a chat about vocations, which will include Q&A.for vocations, especially for our archdiocese. Prayer cards available in the porch.
 
Coffee Morning--Please come along and join us in the upper hall, after am today for tea, coffee and some delicious home baking. This month we are raising funds for SCIAF (Scottish International Aid Fund), whose aim is for the poorest to free themselves from poverty by equipping them with the tools they need, to bridge the between rich and poor and to have a world free of poverty, where the poorest can survive and thrive.
 
Primary Three Parents intending to present their child for the Sacrament of Reconciliation in 2020 and First Holy Communion in 2021, please complete an enrolment form available from the church porch and return it by 27th Sept. Many thanks. 

Mass of Enrolment for P3 families- 10am, Sunday 6th October.
 
Volunteer needed,please, until the end of December to lock up the church on either Tuesdays or Fridays at 4.45pm.  Please contact 942 4635 / standrew@rcag.org.uk
 
Monthly Reflection Sessions after the 10 am weekday Mass will start again on Tuesday 24th of September (please note the change of day) in the Upper Hall. Please join us for coffee/ tea and a friendly discussion. As October is a month of historical devotion to Blessed Virgin Mary our topic for discussion will be Mary and Marian Devotion.
 
St Andrew’s under 5s starts back Thurs 19th Sept at 12:30 - 2:30 - £1 per family, babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers all welcome, bring a packed lunch, have a play and meet new friends.Tea, Coffee and biscuits provided. Contact: Aura Murphy 07881 445565.
 
LEPRA Appeal. A representative from LEPRA, the charity which does so much good work for sufferers with leprosy, will make an appeal at the end of all Masses 21st/22nd September Please see the LEPRA poster in the church for more details. Visit www.lepra.org.uk
 
Adult Faith Formation– Following the success of the Bishop Robert Barron Catholicism Series which ran through Lent and into Eastertide, Bishop Baron’s Pivotal Players series will be shown on various occasions during 2019 /2020. The first in the series of DVDs will be shown on Thurs 10th Oct Upper Hall 7pm. The subject of the episode being shown is Blessed John Henry Newman who is due to be canonised by Pope Francis on the 23rdof Oct. Please join us for tea/coffee and Bishop Barron’s insight into this important figure in the Church.
 
'Calling S1 Young People - A social and catch up in St. Joseph's Hall on Saturday 9th November. 630pm to 830pm. Games, crafts,Pizza, Karaoke and much more. Tell your friends. Organised by Caritas students.
 
Catholic Social Teaching Thought for the Week-15 September (UN International Day of Peace is observed on 21 September) Peace is principally the attainment of the common good in society at its different levels, primary and intermediary, national, international and global. Precisely for this reason it can be said that the paths which lead to the attainment of the common good are also the paths that must be followed in the pursuit of peace.  Pope Benedict XVI, Message for World Day of Peace 2013
 
St Andrew's and St Joseph's continue to work various ways in an attempt to bring our parishes closer together. The clustering group meets 4/5a year and is always looking for new members. If you think that you might be interested in helping this growing endeavour please let Fr Mackle know. Next meeting 29th Oct 7pm  in St Andrew’s.
 
A Rachel's Vineyard retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held north of Glasgow on Tuesday 22nd – Thursday 24th October 2019.This confidential, supportive retreat is powerful for anyone who has been affected by their own or someone else’s abortion experience. For more information, please call/text Sr Andrea on 07816 942824 or email Rachel via the enquiry form on the website www.rachelsvineyard.org.uk

Mary’s Meals will be visiting the parish to collect any unwanted, rags etc for recycling on Sunday 29th September. If you will be handing in good clothing which can be sold in their charity shops, please label your bag clearly, otherwise it will be recycled as rags. Raffle tickets will be sold after each Mass.
 
Tradespeople Wanted– The church halls are a strong income source for the church. Last year over 100 parishioner events were held in the hall and there are over 20 lets a week by micro companies and social enterprises. The halls’ turnover is in excess of £17,000. However, the use of this fantastic parish resource comes with a cost! It needs to be maintained! At present, we usually employ trades from outside the parish. We really want to keep this inside the parish!. We will pay the going rate and don’t expect this service to be provided free of charge. Consequently, if there are any tradespeople in the parish, especially joiners, electricians, painters and plumbers who would like to help with the halls maintenance, can they please contact the Halls Committee Chairperson at gordon_reid@ntlworld.com or call 07528 425 698. Many thanks.
 
Justice and Peace Scotland- Day of reflection on Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si. 21stSept 10am -4pm at Blythswood Hall, Renfield St Stephen’s, Bath Street. Cost £10. Lunch provided. To book, visit www.justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk
 
Children’s Choir – Sep 22, Nov 10 & 24, & Dec 15 & 25. All at 10am. Any queries, please contact Annamaria Strachan 0141-942-9799 or 07749715514—a.strachan@dunelm.org.uk
 
The church is open until 4.45pm. Call in and enjoy the peace and quiet, and take time to sit in the stillness in the silence of God.  

Tea is served in the hut after 10am daily Mass. All most welcome.
 
Forthcoming Special Collections –LEPRA – 21stSept. Missio – 20thOct.
Upcoming Meetings
 
17thSept – Parents’ Council – 6.30pm – Bearsden Academy
17th Sept – Association of Bearsden Churches -11am – Baptist Church
17thSept – Liturgy – 7pm - House
17th Sept – Justice & Peace – 7.30pm – Hut
26thSept– RCIA 7pm - Hut
26th Sept –Parish Pastoral Council– 7pm - House

Céad míle fáilte –100,00 welcomes to our Legion of Mary guests, who, we’re pleased to say, will be with us until 31stAugust. We are delighted to have them with us for this Pilgrimage for Christ week, Peregrinatio Mission week. They will be visiting, in pairs, as many homes as is possible in the Bearsden area, chatting with people, speaking about the faith, and extending an invitation to all to the Mass and buffet supper on the final evening, which is this Friday, August 30, at 7pm.you see them on the road, I’m sure you’ll give them a big    hello!
 
Family Fun Walk – Please note the route has been changed. An all abilities countryside walk (about 90 minutes) to Schoenstatt, Sunday 15th Sept.Bus will leave from the Hub 1.15pmfor Strathblane and walk to Schoenstattconclude with a short prayer service. Bring a packed lunch and some drinks. Returning to Bearsden 5pm. 
 
Day Trip to Carfinfor the National Pilgrimage Mass and Rosary Procession. Sunday, September 1st.Bus will leave from the Hub at Bearsden Cross at 1pm and return 7.30pm. Cost £3. Please sign the sheet in the porch, if you would like to go.
Everyone’s invited this Friday 30thAugust. 7pm Mass followed by buffet supper in the hall with entertainment. Celebrating Pilgrimage for Christ Mission Week.
 
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults:Over the years, many people have become Catholic through RCIA. Some were not baptised, some were Christians of other denominations wanting to become a Catholic maybe because of the goodness they see in their catholic spouse, and some were catholic but hadn’t completed their initiation into the Church (not Confirmed or received the Eucharist). God may be calling someone to become Catholic through you. We pray that we will be channels through which others can answer the call. The parish’s RCIA programme will begin soon. If you are interested in becoming a Catholic, call 942 4635  or email  standrew@rcag.org.uk
 
Word on Fire:How can we develop our thinking as Catholics about Catholicism in order to spread the Good News with confidence? The US-based Word on Fire Institute, founded by Bishop Robert Barron, provides tools for laypeople to become Catholic evangelists. The Institute’s website includes theological tools, moral teaching, and provides advice on how to develop our holiness.   See: https://wordonfire.institute/. You can also access a wealth of videos about our faith by subscribing to Bishop Barron’s YouTube channel. Bishop Barron addresses a whole host of matters ranging from Catholic theology to myths about the Catholic Church. Go check it out and be inspired!
 
School Uniform Collection.There is a letter on the noticeboard from collection organiser, Judith Reid, thanking everyone who handed in school uniforms to the collection box over the summer holidays. Over 300 families in Clydebank and Dumbarton have been helped. 
 
'Calling S1 Young People- Save the Date!A social and catchup in St. Joseph's Hall on Saturday 26th October. 630pm to 830pm. Games, crafts,Pizza, Karaoki and much more. Tell your friends. Organised by Caritas students.
 
Youth Ministry TeamAs well as the S1 pupils reunion, in the pipeline for the cluster are a P6 Retreat in November, advent Carol Singing event, February NET Ministry Retreat,  Lenten youth evening, P7 pre Confirmation Retreat, and Caritas.We’re hoping to get the Pope Francis Faith Award started at some stage soon. Next meeting 2ndSept 7pm.
 
Do search You tubefor the Catholic TV Network Youtube. It is good for anyone who is unable to attend Mass.
Coffee MorningPlease do join us in the upper hall after the 10am Mass today for this month’s charity coffee morning. We are raising funds for Society for St Vincent de Paul. Its charitable work includes visiting people at home,hospital, in a hospice or in prison, enabling volunteers get to know people and provide help in other ways.
 
Annual Pilgrimage to pray for the Beatification of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair.Sunday 8thSept 2pm. Contact Gerry Kane on 562 5107 / 07810228621 for bus times. Full details in the porch.
 
St. Andrew's Whist DriveMonday 26thAugust 7.30pm, in the Lower Hall. Everyone is welcome regardless of ability. Someone will be on hand to help if you are a beginner. It is, essentially, a social night. £3 includes admission, raffle ticket and tea/coffee. Come along for a great night. We'd love to welcome you! For more details contact Susan Morrison. 
 
Children’s Choir – September 15th and 22nd, November 10th and 24th, & December 15th and 25th. All at 10am. Any queries, please contact            Annamaria Strachan 0141-942-9799 or 07749715514--a.strachan@dunelm.org.uk
 
St Andrew’s Carpet Bowlswill resume Thursday 5thSept  1pm-4pm. New members will be very welcome.

The relics of St Therese of Lisieuxwill be visiting the Archdiocese of Glasgow from 16th - 19th September. The relics will stop first at HMP Barlinnie where Mass will be celebrated before being transferred to the parish of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux in Possilpark where they will remain until their transfer to the Cathedral on Tuesday 17th September. A programme of events, plus Novena prayer card are available in the porch.
 
Baptism Course—Parents and godparents of children to be baptised soon are asked to attend the next preparation course on Thursday 5th September at 7.00 p.m. in the Upper Hall.
 
Diocesan Safeguarding Conversation to reflect on safeguarding / abuse issues will take place on Saturday 7th September, 12 – 3pm, at the Archdiocesan Offices, 196 Clyde Street G1 4JY.  All most welcome to attend. Even if you have not been directly and personally affected by issues of abuse, you have an opinion which matters. For more information, see noticeboard or pick up a leaflet from the porch. To book a place, contact the Safeguarding Team on 0141 226 5898 / safeguardingadministrator@rcag.org.uk
Emmaus Glasgowliving and workspace for up to 24 previously homeless companions and is located in Hamiltonhill. Donations of furniture are welcome. Call Gavin on 0141 342 4089 for free uplifts.
 
Drumchapel Foodbankhave expressed their thanks for the tremendous support given by our parish weekly. All donations of non -perishable food items and toiletries placed in the boxes in the church porch are gratefully received, and delivered every Monday to the foodbank.
 
Caritas Award 2020  Still not too late if you would like to sign up. If you are in your final year of high school or just left and interested in learning about the Caritas award, speak to Fr. Mackle or contact Elizabeth Reid elizabeth_reid@ntlworld.com
 
The church is openuntil 4.45pm (7.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays) Call in and enjoy the peace and quiet, and take time to sit in the stillness in the silence of God.  Tea is served in the hut after 10am daily Mass. All most welcome.
 
FIND for young people S5 – 25. Discussion, prayer and pizza. Every Thurs 4pm – 6.30pm in 196 Clyde St.       FORMED for P7 – S4.  Chance to meet new friends. Prayer and Pizza. 4.30pm – 7pm in 196 Clyde St. Every 1stFriday. Pick up an info card from the porch. Visit www.rcagyouth.co.uk
 
The Beginning Experienceare holding a weekend for those who find themselves suffering bereavement through divorce, separation or widowhood.. 4th – 6th Oct at Conforti Centre, Coatbridge. Contact Catherine 0131 665 3383  beginningexperiencescotland@hotmail.com
 
Mary’s Mealsbe visiting the parish to collect any unwanted, rags etc for recycling on Sunday 29th September. They regret that they cannot take duvets and pillows. They will also sell raffle tickets after each Mass.
 
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament  is, perhaps, the best way to enter into prayer and draw closer to Jesus outside of Holy Mass. Adoration is sitting quietly before the real presence of Christ, who hears us and who sees us. Consider coming to spend even just a short period of time in adoration and prayer each Saturday 10.30am until 12.30pm.
 
Forthcoming Special Collections –SPRED – 8thSept; LEPRA – 21stSept.