
whoever eats this bread will live forever."
Our parish of St Andrew in Bearsden is very much focussed on preparations for the reopening of the church, in phase 2 for private prayer, and in phase 3 for public Masses, all of which is subject, of course, in getting the green light from the Scottish Government.
In order to reopen, we will need to build up a bank of volunteers to be in attendance in our church during times when it is open for private prayer and for Masses / liturgies. Volunteers' duties will be to welcome and guide people as to the requirements to sanitise hands, to enter and exit via the designated one-way system and to sit in designated places and to wipe down the pew surfaces after each Mass. PPE (mask and gloves), cleaning materials and orientation/training will be provided.
I know that this might be a disappointment to some, but I do have to let you know that the criteria for volunteering required by the current guidelines mean that anyone who has underlying health conditions which requires shielding or anyone over the age of 70 cannot volunteer for this particular ministry at this time.
Volunteers will be required to complete a Volunteer Safeguarding Application form. More details soon about this and training. If you are eligible to become a volunteer, please do seriously consider it. The reopening of our church will depend very much on us having a sufficient number of volunteers.
Take care Fr Mackle
The Scottish Government has intimated that it will initiate Phase 2 of post-lockdown on Thursday coming, by introducing some light and cautious loosening of the restrictions that are currently on our lives. I'm sure that will be very welcome.We have been advised too that churches may open for limited purposes in Phase 2, which will be after the 18th June review, and we may also expect that public Masses and acts of worship may resume with Phase 3 that will follow the 9th July review. Government has stressed that these dates and phases are provisional, depending on the how the virus is being controlled. "Things are changing," said the Archbishop.The Scottish Government has intimated that it will initiate Phase 1 of post-lockdown on Thursday coming, by introducing some light and cautious loosening of the restrictions that are currently on our lives. I'm sure that will be very welcome.
"We have been advised too that churches may open for limited purposes in Phase 2, which will be after the 18th June review, and we may also expect that public Masses and acts of worship may resume with Phase 3 that will follow the 9th July review. Government has stressed that these dates and phases are provisional, depending on the how the virus is being controlled.
"Provisional as they are, now, thank God, we have an idea of where we are headed, and we can make practical preparations for the sacramental life of the Church to be resumed.
"As you can see, we still need to be patient for some weeks yet. During these weeks, we need to pray for those who are vulnerable or ill, for those who are dying and for all those who are involved in the care and protection of our families, neighbours, friends and loved ones. We need to continue to pray too that the rate of infection slows down and the virus becomes less of a risk..."
Had a read through yet the Bishops' Pastoral letter and the guidelines re reopening of churches? They cover every issue, including the compulsory wearing of facemasks, how to enter and leave the church, distancing, receiving communion, baptisms, weddings and funerals. Visit BCOS.org.uk
The archdiocesan Youth Office is keen to get a bigger picture of what is going on across the Archdiocese and to gain an understanding of how to serve parishes more effectively. Over the course of the next few weeks, all parish priests are being invited to participate in a telephone questionnaire. Responses won't be published, although the youth office will feedback regarding common themes and desires. The purpose of the questionnaire is really to help the staff of the youth office see where there is need and to review its offerings.
RCAG Youth continue to offer the young people of Glasgow a variety of online opportunities to grow in faith and in fellowship with others during this time. These include Morning Prayer LIVE!, Lectio Divina Online and weekly audiences with guest speakers, amidst other things. To find out more or to get in touch , please check out: www.facebook.com/RCAGYouth
Catholic Social Teaching Thought for the Week - 14 June (Nearest Sunday before World Refugee Day (20 June)) The Church's concern is focused especially on those fleeing from war, violence, political or religious persecution, from natural disasters including those caused by climate change, and from extreme poverty Christus Vivit, 91
All proceeds from The 29 Club are used to support our Parish Development Fund and various charitable causes. Vacancies are available now for the new season with starting in the Autumn with membership at £6 per month or £65 per annum.
Come and Join Us !! Contact: Brian Donnelly on 07484 707750 or Fr Mackle on 942- 4635.
Got any parish pilgrimage pics? We would like to compile a video collage of the parish pilgrimages from over the years and post it online. So, if you've got photos of Lourdes, Rome, Iona, St Petersburg, San Giovanni Rotondo, Salamanca, Medjugorje, The Holy Land, Schoenstatt or Knock or maybe some other place of pilgrimage, please email them in to Elizabeth at [email protected] by Sunday 21st June at the latest.
The archdiocesan web page below is updated regularly for the families of pupils who were preparing to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, First Eucharist or Confirmation, but are now unable to due to the current situation. It is hoped that the materials and resources on this web page will support you in continuing your child's preparation at home. Keep checking it and the archdiocese's Twitter and Facebook pages for updates.
https://www.rercglasgow.org/sacramental-preparation-at-home.html
With our piety stall being closed we are offering individual cards for posting, or collection from the chapel house porch. We have a full range of cards for almost every occasion, all £1 or 40p each. P&P is £1 per order (up to 4 cards) or free if collected from the chapel house porch. Email Annamaria ([email protected]) to place an order. Payment is by bank transfer or cheque.
Virtual Mass:- the Cathedral streams Mass twice per day (1300 & 1715) on Weekdays and on Sundays with Vigil Mass Saturday at 1715, Sundays 1000, 1200, 1715). You can join in spiritually through the link on their website or by going directly to the link https://www.mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-andrews-cathedral
Monsignor and Fr Mackle continue to celebrate Mass each day separately praying for the parish community and their intentions.
Drumchapel foodbank: If you can, as part of your daily exercise this week, drop off a food donation in the chapel house porch and our volunteers will get it to those in need. Also, If you know of anyone who lacks resources to buy food, please mention the foodbank at St Joseph's Milngavie (hall on left hand side), which opens from 2pm to 3.30pm on Fridays and 12.30-13.30pm on Sundays.
Our parish's soup run continues to deliver more than 700 GWR hot meals each week to families and individuals in need. This includes deliveries to Drumchapel and St Gregory's foodbanks, those in emergency accommodation across the city and a registered charity in Drumchapel supporting vulnerable families.
Flourish – June's edition is available at www.flourishnewspaper.co.uk
Sacrament of Reconciliation - if you would like Confession, that can be done in the Church grounds observing social distancing. Phone beforehand to arrange a time. Also, if it suits, I can come to you for Confession in your garden.
Parish Bulletin: Any items for inclusion in the bulletin (including names for recently dead, month's mind and anniversary lists) should be put through the letter box of the Chapel House or sent by email: [email protected] by 12noon on the Wednesday before publication. Copies of the bulletin will be available on Facebook, Twitter and on the parish website.
Parish Website – Latest - Bulletin - Just to say that on the latest page and the bulletin page, a subscribe button has been added which allows users to have a daily summary sent each morning with the previous day's posts. If you don't use social media, but would like to be kept posted, then all that's asked for is your email address – you can unsubscribe at any time – it's all clearly marked.
Parish YouTube Channel - The parish now has a YouTube Channel on this link.
We have regular Sunday Gospel reflections, hymns, night prayers and other videos. Look out for Deacon Tommy's gospel reflections for Corpus Christi Sunday.
Meditation Corner - Monsignor Ryan has been sharing weekly meditations on this web page.
Recently Dead – Marjorie Morgan, Brian Kennedy, Denis McKay, Pauline McLaughlin, Judith Townson, Ida Schuster Berkeley,
Anniversaries – Bridie Best, Dorothy Clarke, Adelia Marie Hilda Murray, Donald MacLean, Gerald O'Hara, Margaret McCallum, Mary McIlroy, Irene Cianfarani,