Sunday 14th May 2023 Sixth Sunday of Easter

"This I command you: love one another."

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May Devotions – Rosary Sundays at 4.30pm.  On 21st May, for Laudato Si week, weather permitting, rosary will be prayed around the church grounds. 
 
Feast of the Ascension of the Lord ~ this Thursday 18th May ~ Holy day of obligation. Masses 10am and 7pm.Mass in St Nicholas' at 1.30pm for staff, pupils and P2 parents. 
 
‘Looking to the Future’ archdiocesan consultation. Many thanks to all those who have submitted their ideas and suggestions electronically or in paper form.  These will be collated and be taken to the Deanery Council on 22nd May and then to the Archdiocese for their 18th June Deanery Councils’ meeting.  Regular updates regarding this consultation will be made. 

First Communion We welcome the children and their families this weekend for this very special moment on their journey of faith. We thank all who have been involved in helping them to prepare for this special time, at school, at home, and in the parish.
​We pray that the blessings of the Eucharist will stay with the children for a long time to come and that they will become committed members of the Body of Christ.
The Mass will be live streamed on our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@standrewsbearsden
 
First Communicants Mass of Thanksgiving next Sunday at 10am followed by a big party in the hall. 

Confirmation - Huge thanks to all who helped look after the Confirmation Mass and the reception in the hall afterwards and all the preparations. Many congratulations to all the 44 boys and girls.  You'll find the Confirmation Mass on our YouTube channel with the new easy to remember name https://www.youtube.com/@standrewsbearsden.  
‘Come, Holy Spirit, come’. Given to us as a Helper and a Guide for life.
​Photos below.

Confirmation 2024. The archdiocese has given us the date of Thursday 25th January 2024 for Confirmation next year. So that will be for all pupils going into P7 after summer. Enrolment forms will be available soon. 

Joining St Nicholas’ in P1 this August?  You are invited to a ‘Get Together’ on Sunday 4th June 2pm - 4pm in St Andrew’s hall.  There’ll be activities for the children and refreshments will be served.  P7 buddies will be there.  Some school uniforms will be available.  Any questions, email [email protected]
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World Youth Day Lisbon - Hannah Quinn will be flying the flag for our parish joining over 60 others from across the archdiocese. Fundraiser after the vigil on 1st July.  More details soon. If you would like to support Hannah & WYD23 financially, please hand any donations to one of the clergy. 

Coffee Morning 28th May after 10am and 12 noon mass.  This will be a combined event to raise funds for our own parishioner Hannah Quinn who will be representing our Parish at World Youth Day in Lisbon, 1-6 August. Hannah works tirelessly for the church as an altar server, cantor and assisting the Youth Ministry.    There will also be the opportunity to meet and purchase a signed copy of Fr Joseph Dillon, SVD’s memoir ‘People I Met On The Way - 50 Years A Priest in Brazil'.  Fr Dillon will be visiting the parish and as well as saying mass, he will be launching his book after evening mass on Sunday 27th May in the Lower Hall. All parishioners are welcome to the evening launch or the book signings at the coffee mornings.    Profits from Fr Dillon’s book sales will go to his health projects in Sao Paulo in Brazil. ​

​SPRED  fundraiser. Big raffle prizes to be won. Tickets on sale next weekend 20 /21 May. 
 
Interested in becoming a Catholic?  Please get in touch. The programme of learning and instruction will begin after summer and prepares adults for the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. Please speak to Fr. Mackle if you would like to know more.
 
Carfin Grotto Bus - 13th June 6pm. Milngavie Station  Cost £8.  Please put your name on the list in the porch or pass it to Fr. Mackle or  email [email protected]  For transport to Milngavie Station please indicate on the list and someone will be in touch.
 
The church is open until 5pm Mon to Fri. 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 daily Mass Mon to Thurs. All most welcome.
 
Saturday Adoration Do come and spend some time each week to be still before God at our Saturday Adoration. If shopping at the cross, or out for a coffee, pop in to St Andrew's for some quiet prayer. Have a heart to heart with God. Saturday 10am until 11am , with Confessions throughout. Sunday Confession  9.15am until 9.45am.

Before receiving Holy Communion, we are asked to make some act of reverence such as a bow.

​Catholic Social Teaching Thought for the Week - Sunday 14 May Goodness, together with love, justice and solidarity, are not achieved once and for all; they have to be realised each day. It is not possible to settle for what was achieved in the past and complacently enjoy it, as if we could somehow disregard the fact that many of our brothers and sisters still endure situations that cry out for our attention.   Fratelli tutti, para. 11 
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Laudato Si’ - On Care for our Common Home - the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet: “Both everyday experience and scientific research show that the gravest effects of all attacks on the environment are suffered by the poorest” (#48)

Laudato Si’ Week 2023 will be celebrated May 21-28 to mark the 8th anniversary of Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical on care for creation.  "Hope for the Earth. Hope for humanity", is the theme that will guide us this year.  Register here for updates Laudato Si’ Week 2023: Hope for the Earth. Hope for humanity. (laudatosiweek.org)

Drumchapel Foodbank. Your donations are dropped off at the foodbank by our parish volunteers. Thanks for continuing to give the foodbank your support.

Our soup-run volunteers continue to collect donations 7 evenings each week from Marks & Spencers Milngavie for delivery to  St Gregory’s Foodbank for families and Aspire West end to support those trying to get back on their feet. If you are interested in volunteering once or twice a month, please get in touch with Veronica McLaughlin - [email protected].

For women affected by separation and divorce – confidential and peer support  Fri  2 June  May St Patrick's, Dumbarton 6-8pm. [email protected]
 
You can raise FREE donations for the parish every time you shop online.  
Take a moment to sign up at https://tinyurl.com/standrews-easyfundraising
 
Parish Bulletin: Items for inclusion should be sent in by 6 p.m. on the Tuesday before publication. Copies of the bulletin are available on Facebook, Twitter, the parish website/by email link (to all those on the Parish database) and on the noticeboards in the Church porch and the Church grounds.

Please remember in your prayers those in need, those who are sick and housebound and those in hospital:
Recently Dead:  Leonel De Souza Jaca, Elizabeth, Duchess of Buccleuch, Al Capelli, Mary Currie, Alice Mazzucco, Mabel McQuade, Carl Smith and Michelle McKechnie.
Anniversary:  Margaret Arioli, Elizabeth Brannan, Alice Cassidy, Elio Colaizio, William English, Chic Kerr, Mary McGhie, Camilla Sheridan,  Carol Smith and Martin Teague.