Ash Wednesday—18th February. Blessings and Distribution of Ashes at Mass at 10am and 7pm. 11am in the school. Ash Wednesday is a day of fast and abstinence. Short Term Pledge for Lent (Pioneer Association) - See notice in porch. Stations of the Cross – Fridays in Lent at 7pm. Rosary daily at 9.40am.
Lentfest 2015. Pick up a copy of the events programme to find out what’s on and where. Visit www.lentfest.co.uk An imaginative fusion of faith and the arts.
In preparation for the next session of the Synod in October, the Pope has once again invited parishes / parishioners to have their say and respond to questions which may be found on the diocesan and our parish website here. Copies also available in the porch. Replies must be submitted by 22nd February. Apologies are given for short notice. Responses to be sent to [email protected] / Chancellor, 196 Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4JY.
St Andrew’s Primary PTA is running a Fish and Family Fun Night on Saturday 14th March in Bearsden Burgh Hall from 7pm – 10pm. The event will include a disco, some ceilidh dancing, childrens party games and fish suppers. Admission is by ticket only as places are limited. Please call Anne on 07866 009078 for more information.
4th, 5th and 6th Year Students Are you thinking about doing a Duke of Edinburgh or Caritas Award? Do you know that volunteering to help with the Children’s Liturgy at the 10 o’clock Mass on a Sunday counts towards these awards. If you are interested in finding out more please contact Sharon Warner on 942 6901.
A series of talks on the Catholic Faith for young people 16 – 25. Thursday evenings at Turnbull Hall. See porch for full details.
Following the recent vote in the House of Commons to allow three person embryos, Bishop John Keenan has said; "The proposed techniques fail on a number of ethical grounds which should concern us all: They destroy human life, since in order to construct a disease free embryo, two healthy ones will have to be destroyed. The technique is not a treatment, it does not cure anyone or anything, rather it seeks to remove anyone affected by certain conditions from the human gene pool. Destroying those who have a particular disease and presenting it as a cure or as progress is utterly disingenuous and completely unethical. No other country in the world has licensed these procedures. A majority of responses to the Department of Health consultation opposed the proposal. Experts are divided on the advisability of the techniques and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) have suggested only that the procedures are "not unsafe". Mitochondrial Donation completely destroys and distorts the natural process of fertility. It is surprising that a society which increasingly favours and supports natural and "environmentally friendly” products and services should countenance the genetic modification of human beings. How can we object when scientists genetically modify plants but not when they do the same with people?"
Remember, this Lent the UK Government will match every penny you donate to SCIAF’s 50th anniversary Wee Box, Big Change appeal. SCIAF Stations of the Cross booklets in the porch for you to use during Lent. SCIAF also has a beautiful and moving PowerPoint on its website.
Schoenstatt, Campsie Glen. For full details of Pilgrimage days and events please see porch noticeboard or visit Schoenstatt website.
RCIA Please keep in your prayers Jennifer Aire and Alison McDonald, who are engaged in the RCIA process of becoming Catholics this Easter. RCIA Retreat will be on 21st Feb, and the Rite of Election on the 22nd.
Diamond Dance in aid of the White Lily Fund which raises money for cancer research in the west of Scotland. Sat 14th March at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It will be an evening of enjoyment - champagne reception, dinner and dancing. Why not get some friends interested and take a table of 10? As always, it will be a great night. Tickets £150 per couple; £75 per person. Contact [email protected] 07730615045 or [email protected] / 07884468212
Children’s Choir 8th & 15th March, 10th May, 14th & 21st June. Any queries, call Annamaria, 942 9799 / 07749715514 or [email protected]
Sacrament of Reconciliation - Times for First Confession. During The Season of Lent (18th Feb – 29th March) Saturdays 10.30am – 11.00am; & 5.15pm – 5.45pm; Sundays 9.15am – 9.40am. Family members are encouraged too to take the opportunity to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
First Holy Communion meeting - Thursday 19th Feb at 7pm in the hall. Remember that children can only make their First Holy Communion if they have already been Baptised and made their First Confession.
“What are fathers for?” A seminar, organised by Opus Dei, on this topic will be held at Dunreath, 231 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow on 28th February. See notice in porch for all the details.
The annual SPUC Youth Conference 6th - 8th March at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Southport (near Liverpool) for all aged 16 to 35. Cost £100, including all meals and accommodation. If interested in attending, speak to Fr Mackle. A kind parishioner has offered to sponsor the total cost of £100 for one young parishioner who wishes to attend. The Youth Conference has been very successful in recent years in educating and motivating the youth of today to engage in peaceful and effective pro-life work.
The Beginning Experience residential weekend for those who find themselves alone again through divorce, separation or bereavement. 20 - 22 March at the Conforti Centre, Coatbridge. Contact Ros [email protected] or 0131 669 0003Forty Hours Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will take place here in St Andrew’s on 1st, 2nd & 3rd March. More details soon.
Halls Committee Meeting – 16th Feb 7.30pm in the Hut. If anyone has any matters they would like discussed, please contact [email protected]
Mass attendance – 7 / 8 Feb – 543
Maryhill Foodbank. Donations of tins and packets of food will be gratefully received.
Five things I can do to promote Vocations. Please see in the porch a variety of ‘five things to do’ leaflets.
Padre Pio Prayer Group meets every Monday at 7pm. All are most welcome.