Sunday 15th March 2026 Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year A)

“I came into this world for judgment, 
so that those who do not see might see, 
and those who do see might become blind.”
​

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March Thought - God of hope and love, help me to use this time to grow in understanding and acceptance of others.

A Happy Mother's Day to all concerned.

St Andrew's, Bearsden.

• Vigil Mass (Saturday) - 5.30p.m.
• Mass - Sunday morning - 10a.m.
• Confessions - Sunday before Mass - 9.10a.m. until 9.40a.m.
• It may be of help in Bearsden on Sunday mornings if you wish to speak to Fr. Michael to do so after morning confessions which end at 9.40am.
• Masses – Monday, Thursday and Friday - 10a.m.
• Eucharistic Services - Tuesday and Wednesday - 10a.m.

St Joseph's, Milngavie.

• Vigil Mass (Saturday) - 4p.m.
• Confessions - Saturday - 3.30p.m. until 3.40p.m.
• Mass - Sunday - 11.30a.m.
• NB: St. Joseph's Church will have a Mass on Tuesday, 17th March at 10am for St. Patrick.

FOR THE DIARY:
The 40 Hours will take place in the parish from Sunday, 22nd to Tuesday, 24th March.

• Come and spent some time before the Blessed Sacrament.
• The general theme will be Vocations - Single, Married, Religious and Priesthood.
• Fr. P. Boyle will be with us for the Monday evening Service.
• There will be a sheet asking for helpers to watch going up soon in the porch.
• Further details will follow later.

 
PLATE COLLECTION for 08/3/26.

• Plate - £813.
• Sick & Retired Priests - £812.

February 2026

• Gift Aid - £4,269.33.
• Standing Orders - £397.00.
• Many Thanks.

SECOND COLLECTION: This weekend for SCIAF. There is a letter on the noticeboard in the porch concerning the work of SCIAF.
 
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

• The funeral of James John Traynor will take place in St. Joseph's on Wednesday, 18th March at 9.30am.
• The funeral of Sarah Toland will take place in St. Andrew's on Monday, 30th March at 10am.

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Coffee Morning - Sunday 15th March. 

• Please come along and join us after 10a.m. Mass in the Upper Hall.
• This month we are raising funds for Fr Mathew Parumoottil’s parish school in India. He runs the school to improve the children’s employment prospects and, in India, every penny counts for them.
• Many thanks to all who came along and to the Caritas Students who helped raise the fantastic sum of £533.30 for SCIAF at February’s coffee morning.

 
Lunch Club:

• The next meeting of the lunch club is this Thursday 19th March, 12.30-2.30p.m. in the Upper Hall.
• As always everyone is very welcome.
• Come along bring a friend, a neighbour, a family member and enjoy lunch “in a warm friendly environment".

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – 15th March
"The Gospel calls us to be close to the poor and the forgotten, and to give them real hope."
Pope Francis, @Pontifex, 16/01/2016
 
Laudato Si’ – on new biological technologies Human creativity cannot be suppressed. If an artist cannot be stopped from using his or her creativity, neither should those who possess particular gifts for the advancement of science and technology be prevented from using their God-given talents for the service of others. We need constantly to rethink the goals, effects, overall context and ethical limits of this human activity, which is a form of power involving considerable risks. (#131).

We are hosting a Youth‑Led Stations of the Cross:

• Friday 27th March at 6pm in St Andrew's Church.
• All young people are warmly invited to attend.
• Pupils from P5 to S6 who would like to help lead the Stations can contact the Youth Team at [email protected] or speak to Fr Michael.

 
The Glasgow Phoenix Choir in its 75th season and under our conductor Cameron Murdoch, will be performing a concert:

• Friday 11th April 2026 in the RSNO Auditorium, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY.
• The concert begins at 14:30
• Tickets cost £22.00 and £25.00 (+ fees) online from the GRCH; Box office 0141 353 8000 or via the choir’s website.
• See poster in the church for more details.

 
The Ignatian Spirituality Centre is delighted to be running their annual Lent retreat again this year.
The retreat can be accessed online. Here is the link: https://www.onlineprayer.net/L26-M/
 
Since September Carly Adams has been attending RCIA meetings every week to learn about the teachings and practice of Catholicism in preparation for joining the Church at the Easter Vigil.  Please keep her in your prayers during Lent.
 
Choir Dates for this term all at 10a.m. Mass:

• 15th March
• 5th April
• 10th &17th May
• 14th & 21st June.
• If your child is not at St Nicholas and would like to join the choir, please contact Annamaria Strachan 0141 942 9799 /07749 715514/ [email protected]

 
SAVE THE DATE:
The Halls Committee is holding a "Race night" after the Vigil Mass to raise funds for St. Andrew's SPRED group.

• Saturday 29th August 2026 at 6.30p.m
• We encourage everyone to 'save the date' and attend the evening to help with this great cause. 
• Tickets: Adult £10/ Child £5 to include sandwiches and cakes.
• We will send out a reminder nearer the time with details on how to purchase tickets etc.
• Thanks in advance for your support.

 
The Piety Stall has a range of cards and gifts on sale for St Patrick's Day and Easter.
 
The Beginning Experience is holding a weekend for those suffering through divorce, separation or widowhood:

• 27th-29th March 2026
• Conforti Centre, Coatbridge.
• For more details contact Louise on 07786 687631 or see the notice in  the porch.
• Completed applications must be returned by 13th March.

 
Support Group for Catholic Women Affected by Separation and Divorce -

• The next meeting of our support group for women is: Friday 27th March, in The Immaculate Conception Church Hall, Maryhill, from 6.00p.m. to 8.00p.m.
• New members welcome to this confidential support group.
• or further information email: [email protected]

 
The Justice & Peace groups of St Joseph's, St Andrew's, and Immaculate Conception, have invited the political parties in Scotland to a series of Q&A evenings on Thursdays during March/April, 7.00 - 8.30pm, to respond to a range of pre-set questions on issues such as poverty, addiction, immigration, net zero targets, health, and environmental protection.
Details are:​

• 19th March - Ross Greer - Green Party - St Joseph’s
• 26th March - Marie McNair - SNP - St Andrew’s Lower Hall
• 9th April - Adam Harley - Lib Dem - St Andrew’s Lower Hall
• 16th April - James Adams - Scottish Labour - Immaculate Conception

 
ST ANDREW’S EMBROIDERY GROUP:

• Gavin’s Mill is holding an embroidery exhibition from 19th February until 5th May 2026.
• Some artwork from the St Andrew’s Embroidery Group will be featured. 

  
EASYFUNDRAISING 

• Your online shopping makes a real difference to us!
• You can raise FREE donations for the parish every time you shop online.
• If you're not supporting us, you can in just a few clicks.
• Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/StAndrewsBearsden2023

 
Parish Bulletin:

• Items for inclusion should be sent to [email protected] by 5p.m. on the Tuesday before publication, maximum 80 words.
• The Parish Bulletin is available weekly on our website/by email for all those on our Parish database (subscribe here to have it emailed weekly) and on the noticeboard in the Church porch.​

Please remember in your prayers those in need, those who are sick and housebound and those in hospital.
Recently Deceased: Anne Kearney, Jim McCourtney, Anne Murphy, Margaret Park, John Gerard Sheldon (Melbourne), Sarah Toland and James John Traynor.
Anniversaries: Kathleen Ballingall, Manus Fallon, Terry McGahan, Michael O'Gorman and Chris Shevlane.