Sunday 17th April 2022 Easter Sunday

​"This is the day the Lord has made; 
​let us rejoice and be glad."

---

A Very Happy Easter to everyone.
 
Congratulations and welcome to Jacks, Rebecca, Jason and Rokas. At the Easter Vigil, our parish community welcomed them into our faith by celebrating their initiation as full members of the Catholic Church. Please keep them in your prayers. They will continue to journey over the next few weeks through RCIA in the Easter period of Mystagogia (entering into the Mystery), and we’re looking forward to a celebratory RCIA Fish Supper Night soon.

We are now in Eastertide, and we should remember that the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays has been restored. We should see this as an opportunity to come together again as a community of faith to listen to the Word of God and be nourished by the body of Christ. Come back to Mass! As always, the obligation does not apply to those who are sick, and their carers, or to those who have greater vulnerability to the virus. Note that the children’s liturgy at 10am Sunday Mass starts back next Sunday.
 
The Lord has risen from the dead, alleluia. The Easter message is joyful: for the pain and sadness at the death of Jesus is replaced by the joy of new life as Jesus is raised from the dead. The Easter message is hopeful: for it reassures us that life follows death, that pain and sorrow will be overcome, and that the troubles we face in this life will not last and do not compare with the joy that God has in store for us. May those who are suffering at this time, those with family, health, or financial worries, those throughout the world whose lives are devastated by the horror of war, find hope in the death and resurrection of Jesus. May there be peace in our world and may the joy of the risen Christ fill our hearts. +William Nolan, Archbishop of Glasgow
 
We look forward to the First Holy Communion celebrations, which will take place on 14th / 15th  & 21st / 22nd  May at 2pm. Please keep the first communicants in your prayers.
 
First Holy Communion Masses – Volunteer first communicants are required for each Mass - to read the bidding prayers (6), to help with the offertory (4), and to read the Welcome (1).  One Mass ministry per child. Please email [email protected]  by Friday 22nd April.  All roles allocated on a first come first served basis. Many thanks.  
 
St Andrews Squad (SAS), Sundays 24th April and 8th May, for all Primary 4 children in the parish celebrating First Holy Communion this May. Please come along to the Upper Hall at 9am leading into the 10am Mass with children’s liturgy.  
 
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament  Saturdays 10am – 11am. Confessions throughout
Confessions – Also on Saturdays 4.15pm – 4.45pm & Sundays 9.15am – 9.40am 
 
The Association of Bearsden Churches Songs of Praise will be celebrated in Westerton Church this evening at 7pm. All most welcome.
 
Walk, Cycle or Scoot to the Vigil or Sunday Mass this Easter weekend.  An opportunity to take climate change action!   Thinking about the air that we breathe and doing our bit to make it cleaner.  Check out our WtW video on social media.
 
We are delighted that the Piety Stall has reopened. We have lots of lovely new stock, including cards, books and gifts for First Communion and Confirmation. Volunteers required. If you could spare 15 minutes before and after a Mass, please call Anne MacIntosh 931-5861 or Annamaria Strachan 942-9799.
 
Catholic Social Teaching Thought for the Week - Easter Sunday Christ gave His life to redeem the world. The life of Christ was a life of sacrifice. The life of a Christian must be a life of sacrifice. We cannot imitate the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary by trying to get all we can. We can only imitate the sacrifice of Christ on Calvary by trying to give all we can.  Peter Maurin, Co-founder of the Catholic Worker Movement

BEAM (Bearsden & Milngavie Talking Papers Association ) NEEDS YOUR HELP to reach members of your family, friends or neighbours who might be interested in having BEAM’s service.  There is no need for anyone to be registered blind or visually impaired to have our service.  Think about anyone you know and have a chat with them about this opportunity.  If they would like to try BEAM’s service for a few weeks that would be great, just let me know.  
Contact  Alisdair Meldrum 07597519791 [email protected]

'Songs of Praise' - Easter Sunday 7pm in Westerton Fairlie Memorial Parish Church organised by the Association of Bearsden Churches. Each hymn will be introduced by the minister/pastor or priest from one of the churches within the ABC.  St Andrew's Parish's choice of hymn is 'He is Lord, He is Lord'.  All most welcome. Do come along and enjoy this Easter Sunday Songs of Praise.

A huge thanks goes to everyone who has been involved in keeping us safe in our church and halls, especially over the past two years. Stewards will continue to minister at Mass along with passkeepers to meet and greet you on arrival.
 
Defibrillator. A defibrillator, which can restart a heart that has stopped beating, has now been installed in the Church. These devices are designed to be used by untrained individuals - they deliver simple, clear audio instructions to users. Despite their ease of use, we are extending an invitation to parishioners, passkeepers and stewards, to attend a defibrillator familiarisation session given by Milngavie First Responders in St Andrew’s Upper Hall at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 4 May. The session will also cover standard training in CPR, which should be started until a defibrillator can be deployed. If you wish to attend, please contact Billy Martin at [email protected]
 
Peer Support Group for Women Of Faith Affected By Separation or Divorce first Friday monthly 6pm St Patrick's, Dumbarton. For information contact 07970928028.
 
SCIAF’s wee box, big change appeal. wee boxes to be returned, please, by Easter Sunday.

The Pope's Twitter (@Pontifex)
and
The Pope's Instagram (@Franciscus) 
and
The Pope’s monthly video

Drumchapel Foodbank. Regularly 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 from M&S, Byres Rd & Milngavie for delivery to Drumchapel & St Gregory’s Foodbanks, the Wayside Club & Aspire. 

Parish Website – On the latest page and bulletin pages, click on subscribe for a daily summary of the previous day's posts.

Parish Bulletin: Items for inclusion should be sent in by 12 Noon on the Wednesday before publication. Copies of the bulletin are available on Facebook, Twitter, Instgram, the parish website and on our exterior noticeboard.

Please remember in your prayers those in need, those who are sick and housebound and those in hospital.
Recently Dead: Joe Boyle, Hugh Creaney, Paul Kinsler, David MacLellan, Jack Sutherland
Anniversary: Eileen Boyle, Kay Dyer, Elise O’Hagan.