"Stay awake and stand ready,
because you do not know the hour
when the Son Of Man is coming."
This month of the Holy Souls followed by Advent is a good time for all of us to make an effort to create silence in our church. Please help us to foster a greater spirit of prayer and recollection. Thank you.
Year of Faith—Discussion groups on 22/11, 29/11, 6/12 from 7pm to 9pm at the Upper or Lower Hall. Discussion/reflection sheets issued by the Archdiocese are available at the porch of the church.
Christmas Soup Run—There will be a box at the back of the Church until the 7th December for donations to the Christmas Soup Run. Gifts of gents’ toiletries, underwear etc. would be greatly appreciated. If these could be wrapped and labelled with contents this will make our task much easier. Food donations of sandwiches/soft fruit/biscuits/mince pies only for this month please. Arrangements as usual. Many thanks for all your support over the last year. For further information contact Phyllis on 0141 570 1343.
Congratulations and Many Thanks—To Nora Mochan and all her team of helpers who organised the Fashion Show last week—an outstanding success in every way—a most enjoyable evening as always! The magnificent sum of £1,048.00 was raised which will be of great benefit for the important and necessary parish fabric works that are due to begin soon. See below.
Parish Fabric Group—.The presbytery windows are to be replaced beginning on the 3rd December and scheduled to be completed by the 7th December. This will protect the fabric of the house and also reduce the ongoing heating and maintenance in the future. Your constant financial support is greatly appreciated and has enabled us over the years to attend to the development programme of our very valuable parish buildings. Thank you
Parish Workers Mass—There will be an evening Mass on Friday 30th November at 7.30 p.m. to celebrate the Feast of St. Andrew. All parishioners are invited and in particular those who work in any capacity in the parish and their partners. Mass will be followed by a wine and cheese in the Upper Hall. Would you please fill in a slip indicating whether or not you are coming, for catering purposes. Slips are available in the porch
The Ministry of Reader—The Reader has a vital contribution to make to the Liturgy of the Word. This is a very important ministry of service to the whole parish community and we need more Readers in the parish especially at 12 noon Mass. Training and support will be given. If you feel you could make a contribution to this ministry, please speak with Father Donnelly.
Youth Involvement—We are looking for young people to be more involved and included in everyday parish activities. Among areas requiring youth volunteers are:-
Liturgy - new readers, —Coffee Mornings (set up and clearing) - Piety Stall (part of rota age 16+) Justice and Peace Group. Immediate volunteers are required for the Family Advent Service at 3.00 p.m. on 2nd December to help with the children in the hall afterwards. All volunteering may contribute to the Duke of Edinburgh and Caritas Awards. If interested sign up to Facebook—St. Andrew’s Parish Church Bearsden Youth Group or text Erin McGoningle on 07904648817; or James Brady 07917861412 stating the areas you would like to volunteer for.
Parish Registration Forms—For new parishioners or for a change of address, please complete and return a form to the Presbytery . A supply is kept at the bottom of the book rack at the Piety Stall, or speak to Fr. Donnelly. Thank you.
St. Andrew’s Parish Christmas Fair—Will take place on Sunday 18th November after 10am and 12noon Masses. This will be similar to last year’s, with a selection of charities at the event. All profits from the sale of Piety Stall cards and gifts to St. Andrew’s Church funds. Other groups represented will be SPRED, SCIAF, Fair Trade, Classroom for Malawi, The Little Sisters of the Poor, The Homeless Unit and The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Tea and coffee will be served at this event, in aid of LEPRA. Donations of home baking would be most welcome (no nuts please). There will also be a raffle of a signed Celtic football so please come along and support this parish event
Also, many thanks to all who came to the October Coffee Morning. There was a great turnout, despite the fact that it was the end of the October school break and we managed to raise the sum of £110 for the Lighthouse Project in Nagaland. We have noticed that numbers have been dropping at the Coffee mornings and we would ask for your continued support as we feel that these gatherings are very important for our parish community. The November Coffee Morning is a combined one with the Parish Christmas Fair and Charity Card Sale as referred to above. Please come along and support us.
SCIAF—This year’s Real Gifts catalogue is now out—phone 354 5555, also the Balmore Coach House Alternatives catalogue is available on 01630 620742.
Sacrament of Confirmation—For the children—Thursday 22nd November Group 2—7.30pm.
St. Andrew’s Family Ceilidh—Saturday 24th November at the Upper Hall. Contact Shivonne or Veronica.
Children’s Choir Dates— 18th November at 10.00 a.m. Mass. 2nd December (3pm Family Advent Service), 9th, 16th, 25th of December at 10am Mass. Any queries please contact Annamaria Strachan 0141 942 9799/07749715514 e mail - [email protected]
Liturgy Group Meeting—Tuesday 20th November at 7.30pm at the presbytery.
Pro-Life Rosary—All parishioners are invited to join in saying the Rosary for an end to abortion. This will be in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday November 28th.
Assisted Parishes Collection—Second collections on 17th/18th November.
Area Leaders and Messengers Meeting—Monday 26th November—Area Leaders at 7.30 p.m. and all messengers at 8.00 p.m. are kindly requested to attend for an update and to deliver the Advent and Christmas Message.
Spred—Our parish Spred group will lead the Liturgy at 12.00 Mass on 9th December. You are warmly invited to join us for refreshments afterwards in the Upper Hall.