Interested in becoming a Catholic? – Not baptised? Baptised in another faith? RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adult) will begin in the autumn. RCIA pro- gramme of learning and instruction prepares adults for the Sacraments of Bap- tism, Confirmation and Eucharist, usually celebrated at the Easter Vigil. Please speak to Fr. Mackle if you would like to know more about RCIA and the Catholic faith.
World Day of Prayer for Vocations - the purpose of this day is to ‘Pray the Lord of the harvest to send labourers into his harvest’ (Mt 9:38) On Vocations Sunday, we pray that men and women will hear and respond generously to God’s call to the priesthood, diaconate and religious life. In this year’s Vocations Sun- day message, Pope Francis lists three key elements that lie at the heart of hearing and answering the Vocational call : listening, discerning and living. The Pope’s message can be accessed through the Vatican website.
First Confession - Sacrament of Reconciliation- For children who have still to make theirs, times are Saturdays 10.30am – 11.00am; & 5.15pm – 5.45pm; Sun- days 9.15 – 9.40am. Family members are encouraged, too, to take the opportunity to go to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The St. Andrew’s Squad - (S.A.S.) for all children in the parish preparing for First Holy Communion, this weekend, Sunday, from 9.00 – 9.45am in the Upper Hall. Any queries please contact Margaret Hendry on 563 9993
The Piety Stall has a large selection of First Communion cards and gifts on sale.
Congratulations and very well done to Eilidh Gibney, Caragh Pryce & Matthew Milligan, who all have very successfully completed Caritas. They will all receive their Caritas award at the awards ceremony at the Clyde Auditorium on 7th June.
Kay and Claire wish to thank most sincerely all the clergy, relatives, friends, St Mungo Singers, parishioners and Choral Group, in particular, Sally and Marie, who attended Eric’s Vigil and Funeral Mass. We both drew much comfort and consolation from your support and concern. Donations to Canine Partners amounted to £686.80, which Claire says will go towards the purchase of a pup to be trained to assist a person with a disability. Thank you for your generosity.
Pope Francis’s Visit to Ireland – St Brendan’s, Yoker, plan to book a bus to leave Friday, 24th August and return Monday, 27th August via Cairnryan. There will be a meeting in St Brendan’s on Monday, 23 April, at 8pm. £50 deposit. For more details contact Fr Joe on 952 1471 / [email protected]
Church Halls. The church halls are used for a huge range of activities. Why not make a commitment to support a local business or charity and the church through taking part in one or more of these activities. They include Scottish Slimmers; two choirs; the University of Third Age; various fitness, Pilates and dance classes for all ages and abilities; carpet bowls; a rugby play programme for 2 – 5 year olds; whist; flower arranging; Bearsden Literary Society; prenatal, mother and baby and adult beginners yoga classes; dog and puppy training classes and tod- dlers and pre-school clubs. Both halls are also free at weekends for birthday par- ties, christenings, anniversary parties, fund raisers, weddings and funerals. For further details, please visit the web site on http://www.standrewsbearsden.co.uk/ church-halls.html or call the Halls Letting Secretary on 07528 425 698.
Call for new Halls Committee members . The Halls Committee is looking for new members. Over the last few months, three long standing committee members have stood down and we are looking for some new blood to support this active group. The halls are a valuable asset for the church and have raised over £15,000 per year for the last few years for church funds through commercial lets and pri- vate functions. The Halls Committee is responsible for managing these lets to- gether with the maintenance of the decoration of the halls, keeping consumables topped up and assisting at some Parish functions. The committee meets, on aver- age, 4 times a year. The committee is looking for new members to help with the running of this important aspect of parish life. If you are interested in joining the committee, or want to find out a bit more about what they do, please contact Fa-ther Mackle on 0141 942 4635.
Parish Pastoral Council - 1st May at 7pm. If anyone has any matters they would like discussed, please email Veronica McLaughlin [email protected] by 24thApril
PPC Nomination Forms for new members to be returned, please, by next Sun- day, 29th April 2018.
Lord, Make Me Know Your Ways - Could God be calling you to serve as a priest? Please get in touch to find out more about discerning your vocation, and information about monthly evenings of discernment. Vocations Director - Fr Ross Campbell 339 4315. Email: [email protected] Visit www.priestforscotland.org.uk Pick up from the porch a Novena prayer booklet for vocations.
Justice & Peace – next meeting this Tuesday, 24th April 7.30pm in the Hut.St Andrew’s and St Joseph’s Justice &Peace.
The National Evangelisation Team (NET) in Scotland is a team of 10 young adults who conducted 93 retreats this year reaching out to over 7000 young people encouraging them to love Jesus and embrace the life of the Church. An- other team will be coming next year from October 2018 to May 2019 to contin- ue this work. Throughout the year the team stays at host homes for one-week periods. We need more host homes for next year’s mission. Whether you have extra beds or floor space for sleeping bags, email [email protected] for more information to host team members.
During May and June on Tuesdays the church will be open until the later time of 7.00pm for anyone who might want to call in for some peace and quiet pray- er time.
The Rosary on the Coast for Faith, Life and Hope in the British Isles. Next Sunday 29th April a number of parishioners will be gathering at 3pm at The Crown Plaza Hotel G3 8QT Come along and be part of something truly gra- cious for our country.
Enable Scotland Coffee and Cake Fundraiser – Sat 28th April 1.30pm – 3.30pm. The Fraser Centre, Douglas St., Milngavie. See poster in porch for full details.
Children’s Choir dates - May 12th & 19th; June 10th & 17th. Any queries, please contact Annamaria Strachan 01419429799/07749715514 [email protected]
St. Andrew’s Parish Groups—Accounts to be handed in to the Chapel House for the attention of Finance Team by this Sunday 22nd April, please. Thanks and God Bless. St Andrew’s Fabric & Finance Team.
The Legion of Mary - new members always welcome. Meets on Mondays at 5pm in the Hut. Divine Mercy Novena is prayed weekdays after morning Mass in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. All most welcome.
Padre Pio Prayer Group meets on Mondays at 7pm. All welcome. For information or interest, please contact Kay Dick 0141 942 7771 or Kate Hay 0141 931 5154.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – each Saturday from 10.30am until 12.30pm. Please consider coming to spend some time in adoration and prayer each Saturday.
SVDP. The Society’s Summer Charity Concert will take place on Friday 18th May in the Woodside Halls at 7.30 pm. Full details can be found on the poster in the porch.