Sunday 22nd March 2026 Fifth Sunday of Lent (Year A)

“Let the one among you who is without sin 
be the first to throw a stone at her.”

---

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

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.

THE 40 HOURS of the Parish:

• Sunday 22nd March - starts just after the 10a.m. Mass. Evening Prayer at 5.30p.m.
• Monday 23rd March - Mass at 10a.m. Evening Service with Fr. P. Boyle at 7p.m.
• Tuesday 24th March - Eucharistic Service at 10a.m.  Evening Mass at 7p.m.
• There is a sheet at the back of the church asking for your help watching the Blessed Sacrament over this period of time.
• Hopefully this will be another prayerful experience for all of you this Lent.
• Remember, the theme is Vocations, which we all have.

LEGION OF MARY: All active and auxiliary legionaries are warmly invited to attend the Acies ceremony in Corpus Christi Parish, Knightswood, this Sunday 22nd March at 3p.m. Tea and coffee afterwards. 

RCAG Youth - World Youth Day 2027:

• Information evening this Monday 23rd March 2026, 1900 – 2100 - Youth Office.
• Young adults aged 19 (as of July 2027) through to 35 are invited to an information evening to find out more about the Archdiocesan pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Seoul.
• No commitment necessary.
• Come and hear about the plans and what it’s like to attend World Youth Day.
• Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/rcagwydinfo

 
RCAG Youth - Lenten Reflection Evening with Archbishop Nolan:

• Monday 30th March 2026, 1900 - 2100 St. Andrew’s Cathedral.
• Young adults (16+) are invited on Monday of Holy Week for a time of prayer and reflection, followed by a chance to enjoy hot cross buns and tea with old and new friends.
• Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/rcaglent26

 
FOR THE DIARY.
Lenten confessions

• St Andrew's Cathedral, Clyde Street, Glasgow.
• Friday, 27th March from 9a.m. to 5p.m.

 
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT: You can collect a letter in the porch concerning the upcoming elections.
 
EASTER SERVICES.
Monday, 30th March.

• The Way of the Cross at 7.30p.m. (Association of Bearsden Churches)
  

Tuesday 31st March.

• Confessions from 6p.m.-7p.m.

Holy Thursday, 2nd April.

• Morning Prayer at 10a.m.
  
• Mass of the Lord's Supper, 7p.m.
  
• Night Prayer, 10p.m.

Good Friday, 3rd April.

• Morning Prayer at 10a.m.
  
• Liturgy at 3p.m
  
• Liturgy 7p.m.

Holy Saturday, 4th April.

• Morning Prayer at 10a.m.
  
• Easter Vigil Mass, 8p.m.

Easter Sunday, 5th April.

• Mass at 10a.m.

 
PLATE COLLECTION for 15/3/26.

• Plate - £830
• SCIAF £ £1,630.
• Many Thanks for what you hand in, especially the wonderful amount for SCIAF!

SECOND COLLECTION: This weekend for Sick & Retired Priests.
 
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

• The Funeral Mass for Sarah Toland will take place in St Andrew's on Monday, 30th March at 10a.m.
• The Funeral Mass for Jim McCourtney will be on Tuesday, 31st March at 10a.m. at St. Andrew's.

ST ANDREW’S WHIST DRIVE:

• Wednesday 25th March in the Lower Hall, from 2p.m. – 4p.m.
• Tea and coffee will be served.
• Entry £3.
• Looking forward to seeing everyone.
• New members always welcome.

 
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.

 
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.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – 22nd March 2026 (The Feast of Saint Oscar Romero is observed on 24th March)
"When the church hears the cry of the oppressed it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which the cry arises."
Saint Oscar Romero, Bishop and Martyr.
 
Laudato Si’ – on new biological technologies
The respect owed by faith to reason calls for close attention to what the biological sciences, through research uninfluenced by economic interests, can teach us about biological structures, their possibilities and their mutations. Any legitimate intervention will act on nature only in order “to favour its development in its own line, that of creation, as intended by God”. (#132)
 
The Piety Stall has a range of cards and gifts on sale for Easter.
 
Before receiving Holy Communion, we are asked to make some act of reverence such as a bow.
 
The Church is open until 5p.m. Monday to Saturday. Call in and enjoy the peace and quiet and take time to sit in the stillness in the silence of God.

Tea is served in the hut after daily Mass/Services Monday to Thursday. All most welcome.
 
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:​

• 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

 
Support for Drumchapel Foodbank.

• Non-perishable food items are always gratefully received.
  
• Please place in the box in the Church porch during usual opening times.
  
• Donations can be taken straight to the Foodbank at Ladyloan Pl Unit 9, G15 8LB.
  
• We regularly use cash donations to purchase food items for delivery straight to the foodbank.
  
• Our rota is always looking for more foodbank volunteer drivers.
  
• If you can help, please contact [email protected].
  
• Thank you for continuing to give the foodbank your support.

 
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

 
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.

Our volunteers:

• Collect donations every evening from M&S Milngavie and deliver to St Gregory’s, Wyndford Foodbank and Aspire West End which helps people get back on their feet.
  
• If you are interested in volunteering or even providing occasional holiday cover, please get in touch with Veronica McLaughlin by email at: [email protected]

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: Jim McCourtney, Dorothy Cecilia Quail, Sarah Toland and Grace Welsh.
Anniversaries: Kathleen Ballingall, Nuala Buchanan and Betty O'Callaghan.