Sunday 23rd August 2026 Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A)

"You have the words of eternal life. 
We have come to believe
and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.”

PLEASE NOTE :

• Since Monday, 10th August, the church has been undergoing painting work which still continues. We will let you know of progress in due course.
• During this time, the church will be closed during the week for Masses/ Services.
• Any funerals will take place at this time.
• WEEKEND MASSES will take place as usual.
• During this period, some of the flat roofs are also being renewed. Once again, this is being carried by the kindness of your generosity to the parish. There is no need for Fr. Michael to “pass the hat around” for this!
• Once again, many thanks for your understanding.

 
ST ANDREW'S, BEARSDEN.
Vigil Mass - Saturday 5.30p.m.

• Confessions 4.45p.m. - 5.10p.m

Sunday Morning Mass - 10a.m.

• Confessions 9.10a.m - 9.40a.m.

ST JOSEPH'S, MILNGAVIE.
Vigil Mass - Saturday 4p.m. 

• Confessions - 3.30p.m. to 3.40p.m. 

Sunday Morning Mass - 11.30a.m.

Finance

• Plate Collection: 16/8/26 - £915.
  
• Second Collection: Assisted Parishes - £1046.
  
• Many Thanks.

 
At weekend Masses, if you wish your child to receive a Blessing from Fr. Michael, please try to stand in the Communion line of Fr. Michael.
 
New Altar Servers. If any boy or girl is interested in being an Altar Server, then please come along to the church for a meeting.

• Sunday, 23rd August at 1p.m.
• Usually, you should have made your First Holy Communion.
• This is your way of being part of your parish.
• Many thanks to those who serve and to those in the past, keeping Fr. Michael right is a full time job!

 
Remember Vocations:

• The annual Vocations Mass will take place this Monday, 24th August 2025 at 7p.m. in St Andrew’s Cathedral.
  
• Please join the Archbishop, Priests, and Religious of the Archdiocese in praying for vocations to the priesthood.  
  
• Refreshments afterwards.
  
• The feared vocations crisis has now arrived with some priests now looking after three parishes, and a number of retirals imminent. The need to pray for more vocations has never been greater.

 
St. Andrew’s Whist Drive:

• Wednesday 26th August, in the Lower Hall, from 2pm –4:15pm.
  
• Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.
  
• Entry £3. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
  
• New members always welcome.

 
RACE NIGHT FUNDRAISER FOR SPRED

• Tickets for this event on Saturday 29th August at 6.30 p.m. are now available following all Vigil Masses and 10 a.m. Sunday Masses during August in the church porch.
• Price £10 adults and £5 children which will include a light buffet.
• People wishing to sponsor individual races can do so by advising when purchasing their ticket.
• We will also hold a raffle on the night, and donations of raffle prizes would be very welcome and can be handed to Fr Michael at the house.
• As ever, your generosity and support are very much appreciated.

 
Whithorn National Pilgrimage Sunday, 30th August:

• 4pm Mass on the beach.
  
• 4.45pm Mass in Whithorn.
  
• For more details see the Social Media Outlets of the Diocese of Galloway. 

 
All P7 parents intending to present their child for the Sacrament of Confirmation should collect an enrolment form from the Sacristy at St Andrew’s or St Joseph’s church before Mass.

• All forms are to be returned to either church by Sunday 20th September please.
  
•  Archbishop Nolan will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Andrew’s Bearsden on Thursday 7th January 2027 at 7pm for children from both parishes.”

 
​SPUC: Join us for our one-day Conference in Glasgow.

• Saturday 19th September.
• In a world where the sanctity of life is under constant threat, your commitment to the pro-life cause is more crucial than ever.
• This empowering event for people of all ages is a great opportunity to gather with like-minded people, learn effective strategies, and fuel your passion for defending the most vulnerable among us – unborn babies.
• For further details and to book go to: https://spuc.org.uk/event/glasgow-one-day-conference-2026/

Catholic Social Teaching Thought for the Week –
23rd August 2026 International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its' abolition.
"We need to feel outrage, as Moses did, as Jesus did, as God does in the face of injustice."
Querida Amazonia, para 15
 
Laudato Si’ Quote - integral ecology
A number of countries have a relatively low level of institutional effectiveness, which results in greater problems for their people while benefiting those who profit from this situation. Whether in the administration of the state, ….. or relationships between individuals themselves, lack of respect for the law is becoming more common. Laws may be well framed yet remain a dead letter. Can we hope, then, that in such cases, legislation and regulations dealing with the environment will really prove effective? (#142)
 
SEASON OF CREATION: Theme this year is "Living Water”.  
Living water never stays still. It flows into relationships, communities and creation. When we contemplate the wounded side and heart of Jesus, we begin to see the world differently.
We perceive Christ in those who suffer from floods, droughts, polluted water, and environmental injustice.
Like St Francis embracing the leper, we discover that encounter changes us. Prayer becomes compassion. Compassion becomes care. Care becomes action.
Conference:

• Saturday 5th September 2026, 10am-3pm. Eyre Hall, Archdiocesan Offices.
• Guest speaker Lorna Gold, Exec Director, Laudato Si’ Movement.
• Workshops exploring how to engage young people & parish groups.
• Register at; bit.ly/SeasonofCreation26 

 
To celebrate the Season of Creation:

• Children’s Liturgy team is starting a project to create a collage of God's creations.
• To help us get started, we are asking families to go on a mini 'nature hunt' this week!
• Please look for a few interesting, small items from your garden or a walk, like colourful leaves, small sticks, or smooth stones, and bring them in a small bag to the session on Sunday 30th August.  

 
In the porch there is a leaflet from the Glasgow Pastoral Deaf Community giving details of signed Masses and more.
 
March for Life UK 2026: In partnership with SPUC you are invited to join Bishop John Keenan on his coach to London for March for Life UK 2026.

• Departing midnight Friday 4 September from Paisley St Mirin's Cathedral, with a pickup 12.30am at Glasgow St. Andrew's Cathedral.
• Arriving in London at Emmanuel Centre approx. 7.30/8am Saturday 5 September for the Exhibition, Mass, talks and stall.
• Departing on Saturday 5 September at approx. 6:00pm, dropping off at Glasgow and Paisley. £30pp.
• Booking closes 26th August.
• For further details, visit https://rcdop.org.uk/marchforlife2026

 
 Carfin Pilgrimage takes place on Sunday, 6th September with Mass at 3pm.

Concert: The Glasgow Phoenix Choir is delighted to be performing a concert in support of a safe-house in Zambia caring for young homeless people – Mercy House Scholarship Fund.

• This will take place on Saturday 12th September, 2026 in Torrance Parish Church, School Road, Torrance G64 4BZ at 7:30p.m.
• Tickets cost £10.00 (under 12s – free).
• Contact Dorothy Beaton: 07580 463684/ [email protected] or you can get them from WeGotTickets via the choir’s website at https://www.phoenixchoir.org/concert/torrance-parish-church/ Tickets will also be on sale at the concert.

 The Girl Guiding Dunbartonshire Concert:

• New Kilpatrick Church on Friday, 18th September at 7.30pm
• Tickets cost £10.
• More information can be found from the poster in the porch. 

 
Rachel’s Vineyard:

• A Rachel's Vineyard retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held in Glasgow on Tuesday, 8th to Thursday 10th September.
• This confidential, supportive retreat is powerful for anyone who has been affected by their own or someone else’s abortion experience.
• For more information, please call/text Sr Andrea on 07816 942824 or email at [email protected]. For more details, see www.rachelsvineyard.org.uk

THE HALLS COMMITTEE has had several requests to organise more frequent Parish events. However, since members of the Halls Committee are limited, this is proving to be a burden on a few people. Therefore, if any Parishioner wishes to organise a Parish event, please liaise with the Halls Committee who will provide advice and support where possible.

Support for Drumchapel Foodbank.

• Drumchapel Foodbank is particularly in need of extra donations during the summer holidays when school meals are not provided, and many families are under additional pressure to provide for their children.
• Non-perishable food items are always gratefully received.
• Please place in the box in the Church porch during usual opening times.
• Our rota is always looking for more foodbank volunteer drivers. If you can help, please contact [email protected].
• Thank you for continuing your support.

 
EASYFUNDRAISING:

• Your online shopping makes a real difference to us! St Andrew's RC Church Bearsden has raised £897.93 so far.
• 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

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. Please note that this email address is for Bulletin content only.
• The Parish Bulletin is available weekly on our website/by email for all those on our Parish database and on the noticeboard in the Church porch.​​ To subscribe or update your email on the database please follow this link.

Please remember in your prayers those in need, those who are sick and housebound and those in hospital.
Recently Deceased: Jean Boyle, John Woods and Terry Lanagan.
Anniversaries: Samuele Guidi and Frank Ward.

A PDF version of this bulletin is available on this link and below.