to God who is, who was, and who is to come."
This year's Confirmation pupils – A Retreat Day in St Andrew’s beginning with 10am Mass this Thursday. Pupils are asked to bring a packed lunch.
Our Soup Run is on this Friday 1st June. The lower Hall will be open from 6.45pm until 7.15pm for donations of soup, sandwiches, soft fruit, biscuits etc which are all very welcome. We will be making an appeal for toiletries and books next month. If you think you may be able to come along even on an occasional basis, please either give me a call or just come along. Veronica on 942 4775
First Communions It was a great joy for our parish welcoming the children and their families for their First Holy Communion Day. We thank all who were in- volved in helping the children prepare, at school, at home, and in the parish. We pray that the blessings of the Eucharist will stay with them for a long time to come and that they will become committed members of the Body of Christ. First Communicants Thanksgiving Mass – 10am 3rd June followed by a party in the hall.
Mass to give thanks to God for almost 50 years of St Andrew’s Primary School will be celebrated in St Andrew’s Church 10am. Friday, 22nd June. All most welcome. We look forward especially to welcoming former pupils, parents, staff, and our friends in the community. Refreshments will be served after Mass in the upper hall to which everyone is invited. St Nicholas’ Primary will open on 16th August.
Day for Life 2018– May 31st. A day in the Church’s year dedicated to celebrating and upholding the dignity of human life. The illustrated card for this year’s Day for Life reminds us on the evil of human trafficking – modern slavery. The sec- ond collection taken up 2nd / 3rd June will help further the work of organisations such as the Santa Marta Group formed by Pope Francis, which is Church and State working to eradicate human trafficking and modern slavery. Visit www.dayforlife.org
The Eco gardeners would be very grateful to anyone who could give half an hour / an hour of their time every now and again, at a time of your own choosing, to do a little weeding in the borders and the paving area in the jubilee garden. If you can help, please contact 942 4635 / [email protected]
Caritas Award – Congratulations to Eilidh Gibney, Caragh Pryce & Matthew Milligan, who will join hundreds of young people from across Scotland on 7th June at the Clyde Auditorium to be presented with the Caritas Award. The Pope Benedict XVI Caritas Award is a sign of their ongoing faith journey in response to God’s call of love. The Award celebrates the faith witness which the Caritas candidates give within their home, school and parish. For more information about the Caritas Awards, see notice below or visit www.caritasaward.org. If you will be in your final year of school after summer, or just finished secondary and are interested in becoming a candidate for the 2018 / 2019 Caritas award, speak to Fr. Mackle or contact Elizabeth Reid at [email protected]
Carpet Bowls Our summer outing is on Thursday 28th June. Bus leaves 10am from Hub at Bearsden Cross, a visit to Cardwell Garden Centre, on to Largs for afternoon and then to Seamill Hydro for High Tea at 5pm. We extend an invita- tion to anyone wishing to join us for a fun day out. The cost is £25 per person. We return approx. 9pm If you would like to come please phone D, MacLean -587 7319 to book your seat on the bus. We look forward to hearing from you.
For all children who have enrolled at St Nicholas Primary School, visits, fun activities, and a talk for parents have been organised. Please see the church no- ticeboard for dates and information. The St Andrew’s Embroidery Group,meanwhile, are working on a panel to celebrate the new school. If you would like to be involved please contact [email protected]
General Data Protection Regulations - Members of our Parish groups, by now, will have received an email requesting their consent, in light of GDPR, asking them to respond asap so that all Parish groups can continue to run as efficiently as possible. Eventually all in the parish, whose details are held in the data base, will be contacted.
Children’s Choir dates - June 10th & 17th. Any queries, please contact An- namaria Strachan 01419429799/07749715514 [email protected]
Safeguarding Training - All parish volunteers who are members of the PVG scheme have been notified of next month’s Training Session on 14th June. To date, two fifths of volunteers have yet to confirm their attendance at the Seminar. The Archbishop has just determined this month that all volunteers who require to complete training and fail to do so by October of this year, will thereafter be prohibited from undertaking further voluntary work (whether with children or with vulnerable adults) within the Parish. It is imperative that all volunteers who have been emailed or lettered respond to the Parish Safeguarding Coordinator (at [email protected]) immediately to confirm their attendance (or otherwise) at next month’s Seminar. Thank you.
The Caritas Award was created as a legacy of the visit of Pope Benedict to Scotland and has been in place for a number of years. It is focused on any pupil in their final year of school and allows them to respond to the Pope`s call to young people to put their faith into action. Since 2016 St. Andrew`s Parish/our parish has been able to support young people in their final year at non-denominational schools to achieve this award. The Caritas Award gives young people the oppor- tunity to learn more about their faith by reflecting on scripture and the Pope`s teachings at 4 short meetings throughout the year. You must also volunteer to take part in different ministries in Church and the local community, eg. reading or passkeeping at Mass, getting involved with parish's Justice and Peace Group, helping with Fairtrade or taking part in fundraising activities. It is a rewarding and enjoyable way to learn more about your faith with people your own age and also get a chance to show love of neighbour through your volunteering activities. Additionally, it helps you develop key skills like team working, make new friends, set yourself challenges, develop your CV and improve your confidence. If you are interested in learning more about the Caritas award speak to Fr. Mackle or contact Elizabeth Reid [email protected]
SCIAF NewsletterThe Parish has received a thank you poster from SCIAF to let parishioners know how grateful they are for all your support this Lent. They have also sent us copies of their latest newsletter giving an update on SCIAF’s work and highlighting some examples of fundraising in parishes across Scot- land. You are encouraged to collect a copy from the back of the church.
St. Andrew's Whist Drive this Monday 28th May, beginning at 7.30pm, in the Lower Hall. Everyone is welcome regardless of ability. Someone will be on hand to help if you are a beginner. It is, essentially, a social night. £3 includes admis- sion, raffle ticket and tea/coffee. Come along for a great night. We'd love to wel- come you! For more details contact Susan Morrison on 0141 563 7959 or 07397319029
Join us in St Andrew’s Church Hall for the last ever St Andrew’s Primary PTA Ladies Charity Night on Friday 1st June 7pm - 11pm. As always half the money raised at this event goes to a nominated charity, this years charity is Blue Sky Autism and the other half going to school funds. Tickets are £7 ( price in- cludes a drink on arrival ). This is a BYOB event ( over 18 only ). Looking for- ward to seeing you there. Contact Siobhan McManus 07850 212 951 for tickets.
Please remember in your Prayers those in need, those who are sick, and those in hospital.
Recently Dead—Bill Tarbet, Helen Gallacher, Sr. Catherine Cairns, Chick Kerr, Arthur Donnelly, Irene Smith.
Anniversaries—James Gallacher, John Hamilton, Margaret Allan, Isabelle Cox, Kathleen Cassidy, Christina Lafferty, Kenny Donnelly.