Sunday 28th December 2025 Feast of the Holy Family (Year A)

"Father, help us to live as The Holy Family,
united in respect and love."
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I hope you all had a happy and Blessed Christmas. 
May you and your family have a Happy New Year.  Many thanks for your cards and gifts. A big word of thanks must go to everyone who helps out, your hard work and commitment does not go unnoticed. Fr Michael.
 
· ST ANDREW'S, BEARSDEN

• Vigil Mass (Saturday evening) - 5.30p.m. 
• Sunday Morning Mass - 10a.m.  
• Confessions before Mass from 9.10a.m. to 9.40a.m.
• If you wish to speak to Fr. Michael on Sunday mornings, it would be good to do this after Confessions have finished.
• Service of the Word and Holy Communion- Monday 29th December, Tuesday 30th December and Wednesday 31st December at 10a.m.
• Saturday mornings Holy Hour from 10a.m.-11a.m. This usually takes place every Saturday and you are welcome to pop in for whatever amount of time you can give.

· NEW YEAR SERVICES

• New Year's Day Mass - 10a.m.
• No Mass 2nd January.

 
· ST JOSEPH'S, MILNGAVIE.

• Vigil Mass - 4p.m.
• Confessions from 3.30p.m. to 3.40p.m. 
• Sunday Morning Mass - 11.30a.m.
• Mass - Monday - 10a.m.
• Eucharistic Service - Wednesday and Friday - 9.30a.m.

· NEW YEAR SERVICES

• New Year’s Day Mass – 11.30a.m.
• Festive Masses in St. Joseph's this year will be celebrated by Canon Joe McAuley and Canon George Bradburn.

 
FOR THE DIARY:

• There will be no Monday morning Mass in St Joseph's, Milngavie on 5th and 12th January.
• In St Andrew's, there will be Eucharistic Services from Monday 5th to Friday, 9th January 2026.

 
UPCOMING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
Funeral of Philomena Orlandi

• Reception: Monday, 29th December at 6p.m.
• Funeral Mass: Tuesday, 30th December at 10a.m. at St. Andrew's, Bearsden.

Funeral of Lewis Hannah

• Reception: Sunday, 11th January 2026 at 6p.m.
• Funeral Mass: Monday, 12th January at 10a.m. at St Andrew's, Bearsden.

Funeral of  Maurice McGarry

• Reception: Thursday, 15th January 2026 at 6p.m.
• Funeral Mass, Friday, 16th January at 10a.m. at  St. Joseph's, Milngavie.

 
COLLECTIONS.

• 21/12/25. Plate - £952. Many Thanks.

Second collections in January 2026:

• The Feast of the Epiphany (3rd/4th January) - Justice & Peace.
• 24th/25th January - Collection for Assisted Parishes.  

 
GIFT AID. If you would like to join on a regular basis or make a 'one-off' payment, there is a form in the sacristy to fill in or speak to Fr Michael for more details. If you pay tax, the parish can claim some of it back from the government. 
 
Sunday 28th December is the Feast of the Holy Innocents.  On this day we are reminded, as well, that all lives are precious, and it is our responsibility to protect every life from the moment of conception to natural death. 

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – 28th December 2025 (Nearest Sunday to World Day of Prayer for Peace-1st January)  
"Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty."
Saint Óscar Romero, Bishop and Martyr
 
Laudato Si’ - On Care for our Common Home – We need to remember that men and women have “the capacity to improve their lot, to further their moral growth and to develop their spiritual endowments”.  Work should be the setting for this rich personal growth, where many aspects of life enter into play: creativity, planning for the future, developing our talents, living out our values, relating to others, giving glory to God. (#127)

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.

N.B. The Church will be closed on Friday 26th December and Friday 2nd January 2026.

Tea is served in the hut after daily Mass/Services Monday to Thursday. All most welcome.
 
SSVP at the Ozanam Centre 

• Are looking exclusively for boy’s/men’s jackets, jeans and trainers as these are in high demand just now.  
• They must be clean and wearable, not ruined.  
• The sort of thing that has just been grown out of.
• Contact [email protected] and we will come and uplift. 

  
The 2026 edition of the Western Catholic Calendar is now on sale in the Piety Stall, priced £3.50.
 
Before receiving Holy Communion, we are asked to make some act of reverence such as a bow.
 
Remember Vocations:

• Saturday 3rd January - Eucharistic Adoration for Vocations to the Priesthood, 10 -11a.m. with Exposition, Rosary and Benediction.
  
• Have you noticed there seems to be fewer priests to serve parishes these days. Is that because not many people are praying for Vocations? And because so few parishioners visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and pray the Rosary for Vocations?
  
• Why don’t you come and “Pray the Lord of the harvest to send more labourers into the harvest”? 

 
Please join us in 2026 for the St Mungo Festival.

• Saturday 10th January 11.45 for 12.15. The Life of Mungo in The Mitchell Library, Granville Street with Church and Civic representatives.
• Sunday 11th January 4.00pm. St Mungo Festival Ecumenical Service.  Glasgow Cathedral, Cathedral Precinct, High St with Civic and Church Leaders.
• Monday 12th January 7pm Vigil of St Mungo, Ecumenical Service. St Andrew’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Clyde St. Glasgow.
• All welcome to these free non-ticketed events.

 
The Knights of Saint Columba (KSC) invite all youth and young people (4 -18 Years) to actively participate in the National Youth and Young People’s Competition 2025-2026. 
Competitions include

• 1. Christmas Photography (Deadline: Monday, 12th January 2026)
• 2. Nativity Scene Painting (Deadline: Monday, 12th January 2026)
• 3. Easter Scene Painting (Deadline: Monday, 27th April 2026)
• 4. Easter Photography (Deadline: Monday, 27th April 2026)
• 5. Prayer Composition (Deadline: Wednesday, 6th May 2026)
• 6. Essay Writing (Deadline: Wednesday, 6th May 2026).

The respective competition rules and further details are found on https://tinyurl.com/KSCYouthYoungCompetition2526.
For more info contact: [email protected]
 
Regarding young children who haven’t made their First Communion being given a blessing at Communion time. Parents who wish their child to receive a blessing must come forward, please, in the Communion line to the priest. Many thanks.
 
EASYFUNDRAISING 

• Your online shopping makes a real difference to us! St Andrew's RC Church Bearsden has raised £870.66 so far. If you're not supporting us, you can in just a few clicks
• You can raise FREE donations for the parish every time you shop online. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/StAndrewsBearsden2023

 
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.

 
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: Jessie Greenan, Lewis Hannah, Andy Harper, Canon Thomas Hendry, Stevie Kelly, Annie McCabe, Mary McCann, Maurice McGarry, Rita O'Connor, Philomena (Philly) Orlandi, Stanislaw Ostrowski and Jim Reilly
Anniversaries: Tilda Clarke, Doreen Craig, Elizabeth McCruggan, Kathleen  and Arthur Haneron, Ada Cecilia McAllister Murray, Mary Rouse and Pat Tolland.