Sunday 8th February 2026 Fifth Sunday of the Year (Year A)

"Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
 to his wisdom there is no limit."
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February Thought :
"God of hope and love, keep me honest with myself that I may better serve you."
 
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.
• 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.
• Mass – Thursday and Friday at 10a.m.
• Eucharistic Service – Monday,Tuesday and Wednesday at 10a.m.

 
ST JOSEPH'S, MILNGAVIE:

• Vigil Mass (Saturday evening) - 4p.m.
• Confessions before Mass from 3.30p.m. to 3.40p.m. 
• Sunday Morning Mass - 11.30a.m.
• Mass - Monday - 10.00a.m.

Parish Timetable:

• As stated last weekend, the present times of Masses/Services will be maintained for the time being.
• After Easter, we should have a better understanding of what the future may look like.
• Many thanks for your understanding.

For The Diary​
Ash Wednesday is 18th February 2026.
Masses: St Andrew’s at 10a.m. St Joseph’s at 7p.m. 

UPCOMING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Funeral of Catherine McNeilly:

• Service on Monday, 9th February at 1.30pm. at Maryhill Crematorium.

Funeral of Adrian Brady (6 Roman Road, Bearsden):

• Funeral Mass on Friday 13th February at 11.00am at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh, followed by -
• "A Celebration of Life of Adrian Brady" at the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh.

Funeral of David McSorley: 

• Funeral Mass on Friday, 20th February at 10am in St. Joseph's, Milngavie. 

 
PLATE COLLECTION:
1/2/26 - £772. Many Thanks.
During Lent, there will be a second collection for various causes.
 
Coffee Morning:

• Sunday, 15th February.
• Please come along and join us in the Upper Hall, after 10 a.m. Mass, for tea, coffee and some delicious home baking.
• This month we are raising funds for SCIAF and we are grateful to be supported at this coffee morning by the pupils from Bearsden and Boclair Academies who are doing the Caritas Award this year.

 
RCAG Young Adults:
Holiness in Ordinary Life:

• RCAG Youth invites young adults aged 16–35 to the first session of our Spring Series, Holiness in Ordinary Life.
• This evening will help young adults embrace their universal call to holiness by exploring how God’s presence can be woven into the ordinary routines of everyday life.
• Wednesday, 12th February, 7–9 pm, Eyre Hall, 196 Clyde Street G1 4JY.
• Register at RCAGyouth.co.uk 
• All young adults are welcome.

 
The Annual St Patrick’s Day Mass:

• Saturday 14th March at 10a.m.
• St Andrew’s Cathedral, Clyde Street, Glasgow.
• All welcome.

 
Assisted Dying Bill-the final vote :

• As many of you will know, the final vote to make Assisted Dying legal in Scotland is at the end of March.
• We have the opportunity to make our views known to MSPs representing us who voted for the Bill at stage 1.
• Hopefully a letter will be available for you to take away, complete and send to your MSP.
• More details should follow.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – 8th February 2026
"The Church and the World urgently need your enthusiasm. Be sure to make the most fragile people, the poor and those wounded by life, your travelling companions."
Pope Francis, Letter to Young People from the 2018 Synod

Laudato Si’ - On Care for our Common Home –
To claim economic freedom while real conditions bar many people from actual access to it, and while possibilities for employment continue to shrink, is to practise a doublespeak which brings politics into disrepute. (#129)
 
Before receiving Holy Communion, we are asked to make some act of reverence such as a bow.
 
Sunday 8 February is the feast of St Josephine Bakhita:

• She endured the horrors of human trafficking and slavery, a cruelty which is happening right now, right here in Scotland.
• Find out more about this issue on #HumanTrafficking, #SpotTheSigns or watch the J&P campaign video 'Open Wounds' in full at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4r0Di8Rewg

 
RETREAT WEEKENDS FOR PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT WHAT IS NEXT IN LIFE
'Navigating the way forward':

• 13-15 March (Conforti, Coatbridge)
• 8-10 May (Benedictine Monastery, Largs)
• Take time out with God for reflection, input and community as we consider how to discern where we are and where we might be invited to next steps. For those facing choices in life, or wondering if there are changes which would lead to greater growth.
• Go to https://www.iscglasgow.co.uk

 
'GOING DEEPER' FOR PEOPLE NEW TO THE CATHOLIC FAITH (RCIA)
1-3 May Pluscarden Benedictine Monastery, Elgin:

• Take time to pause and reflect on your faith journey in the beautiful surroundings of Pluscarden Benedictine Monastery.
• Arrivals from 5p.m. on Friday 1st May and leaving after 12:00 Noon lunch on Sunday 3 May.
• This residential retreat is designed for those who have been through RCIA (a programme which prepares people to become Roman Catholic).
• The weekend will include opportunities to try different ways of praying, exploring some of the Ignatian (Jesuit) and Benedictine traditions, and sharing with others on living a reflective life.
• We will have time together as a group, as well as periods of silence and personal reflection.
• Go to https://www.iscglasgow.co.uk

 
Archdiocese of Glasgow Lourdes Pilgrimage:

• Bookings are now open for anyone wishing to join the Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, taking place from 16th July to 23rd July.
• For information about the pilgrimage go to https://joewalshtours.co.uk/tours/glasgow-pilgrimage-to-lourdes/ 
• If you are interested in attending, have any questions or require further information, please contact the Pilgrimage Office at [email protected].
• We look forward to hearing from you.

Support Group for Catholic Women Affected by Separation and Divorce​
The next meetings of our support group for women are:

• Friday 27th February and Friday 27th March
• The Immaculate Conception Church Hall, Maryhill, from 6.00p.m. to 8.00p.m.
• New members welcome to this confidential support group. 
• For further information email: [email protected] 

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.
 
The 2026 edition of the Western Catholic Calendar is now on sale in the Piety Stall, priced £3.50.

PIETY STALL JANUARY SALE. ALL CHRISTMAS STOCK has been reduced to 50p - pick up a bargain from the basket on the counter whilst stocks last!
 
The Ignatian Spirituality Centre is delighted to be running their annual Lent retreat again this year which is accessible on this link: https://www.onlineprayer.net/L26-M/

Justice & Peace Scotland:
Archbishop Nolan joins international Bishops in call for justice and peace in the Holy Land following pastoral solidarity visit.

• https://www.justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk/
• Press release on this link
• Video below.

Choir Dates for this term all at 10a.m. Mass:

• 8th February
• 8th &15th March
• 5th April
• 10th &17th May
• 14th & 21st June.

If your child is not at St Nicholas and would like to join the choir, please contact Annamaria Strachan 0141 942 9799 / 07749 715514 [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: Adrian Brady, Catherine McNeilly, David McSorley and Fred Saddler. 
Anniversaries: Margaret Connolly, Helen (Eileen) Fallen, Joseph Muir and Terence & Nora O'Hare.