Baptisms - The first of a number of baptisms to be celebrated in our parish since the recent lockdown will take place this Saturday.

With the gradual easing of restrictions, baptisms, thankfully, are about to be celebrated on most Saturdays for the next few months in accordance with Covid 19 regulations.

Parents who wish to have their child baptised are asked to phone 942 4635 or email standrew@rcag.org.uk.  If parents wish, the baptism ceremony can be live streamed.

We pray for all children who are to be baptised and their families, and we pray that these children will come to know of God's love in the years to come.

The Legion of Mary, at national level, is planning to resume the monthly pilgrimages to Carfin beginning next month on Ascension Thursday 13th May through to 13th October. 

Pilgrimages will be in accordance with Covid 19 regulations. 

How many people can attend in person is still uncertain, and availability of transport to Carfin may be very limited. More details soon regarding plans.

........some information about the Government's future plans 

The 17th May is listed as a possible date for changes to attendances at communal worship and "beginning of June" is listed as a possible date for "increased numbers" at weddings, funerals, and places of worship. These are not confirmed and the details are unknown, but hopefully it's a sign that we can be back close to normality by the summer.  

This Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday

Confessions have moved back indoors. 
Saturdays 4.15pm - 4.45pm
Sundays 9.15am - 9.40am 
plus on request.

"Accept the risen Jesus into your life. 
Even if you have been far away,
take one small step towards Him:
He awaits you with open arms"       

Pope Francis

ST. ANDREW'S "BACK IN BUSINESS" IN M&B HERALD:
Photo taken after Easter Sunday Mass features in the “District News" section of this week’s edition of the Milngavie & Bearsden Herald together with the Parish Bulletin.
​@MBHerald1 milngavieandbearsdenherald.co.uk

The bishops of Scotland have produced a pastoral letter for the forthcoming Scottish Parliament Election, to be held on 6th May. (See below)

(The website resource, referred to in the letter, should be live in time for this weekend April 10th / 11th and can be accessed via this link: https://rcpolitics.org/scottish-parliament-election-2021/)

​Scottish Parliament Election 2021 - Putting Human Life and  
Dignity at the Centre 
  
A letter from the Catholic Bishops of Scotland
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
This election presents us with an opportunity to play our part in putting human life and the inviolable dignity of the human person at the centre of Scotland’s political discourse. 
 
We often see politics through a party prism, which can create a divisive, and occasionally fractious, political environment. Whilst party politics can be an important consideration, particularly in the Scottish Parliament list system, it is individuals who will make up the parliament and form a government; and some of the most important issues, including abortion and assisted suicide, are commonly decided by a conscience, or free, vote. Therefore, it is critical to ascertain candidates’ personal values and opinions and not concentrate solely on party policies.  
 
As Catholics we have a duty: to share the Gospel and to help form the public conscience on key moral issues. It is a duty of both faith and citizenship.  This election is an opportunity to be the effective witness our Baptism calls us to be. 
The new parliament and government will be tasked with leading the recovery from the damage wrought by the current health crisis and to tackle the significant impact it has had on many aspects of life including health care, mental health and wellbeing, religious freedom, and care for the poor. It must also build on the positives arising from the Pandemic, including caring for the most vulnerable, and a renewed sense of respect for human life, human dignity, and the value of community. 
 
These are some of the issues you may want to consider in the forthcoming election: 
 
Beginning and end of life
It is the duty of parliamentarians to uphold the most basic and fundamental human right to life. Elected representatives ought to recognise the existence of human life from the moment of conception and be committed to the protection of human life at every stage. Caring for the unborn and their mothers is a fundamental measure of a caring and compassionate society; a society which puts human dignity at the centre. 
 
We ought to be mindful of a further attempt to legalise assisted suicide in Scotland, likely to happen in this parliament. Legalising assisted suicide or euthanasia suggests that some lives are not worth living, contrary to the Christian belief that every life has equal dignity and value. It is incumbent upon our parliamentarians to show compassion for the sick and dying. This is not achieved by assisted suicide or euthanasia but by ensuring support is provided through caring and attentive politics, including investment in palliative care. 
 
Family and Work
Society relies on the building block of the family to exist and flourish. The love of man and woman in marriage and openness to new life is the basic, fundamental cell upon which every society is built. The wellbeing of Scotland and its future depends on the flourishing of family life and government should respond to this reality with policies creating economic and fiscal advantages for families with children. 
 
The pandemic has placed immeasurable pressure on businesses and many people have lost their livelihood. The state has a duty to sustain business activities by creating conditions which will ensure job opportunities, especially in times of crisis. This must be accompanied by a just wage to provide a dignified livelihood for the worker and their family. 
 
Poverty, Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Sadly, poverty remains a scourge for too many people. The marginalised, the homeless, and the lonely and isolated have been cast further adrift because of the pandemic. And poverty now affects 24% of children in Scotland. We need elected representatives who respect a preferential option for the poor, who are willing to prioritise their need and respect their human dignity. 
 
Our government must also work with the international community to adopt an even more effective strategy against human trafficking and modern slavery, so that in every part of the world, men and women may no longer be used as a means to an end, and that their inviolable dignity will always be respected.
 
Environment
The next group of MSPs will be tasked with protecting our neighbours at home and abroad from the poverty and climate crises which continue to rage on. In November Glasgow will play host to the COP26 international climate change summit. We should listen to Pope Francis’ call to ‘hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor’ by lifting up the voices of the global south and coming together to rebuild our Common Home in a way that leaves no-one behind. Scotland can also demonstrate global leadership by strengthening its commitment to becoming a carbon neutral country.   
 
Free speech, free expression, and freedom of thought, conscience and religion
If Scotland is to be a tolerant, open, diverse country then we must be free to discuss and debate ideas, even those which are deemed by some to be controversial. Whilst being mindful of the need to protect citizens from hate, government must not overstep into the realm of unjust restrictions on free speech, free expression and freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This must include, among others, the freedom to express belief in the biological reality of sex and gender. 
 
Catholic schools
The right of parents to choose a school for their children which corresponds to their own convictions is fundamental. Public authorities have a duty to guarantee this parental right and to ensure the concrete conditions for its exercise. Thus, parliamentarians ought to continue to support an open and diverse state education system which includes Catholic schools.
 
We pray that this election will put human life and the dignity of the human person at the centre, and that candidates will ensure debate is respectful and courteous. 
We urge you to visit the website rcpolitics.org and to use the resources there to help you in your consideration of election issues and to use the tools available to question candidates.  
 
+ Hugh Gilbert, President, Bishop of Aberdeen
+ John Keenan, Vice President, Bishop of Paisley
+ Brian McGee, Episcopal Secretary, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles
+ Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh
+ Joseph Toal, Bishop of Motherwell
+ Stephen Robson, Bishop of Dunkeld
+ William Nolan, Bishop of Galloway
Monsignor Hugh Bradley, Archdiocesan Administrator, Archdiocese of Glasgow 

Tuesday 6th April is Day of Action for Climate Justice.     
​#ClimateJusticeScot ​

Saint Joseph, you believed in Mary's word.

​Make us a Church that genuinely listens to women's experiences. 

May we celebrate the generous heart-space of all families.

St Andrew's musicians have produced three videos of music and reflections for the Triduum 2021
Easter Sunday https://youtu.be/rVs9n1ZogeA
Good Friday https://youtu.be/YeizB7XXeNU
Holy Thursday https://youtu.be/lkEcr3YIleo