A few words...

Hope this finds you safe and well.

Plenty of rain through the night and there's certainly plenty around this morning, and we had a fair bit of snow recently.

There a lovely reflection on the word of God in today's Mass with Isaiah telling us that it is like rain and snow which come down from the sky.  

Rain and snow make contact with the earth, watering it, making it fertile and fruitful.
That's, if you like, the mission of rain and snow.

The mission of the word of God is to make contact with our ears, penetrate our minds, so that it's message of hope and joy can be released.

Just a reminder to all P1 to P7 parents, each week Redemptorist Publications provide an excellent Children’s Liturgy in the form of a video of the week’s Gospel reading. Go to rpbooks.co.uk and open the “celebrate” link on the home page. This is a terrific resource for children’s liturgy. 

Stations of the Cross during Lent are on our parish’s YouTube channel.

I recommend this ~ Adoration for Lent: Visit Adorecast on youtube, and take a few extra minutes each day to have a heart-to-heart with Christ. “Be still and know that I am God.”  
It's prayer, but it's also a great stress buster.

Also, look out tomorrow for an online Lenten retreat led by Fr Denis McBride at rpbooks.co.uk.
It is based on his books, “Reflections with Paintings”.

Once the parish gets some news on today's update by the Scottish Government and how that will affect churches in the weeks and months ahead, I’ll pass it on straight away.

Stay In. Stay Safe. Pray Safe! 

The joint St Andrew’s and St Joseph’s Justice and Peace Group have had some meetings with a view to ascertaining what we can do in preparation for the United Nations COP26 climate change conference which is due to be held in Glasgow in November this year.  

Last year carbon emissions have fallen dramatically due to lockdowns that have cut transport and industry severely. However this has only marginally slowed the overall rise in concentrations of greenhouse gasses.

It is important that we remain focused on global warming and doing what we can to reduce carbon emissions.  

We would like to share a few thoughts over the Sundays of Lent particularly referring to Pope Francis’ encyclical LAUDATO SI’ on care for our common home which focuses on what human activity is doing to the planet and the need to slow global warming.   

​We will in addition keep you informed of any plans or events which we propose during the year.  

Laudato si' pdf on this link

Thoughts and prayers of all in St Andrew's and St Joseph's are with the Didsbury and Frew families at this sad time. 

We pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of Jacqueline Didsbury (Estelle's mum, St Nicholas, Primary 2) and for David Frew, husband of Primary 2 teacher, Mrs Frew.

May God give Jacqueline and David rest and peace in the kingdom of light, and may both families be comforted and strengthened at this sad and difficult time.

A few words....

I hope this finds you safe and well.

Halfway through last year's Lent, we went into lockdown.  
Who'd have thought that one year on we’d be experiencing another lockdown. 

With the church, unfortunately, still closed, if you’re free to attend tomorrow’s online Mass for Ash Wednesday, it’s at 10am on the St Andrew's YouTube Channel or you can attend anytime after that at a time that suits you.

You might want to use the home liturgy Ash Wednesday Liturgy for Celebration at Home 


Great to hear that some of you have arranged zoom Ash Wednesday services.

If you've ashes for tomorrow that's good. Ping me an email if you would like me to leave some in the house porch for you to collect. If you don't have ashes then please don't worry. The important thing about Ash Wednesday is that we have the interior desire to, 'turn away from sin and believe the Gospel'.

I think I remember sharing with you last Advent this quote by Pascal.

       "All the troubles of life come upon us because we refuse to sit
         quietly for a while each day in our rooms"

This Lent, find a quiet place. Set aside 5 or even 10 minutes each day during Lent in your quiet place for prayer. 

Ask Jesus to help you really become still.

If you've trouble taking the time and making the place, imagine what life with its worries, cares and troubles would be like without this quiet place. 

Wishing you a prayerful and fruitful Lent....and a safe and happy Pancake Tuesday!

Dear friends,

In recent weeks you may have heard something of the grave news from Tigray in northern Ethiopia. A shocking humanitarian crisis. As many as 4.5 million people are without access to basic food, medical and sanitary supplies across the region!

Mary's Meals has been working in Tigray for many years with the Daughters of Charity serving over 24,000 children. As people of faith we are asking you to partner with us by holding the people of Tigray and the emergency work we are doing there in your prayers. To find out more about this appeal, please visit https://www.marysmeals.org.uk. Thank you.  
 
Join the live stream Global rosary for Mary’s Meals at 6pm this Thursday 18th February:  
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVdudhhq8RRrcO213l6JqTw