If you would like to join in the 33 days Consecration to St Joseph, led by Fr Colm Manion OP, which begins at 8pm on Monday 15th February, please find the Zoom link below:
 Meeting ID: 986 4005 1501
 Passcode: 122013
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https://legionofmary.ie/prayers

Usually, our parish's annual Safeguarding Statement is publicised at our public Masses. This year, it has been made available on all our social media platforms. Printed copies will be made available, on request. See below.  

Annual Safeguarding Statement
St Andrew’s, Bearsden
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Archdiocese of Glasgow 
13th February 2021

The Bishops’ Conference has stated that ‘the Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety, wholeness and well being of each individual person within God’s purpose for everyone. 

It seeks to safeguard the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults who are involved in whatever capacity with the Church and its organisations. 

As a Church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us, ordained, professed, paid and voluntary members to work together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults’.

Pope Francis has asked that our families are made aware that they have every right to expect that they are safe and secure in ‘Our Father’s House’.

As part of our commitment to Safeguarding, it is vitally important that we remember those who have been harmed or abused either by a member of the Church, members of their family or any other person. It is asked of us that we pray and care about them. 

In 2019, the Bishops of Scotland established an annual Day of Prayer for those who have suffered abuse and individuals and communities who are affected by abuse. 

This Day of Prayer is to be marked each year on the Friday following Ash Wednesday.

This year the Day of Prayer falls on the 19th of February.

This day allows the Church to renew its apology to anyone who has suffered and to stress its commitment to the essential work of safeguarding across our parish communities.

In St Andrew’s we will be marking this day of prayer by praying especially at our online 10am Mass.

The Archdiocese of Glasgow is fully committed to Safeguarding as an integral part of life in the Church.

Both the Archdiocese and St Andrew’s embrace the special responsibility we have for all children, young people and vulnerable adults who are part of our faith community.

In our church and hall there is information which highlights our Safeguarding manual and has contact details for the parish, the parish coordinator and the Diocesan Safeguarding Team. Please make contact with them or the Parish Priest if you have any concerns regarding the abuse or harm of any child, young person or vulnerable adult.

Safeguarding in our parish is with us in all aspects of our living faith.

Each year, as Parish Priests, Parish Safeguarding Coordinators and volunteers, we commit ourselves to these principles and to renewing and improving our practice.

We adhere to the protocols and procedures laid out by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland in the document In God’s Image. These procedures, and the vigilance of those involved in the life of the parish, helps us to ensure that everyone should feel safe when they come to Mass, services, groups or social events.
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All of us involved in Safeguarding within the Archdiocese are grateful for all the hard work done by all our Parish Priests, Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinators and our parish volunteers.

SCIAF - If you usually pick up your WEE BOX at Mass, this year, you can, if you like, pick it up from the chapel house porch, if you're out for a lockdown stroll or dropping off Foodbank donations.

The Piety Stall online store now has a large selection of cards for Mother’s Day and Easter for sale. Orders can be placed and either collected from the organisers’ homes or delivery can be arranged if collection isn’t suitable.

Piety Stall on this link.

Here's a suggestion for your Ash Wednesday 17th Feb home liturgy. 

Instead of ashes, you could use some dried-out earth from your garden, finely ground charcoal - from your barbeque, or you may have access to ashes from someone’s fire. Whatever you chose to use, the important thing is that we have the interior desire to “turn away from sin and believe the Gospel.”    

With a little preparation, you can have a beautiful and prayerful start to the holy season of Lent with this home liturgy. You'll find the liturgy at this link Ash Wednesday Liturgy for Celebration at Home     

Stay In. Stay Safe. Pray Safe!   

Wishing you a prayerful and fruitful Lent.