St Andrew's RC Church Bearsden
Follow us!
  • Home
  • Services
  • Bulletin
  • Youth Ministry
  • Reachout
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Piety Stall
    • Wedding
    • Mass Cards
    • Sympathy
    • Thinking of You
    • First Holy Communion
    • Confirmation
    • Mothers Day
    • Easter
  • PPC
  • Gallery
  • Meditation Corner
  • Contact
  • Online Services
  • General Info
    • Church Halls
    • Links
    • Video
    • Justice and Peace Scotland
    • Groups
    • Fabric & Finance
    • Parish Register
    • Safeguarding
  • Untitled

St Andrew's Is Now Open For Private Prayer

30/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Sundays  10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Wednesdays 12:00 noon - 3:00 p.m.


Last week went well. Thank you to everyone,so far, who have volunteered to help with stewarding and cleaning.

Please consider the following if you want to come to the church to pray:
  • Do not visit the church if you are displaying any COVID symptoms. (This is really important. We would have to close immediately if this was the case.)​
  • Please, bring and wear a face covering when in the church.  Children under 5 and anyone with a medical condition are not required to wear a face covering.
  • Provide stewards with your contact details on arrival.
  • Hand sanitiser must be used on entering and leaving the church. This will be provided.
  • Social distancing (2m) must be observed. 
  • Stewards will guide you to designated seating.
  • You are asked to stay for no more than 15 minutes, please. This is to ensure that as many people as possible can use the limited space and time available, plus shorter time reduces virus risk.
  • The toilets will be open, and if used you will be asked to wipe down surfaces with wipes provided, in line with Archdiocesan guidelines.

This is a joyful opportunity to visit the sacred place of church after a prolonged absence. By observing the safety rules, we will help to make it a safe and prayerful experience for all. 

An information leaflet will soon be delivered to all 1300 households in the parish. I am very grateful to all existing and new volunteer messengers who have said they’ll assist with the leaflet delivery.
0 Comments

Tuesday 30th June 2020

30/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
A few words...

Hope all’s well.

See those times in life when yesterday all seemed well, but today you’re in a crisis, well the gospel for today’s Mass is for those times. It has a vital message for us when that is our experience of life.

The storm on the Sea of Galilee was sudden and unexpected.

Sometimes our personal circumstances can be like that. They can change without warning. 

We can suddenly find ourselves in the midst of some unwanted situation, some overwhelming crisis.

The shouted prayer of the disciples, ‘Save us, Lord, we are going down’ is the cry of us all at some time in our lives.

The message is that Christ is near. 

Our desperate prayers for help don’t go unheard. 

Christ is stronger than any storm that may threaten us, and in calling out, ‘Lord, save us’, we will not be left without help.

In some recent spiritual reading, I came across this

‘St Therese of Lisieux used to meditate on this gospel passage in times of inner turmoil or darkness. But she wouldn’t wake up the Lord. For her, it was enough to go over and sit beside him as he slept. Let the tempest rage; stay close to Christ and all will be well’

If you’re free to call in for a short visit, the church will be open tomorrow for private prayer from 12 noon until 3pm. Please, bring and wear your face covering. 

See the post immediately after this one for some information and guidance.

Hope you have a good day.

Take care 
​

Fr Mackle
0 Comments

Monday 29th June 2020

29/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
A few words....

Hope all’s well.

‘I want to be baptised’ was a child’s request, and their reason, ‘I want to become a follower of Jesus’. 

They didn’t say I want to join the Church, or I want to become a Catholic, or I want to join RCIC, or I want to become a member of the parish. Quite simply their reason for wanting to be baptised - ‘I want to become a follower of Jesus’. 

Of course, in becoming a follower of Jesus, they would join the Church, become a Catholic, and go through RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Children).

The gospel for today’s Mass is nice and short. To individuals wanting to become followers of Jesus, Christ spells out what’s required.

  • It won’t be easy, he tells them. 
  • You will have to forego some of the comforts enjoyed by your peers. 
  • Now is the time to follow.
  • You can’t waste any time. 
  • You can’t put off following Christ.
  • It calls for whole hearted commitment.

Christ wants the best for us, and the best is to be wholeheartedly commmitted. 

This is shown often in the little things and in the little ways of daily life.

In preparation for Masses when they resume, work continues today installing a TV system so that we can use our two halls as overflow areas, and live stream Masses to your devices.

Hope you have a good day

Take care, and keep up the distancing.

Fr Mackle

0 Comments

Sunday 28th June 2020

28/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Gospel reflections by Father Mackle.
0 Comments

Video Compilation of St Andrew's Bearsden June 2020

27/6/2020

0 Comments

 
A lovely video compilation of features of our beautiful church.

We’re open now every Sunday for private prayer 10am until 12 noon, and on Wednesdays 12 noon until 3pm.

If you can, do call in for a short quiet, prayerful visit.

Please, bring and wear a face covering.

Our church may reopen for public Mass soon after the Scottish Government’s  23rd July review.

We’ll keep you posted and updated through our social media.

Stay safe. Pray safe and take care.          

Fr Mackle
0 Comments

Saturday 27th June 2020

27/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
A few words

Hope all's well.

The very first time I heard the prayer, 'Footprints In the Sand', was in my first year in seminary. I fellow student gave it to me as a prayer card, which I still have in my breviary, and I like to reread it now and again.

The final verses in the gospel for today's Mass are a fulfilment of Isaiah, who was prophesying around seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, and they really sum up the life and ministry of Jesus. - 'Ours were the sufferings he bore, ours the sorrows he carried'

Whatever our suffering in life might be, Christ suffers with us. He is with us. At the most difficult and sorrowful times, he is with us, he carries us. This is the good news we are to believe, take to heart and share.

Tomorrow's A few words... will be an audio.

Just a reminder that the church will be open from 10am until 12 noon tomorrow, if you wish to pop in for a visit and a quiet prayer.

Take care

Have a safe and happy Saturday.

​Fr Mackle

Footprints In the Sand

One night I dreamed a dream. 
I was walking along the beach with my Lord. 
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. 
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, 
one belonging to me and one to my Lord.
When the last scene of my life shot before me 
I looked back at the footprints in the sand. 
There was only one set of footprints. 
I realized that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. 
This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma.
"Lord, You told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way.
But I'm aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints.
I just don't understand why, when I need You most, You leave me."
He whispered,
"My precious child, I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."
Mary Stevenson 1936

St Andrew's is open for private prayer
Sundays 10am - 12 noon
Wednesdays 12 noon - 3pm.
Please remember and bring your face covering with you.
Stay safe. Pray safe.
0 Comments

Bishops' Conference of Scotland Statement

26/6/2020

0 Comments

 
The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has released the following statement on the Scottish Government’s decision not to allow places of worship to open for communal worship until 23 July at the earliest:

"The Scottish Government’s decision not to allow places of worship to open for communal worship until 23 July at the earliest, while allowing pubs, restaurants and cinemas to reopen on 15 July is both disappointing and perplexing.

The Catholic Church has responded positively to government requests from the very beginning of lockdown and submitted detailed protocols for infection control and staged reopening to the Scottish Government over three weeks ago, without any objection from the government.

The Church has continued to engage with government and the reopening of churches for personal prayer since Monday (22 June) has allowed time to assess the procedures in place to assure public safety. With these considerations in mind, further delays to communal worship appear unjustified.

​The Bishops’ Conference will convey these views to the Scottish Government as a matter of urgency."
0 Comments

Requiescant In Pace

26/6/2020

0 Comments

 
We pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of Raymond Allan, who has died.

Our deepest and most prayerful sympathies to Marilyn and Danny and their whole family.

May God give Raymond rest and peace in the kingdom of light.

We also pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of Katherine Lawson who has died.

Our deepest and most prayerful sympathies to Alex and his family.

May God give Katherine rest and peace in the kingdom of light.

Picture
0 Comments

Friday 26th June 2020

26/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
A few words...

Hope all’s well.

Final day of the 5 senses journey of little exercises to feel and touch God, in some way, through the senses. 

Today, focus on Smell / Breathe.

Just one line today from sacred scripture.

Genesis 2:7 ‘The Lord God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life’
​
When sitting in the garden, or out for your daily lockdown stroll, take in the different scents. Might just be a case today though of standing at the back door, as it looks as if it’s going to start teaming it down. Early morning when I’m writing this and a rumble of thunder.

Anyway, breathe in the fresh air. Be aware of the air that you inhale and exhale. Breath - the Spirit is life - Ruah! 

How has God been giving breath and sustenance to your life?

Remember, again, St Augustine’s words, ‘Why climb the mountains or go into the valleys of the world for Him who dwells within us?’​

So, the church will be open on Sunday from 10am until 12noon if you wish to pop in for a quiet prayer. Remember and bring your face covering.
 
If you are popping in for a visit, you’re asked not to stay for too long, please. This will ensure that as many people as possible can use the limited time and space, and because shorter visits reduce virus risk. 15 minutes max is suggested.

As parishes have been asked to obtain a list of those who come to church in case the NHS needs contact details if someone who has attended church should become ill, the parish stewards will ask you for yours.​

Hope you have a good day

Take care ​

Fr Mackle

0 Comments

Thursday 25th June 2020

25/6/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
A few words...

Hope all’s well.

Lovely the church being reopened yesterday and many taking the opportunity to pop in for a quiet prayer. It will be open again this Sunday from 10am until 12 noon, and the following Wednesday 12 noon until 3pm.

So, day #4 of the 5 senses journey of little exercises to feel and touch God, in some way, through the senses. 

Today’s focus - To Taste

Three lines from sacred scripture this time.

Psalm 34:8 ‘Taste and see that the Lord is good’.

Psalm 81:16 ‘I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you’.

John 2:9 ‘The steward tasted the water into wine’

Take something to eat or drink. Taste it slowly and chew it well. Consume it with relish. ‘See and taste the goodness of God...’

In what way do you relish the goodness of God in your life?

Remember, again, St Augustine’s words, ‘Why climb the mountains or go into the valleys of the world for Him who dwells within us?’​​
 
If you are popping in for a visit on Sunday, remember and bring your face covering. 

Tomorrow’s sense to reflect on Smell / Breathe

Hope you have a good day

Take care ​

Fr Mackle

0 Comments
<<Previous
    Subscribe below for updates
    Get new posts by email:
    The Pope's Twitter (@Pontifex)

    The Pope's Instagram (@Franciscus) 

    The Pope’s monthly video

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    June 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    Categories

    All
    Coronavirus
    Turnbull Times

    Subscribe in a reader
Services
Bulletin
Groups
Search
Contact
St Andrew's RC Church
29 Roman Road
Bearsden
Glasgow
G61 2SN
Telephone : 0141 942 4635
Email : [email protected]
A Parish of the Archdiocese of Glasgow a Registered Scottish Charity No SC018140
Web design by St Andrews Online
([email protected] for website related matters)