A few words....
Hope all’s well June is some month for big feasts. Today’s is another - the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the day after the feast of theSacred Heart. There are another two on the horizon - the birth of John the Baptist, and Saints Peter and Paul. Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary goes back to the 12th century. In today’s gospel, the mystery of the finding of the child Jesus in the temple, we’re told that ‘Mary stored up all these things in her heart’. Elsewhere in Luke’s gospel, the first time when we’re told that Mary ‘kept all these things, pondering them in her heart’ was after the shepherds came to worship Jesus in the stable. Mary shows us how to listen. She shows us how to listen to the words the Holy Spirit speaks to us in the depths of our hearts, and how to respond in faith. I came across something the other day there called, ‘Exercises to feel and touch God through the senses’ which I’ll share with you Monday to Friday next week - a different sense each day. Remember, our church will reopen this Wednesday 12noon - 3pm, if you wish to pop in for a quiet prayer, and then the following Sunday 10am until 12noon Those who visit, as per the Bishops' guidelines, are asked not to stay for too long (perhaps 15 minutes), at least initially, both to ensure that as many people as possible can use the limited space available and because longer exposure increases the virus risk. Funeral Masses may now take place again in the church with a minimal attendance of the closest family and friends up to a maximum of 20 persons. Have a safe and happy Saturday Take care Fr Mackle Funeral Masses may now take place again in the church with a minimal attendance of the closest family and friends up to a maximum of 20 persons.
Face coverings are to be worn by all present. Social distancing is to be observed. While there would be no congregational singing, it would be permitted to have a cantor and organist. A full list of updated guidelines is here on the Bishops Conference of Scotland website. We pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of Donald MacLean whose anniversary it is today. Thoughts and prayers are with Dorothy and her family. Thoughts and prayers, too, with Anne Gilbey’s family, whose six months’ mind it is today. May God give Anne and Donald rest and peace in the kingdom of light. A few words...
Hope all's well. The Sacred Heart is another great feature which isn't uncommon in our churches. Many homes at one time would have had an image of the Sacred Heart. It's today's feast and it's an image which speaks to us of the love of Christ. So too does the cross speak to us of the love of Christ. When you focus on the crucifix, when you see Christ on the cross, you see total giving, unconditional love, sacrificial love, emptying. Look at an image of the Sacred Heart today, maybe online. Look, too, at Christ on the cross. These images can empower us to love - to love one another as God has loved us. Some good news you may have heard that our church will be reopening of Wednesday, June 24, from 12noon - 3pm, for anyone wishing to call in for quiet contemplative prayer. From now until the next easing of restrictions the church will be open on two days a week - Sundays, beginning Sunday 28th June between 10am and 12noon, and on Wednesdays from 12noon until 3pm. Please remember to bring your face covering with you, and follow the directions of the stewards on sanitising your hands and being guided to designated seating. Those who visit the church for private prayer on Wednesdays and Sundays are asked not to stay for too long (perhaps 15 minutes), at least initially, both to ensure that as many people as possible can use the limited space available and because longer exposure increases the virus risk. Many thanks. Hope you have a good day Take care Fr Mackle Our church will reopen of Wednesday, June 24, for anyone wishing to call in for quiet contemplative prayer.
From now until the next easing of restrictions the church will be open on Sundays, beginning Sunday 28th June between 10am and 12noon, and on Wednesdays from 12noon until 3pm. Please remember to bring your face covering with you, and follow the directions of the stewards on sanitising your hands and being guided to designated seating. Those who visit the church for private prayer on Wednesdays and Sundays are asked not to stay for too long (perhaps 15 minutes), at least initially, both to ensure that as many people as possible can use the limited space available and because longer exposure increases the virus risk. Many thanks. Turnbull Times June 2020 available on this link or in the window below A few words....
Hope all’s well Q What is prayer? A Prayer is the raising of one’s heart and mind to God. Prayer is gift. In prayer, we can seek and find God. In prayer, we can draw close to God. The path of prayer is the path to holiness. Christ teaches his disciples to pray. He gave them the words of the Our Father - today’s gospel. Christ teaches us to call God ‘Father’. He knows what we need. He knows what’s in our heart. He wants us to enter into conversation with him. Through and in prayer, we come in to God’s presence. We bring ourselves before him. It’s not always easy to do is pray. It can be a battle at times. A battle against self, and a battle against the tempter who’s always trying to knock us off our knees so that he can knock us off our feet. We should say often, Lord, teach me to pray. Take care Fr Mackle P7s leavers’ Mass would have been today.
Moving to secondary school can be challenging enough at the best of times, and these lockdown/ pandemic circumstances present additional challenges for P7 pupils and their families. We wish the young people of P7 all the very best as they move into a new chapter of new choices, new challenges, new invitations - and a new chapter to make new friends as well, I’m sure. P7s, I just want to say to you, journey with gratitude in your hearts carrying all that you have learned, with a willingness to learn more and more. Journey with your faith in God. Keep close to him. He is with you always until the end of time. As you journey, enter more deeply into your friendship with God. When circumstances permit, we’ll get things arranged for you to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. |
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