​Let us pray a 9@9 Novena leading to the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary 7th October, asking for the grace of an end to the pandemic. 

I invite you to pray one decade of the rosary each night at 9pm for nine nights beginning tomorrow Tuesday, 29th September through to Wednesday, 7th October, and join with me humbly praying for the intercession of Our Lady for all who are seeking to discover a vaccine for Covid-19.

Pray safe.  

​Stay safe.

Our very best wishes to Mrs Cowie for every peace and happiness in her well earned and richly deserved retirement.

We thank her for all her many years of hard work, dedication and commitment as teacher principal and deputy head teacher in St Andrew’s and St Nicholas’.  

From all of us in St Andrew’s Parish, we wish you nothing but every happiness, good health and joyous days in your retirement, Mrs Cowie. 

​Take care and stay safe.

This week is Vocations Awareness Week 

Discerning a Vocation to the Priesthood? If you think God may be inviting you to such a vocation, pray hard about it, and have a chat with one of the parish clergy. The archdiocesan Vocations Director, Fr  Ross Campbell, is also more that happy to be contacted for a chat -  rosscampbell81@gmail.com (339 4315)   

Pray for priests.
Pray for more priests for our archdiocese.
Pray for our seminarians.

Today’s feast - Our Lady of Sorrows
​
Mary endured so much in life.  She endured suspicion and ridicule at the miraculous conception of Jesus. She watched with a perfect motherly love as her son was rejected and misunderstood.  And she stood by Him in His agony and death.  And through it all, her motherly love was perfect and powerful.  She stands by us, also, in all that we endure in life.  And she gives us a perfect witness of love and compassion through her tender heart.
     
St Faustina              

Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.

Update - Clergy visits and school

Updated guidance has been issued today from the Scottish Government and sent to both parishes of St Nicholas’s.

Due to the current ongoing local restrictions in EDC and the surrounding areas, visits by visitors to the school, including clergy, are now being put on hold, for the time being.  

The school is content for the outside visit / short liturgy for P1 to still go ahead. Plus, both parishes are working on live streaming to staff and pupils in their classes, and there will live streamed liturgies every first Friday of the month.

Today’s feast - Triumph of the Cross

The Son of God was raised up on the cross to draw all to God. 

May we never run away from our cross, but suffer it gladly in union with Christ.

Lord, we find glory in your cross.​

To: All S1 Parents

Sacrament of Confirmation 

The archdiocese is currently working on plans for Confirmation for S1s (last school year’s P7s). 

The challenge for both parishes will be to ensure that all pupils are sufficiently prepared , but don’t worry we’ll get something worked out.

As soon as the archdiocese notifies the parishes regarding arrangements for Confirmation,  we’ll let you know

Take care 

Fr Mackle.  Fr Currie

Today, 12th September, is the feast of the Holy Name of Mary

Mary always points us to God, reminding us of God’s infinite goodness. She helps us to open our hearts to God’s ways, wherever those may lead us. Honoured under the title “Queen of Peace,” Mary encourages us to cooperate with Jesus in building a peace based on justice, a peace that respects the fundamental human rights of all peoples.

First Confession & First Holy Communion in St Andrew's – the boys and girls have been waiting so patiently over these past months for First Confession and First Holy Communion.

If you have still to let St Andrew's know your child's preferred date for First Confession (Saturday 3rd or 10th Oct   10am – 11am), please email or call the parish asap.

Rehearsal for St Andrew's First Holy Communion - we're working on a video rehearsal which will be sent out to all families.   As we would like to have all the Masses videoed, could you please make sure that your video consent form, which has been sent to you, is handed in. Please let us know, as well, if you would like to purchase a video. 

These Masses can be live streamed, but would require the consent of all, and we will be writing to parents soon to seek this. Many thanks. 

These First Holy Communion Masses at 2pm on 1st, 8th & 15th November, as I am sure you will appreciate, will be very different from what we are normally used to, but they will be no less special occasions of celebration for the boys and girls.  We keep them all in our prayers.

Remember, face coverings will need to be worn for both First Confession and First Holy Communion.

With all good wishes  

Fr Mackle

A very fond farewell to Kay.

Kay Dick, who has been a parishioner of St Andrew’s for many years, and who has led the Padre Prayer Group for almost 40 years, takes up her new residence this week at St Joseph’s, Robroyston. She’ll be very much missed here in the parish.

On behalf of everyone in the parish, I want to take this opportunity to thank Kay for all her time and efforts over the years with her involvement in various parish ministries, not least with her commitment to the parish’s ministry of prayer. 

Kay, week in week out, for almost four decades, has very faithfully led the Padre Prayer Group, which countless people from far and wide, over the years, have attended. Kay has also led many parish pilgrimages, and visited people in need countless times with the Padre Pio relic. Her devotion to St Pio and to prayer has been a wonderful inspiration to many. 

We keep you in our prayers, Kay, and we pray that the days ahead at St Joseph’s will be filled with many blessings.

Keep your kettle handy for a cuppa, Kay, as we’ll pop in to see you soon

Take care and God bless

Fr Mackle

A fond farewell, too, to Maureen and Michael Henry who are moving this week.

​A huge thanks to them and our deep appreciation for the ways in which they have been so involved in the life and the mission of St Andrew’s for many years.

We wish them every happiness in their new abode in the West End.