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

St Andrew’s, St Benedict’s and St Joseph’s Clustering Report: October 2016

24/10/2016

0 Comments

 
As we enter the second year of the Archdiocesan Parish Clustering Initiative, it is timely to give all parishioners an update of developments and activities so far and take a forward look to what may be achieved over the coming year.
 
Why Parish Clusters?
It is probably appropriate to remind ourselves about why the Clustering Initiative is being undertaken.  In setting up the process, the Archbishop identified the need for a raised consciousness on issues that we are facing, namely the changing pattern of religious practice in our communities and a shortage of priest being generated in our communities for the number of parishes that currently exist.
The Clustering Initiative is intended to encourage parishes to share our experience and expertise to raise attention to the issues that the Church is facing. Hopefully in time this will lead to solutions that the parishes themselves have identified and can take ownership of.  It is seen as the first three years of a 10 year Archdiocesan planning and development process.
Initially, there was much concern that Clustering was simply a precursor to parish closures and amalgamations. While this cannot be ruled out in the medium to long term for some parishes, this is not the primary motivation for the initiative.  The issues facing us are much deeper.  To quote the Archbishop:
“If it is a crisis, it is a spiritual crisis. It is a crisis of the reality of the faith and of the Church in people’s lives, of the handing on of faith, and of the depth of faith needed to generate vocations to the priesthood.” (Archbishop’s Address to the Deans, 28th June 2016).

What’s happened so far?
Initially four parishes were clustered: St Andrew’s, St Benedict’s, St Joseph’s and St Laurence’s. We organised an inaugural Spiritual Event, a Mass in St Benedict’s on 3rd March. This was well attended (full!) and an uplifting experience for all participants.  Following the Mass, St Benedict’s hospitality of sandwiches, cakes and tea provided an opportunity for parishioners to meet and chat about their shared experiences, and mutual friends and acquaintances. 
In the Spring, there was a reappraisal of the Cluster Groups and St Laurence’s felt that they could be more successfully accommodated in an alternative Cluster.  So our next Cluster event , a Family Barbeque involved the three remaining parishes.  This was held in St Andrew’s Church Halls and Garden on Sunday 12th June.  We had a large attendance from the three parishes. The food was fantastic,  particularly the homemade all-beef beefburgers!  We had music and a variety games for children of all ages. And despite a poor forecast, even the weather was mostly kind to us.

What next?
As we begin the second year of the initiative, we are seeking to identify areas where the sharing of experiences and expertise may enhance the development of faith and pastoral provision within and across our three parishes. Possible areas for collaborations are RCIA, Catechists, Adult Faith Formation, Youth Initiatives, Liturgy , Social Activities and probably many more – we are open to suggestions!
In addition, as envisaged in the Archdiocesan programme for Clustering, we will be planning another joint spiritual event and another social event.  If you have any suggestions/preferences for what we should organise then please pass on your ideas to your Parish Priest or members of your Parish Pastoral Council. We are keen to have  - indeed we need  - comments or feedback on the Clustering initiative to date or on plans for the future from a wide range of parishioners across all three parishes.  Comments/feedback may be sent by e-mail to our Cluster Secretary at:
des.mcghee@btinternet.com
For ease of sorting, please put “Clustering” in the subject line.

The Clustering Committee:
Parish Clergy plus the following Lay Members:
St Andrew’s: John Heath, Veronica McLaughlin, Chris Donnelly
St Benedict’s: Michael Doherty, Kathleen O’Neil
St Joseph’s:  Peter Rossi, Margaret Maxwell, Des McGhee
0 Comments
    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
St Andrew's Bearsden Live Streamed Masses on this link.
Services
Latest
Bulletin
Groups
Search
Contact
St Andrew's RC Church
29 Roman Road
Bearsden
Glasgow
G61 2SN
Telephone : 0141 942 4635
Email : standrew@rcag.org.uk
A Parish of the Archdiocese of Glasgow a Registered Scottish Charity No SC018140
Web design by St Andrews Online
(web@standrewsbearsden.co.uk for website related matters)