The Impact Of Becoming a Refugee on Mental Health – blog.

With all that’s going on at the moment around the hostile environment for refugees, please take a look at this week’s blog.  Justice & Peace Scotland - The impact of war and becoming a refugee on mental health (justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk)   

It recounts the personal reflection of a refugee living here in Scotland and highlights the struggles and impact on mental health of becoming a refugee and having to leave your home in search of safety. 

St Andrew’s and St Joseph’s are delighted to learn that all of our PFFA candidates have been successful and will be receiving their Award very soon.   This is great news for St Nicholas’ and for both parish communities.
The PFFA P7s will receive their Award at a presentation in St Nicholas' school on Tuesday 15th June.
Well done to you all, as it wasn't an easy time to work through and for the Award. But you did it, and, again, well done and many congratulations!
P5s, time for you to start thinking about becoming a candidate for the Award. Invitations to enrol will be going out in the new school term, and parish sign up in St Joseph’s and St Andrew’s will be arranged at that time too. 

A very happy birthday today to Rose Boyce. 

On behalf of all at St Andrew’s, our warm congratulations. Rose, many happy returns of the day.

​Keep safe and well and a big Happy Birthday to you from us all in St Andrew's.

🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Fr. Mackle and Monsignor Ryan came to the rescue of this baby bird found abandoned in the Church grounds this morning.

Thanks to the generosity of a parishioner, we were very privileged at this morning’s Mass to be able to display and share this first class relic of Ugandan Martyrs, Saints Charles Lwanga and Matthias Malumba.

‘Safeguarding Matters’ is the Bishops Conference of Scotland's first in a series of newsletters that will provide information and advice on specific safeguarding matters.

​It can be found at https://bit.ly/3g2tdrg

In the next parish Reachout and in our social media we would like to include photos of parishioners which tell something of the story of parish life during this time of pandemic, restrictions and recovery. 

A photographer will be taking photographs this weekend 5th / 6th June before and after the Masses.  If anyone has any objection to being photographed, please let the photographer or the clergy know.  

​Many thanks. 

As you will have seen on the news, from just after midnight on Saturday morning (5th June), and so applying to Masses next weekend, the following levels will apply:

Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, and North Lanarkshire will be in level 2. 

Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire will be in Level 1. 
Obviously for East Dunbartonshire & North Lanarkshire there is no change to the current situation.
​
For parishes in Glasgow the main change that affects churches is that small choirs can now sing and small bands/groups can now play.

For the parishes in Argyll & Bute and West Dunbartonshire the main changes that affects churches are

1. that congregational singing will now be allowed. It is not mandatory to start congregational singing – you should only do so if you risk assess that it is safe to do so, ensuring good ventilation. We have been told that the congregation also need to keep wearing masks whilst singing, so if it is restarted it may be somewhat muffled! Hymnbooks should still be avoided and if you are using sheets make sure you are complying with the copyright requirements.
2. 100 people can attend weddings and funerals, but only if your church has sufficient socially-distanced space (otherwise the limit will be whatever lower number you can safely hold). You still need to collect all the names and phone numbers for track & trace, so you will need to ensure that your procedures and stewarding can cope with the higher numbers.  

Those areas changing levels may find that the changes affect how many can meet up together, how alcohol can be sold in a hall, etc.
See https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-levels-by-area/ for more details of what can be done.  
With best wishes
Canon Paul Gargaro
Diocesan Coordinator

We look forward to another celebratory weekend of Confirmations when 56 young parishioners will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

All four Masses will be live streamed - each family will have a private link, and, of course, we can all participate by remembering to pray for our confirmandi and their families.
​
​As part of the pupils' preparation, there will be the opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the P7s this Thursday and Friday in St Nicholas'.