As we gather at the 11 o’clock Mass the children are invited to leave after the opening prayer to celebrate the Word of God with all the children in their own way. The children will spend time listening to the Gospel and then have an activity time which is spent reflecting on what they have heard and often involves them participating in crafting, games and role play suitable for children to assist them in their understanding of the Gospel.
The work the children produce is their understanding of the Gospel of the day. It is a time for them to enjoy and listen to the Gospel and a time for them to spend with other children from our parish.
The Children then return to Mass and bring the Gifts to the Altar along with their work. This is a good way for your child to understand at any age and especially helpful if they are still to receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation and First Communion.
Our small, but enthusiastic Music group leads the singing in the church each Sunday. We choose hymns that are appropriate to the readings as well as singing certain parts of the liturgy. We also like to introduce new Christian music to the church, especially for major events in the church’s calendar, such as Easter & Christmas. Examples include classical works by John Rutter as well as more contemporary songs and hymns by Christian songwriters such as Graham Kendrick, Stuart Townend and Keith Getty.
We currently have around 6 singers plus 4 instrumentalists: guitars, flute and keyboard. We are a very informal and friendly group and are always looking for new members. If you enjoy singing or play any instrument and would consider joining us, just speak to any of the group before or after Sunday Mass.
We practice most weeks. Dates can vary depending on availability but when possible we meet after the Mass on Monday evenings.
If you have any ideas for music you would like to hear in the church or any other comments, please come and talk to us. We would be delighted to hear from you.
Our SSVP (Society of Saint Vincent de Paul) conference provides spiritual and/or financial assistance to needy members of the parish. The members of SSVP aim to visit our parishioners who are housebound, or who find themselves confined to a nursing home or hospital. At Christmas, they have a party for the older members of the parish. If you are interested in becoming a member of SSVP contact Father Leszek.
The UCM is about Fun, Family, Friendship and support for the parish, parish priest and the priesthood in general, plus prayer. Meetings are interesting and informative, with diverse speakers, outings, social activities, craft evenings, scripture evenings and fund raising events. All meetings are very informal-but structured. We meet fortnightly every alternate Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the parish committee rooms at 7pm and is open to women of all ages and any status. For further information contact the secretary on 01738 632566.
Early in 2016 a survey of parishioners identified priorities for the next five years, foremost among these was the lack of social space. It highlighted the fact that having a hall would provide opportunities both for the church and local community to come together and try to secure funds for the building of a hall with ancillary accommodation. A small committee was formed and determined that there was suitable land adjacent to the church that would allow the building of a hall and car park. To this end a Community Hall Association was formed and we approached the Diocesan Authorities if they would be prepared to lease the land to them with a view to building a hall.
This request was viewed favourably and further plans were developed with the help of a local architect. The proposal is for a hall, a meeting room, kitchen, toilets, storage, and car parking. These facilities would meet all current Health and Safety and Food and Hygiene standards and would provide scope for all the existing groups to develop and of course to encourage others to make use of them.
So far, we have embarked on a fundraising programme which has allowed us to develop our plans, fund the architects fees and have had our plans approved by the local authority. We have also been successful in securing funding from Big Lottery Scotland to engage the services of Strategic Management Consultants to help us carry out a feasibility study and produce a business case for the project. In addition to our own fundraising we are hoping to secure capital funding from several sources to complete this project.
All in the parish, who act in the name of the Church, and who are involved in any way with individuals or groups that are considered to be potentially vulnerable, are obliged to undergo diocesan training and be registered on the PVG scheme, this includes both clergy and lay faithful. Each parish has a designated Parish Safeguarding Coordinator. Where concerns or issues of a safeguarding nature occur it is imperative that the Safeguarding Coordinator and the Parish Priest be informed as soon as possible, in order that appropriate action may be undertaken. It is, after all, the duty of each one of us to look out for the welfare of our brothers and sisters.
A POLICY STATEMENT AGREED BY THE BISHOPS OF SCOTLAND
“The Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety, wholeness and well-being of each individual person within God’s purpose for everyone. It seeks to safeguard the welfare of people of all ages who are involved in whatever capacity with the church and its organisations. As a church community, we accept that it is the responsibility of all of us, ordained, professed, paid, and voluntary members, to work together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect of children, young people and vulnerable adults.”
Our current safeguarding officer is Marie Stuart, and Dianne Mitchell will soon be joining her.
The National Information Line is: 0141 353 1177
