Newsletter

Fourth Sunday of the Year

February 1st 2026

 

My dear parishioners at St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s,

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I hope you and your families are well as we move closer to Spring and the promise of new life! Next weekend, with the visit to us by Mary’s Meals, we will have the opportunity to be givers of life in a very practical and important way. As I mentioned to you in a recent Newsletter, we have been asked to sponsor Namichenja Primary School, in the Sinda District of Zambia, for one more year; it has a roll of 302 pupils, 134 boys and 168 girls. Mary’s Meals believes in the power of a nourishing meal; 20 years’ experience has shown that a daily school meal has hugely positive and long-term improvements to a child’s life. Through our involvement, we are helping to break the cycle of poverty by ensuring the children gain an education, setting them up for a brighter future with better employment prospects. We are giving them a chance at Life! It costs £19.50 to provide a school meal for one year. Astonishing, but true! As we know well from the past, a little donation from us all goes a very long way. St. Teresa of Calcutta was fond of saying to her Sisters, ‘Let’s do something beautiful for God,’ In that same Spirit, let us do something beautiful for the children in Namichenja Primary School.

 

Please join us for our Coffee morning next weekend after the morning Masses; donations of home baking would be welcome. Thank you.

 

A Message from the Diocesan Youth Office: Young Adults, Motherwell Cathedral Night, Sunday, February 8th at 7.30pm; for all S6’s and 16-30 year olds; an evening of Talks, Eucharistic Adoration, Confession, Live Music and Social; for more information, email frreilly@rcdom.org.uk. Our Diocesan Young Adults Community is growing and flourishing; this evening on February 8th is an opportunity for young people to meet with the wider diocesan community and feel part of the wider church. You will be made most welcome at the Cathedral,

 

Motherwell Diocese: Youth Pilgrimage 2026: following successful pilgrimages to Rome and to Lourdes over the past two summers, the Diocese will be running a pilgrimage for young adults (aged 18-30) in summer 2026, walking the final 100km of the Camino de Santiago in Spain, from Monday 6th -Monday 13th July 2026. The cost will be approx.. £1,000 including flights, transfers, meals and accommodation. You are warmly invited to an invitation evening at the Diocesan Centre, Coursington Road, Motherewell ML1 1PP on Tuesday 10th February from 7-8pm to. To find out more email Fr. Stephen Reilly at frreilly@rcdom.org.uk

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Schedule for the Daily Liturgy:

Monday February 2nd: Mass at 10am

Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Rosary at 9,40am; confessions at 6.30pm; Novena at 7pm

 

Tuesday February 3rd: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am

 

Wednesday February 4th: Requiem Mass at 10am. Mr. Frank McGeechan

Adoration in the side chapel until 2.30pm

 

Thursday February 5th: Requiem Mass at 10am

Mr. John Francis Moore

 

The church’s daily liturgy is a wonderful gift and enables us to journey with Jesus, Mary and the Saints every day of the year; the daily Eucharist offers us the opportunity to contemplate the great mystery of Christ day by day,

 

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Parish Pastoral Council meets on February 4th at 7pm. The Council is there to serve the parish community, and your suggestions and comments are welcome and appreciated. Please speak to one of the Council members or place a note in the box at the back of the church or email PPC1846@hotmail.com.

 

A Message from the Catholic Parliamentary Office: Don’t miss out: Financial Help for Scots in 2026: as households across Scotland continue to feel the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis, many people may be missing out on vital support they are entitled to; find out more about benefits that may be available, visit www.mygov.scot/benefits

 

A Message from the Strollers: we are still strolling along every Tuesday; we meet outside the Museum on Muir Street at 11am, stroll for one hour and then enjoy tea and a chat; you are welcome to join us for a stroll in the park.

 

RCIA continues in our meeting room on Thursday at 7pm; please remember our six candidates in your prayers.

 

Recently Deceased:  Frank McGeechan, John Francis Moore, Mary Mearns, Margaret McGunigl, Frank Hunter (Shettleston), Alice McWilliams, Larry Kirnan, Stephen Bennett, Frank Collie, Michael Hartley (East Kilbride), Campbell McFall

 

Special Remembrance: Ann and Tommy Quay, Margaret Semple, David and Margaret McFall, Mary McFall, Margaret Murray McKain, John and Hannah McGuire, Owen and Bella Currie, all our relatives and friends and all the benefactors of our parish.

Diocese of Motherwell Website:

for good and reliable information about events across our Diocese

please consult www.rcdom.org.uk