Newsletter

Fifth Sunday of Easter

May 3rd 2026

 

The Bishops of Scotland have sent a Pastoral Letter on the Scottish Parliament Election; copies are available at the back of the Church. To help people choose a candidate, the Catholic Parliamentary Office has prepared a resource: www.rcpolitics.org/scottish-parliament-election-2026/. The bishops strongly recommend the Catholic community to use their vote.

 

Bishop Toal has asked that the following invitation be published widely within the Diocese of Motherwell: Festival of Synodality, Saturday 6 June 2026, Glasgow Caledonian University: “On behalf of Bishop Brian McGee and the Planning Team we invite you to the National Festival of Synodality, a day inspired by Pope Francis’ call to be ‘witnesses to synodality’. The festival will focus on Conversation in the Spirit, a simple and powerful way of communal discernment rooted in listening, conversion and mission. The day will celebrate the fruits already flourishing in the Church in Scotland and include input from Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Fr. David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience Conversation in the Spirit first hand. Lunch is included. All are welcome, especially those involved in parish and diocesan life, pastoral councils, schools and faith organisations. Tickets £45. Parishes and dioceses are encouraged to support those wishing to attend. Tickets available: bit.ly/synodality26.

 

Thank you to those who have expressed an interest in forming a new St. Vincent de Paul Conference in our parish. It was helpful to hear the witness of some members of the SVDP within our Diocese last weekend. Bridget Ann Devanny will come along for a follow up meeting on Tuesday May 12th at 6.30pm in the parish hall. It would be helpful if you would sign the sheet at the back of the church if you intended to come along.

 

Catholic Family Holidays in the Lake District: Castlerigg Manor in Keswick (heart of the Lake District) is offering budget-friendly holidays for Catholic families during May, August and early September. Breakfast and evening meal are included. Guests have full use of the site including the grounds, games room, chapel and lounges, and Castlerigg is just a short walk from Keswick and Lake Derwentwater. Ideal for individuals, couples, families, or groups of friends. For information: www.castleriggmanor.com or contact director@castleriggmanor.co.uk or 017687 72711

 

Schedule for the Daily Liturgy:

 

Monday May 4th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9,40; Novena at 7pm

 

Tuesday May 5th: Requiem for Francis McLear 10am

Reception on Monday at 6.15pm

Bishop Toal will celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation at 7pm

 

Wednesday May 6th: Requiem for Maureen Forbes 10am

 

Thursday May 7th: Mass at 10am

Rosary at 9.40am

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The church’s daily liturgy is a wonderful way to begin the day; you are always welcome to join us for the Rosary and Mass

 

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The Diocesan Youth Office invites young adults to the next Cathedral Sunday Night on May 10th at 7.30pm in Motherwell Cathedral. A special panel of young adults will speak about their journey of faith, plus the usual beautiful music, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and some social time afterwards.  The Cathedral Nights will close for the summer with a Barbecue on Sunday June 10th. All young adults welcome.

 

Scottish Diocesan Boundaries Consultation: St. Bride’s Centre Motherwell on Monday 25th May at 7pm: Bishop Toal warmly invites the people of Motherwell Diocese to a Conversation in the Spirit, regarding this important topic of diocesan structures in the Catholic Church in Scotland. The conclusions of these deliberations will form part of the general response made by the Scottish bishops to the Holy See. It would be good to have some representatives from the parish.

 

Gift Aid: Thank you for your ongoing support of our parish. Do you Gift Aid your donations to the church? If you pay tax, then for every £1 you contribute to the church, we can claim back an extra 25% of what you give. This is at NO EXTRA COST TO YOU! Isn’t that wonderful? If you have an income (wage, salary, pension, or investment income) on which you pay UK income tax, the tax people will add 25p for every £1 you donate. A Gift Aid Declaration Form needs to be signed by the individual parishioner, since tax is claimed back against his or her own tax. This is a huge benefit to our parish. For example, last year our Gift Aid Repayments came to £29,438.89. However, our Annual Levy, which helps support Motherwell Diocese, is £38,372.04. You can see just how important this free gift from the Tax Man is to our parish! Please, sign up to make your contributions through Gift Aid! You know it makes sense!

 

RCIA: our final two sessions will take place on Thursday May 7th and May 14th.

 

First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Saturday May 16th at 10.30am and 2pm.

Please remember the children and their families in your prayers.

 

Recently Deceased: Maureen Forbes, Francis McLear, Daniel Gallacher, William Mather, Frank Tierney, Brian Charlton, Andy Daly (New York), Margaret Butler, Helen Bebbington, Agnes Hendry, Rachel Beattie,

 

Special Remembrance: Tommy and Ann Quay, Fiona Seal, Krystyna Jasniewicz, Christopher Francis Gaffney, and our deceased 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