All the podcasts are available on the Diocesan website (www.rcdop.org.uk/podcast). Our October episode : Tony Waterston looks at the work of SPRED.

Bishop John and the Marriage, Family, and Life Commission warmly invite you to join families throughout the Diocese for an afternoon of celebration and fun in honour of Mary our Mother! The day will begin at 2pm in St John the Evangelist Parish, Barrhead parish hall on Sunday 27th October and will include prayer, activities for children and refreshments for all. We will conclude with Holy Mass at 4pm.

In Canada people with additional support needs can be offered state assisted suicide. “Increasingly, we are hearing appalling stories from Canada of those who are poor or disadvantaged being offered medical assistance in dying rather than proper health or social care.” Gordon McDonald, CEO, Care Not Killing In Sotland, responding to the Scottish Parliament Health Committee’s detailed call for views on proposals to legalise assisted suicide, 82% of doctors have stated that they are ‘strongly opposed’ to the plans. Please let your MSPs know about this. More information on how to do this at: https://rcpolitics.org/assisted-suicide/

SPUC invites you to mark the 57th anniversary of the Abortion Act by attending the annual torchlight procession in Glasgow on Thursday 24th October. This is a solemn and prayerful event to pray for an end to abortion which has led to the loss of more than 10 million lives here in the UK. The recitation of the Rosary begins in George Square at 6.30pm; the procession to St Andrew’s Cathedral begins at 7pm; Holy Mass begins in St Andrew’s Cathedral at 7.30pm.

Training has been organised into one course only. If you are a new volunteer, or have completed Part 1 training over a year ago, you are invited to sign up for one of the following training sessions: Tuesday 22nd October at 7pm in St. Mary’s, Greenock; (Tuesday 12th November now fully booked); Saturday 23rd November at 10.30am in St. John’s Parish Hall, Barrhead. Details at Diocese of Paisley | Safeguarding Training | Paisley, UK (rcdop.org.uk) and on our Parish web. Please inform your Parish Safeguarding Coordinator. To book, contact Sarah Jane Colhoun at [email protected] / 0141 847 6138.

We aim to make the Church an increasingly safe place for all.

Pastoral care of those suffering the bereavement of separation, divorce or widowhood. Upcoming Event 4-5 October 2024 Autumn Residential Weekend Conforti Centre, Coatbridge The cost of this Residential Weekend will be confirmed with you. More details at: Scotland (beginningexperiencegbandi.org)

'Adult' Quiz Night’ (16+): Friday 25th October 2024 from 7.30pm in the Pastoral & Social Centre. You are asked to get a 'Team' together - up to a maximum of six. Tickets: £5.00 per head are now on sale at all Masses this weekend.  If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact Catherine Senior (Mob: 07555 094304 or email:  [email protected]).

Will you fast and pray every First Friday for Life? Bishop John invites you to fast and pray on the First Friday of each month to protect the unborn child and for the flourishing of the Pro-Life movement so that our society will build an authentic culture of life. Join your priests throughout the Diocese on the First Friday of each month as we pray for life! The first Mass of the season will be offered in The Holy Family, Port Glasgow, on Friday 4th October at 7pm. Adoration & Confession from 6 pm. All Masses are offered at 7 pm by the Parish Priest for the cause of life; preceded by a period of adoration and an opportunity for confession. All dates/venues are on Parish & Diocesan webs.

For further information or details of a tutor in your area, please contact Fertility Care Scotland Limited at [email protected]

  This is a free, weekly online course for people who want to be better equipped to help friends or family caring, dying and grieving and it will run throughout October and November. Every Tuesday for 5 weeks starting on 29 October 2024, 6.30 pm - 8.00 pm. To register, contact [email protected]

- Newsletter from the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life - latest version can be found at www.marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk

VINTAGE WEDDING DRESS EVENT in the Cathedral Hall on Sunday 6th October at 4.30pm. Vintage wedding dresses and bridesmaid/prom dresses will be shown and available for sale. These dresses are from the stock of The Bridal Boutique (Miller Street, Glasgow) which closed due to retirement in the early 1990s. Many of the dresses are unused and are manufactured by Designer companies still in vogue today. Entry costs £2 at the door and includes tea/coffee. All proceeds to Mary’s Meals and St Mirin’s Cathedral Parish.

VIRTUAL CAMINO RESULTS “CONGRATULATIONS everybody. We covered a total of 2090km for the virtual Camino. This is roughly equivalent to 702kg of CO2 emissions. That is enough to power an average household for almost a full year or power the Eiffel Tower for 10 days. It is also the equivalent of a return flight from London to New York. What an amazing achievement just by walking. Thanks to everyone who took part; we hope to have some new initiatives soon. Our next meeting to discuss future events is on the 24th September at 7.30pm in the small sacristy.” Care of Creation Group

:Wednesday, 18th September at 7.30pm at Holy Cross, 113 Dixon Ave, G42 8ER. Adoration begins at 6.15pm. Tea in the hall afterwards – all welcome. The celebrant will be Fr John Gannon.

A special collection will be taken at all Masses this weekend for the Ecclesiastical Students’ Fund. Please support this appeal.

September 2024 We listen directly to the voices of those who have been abused.

To avoid clashing with the Diocesan Vocations Mass, we are moving our devotions to Friday 13th. Normal times, Rosary at 7.30pm, followed by Mass and Benediction.

 Our Communications Commission is looking to recruit volunteers with a knowledge of social media and/or website maintenance. Could you spare some of your time to help spread the Word of God in our Diocese?If you are interested - we'd love to hear from you!

 We are currently on the look out for talented / tech-savvy parishioners to become part of our Diocesan Podcast team. Could you spare some of your time to help produce new episodes? We'd love to hear from you!Kindly apply by email [email protected]