Are you passionate about helping those struggling after abortion? ARCH is employing a full-time Operations Administrator to join our team based in Glasgow. ARCH is dedicated to promoting the emotional and psychological well-being of service users, by the provision of counselling and support to women, men and families after abortion. To find out more about us and the work we do at ARCH please go to: www.archtrust.org.uk  The role includes a variety of administrative tasks. Duties of the Operations Administrator include providing support to the Director and Counsellors, assisting in daily admin needs and assisting with the running of our Helpline, which includes liaising with our volunteer Befrienders. Closing date: 18th December. Contact Louise for an application pack: louise@archtrust.org.uk    Part-time requests will be considered if two promising candidates match shared availability.

God calls us to proclaim the Good News. How do you share that Good News? Pray for the grace to be a faith-filled witness of God’s love. (Isaiah 40: 1-5, 9-11). If you think God is calling you to be a priest, speak to our Vocations Director, Fr John Morrison; call 0141 8895056 or e-mail vocations@rcdop.org.uk.

Read/download the Report from Bishop McGee at Diocese of Paisley | Synod: Report from Bishop McGee | Paisley, UK (rcdop.org.uk)

For details and to register visit: Diocese of Paisley | Marriage Preparation Registration Form  | Paisley, UK (rcdop.org.uk)

The ‘Christ in the Covenants’ series continues with a talk from Fr Paul Denney, who will explore God’s covenant with Moses. Aged 18-35? Come along to learn more about the Faith and to meet other young Catholics. The talk begins at 7pm in the diocesan office on Wed 10th Jan. It will end with adoration and Benediction, followed by an opportunity to socialise. Email Fr Ryan (ryan.black@rcdop.org.uk) for more info and to be added to the WhatsApp group.

 Ongoing conflict in the Holy Land, particularly the Occupied Palestinian Territories, is causing unimaginable fear and suffering.  Through the global Caritas network, SCIAF is working with local organisations to act as soon as possible.  Please donate to our funds for essential support to the families in urgent need by following the link:  https://www.sciaf.org.uk/get-involved/appeals/579-israeli-palestinian-emergency-appeal

1st edition December 2023 available to read/download at https://marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk/newsletter/

1st £1000 Ticket: 22860 Anne Marie Kelly St Joseph’s Parish, Clarkston; 2nd £750 Ticket: 28269 Mary Barry St Laurence’, Greenock; 3rd £500 Ticket: 11546 Jin McCaul Our Lady of Lourdes, Bishopton; 4th £250 Ticket: 2872 Mary Heywood St Laurence’, Greenock.

To launch the new committee, we invite you to the screening of the film, ‘The Letter’, in the Parish Pastoral and Social Centre on Tuesday 12th December at 7pm. The film focuses on Pope Francis’ encyclical, ‘Laudato Si’, on the subject of climate change. If you wish to attend, please put your name on the sheet in the porch TODAY!

4 Fabulous Prizes: 1st £1000; 2nd £750; 3rd £500; and 4th £250. The draw will take place on Sunday 3rd December.

 Celebrate have create a brilliant family resource, the Advent Online Family Activity Pack, which can downloaded from here for free https://www.celebratetrust.org/onlinefamilyactivitypacks   The Advent pack is full of wonderful things for families to do, pray, read and watch together. It also features our new CELEBRATE Advent Matchbox Manger which can also be downloaded for free from their website from here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScj0GxNXsRV9sL4oJPiDS1ShLDKIGMaEufhQ6T7ksh5nCwmhg/viewform  Children can cut out their own manger and Baby Jesus. During Advent, every time they do a kind deed or make a little sacrifice, they place a little piece of straw in the manger and on Christmas Day they can place the Baby Jesus on the straw. It's a really lovely way to help children prepare their hearts for Jesus during Advent. 

 Join Fr Ryan Black for Scripture classes on Thursdays in Advent. These classes will be introductory and suitable for everyone. They will include Lectio Divina and exegesis. Talks begin at 7pm in St Mirin’s Cathedral Hall, with tea and biscuits. All are welcome.

A new bill proposes criminalising prayer in designated ‘buffer zones’ around abortion clinics in Scotland, including inside private homes within a 200m zone. Please visit rcpolitics.org/buffer-zones for more information on what you can do to stop this disproportionate and intolerant law being introduced.  Please respond to the government consultation which ends on 20 December.  For more information follow the link to the Scottish Catholic Parliamentary Office:  Buffer Zones – Catholic Parliamentary Office (rcpolitics.org) 

Legalising assisted suicide is dangerous because it attacks human dignity. Implicit in assisted suicide is that an individual, in certain circumstances, can lose their value and worth.  To contact your MSP, and for more info, visit https://rcpolitics.org/assistedsuicide/.

The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill, tabled by Gillian MacKay MSP, will soon be debated in Holyrood. This Bill will introduce so-called buffer zones around abortion clinics. It bans prayer in certain areas – a massive attack on religious freedom – and removes a lifeline for women who want to keep their babies but feel they have no other choice than abortion. To contact your MSP, and for more info, visit https://www.spuc.org.uk/nobufferzonesScotland

“I am going to look after my flock.” People needs shepherds after the heart of Jesus, the Good Shepherd to care for them and serve their deepest needs. Could that be you? Speak to our Vocations Director, Fr John Morrison; call 0141 8895056 or e-mail vocations@rcdop.org.uk.

Please note that there is no Divine Mercy Devotions in December 2023.

Series continues with a talk from Fr Jamie McMorrin, who will explore God’s covenant with Abraham. Aged 18-35? Come along to learn more about the Faith and to meet other young Catholics. The talk begins at 7pm in the diocesan office on Wednesday 6th December. It will end with adoration and Benediction, followed by an opportunity to socialise in a local bar. Email Fr Ryan (ryan.black@rcdop.org.uk) or Fr Joe McGill (joe.mcgill@rcdop.org.uk) for more information and to be added to the WhatsApp group.

Monday 11th December at 7pm in St. Joseph’s Clarkston; and Moday. 18th December at 7pm in St. John’s, Barrhead.