Due to an overwhelming response to this appeal we have moved the last day for drop off to Friday 26th November A huge thanks to everyone who has donated. If you feel you can help, we will be collecting from Monday 8th November until FRIDAY 26th NOVEMBER. Migrant Help support potential victims of human trafficking and asylum seekers. Migrant Help are looking for donations of the following items. • Toiletries • Winter Clothes for men & woman – a range of sizes • Rice cooker • Shoes • Gifts • Socks, underwear (new only) • Hats, scarves • Umbrellas Please drop off from Monday 8th November until Friday 26th November - please call ahead to check opening hours/availability St Joseph's church, Bow Road, Greenock PA16 7DY - 01475 720 789 Diocesan Offices, Incle Street, Paisley PA11HR - 0141 847 6130

Bishop John invites you to join him to pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased clergy of our Diocese. This Mass will take place on Tuesday 23rd November at 1.00pm in St. Mirin’s Cathedral. All welcome to come and pray for our deceased clergy.

An Advent retreat will be held at St. James’, Paisley on Monday 29th November and Tuesday 30th November. Both sessions will begin at 7pm.

When? - TIME: 11am - 4pm DATES: November: 23rd, 24th, 25th & 30th ; December: 1st & 2nd - TIME: 11am - 5pm DATES: 27th November & 4th December. - Where? 104 Albert Road, Glasgow, G42 8DR The sale will last for several days. Please book a 2 hour slot to come on your own or as a group. Book by one of the following methods: Phone the office – 0141 433 2680; Text office mobile – 07377565291; Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-grand-sale-tickets-207821749447

Photo: The World Youth Day symbols were carried in procession in Spain earlier in September 2021.  - Pope Francis' message on Diocesan Youth Day: ‘Arise, bear witness to Jesus with your lives’ - Pope Francis calls on young Christians to courageously bear witness to Jesus Christ, in the footsteps of St. Paul. - The 36th World Youth Day will be celebrated in dioceses around the globe as the Church prepares for the 2023 WYD in Lisbon, Portugal. Pope Francis released his message for the 2021 Diocesan WYD on Monday, under the theme: “Arise. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen” (Acts 26:16). In the message, the Pope pointed to the important role that young people have to play in the world, especially as they have faced enormous setbacks and difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many young people, said the Pope, experienced a rise in family problems, unemployment, depression, loneliness, and addictive behavior. But, he added, the experience of the pandemic has also revealed the virtues of young people, including our “inclination to solidarity.” “Whenever a young person falls, in some sense all humanity falls,” he said. “Yet it is also true that when a young person rises, it is as if the whole world rises as well.” With that in mind, Pope Francis urged young Christians to “arise” and help the world start afresh with their passion and enthusiasm. By Devin Watkins

A number of events have been arranged to celebrate Education Fortnight (14-30 Nov.) on the theme of Celebration and Worshipping. Mass will be celebrated in St. Cadoc’s church on Sunday 21st November at 10am with participation from staff and pupils of the three schools attended by children of the parish. A Cluster Mass will be celebrated in St. Joseph’s parish on Thursday 18th November at 7pm. Please pray for the continued success of our schools and for all work in them and all our pupils. Thank you to the staff, teaching and non-teaching who work hard in our schools to educate our children and nurture and develop them in the ways of faith. Please give generously in the special collection for Education to support the work of SCES who support and provide essential materials to our schools. Please place your offering in the box provided. Thank you.

Holy Mass will be celebrated at 2pm on Sunday 21st November to pray for the souls of family members laid to rest in Hawkhead Cemetery. BOOKING IS NECESSARY. Attendees should park on Scotts Road and enter on foot via the side gate; a limited number of Blue Badge holders may enter in vehicles using the main gate. To book, visit https://hawkheadnov21.eventbrite.co.uk; those who cannot book online can call St Mirin’s on 0141 889 2404.

For Faith leaders and elected representatives - St. Andrew's Parish Church, Ralston Road, Barrhead G78 on Sunday, 21 November at 3.00pm. The theme of this meeting is in the form of a question, "How can we as faith traditions and leaders in communities, respond to the challenge of climate change?" We will hear short talks from various speakers from different faith traditions. Afterwards there will be light refreshments available.

Thurs. 25 November for Kindergarten, Junior, and Senior Schools (re-scheduled due to COP26). Time slots for the Open Evening tours must be booked in advance. You can book your place at https://staloysius.org

As part of the safe recruitment procedures for the Catholic church in Scotland, new volunteers undertaking regulated work should complete an application form for their role, apply to become a member of the PVG scheme and attend Safeguarding Part One Training. Part One Training is now available to book through ‘Eventbrite’. Below are the details of each of the sessions available and the link to book your place through Eventbrite. The next venue: Diocesan Centre, Paisley: Wednesday 17th November at 10.30am - https://dop-sg-paisley.eventbrite.co.uk

Tuesday 23 November at 6.30pm The webinar, hosted by Care Not Killing and Not Dead Yet UK, aims to deepen understanding of the issues involved with assisted suicide, euthanasia and the potential future impacts of Liam McArthur’s proposed Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. If you are interested please RSVP to [email protected] Joining instructions will be sent nearer the time.

“The fact that so many men, women and organisations across the UK have taken up International Men’s Day shows how much men and boys matter. It is a time where everyone can come together and focus on supporting their wellbeing and the issues they face. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the positive contribution they make and raise vital funds and awareness of charities that support them. The fact that so many companies and public bodies are getting on board shows how they important they view the wellbeing of male employees, and men and boys in their community. This has been a significant change this year.” The International Men’s Day UK Ambassador For more information visit: Happy International Men’s Day! | UK Men's Day (ukmensday.org.uk)

We invite applications from youth ministry leaders with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a youth support role for the position of Youth Ministry Coordinator. 35 hours per week (including frequent evening and weekend hours. £18,000 - £25,000 per annum, commensurate with qualifications/experience. Located at the St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Aberdeen. Applicants should send their CV, along with a covering letter/email, to [email protected]. The closing date for applications is Tuesday 23rd November.

It is with sadness that the decision has been taken to postpone our Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage from 2022 until 2023. This has not been taken lightly. Although the world is opening up ever more to travel, there are still some unresolved factors to be clarified over the next few months. As it takes many months to prepare for a Pilgrimage, it was thought better to take the decision now and focus our efforts on Lourdes 2023. Fr Gerard McNellis Pilgrimage Director, Fr John Morrison Youth Director, Anne Louise Buchanan Secretary Lourdes Hospitalite.

This week we launch a national debate looking at The Future of the UK’s Church Buildings. With an increasing number of churches and chapels facing closure, the debate highlights the community, economic, heritage and spiritual benefits of churches. This is a chance for Dioceses and their churches to say how local churches can be saved for future generations. The Future of the UK's Church Buildings debate is backed by Michael Palin, Vice President of the National Churches Trust. He said: "The UK has over 39,000 church buildings. The restrictions of COVID-19, resulting in reduced funding and fewer worshippers, has clouded the future for many of them. Yet churches remain a vital and much-loved part of the UK's history and heritage and we can't let them fall into neglect and disuse. If you care as much as I do about the future of these much loved buildings, do get involved with the National Churches Trust debate about 'The Future of Churches' and help shape their future." Below is a link to the page where you can download the report, access the consultation, watch the video from Michael Palin and take part in the consultation. https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/futureofchurches Linda Patrick Communications and Marketing Officer National Churches Trust, 7 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QB t. 020 7222 0605 m. 077155 24008 | nationalchurchestrust.org For people who love church buildings

SCIAF’s Annual Remembrance Mass This will be held at St Augustine’s Church, 12 Dundyvan Road, Coatbridge, ML5 1DQ, on Friday 19th November at 7pm. Please join us to remember those who have shown so much support for SCIAF throughout their lives and pray for our sisters and brothers around the world struggling at this time. If you would like a loved one remembered at the Mass, even if you are unable to attend, please contact us on 0141 354 5555 or email [email protected]

Tuesday, November 9, 2021, 7:00 PM This month, we pray and celebrate the work of those involved in the Construction industry and all the trades related to this. These include surveyors, plumbers, joiners, bricklayers, architects, glaziers, and so many more. We will pray for, and with them, commending them to St Joseph, Patron Saint of Workers. All welcome to attend this devotion. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Benediction and Evening Prayer of the Church. There is no need to book for this celebration, simply turn up and give your details for track and trace.

Monday, November 8, 2021, 7:00 PM Attention all Parents - Children's Rosary Movement (childrensrosary.org) Blythe Kaufman, who established the Children's Rosary Movement "out of love for Our Lady and Her Son", will give a short Zoom talk on Monday 8th November at 7pm. She has produced step-by-step video guides for parents of young children (age 4 to 14). The Zoom link is as follows: Meeting ID: 863 1354 5731. Passcode: 461579 or contact [email protected] for more information.

The annual Mass for deceased parishioners who died since November last year will be celebrated on Sunday 7th November at 10am. Families of deceased loved ones of the parish who died last year will be contacted to invite them to the Mass. Please keep them and all who are suffering bereavement at this time in your prayers, especially during the month of November.