Archbishop Nolan has called for world leaders to take responsibility for the damage caused by climate change especially affecting the smallest and most vulnerable countries. For more information, please visit: https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/cop28-call-to-action

“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 Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. John Morrison tel: 014188950656 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 next Mass is on Friday 1st December at 7pm in St. John’s Barrhead.

The next Mass is on Wednesday 29th November at 7 p.m. followed by Adoration at St Mary’s Church, Paisley. All are welcome. Please note that there is no Divine Mercy Devotions in December 2023. The next monthly Mass with be Wednesday 31st January 2024.

Sunday 10th December at 10am for P4 (Reconciliation & Communion) 12 Noon for P7. (Confirmation)

OPEN MORNING Junior/Senior/ Kindergarten –Friday 8th December 10.30-12Noon. Kindergarten & Junior School Open Day 11th January 2024. Kindergarten Come & Play Sessions Tuesday 16th January 2024: 2pm-3pm; Thursday 18th January 2024: 9.30am – 10.30am. Entrance Assessment P4-S2 Saturday 20th January 2024: 9am – 12 Noon. For more details or to register your place, please scan the QR code (click on title to access) or visit: www.staloysius.org

Sunday 3rd December at 10am for P4 (Reconciliation & Communion) 12 Noon for P7. (Confirmation)

The Scottish Catholic Heritage Collections Trust is working with the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland to create a new museum of Scottish Catholic History. To do this the SCHCT is reviewing and updating its vision along with developing plans for a new museum. We would love your help by spending a few minutes answering a short survey. The survey can be found at: https://forms.office.com/e/6D7EuB8EvU. Click on the title to access the QR code which is provided for your convenience.

The Parable of the Talents today reminds us that God has given each of us the gifts we need for the work to which he has called us. Could your gifts serve the Church as priest, deacon or in consecrated Life? What you give, you more than get back! Speak to our Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr. John Morrison e-mail: [email protected] or tel 01418895056.

Saturday 25th November (10am-7.30pm) and Sunday 26 November (12pm-7.30pm) at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, to help raise funds for its work providing school meals to children in poverty. Browse our selection of stalls from volunteers and small businesses and join our workshops, including sessions with our founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean and wreath making with Rook Botanics. Find out more and book tickets at  https://marysmealschristmasmarket.eventbrite.co.uk  or call 0800 698 1212 

A series of three talks for the Season of Advent will be given by Fr Maurice Callaghan in St Joseph’s Church. Bow Rd., Greenock at 7pm on each of the three Tuesdays (5th, 12th & 19th) of December. The talks will each be 30-40 minutes duration with opportunity for questions followed by tea and biscuits. Talk 1: “To everything there is a season a time for every purpose under the heaven” Qo 3:1 Adventus: The coming of the King Talk 2: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart” Qo 3:11. How to wait. Time and Eternity. Talk 3: “Deck the halls with boughs of holly Tis the Season to be almost jolly” Thomas Oliphant Advent 2. The Christmas season is coming.

The team at Pauline Books and Media on St Enoch’s Square in Glasgow invites you to call in and enjoy the festive atmosphere on Tue 5th Dec, with complimentary tea and coffee. Children’s carol singing 11am 12.30pm. 

 The Scottish bishops are disappointed and confused that the Scottish Government has deleted all reference to Catholic schools in a draft of updated Guidance on Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education in Scottish Schools. They are urging you to respond to the consultation simply to request that the Catholic schools provision be reinserted into the guidance. You can do so easily via the following link: https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/rshp-education

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.  Your donation will provide emergency support to those most in need.  Gaza is one of the most densely populated areas in the world and its residents have no way to leave Gaza, and are running out of food, water, and safe shelter.  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 

This takes place in the Pastoral & Social Centre on Friday 1st December 2023. Tickets are now on sale at all Masses this weekend, priced at £5.00 per adult and £2.00 per child (over 3 years). It will be a BYOB event, and will commence at 7.30pm. Please ensure you get your tickets as soon as possible! Donations for the raffle will be gratefully received too. Please contact Catherine Senior (07555 094304 or by email: [email protected]) for further information. Look forward to seeing you there!

CHILDREN’A LITURGY & Glasgow the Caring City Charity: Annually, during the season of Advent, Children's Liturgy Group bring Christmas gifts for distribution to this charity which seeks to help children in crisis both at home and overseas. The gifts which the children bring are distributed by the charity to needy families in the West of Scotland, in time for Christmas. For some children, this may be the only present that they receive, and the charity are always extremely grateful for any gifts that are donated from our Parish. It is appreciated, especially at this time of year, that there are many demands placed upon your generosity. We invite all individuals/families in the Parish who can, to participate in this initiative. You are asked to bring a gift - suitable for a boy or girl (or both) aged between birth and sixteen years of age. The gift should be wrapped and a gift tag placed on the outside stating whether the gift is for a boy/girl or both and the age group the gift is suitable for. The gifts will be taken to the charity at the end of the 10am Mass on Sunday 10th December. Please place your gift in the box in the Church Hall by this date. If you require any further details, please do not hesitate to contact Catherine Senior (email: [email protected] or 07555-094304) for further information. Many thanks in anticipation of your support.

The children will be performing a short nativity play during the 10am Mass on Sunday 17th December 2023. All welcome! Following the Mass, everyone is invited into the Pastoral & Social Centre for festive fun and refreshments!!

Bishop Keenan will celebrate Mass for the repose of the souls of all deceased clergy of the Diocese of Paisley, on Monday 20th November at 1pm in St Mirin’s Cathedral. All are welcome to attend and to pray for the eternal rest of our late bishops, priests and deacons. Requiescant in pace.

Education Sunday Mass at 10am in St. Cadoc’s on 26th November (Solemnity of Christ the King). Pupils of our schools are asked to attend wearing their school uniforms. The liturgy will be led by pupils from each school and presentations will be given by members of staff. Mass for the Cluster will be celebrated in St. Joseph’s Church, Clarkston, on Tuesday 14th November at 7pm.

You will recall from the SCES newsletter in August that we highlighted the current consultation regarding a revision to the 2014 Guidance on RSHP (relationships, Sexual Health and Parenting). There are several areas of this guidance that raise significant questions, in particular the fact that the paragraphs dedicated to Denominational Education have been removed. The Bishops’ Conference has made the following statement: “The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland is both disappointed and confused at the decision by the Scottish Government to delete all reference to Catholic schools in its :Guidance on the Delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education in Scottish Schools” document. We strongly request the re-insertion of the paragraphs relating to Denominational Education from the previous iteration of the guidance, which would reflect both the legal protection for schools with a Religious Character, and the previously supportive position of Scottish Government for Catholic schools. It is vitally important that the Catholic Education Community has a strong and united voice in responding to this consultation, requesting the same action as the Bishops, so as to ensure that our sector is represented and our views heard. A voluminous response to this consultation by the Catholic Education community is necessary before the closing date of the 23rd November and we are asking for your help in achieving this. HOW TO RESPOND: You can read the revised document here: Delivery of relationships, sexual health and parenthood education in Scottish schools: draft guidance - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) THEN TO RESPOND ONLINE: • Follow this link and complete the consultation online using the skeleton responses in the attached WORD document. • You can cut and paste these, changing any of the content to best suit your individual response. • Note you do NOT need to answer every question. However, Questions 1 and 6 are vital. • You MUST complete the RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM. OR TO RESPOND BY POST: Open the letter template provided. 3 papers to assist in responding are available on our Parish web. • Change any content by typing on the Word document – including your name and address. • Note you do NOT need to answer every question. However, Questions 1 and 6 are vital. • Print your final document. • Please note that you MUST print and complete the first page the RESPONDENT INFORMATION FORM and include this with any posted responses. • Post responses to: RSHP Teaching Guidance Consultation, Area 2B, North Victoria Quay, EDINBURGH EH6 6QQ ***Posted responses must reach Scottish Government by 23rd November. We therefore recommend posting by Monday 20th*** Barbara Coupar, Director, Scottish Catholic Education Service, 75 Craigpark, Glasgow G31 2HD T :0141 556 4727 F: 0141 551 8467 Web: sces.org.uk