On behalf of the young people making the Diocesan pilgrimage to Poland in August, Fr Ryan sincerely thanks everyone who donated to his recent Sponsored Walk. In total, more than £10,500 was raised. The group will pray for all benefactors whilst on pilgrimage.

“Take it. This is my body.” We all share Christ’s priesthood by our baptism, but some are called to a particular share in it as ordained priests, bringing Christ’s presence in the Eucharist to our lives and offering the Mass for us. Could that be you? Please speak to our local Vocations Director, Fr. John Morrison, tel: 01418895056 or email [email protected].

JUBILEE 25 marks 25 years since the great Jubilee of 2000 with Pope Saint John Paul II, and 10 years since the extraordinary 2015 Jubilee Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis. The Holy Father will lead his second Jubilee, giving it the theme “Pilgrims of Hope,” beginning just before Christmas Day 2024 and ending on the Solemnity of the Epiphany in 2026. Hopefully and prayerfully this will inspire Catholics and even those from other faith traditions to make plans to visit the Eternal City during the Holy Year. 

The Diocese of Paisley Podcast has launched a series of podcasts which are available to listen to now at www.rcdop.org.uk/podcast, as well as on all the major streaming platforms. Episodes will cover stories from around the Diocese such as special events, one-to-one interviews with clergy and a look into the work of our Commissions. Do you have a story you’d like covered? Email [email protected]. We are also looking for media students or those interested in podcasting to help with recordings. These will be paid opportunities. The Communications Commission carries out its work under the Patronage of Blessed Carlo Acutis: “God has written a unique and unrepeatable story for each of us, but he lets us write the write the ending."

Bishop John will be leading two pilgrimages to Rome & Assisi during the Jubilee Year 2025. Both pilgrimages will include 5 nights in Rome & 2 nights in Assisi. Flights with Jet2 from Glasgow Airport. The Pilgrimages are from 5-12 May 2025 & 12-19 September 2025. More details, including costs and booking contacts are available on the Diocesan website at rcdop.org.uk/2025RomeAssisi 

 On Thursday, 12th September, we will celebrate the Diocesan Vocations Mass in St. John’s in Port Glasgow (6.30pm). Bishop John invites you to attend this Mass and to pray between Pentecost Sunday and the 12th September for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Consecrated Life. Bishop John asks that between Pentecost and the 12th September (National Vocations Awareness Week), we pray daily for an increase in vocations. You may find it suitable to offer a daily Rosary or a visit to the Blessed Sacrament for this intention.

 A Rachel's Vineyard retreat for spiritual and emotional healing after abortion will be held north of Glasgow on Wednesday 26th – Friday 28th June.  This confidential, supportive retreat is powerful for anyone who has been affected by their own or someone else’s abortion experience. For more information, please call/text Sr Andrea on 07816 942824 or email at [email protected]. For more details see www.rachelsvineyard.org.uk

Bishop John Keenan will celebrate a special SPRED End-of-Year School Mass for pupils, their families and staff from the Additional Support Needs Schools of the Diocese on Wednesday, 5th June 2024 at 1pm in St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley.  A warm welcome is extended to anyone wishing to attend.

The final Mass of the season will be offered in St Thomas', Neilston, on Friday 7th June at 7pm; Adoration & Confession from 6pm.

St Margaret’s Johnstone will hold their annual 40 hours between Sunday 2nd June - Tuesday 4th June. The church will be opened after Mass each day until the end of the last liturgy of that day.  Sunday - Evening prayer and Benediction at 6.00pm Monday - Mass 1at 0.00am Evening prayer at 4pm Holy Hour and Benediction at 7.00pm Tuesday - Morning Mass at 10.am and Closing Mass at 7.00pm

As you are aware, this takes place in the Church grounds on Sunday 23rd June 2024 from 2.30 pm - 5.00pm.   Tickets will be on sale from this weekend (1st/2nd June) priced at: Adults: £7.00 and Child: (over 3 years) £3.00.  The price of the ticket includes: burgers/hot-dogs, ice-cream, soft drinks, tea-room, all the activities on offer (games, arts & crafts, music etc).  The only thing you would be asked to buy on the day would be raffle tickets, and stand-up bingo tickets, if you wished. As this event has proved very popular in recent years, it is anticipated that tickets will be in high demand; therefore, please bring your cash with you next weekend to buy your tickets!   The funds generated from this event, like all Social Committee events, will go to the Diocesan Ecclesiastic Students Fund. The Committee are also looking for donations for the raffle, as well as donations of home-baking for the tea-room.  Any contributions will be gratefully received. The Committee are also looking for volunteers to assist with the event.  If you wish to be involved, or require any further details, please do not hesitate to contact:  Catherine Senior: email: [email protected] or Mobile: 07555 094304. Many thanks in anticipation of your help and support.

“They prayed: ‘Show us which of these you have chosen’.” (1st reading) The apostles knew the need to pray for guidance to know whom the Lord had chosen to join their mission and ministry. We too have to pray, but we also have to open to the possibility it could be me whom he is choosing. Please speak to our local Vocations Director, Fr. John Morrison tel: 01418895056 or email [email protected]

This conference has been organised by The Scottish Council on Human Bioethics. It will take place on Saturday 8th June at the Golden Jubilee Conference Hotel in Clydebank. Find out more: https://www.rcdop.org.uk/events/the-ethics-of-ai-person-interactions

 The Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) has reorganised safeguarding induction training into one course only, combining the previous Parts 1 & 2. If you are a new volunteer or one who completed the Part 1 training course more than a year ago, you are invited to sign up for a Safeguarding training session taking place on: Saturday 8th June at 10.30am in St. John’s Parish Hall, Barrhead. To sign up for a place on this training session, you should  first inform your Parish Safeguarding Coordinator that you wish to attend Safeguarding Training. Secondly to book a place contact Sarah Jane Colhoun at [email protected] or call her on 0141 847 6138.

There will be a special collection for Diocesan communications this weekend.

We remember our Sick & Retired Priests of the Diocese with great love and affection. We have eleven retired priests, still active in prayer and witness: one living in Rome, one living in Chile, three in houses throughout the diocese, five in parish presbyteries, and one at the Residence of the Little Sisters. We thank God for the gift of these priests and keep them in our prayers. In 2022 our two special collections and Friends Campaign raised £50,953 which represents 37% of our expenditure of £136,824 i.e. a shortfall of £85,871, which was met by the Sick & Retired Priests Investment income.

SPONSORED WALK  On Sunday 12th May, Fr Ryan Black will walk from St Mirin's Cathedral in Paisley to Celtic Park to raise funds for the Diocese of Paisley Young Adults' Pilgrimage to Poland. All contributions will be gratefully received and all benefactors will be remembered in prayer during the pilgrimage. Donate at www.justgiving.com/page/dopya-poland.

Thank you to everyone who attended our very successful Race Night last Saturday evening.  A total of £740 was raised from the event, and this money will go to the Diocesan Ecclesiastic Students Fund (as with all monies raised from events, and the Sunday morning teas/coffees). A special word of thanks to all who contributed in any way, to the success of our event. Particularly to our race sponsors, those who bought horses, those who bought tickets and had a ‘flutter’ on the night.  The winning horses and owners of the races were: Amazing Grace owned by Graham Senior; Pablo owned by Paddi Horn; Angel Gabriel owned by Graham Senior; Haystax owned by Dot Love; Princess Alix owned by John Coyne; Gi Gi owned by Peter Cairns; Calella owned by Terence Severin; and our Auction Race winner - Nobody’s Child owned by Julia Henegan.   Congratulations to them all! 

We regard as our paramount concern the safety of children and vulnerable adults.