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! Adoration & Confession from 6 pm. All Masses are offered at 7pm by the Parish Priest for the cause of life; preceded by a period of adoration and an opportunity for confession. The next Mass of the season will be offered in St Joseph’s, Clarkston, on Friday 7th February 2025.

Our Paisley Diocese SPRED offers people with learning disabilities: a personal friend who takes time to share life and faith, spiritual nurture in a small community of faith; and a sense of belonging to a parish community. Twenty-one SPRED groups meet in our church halls and special needs schools, allowing two hundred parishioners to come together in faith and friendship to share and experience God’s love. Paisley SPRED now employs two staff members, following a retirement in 2024. In SPRED “I feel that I belong and everyone is my friend”. In 2024 (draft) total income for SPRED was £54,610 with £25,298 of this raised from the Special Collection. This was after a large fundraising appeal by friends of SPRED, which increased collection income to £25,298 (up £7,686 on the 2023 figure). In 2024 total expenditure for SPRED was £75,425 resulting in a deficit of £20,815 which was funded from general reserves. In 2024 collection income funded 34% of the total costs. We are very grateful for your on-going generous support of this work. You can also donate to SPRED using the following QR to our new Charities Trust online giving page. (Click the Title to access)

The Church ardently urges that respect for the dignity of the human person beyond all circumstances be placed at the centre of the commitment to the common good and at the centre of every legal system. Please ask your MSPs and MPs not to allow assisted suicide to become legal in Scotland: https://writetothem.com

 Alpha is a series of group conversations that take place in a warm and friendly environment, where everyone's welcome to freely explore the basics of the Christian faith. No matter your background or beliefs, you’re invited.  The Alpha course begins on Wednesday 5th February at 6.30 pm.   A Youth Alpha will start on Sunday, 9th February, at 2:30 p.m. Come and join us for Pizza and a friendly discussion.  Both Alphas will take place in St. Bernadette’s Church Hall. Park Drive, Erskine.  Don't forget to secure your spot by registering for these events at www.catholicerskine.website.  We look forward to welcoming you.

“You may or may not know that our parish has a golf society which has existed in one form or another for over 50 years. The object of the society is twin fold. We promote a community of parishioners who have the common interest of golf and to that end we have Sunday outings from late Spring until Autumn. The program includes two weekend trips over a Friday to Sunday in Scotland. The second goal is fund raising for charities at each outing. Last year we raised around £1600 for charities nominated by the members. The charities we supported were Mary’s Meals, Glasgow City Mission, St Vincent’s Hospice and the food bank of the Trussell Trust. Each charity received £500 thanks to gift aid and Mary’s Meals benefited from fund matching of another £400. The program of outings this season are as follows 30 March Prestwick St Cuthbert’s Golf Club; May 16 -18 Green Hotel and golf in Kinross. 22 June to Muckhart Golf Club; 3 August Alloa Braehead Golf; 12-14 September Park Hotel playing Monifieth GC then Montrose Links on 13 and 14 September; 5 October Auchterarder GC. Outings cost approximately £60 which includes a two-course meal plus an additional few pounds for prizes (golf balls) and gratuities for golf club catering staff. Most golf clubs limit participants to 24. The weekends tend to be smaller. The weekend trips tend to be booked by current members very quickly once the program is published. The weekends are for trophies but the other trips are just the glory of victory. We have a final social evening involving dinner at a local restaurant nearer Christmas to wind up the year and allocate the charity money as agreed by the committee. Membership of the society is open to all parishioners, family and friends. We are a very friendly club and if there is anyone who would like to join us then contact our current committee chairman Jim McGuinness.” Email: [email protected]

Join Bishop Robert Barron and thousands of other Catholics from across the UK and beyond for Evangelisation & Culture: The Bible. Come to London this February to gain a deeper appreciation of the Sacred Scriptures and their relevance to the Church’s mission today: Date: Friday 21st - Saturday 22nd February 2025 Location: Excel Centre, East London. Speakers Include: Bishop Robert Barron, N.T. Wright & Professor Tracey Rowland.

Reflections of my visit with SCIAF to Colombia: Canon Michael Hutson of the Diocese of Argyll and The Isles self-funded a visit along with SCIAF content editor James Cave and Director of International Programmes Mark Camburn last July. Visiting a number of SCIAF Partners to gather content for the WEE BOX Appeal, Canon Michael will share of his experiences, the people he met, what he took away form this memorable visit and why we should be supporting our Scottish Catholic Internal Aid Fund.  Join us on zoom using the following details: Monday 24th February 2025; 7pm-8pm; SCIAF is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88968244691 Meeting ID: 889 6824 4691

Pope Francis reminds us that “God’s forgiveness knows no bounds”. The Jubilee Indulgence during the Holy Year 2025 is a beautiful expression of the mercy of God. The “indulgence” of our Loving Father frees the sinner, already forgiven through the Sacrament of Penance, from every residue left by the consequences of sin, enabling us to grow in love rather than fall back into sin. To obtain the indulgence in St. Mirin’s Cathedral during this year, as pilgrims of hope, we undertake a pilgrimage to our Cathedral, especially for the celebration of Holy Mass; are purified by the Sacrament of Penance (in the days around the visit); are refreshed by the worthy reception of Holy Communion; and we also pray for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff. As groups, or as individuals, we can also receive the indulgence by devoutly visiting the Cathedral for a period of time for Eucharistic adoration and meditation, concluding with the Our Father, Profession of Faith, and invocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary (for example, Hail Mary; Hail, Holy Queen; Memorare).  The indulgence may be obtained each day and may be applied in suffrage for the souls in purgatory.

 Mass and Adoration on Wednesday 29th January  at 7pm in St Mary’s Church, 163 George Street, Paisley, PA1 2UN which will be celebrated by Fr John Morrison.

The intention is to have Cluster Masses over the course of the year, presided at by Bishop John. St. Ninian’s Cluster - 22nd October .  The time of the Mass would be expected to be 7pm. The venue to be decided as a Cluster. Details to follow. Provisional dates/venues for all 8 Clusters are available on the Diocesan website. Keep up-to-date with Jubilee Year events at: Diocese of Paisley | Holy Year 2025 | Paisley, UK

A Healing Retreat for Victims of Abuse – 29th April to 4th May 2025 – Perth: Grief to Grace is a specialised 5-day programme of spiritual and psychological healing for anyone who has suffered from sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or neglect in childhood, adolescence or adulthood, including those abused by a religious / member of the clergy.  If you are interested in this confidential healing retreat, please contact: Grief to Grace (Scotland) at [email protected]

YOUNG ADULTS GROUP: The young adults group of the Diocese of Paisley are going to Lourdes as part of the Diocesan Pilgrimage (27th June - 3rd July). If you are 18-35 and are interested in joining us please come along to our meeting on Thursday 23rd January at 7pm in St John’s hall in Barrhead. For more information email Fr. Joe McGill ([email protected]) 

"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 2023 our two special collections raised £37,384 and our Friends Campaign and donations raised £11,499, Gift Aid claims £4,826, rental income £9,270 and legacies £18,148. Our total income was £81,127. In 2023 our expenditure was £170,574 made up of retired priests’ allowances £78,247, housekeepers’ wages £11,222, repairs to properties £10,985 medical and nursing home fees £21,612, the Healthcare Trust £14,137, Council Tax £8,882, rental of premises £18,950 and other costs of £6,539. This left a shortfall of £89,447 of income compared to expenditure, partly offset by net (dividend) income of £73,438 from the Sick & Retired Priests Investment Fund, but this still left a deficit of £16,009. We greatly appreciate any support you can give at this time."

- following the Sunday morning 10am Mass.  Why don't you pop into the hall for a coffee and a chat, rather than standing outside 'blethering' in the cold!  Everyone welcome!  Volunteers All current volunteers should have now received their new rota.  If you wish to volunteer, please contact Catherine Senior (Tel: 07555 094304 or by email: [email protected]) for further information. Many thanks.

We meet each Tuesday after 10am Mass. “We should like to convey our thanks for the support and generosity of our Parishioners who attend our weekly Tuesday coffee mornings. From January 2024 until December 2024, you donated £6032.95 to this wonderful charity. We are very appreciative of all your help and support. Coffee resumes on Tuesday 14 January and we look forward to welcoming you back. With grateful thanks...” Patsy Henderson pp Mary's Meals Team.

We provide training and support for all who are responsible for safeguarding.

DIOCESAN FUNDRAISING Please consider completing and returning the Special Collections Standing Order Form with which you can indicate the Diocesan cause(s) you wish to support financially.

In the latest podcast Vanda Kettelhut speaks to Fr. Jim Duggan about the Diocese of Paisley plans for the Jubilee Year. Listen now on rcdop.org.uk/podcast or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Please 'like' and leave us a review!

Following analysis of the results from the Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (SCSSA) self-evaluation exercise our updated safeguarding action plan for 2025 has now been published on the Diocesan website.  An updated version of the 2023/24 action plan has also been uploaded for reference.  Both documents have been approved by the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group and Bishop Keenan with a link to the plans available at Diocese of Paisley | Safety In Our Catholic Communities | Paisley, UK    

Pope Francis tells us that human dignity exists “beyond all circumstances.” He asks us all to defend human dignity in every cultural context and every moment of human existence. If you are worried that this may happen in Scotland, please contact your MSPs and MPs: https://writetothem.com Please act now! Respond to UK Parliament Committee call for evidence on dangerous assisted suicide bill Following November’s vote to progress Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, a committee of MPs is now ready to start taking evidence on the Bill. Despite the vote having taken place around six weeks ago, the committee has only very recently issued its call for evidence, which is deeply troubling for an issue of such magnitude as doctor-assisted suicide. Not only that, but the committee hasn’t even declared a formal deadline for receipt of submissions. This is why it is vital that responses are submitted as soon as possible; to give them the best possible chance of being read and considered by the committee and to make sure they are received before any deadline which the committee might hereafter impose. Please do seriously consider making a submission in the coming days. This Care Not Killing email Act fast: call for evidence on Leadbeater Bill provides all the details you need, including a helpful briefing and a link to the committee’s call for evidence webpage. Whilst this Bill applies to England & Wales, its outcome will undoubtedly have an impact on whether Scotland decides to go down the same road, especially with a similar Bill currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament. It is important, therefore, that Scottish voices are heard in this debate and that Scottish MPs engage with the Bill. In the meantime, our office is currently working on a fresh appeal for people to contact MSPs about the Scottish Doctor-Assisted Suicide Bill. A.McE pp Catholic Parliamentary Office. More details available soon.