YOUNG ADULTS The Young Adults series of 'Ascend the Mountain - 7 Deadly Sins and 7 Lively Virtues’ talks continue with ’Gluttony vs Temperance’ by Fr Paul Denney on Wednesday 30th April at 7pm in the Diocesan Offices. All young Catholics 18-35 are welcome. For more information contact Fr. Joe McGill at [email protected]

The CHC’s Christian Leadership Formation programme is a fantastic opportunity for students in Year 12 / Lower VI, and is now open to applications for 2025. Offering media training, tools for personal development, philosophical and theological study, and a chance to meet like-minded peers and Catholic academics and public figures, the programme offers a certificate validated by St Mary’s University, Twickenham. Amended dates to allow for the Jubilee of Youth in Rome. For more information and to apply: https://www.christianleadershipformation.com

The Diocesan Youth Office seeks to provide opportunities for children and young people from the ages of 5-35 to foster faith and develop friendships. Parents/guardians and young people can complete an online form to sign up to a mailing list and stay informed about events for young people in the Diocese of Paisley. Access the form at: www.tinyurl.com/dpy-mailing.

Please join us at 7pm in the church here in St Joseph & St Patrick’s, Wemyss Bay: Thursday, 20th March  “The Eucharist, the Pearl of Great Price” by Father Jonathan Whitworth; and Wednesday, 2nd April   “Return to Me: The Sacrament of Reconciliation” by Father Ryan Black. Refreshments will be available in our church hall.

LENT RETREAT 2025: for boys in S3 to S6 in Hazelwood House, 52 First Gardens, Glasgow, G41 5NB on Friday 28th March at 8pm until Sunday 30th March at 4pm.

The annual Acies ceremony of the Legion of Mary in the Diocese will take place in St Thomas's Church, Neilston on Saturday, 22nd March at 1 pm. All active, auxiliary and adjutorian members are warmly invited to come and consecrate themselves, individually and collectively, to the service of Our Blessed Lady in the year ahead. Refreshments in the hall afterwards.

The talks continue with ’Avarice  vs Charity’ by Fr Domenico Zaire on Wednesday 19th March at 7pm in the Diocesan Offices. All young catholics 18-35 are welcome. For more information contact Fr. Joe McGill at [email protected]

14 – 16 March 2025: Fr Matthew Blake, OCD will offer a weekend exploring the life and teachings of Edith Stein, or St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, and her indomitable search for truth that led her to the Catholic faith. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-search-for-truth-edith-stein/

 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.

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.

The Diocesan Youth Commission invites children in P4-7 to a Retreat Day on Sunday 19th January, from 2-5pm. The theme is The Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. The day begins and ends in the church hall at Holy Family Parish, Port Glasgow. It will include Holy Mass. A light dinner will be provided. Registration is necessary: www.tinyurl.com/dpy-january-retreat. Email Fr Ryan for more info: [email protected].

The Young Adults series of 'Ascend the Mountain - 7 Deadly Sins and 7 Lively Virtues’ talks continue with ‘Wrath vs Mercy’ by Fr Bernard Mournian on Wednesday 15th January at 7pm in the Diocesan Offices. All young Catholics 18-35 are welcome. For more information contact Fr. Joe McGill at [email protected]

14 – 16 March 2025 Fr Matthew Blake, OCD will offer a weekend exploring the life and teachings of Edith Stein, or St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, and her indominatable search for truth that led her to the Catholic faith. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/the-search-for-truth-edith-stein/

Thinking about Diocesan Priesthood in 2025? The Catholic Church in Scotland is now inviting enquiries from those considering applying for seminary.  For more information, please contact Fr. John Morrison - call 01418892602 or email [email protected]

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 the 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.

Journeying through Advent with the Scriptures. You are invited to some/all of four talks on the scriptures of Advent with Fr Ryan Black, in the Diocesan Office from 7pm. Tue 26th Nov; Wed 4th Dec; Wed 11th Dec; and Tue 17th Dec.

- 31 March – 5 April 2025: A 5-day version of the Ignatian Exercises offered specifically for men (whether lay or ordained), this retreat will be preached by the Benedictine Monks of St Joseph’s Abbey, France. Founded in 1988, this community has retained its charism of a specific apostolate to men and of engaging them through a shortened version of the Ignatian Exercises. One-to-one direction will be offered alongside the talks. Priests are welcome to attend and concelebrate or celebrate their own Mass. For more information and to book: https://christianheritagecentre.com/events/mens-spiritual-exercises/

Thurs 31st October at 7pm in St John’s, Barrhead. Vigil Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints followed by the amazing story of Chiara Corbella Petrillo: a wife, a mother and a Servant of God, told by her spiritual director, Padre Vito D’Amato. Introduced by Bishop John Keenan. All Welcome.  Organised by Catholic Mothers.

Talks continue with 'Pride vs Humility’ by Fr Chris Doig on Wednesday 30th October at 7pm in the Diocesan Offices. All young Catholics 18-35 welcome. For more information contact Fr. Joe McGill at [email protected]

– a conference focussed on evangelising youth and young adults is being held on Saturday 16th November 2024; 930am-4pm in the Archdiocesan Offices (G1 4JY). More details at https://rcagyouth.eventbrite.com