Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer,
Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
To you God entrusted his only Son;
in you Mary placed her trust;
with you Christ became man.
Blessed Joseph, to us too,
show yourself a father and guide us
in the path of life.
Obtain for us grace, mercy and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.

Closing Mass
for the Year of St. Joseph
 
The year dedicated to St Joseph will be formally closed
by Bishop John
with Mass at 7.00pm
on Wednesday 8^th December,
The Solemnity of
the Immaculate Conception,  in St. Mirin’s Cathedral.

All welcome to come and celebrate St Joseph.
Lilies, always associated with
St Joseph, will be available for placing around the statue of
St Joseph in the cathedral.

 All welcome to attend.
 

19 March 2021 - 26 June 2022

An online event is taking place on 19 March in Rome, to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation "Amoris laetitia", a document on the beauty and joy of love in the family.
The 19 March virtual event entitled, “Our Daily Love”, is being organized by the Vatican Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, the Diocese of Rome and the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute, all based in Rome.
The same day, Pope Francis will launch the “Amoris Laetitia Family Year”, which will conclude on June 26, 2022, on the occasion of the 10th World Meeting of Families in Rome with the Holy Father.
Amoris Laetitia, Latin for “The Joy of Love”, is the post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis, which was the result of the two-part Synod on the Family held in the Vatican in October 2014 and 2015.  Dated 19 March 2016 and released on 8 April 2016, it addresses issues regarding the pastoral care of families.  
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the three organizers explained that the online event is “the beginning of a path rather than a celebration” as the apostolic exhortation contains a wealth that is yet to be discovered.  They explained that the Pope wants to “provoke” the entire Church into action, and in this regard, the three entities intend to offer a contribution that is capable of blending pastoral care and theology in view of the World Meeting of Families.
The online event, divided into two parts, will be streamed live for all on the YouTube channel of John Paul II Institute as well as on the platforms of the other promoters.
The first part will focus on the 5th anniversary of Amoris laetitia, with inputs from persons such as Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the Pope’s vicar for the Diocese of Rome, Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, Grand Chancellor of the Pontifical John Paul II Theological Institute and a married couple that participated in the Synod on the Family.  The first part will culminate in a message by Pope Francis.  The second part will be more academic and theological in nature.
The year dedicated to the family on the 5th anniversary of Amoris laetitia was called by Pope Francis on December 27, 2020, to draw the fruits of the post-synodal apostolic exhortation and make the Church closer to families around the world, who are being severely tried by the pandemic.
The reflections of the 10th World Meeting of the Family that will conclude the “Amoris Laetitia Family Year” will be made available to ecclesial communities and families, to accompany them on their journey, the organizers said. (by Robin Gomes)

-------------------------------

19th MARCH
Patron of Fathers, Families, Departing Souls and
the Universal Church

Oh St. Joseph,
whose protection is so great,
so strong, so prompt before the
Throne of God
I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh St. Joseph, do assist me
by your powerful intercession
and obtain for me from your Divine Son
all spiritual blessings through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
So that, having engaged here
below your heavenly power,
I may offer my thanksgiving and homage
to the most loving of Fathers.
Oh St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you and
Jesus asleep in your arms;
I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name
and kiss His fine head for me
and ask Him to return the Kiss
when I draw my dying breath.

ST. JOSEPH PRAY FOR US.

Pope Francis has established throughout the Church the celebration of the
World Day for Grandparents and Elderly beginning in 2021 on the fourth Sunday of July, near the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
This year it will fall on Sunday 25 July.  This coincides with the celebration of the Amoris Laetitia Year of the Family, which began on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph 19 March and will conclude at the World Meeting of Families in Rome in June of 2022. 

June 1st - 20th 2021
8am until 8pm each day

Due to Tier 4 restrictions our 2021 Lenten 40 Days for Life peaceful prayer and fasting vigil at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow was postponed. Sadly, in the midst of this current situation the government did not halt or restrict its abortion culture of death.

On March 23^rd 2021 the government called for a UK National Day of Reflection to be held for those who had died from Covid the previous year.  According to latest official figures at that time there had been 143,259 Covid deaths. The following month April 2021 we marked the 53^rd anniversary of the implementation of the 1967 Abortion Act which has resulted in almost 9.5million deaths of our unborn children here in the UK.

 Think of the unborn when you pray the words ‘For what I have done and for what I have failed to do’. Think of those words in the ballot box. ‘They will not grow old as we who are left grow old but we will remember them’.

20 Days for Life 
1^st - 20^th June 2021
outside the QEUH, Glasgow from 8am until 8pm
each day.
To take part email 
Ogilvie1615@outlook.com

On Thursday 13th January, we will mark the first anniversary since the death of Archbishop Tartaglia, the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Paisley.

The 10am Mass in St Mirin’s Cathedral will be celebrated by Bishop Keenan on Thursday           13th January 2022.

All are welcome to attend.


FEAST DAY
Thursday 13th January is the Feast of St Kentigern (518-603). His mother, St Enoch, was a Lothian princess who became pregnant because she was raped. Her father had her cast off into the Firth of Forth in a coracle. She landed on the opposite shore at St Serf’s monastic school at Culross. It was he who named him Mungo. He became the first bishop of Glasgow. He was forced out by pagan opponents and spent some time in England and Wales. He returned to spend many years preaching the Word and praising the name.

Please remember in your prayers Archbishop Tartaglia, the most recent bishop of Glasgow, on this first anniversary of his death. May he rest in peace.
 
 

UPDATE:  Donations for Migrant Help – Diocese of Paisley Christmas Appeal

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 and 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 

November Evening for the Year of St Joseph
Tuesday 9^th November at 7.00pm 
in St Mirin’s Cathedral.
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.

October Evening of Prayer will take place on         
Wednesday 13th October at 7.00pm 
in St Mirin’s Cathedral.
This month, we pray and celebrate the work of those involved in the Arts and Professions. These includes artists, musicians, actors, craftspeople, lawyers, the financial sector, architectures, designers and all other aspects of the arts and professions. 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 Prayerof the Church.

There is no need to book for this celebration, simply turn up and give your details for "Track and Trace."     

                                       ----------------------------------------------                                                             

Families are warmly invited to come together to mark

the Year of St. Joseph on
Sunday 19th September
from 2 .00pm in St Mirin's Cathedral Hall.

The event will include an opportunity to reflect in prayer as families in faith and join together for some light refreshments.  Bishop John will conclude the gathering with the celebration of Mass in the Cathedral at 4.00pm.

      

Our fourth and fifth evenings will take place as follows:
Wednesday 25th August in St Mirin’s Cathedral at 4pm.
Mass will be celebrated for all those involved in Education, asking the intercession of St Joseph on the new academic year.  
Thursday 26th August in St Mary’s Greenock at 4pm.
You are invited to pray for everyone involved in Education commending them to St. Joseph.  All welcome to attend this devotion. There will be Exposition, Benediction and Evening Prayer of the Church. Please use Eventbrite link to book your tickets. Alternatively call Angela to book a place on 01412373584

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/diocese-of-paisley-33712912941

Our third evening will take place on THURSDAY 5^TH AUGUST in St Mirin’s cathedral at 7pm,
to pray for our Clergy and Religious commending them to St. Joseph. ALL WELCOME to attend this devotion. There will be Exposition, Benediction and Evening Prayer of the Church. Please use Eventbrite link to book your tickets. Alternatively call Angela to book a place on 0141 237 3584       https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/diocese-of-paisley-33712912941


Second evening for the Year of St Joseph 
will take place on Monday 12^th July at 7.00pm 
in St Mirin’s Cathedral. This will be to pray for all our parish volunteers, workers and those involved in our SSVP, Legion of Mary and other organisations. All welcome to attend this devotion. Please use the Eventbrite link to book your tickets:   https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/diocese-of-paisley-33712912941      
Alternatively, call St. Margaret’s Church, Johnstone to book by phone on 01505320198



1st Evening of prayer for Healthcare Workers: 
Bishop John would like to invite all healthcare workers and friends to an evening celebration to Mark the Year of St. Joseph, patron saint of workers. There will be a time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, prayers for all those involved in our healthcare system and will finish with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.  All welcome to attend at St Mirin’s Cathedral on Thursday 24th June at 7.00pm. Please use the Eventbrite link to book your tickets:  https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/33509746663 
Alternatively, call St Margaret’s Church, Johnstone to book by phone on 01505320198.   
This evening is open to everyone, so parishioners may wish to attend this evening to show their support for the work of our healthcare professionals. Please use the Eventbrite link or phone number above.

---------------------------------------------------------

Inaugural Family Mass for the ‘Amoris Laetitia’ Family Year
Bishop John will celebrate a livestreamed Mass for families to mark the beginning of this special year proclaimed by Pope Francis. 11am on Sunday 21st March. Families are invited to sign up for the livestream via the Marriage and Family page on the Diocesan website, where they can also download an order of service, submit petitions and contribute to a charitable offertory https://rcdop.org.uk/marriage-family-life-2
This year begins on the Feast of St. Joseph, which is the 5-year anniversary of the publication of Pope Francis’ Apostolic exhortation on the Joy of Love in the family and runs until the 10th World meeting of families in Rome on 26th June 2022. Various initiatives will take place throughout the year to encourage and support spouses, parents and families in their vocation to be a 'domestic church' where the light and joy of the Gospel is passed on and shared with others. 
Come and give thanks for the gift of our families.

You can also sign up and add prayer requests here:

Click here to sign up for Mass -
https://www.rcdop.org.uk/marriage-family-life-2fbclid=IwAR3yzHvWtUFBwFiFqpUo7vJEgsxtuiyPd7V
WewOpI1W_kSyQpp1ZfD_eC-Y

SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH: Thursday 19th March 2021

Bishop John has asked parishes to pray for all those who have died due to the Covid pandemic, on the Solemnity of St Joseph. This was the day when churches closed for the first-time last year.

Parishioners are invited to send names of those who have died due to Covid to their parishes. These names will be remembered on St Joseph’s Feast Day.
 

9 DAYS NOVENA in ST. CADOC'S


Wednesday 10^th – Thursday 18^th March
Live-streamed from St. Cadoc’s each day.

• before each Mass, Monday to Thursday
• on Friday at 9am prior to the reflection on the ‘Way of the Cross’
• Saturday at 9am before the Funeral Mass
• Sunday at 9.30am before Mass.

 Friday 19^th March at 10am.
This live-streamed Mass will be offered as a memorial Mass for all who died
as a result of COVID-19 and its variants.
If a member of your family or circle of friends died this past year,
COVID or otherwise, and you would like me to pray for them,
please email me their name(s) and I will include them in my prayers. 
Canon Eddie

9 Day Novenas throughout the Diocese:   10th -18th March

Christ the King, Howwood at 4.00pm
https://www.facebook.com/Christ-the-King-Howwood-Our-Lady-of-Fatima-Lochwinnoch-739797886170950/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t69NL3N92xI
St Margaret’s, Johnstone will offer the Novena at 6.00pm each evening from 10^th-18^th March. It will also be recorded after each liturgy to be used as and when people can manage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWbJJXMFM8U
 Bishop John Keenan will lead the Novena immediately following the 9.00pm Rosary at approx. 9.20pm on his Facebook page.
https://fb.watch/40sZJnbtSS/
 

Pope Francis to honour Knock Shrine with special status.
Pope Francis, through the Pontifical Council for the promotion of the New Evangelisation, will officially recognise the unique status of Knock as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine on March 19, the Feast of St Joseph.
In December last year, Pope Francis declared 2021 as the year of Saint Joseph, a declaration that bears particular significance for Knock as St. Joseph appeared, together with Our Lady, St. John the Evangelist, and the Lamb of God in the Apparition in 1879.

Pope Francis visited Knock Shrine in 2018 as part of the World Meeting of Families celebrations.
Pope Francis will deliver a special message via video link recognising Knock Shrine as an International Marian and Eucharistic Shrine during Mass at 7.30 p.m. on Friday, March 19.
The Mass will be celebrated by Most Rev. Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam and concelebrated by Fr. Richard Gibbons, PP and Rector of Knock Shrine.
March 19 is also the day that Pope Francis will celebrate the 8th anniversary of his inauguration as Pope.
The Apparition scene at Knock has deep liturgical meaning, symbolic richness and has been the subject of theological study and contemplation for generations.
Unique to the Apparition at Knock is the representation of the Eucharist as the risen Lord which appeared as the Lamb on the altar, standing before his Cross and surrounded by a host of angels.
This aspect of the Apparition was detailed by the fifteen witnesses who, on August 21, 1879, stood in pouring rain for two hours reciting the rosary before the Apparition scene.
Fr Richard Gibbons, PP and Rector of Knock Shrine: “Since the time of the Apparition, Knock Shrine has been a place of hope and given comfort and consolation to people.
"The completely unique nature of the Apparition scene is something that has fascinated and inspired people for generations.
"We are truly grateful for this recognition from Pope Francis, through the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, which recognises Knock on an international level in terms of its special status as Marian and Eucharistic Shrine.
"I wish to sincerely thank Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation and Archbishop Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam, without whom this would not be possible. This is an historic milestone for Ireland’s National Marian and Eucharistic Shrine.”
Over the course of the pandemic Knock Shrine has led the way in helping people to engage with their faith and offered daily religious services online.
On November 22 last year, for example, the Shrine celebrated a special Mass of Remembrance for all who had died on the island of Ireland from Covid-19.
Over 120,000 people joined in the Mass online.
A total of 3,000 candles were placed around the sanctuary of Knock Basilica, one candle to represent each person who died due to Covid-19 up to that time.
As part of the three days of celebration to St. Joseph, Pope Francis will speak at the 7.30 p.m. Mass on March 19; Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna, will speak at the 7.30 p.m. Mass on March 20, and, to conclude the three days, Archbishop Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam will speak at 12 p.m. Mass on Sunday, March 21.
The Triduum will be streamed live on the Knock Shrine website www.knockshrine.ie and on Facebook @knockshrine on Friday, March 19, at 7.30 p.m., Saturday, March 20, at 7.30 p.m. and concluding on Sunday, March 21, at 12 noon.