EAST KILBRIDE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK NETWORK

Please continue to bring your donations to our church or the pastoral centre to help support this Christian  initiative for outreach to all within East Kilbride.

At the moment they are issuing around 120 food parcels a week but donation levels have fallen since the New Year- so please continue to bring your donations of tinned and dried goods to the church or to the hall.

The Food Bank at Claremont Parish is  open every Tuesday from 10:00am – 12 noon for anyone requiring emergency food.

It  means that Food Bank users will be able to have tea or coffee and a chat with the Claremont team as part of their weekly café ministry when they call there.

The Food Bank is also open on:

1. Sun 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Westwood Baptist
   

2. Wed & Fri 11:00am - 1:00pm at Calderwood Baptist
   

3. Outside of these times, emergency parcels are available by calling EK 247 660

Sunday, 15 March 2015

WHO ARE THE CHRISTIANS OF IRAQ?

Deacon John McGarry leads this week’s Lenten Talk in the Parish Hall, at 7:30pm, on Sunday 15 March.

Iraq has some of the oldest Christian communities in the world. Ethnically these are Chaldeans and Assyrians. Prior to the United States led invasion of 2003, the Christian population was estimated to have been between 5 and 8% (just under 2 million). The war and its aftermath has led to a significant exodus of Christians from Iraq, with numbers now as low as 200,000. Chaldaean Catholics are the largest Christian community with significant communities of Syriac Orthodox, other Oriental Orthodox Churches such as the Church of the East and the Assyrian Church of the East. There are also churches of the Armenian Orthodox rite, Melkite Catholic, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox Churches and a small number of Protestant Churches.For more in-depth information on Christianity in Iraq see the Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East.

Please click here to reach the prayers for the sick and faithful departed.

Please keep up to date and well informed through the bulletin and across the website and Twitter about all matters which concern us in and about the Parish .

THE CHILDREN’S SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION PROGRAMME

The Big Hug, and Faith Friends First Holy Communion conclude this Sunday.

Thanks to the families who have brought their children from both St. Kenneth’s and St. Hilary’s to take part in this programme and to all who have prepared and led it for the community It is a joy to have so many families at Mass together each Sunday.

But remember that..

The Children’s Liturgy continues this Sunday until Palm Sunday 22nd March:  P1 and 2 in Library, P3 – P6 in the Parish Hall. Children please assemble there before Mass.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be received for the first time by the children of St Hilary’s Primary School (in St Leonard’s Church) on Tuesday 17th March; and by the children of St Kenneth’s Primary School (in St Bride’s Church) on Wednesday 18th March at 7:00pm.

THE PARISH CHILDREN’S LIBRARY IS COMING SOON!

Beautiful books for you to borrow – Bible stories, tales of the saints, facts about your faith and lots more.

Opening on Palm Sunday – See you there!

HOME VISITS

Families who have registered with the Parish for a child to celebrate here the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for the first time will be visited by a member of the Legion of Mary who will offer the use of a statue of Our Lady in their home for one week as a focus for family prayer, and give a Miraculous Medal and prayer card to the child.

This is part of our response to Bishop Toal’s request for an increased emphasis on the connection between families and parish. 

The Legion members have been welcomed and encouraged by the response from families already visited.

THE PARISH LIBRARY IS NOW OPEN ON SUNDAYS

The Library will now be open from 9:00-12:00 Monday to Saturday, and before and after Sunday Masses.

To visit the library, leave the church at the sacristy exit to Platthorn Drive and turn to your right.

The Library is the next door along. You can borrow one of over 200 attractive and modern titles to help you learn more about your faith …and… we will open our new children’s library on Palm Sunday.

Read more in the children’s section of this week’s bulletin.

NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING

National Youth Gathering on Palm Sunday, 29th March, in Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral Motherwell,

2:00pm-6:30pm, for young people aged 11 years – 25 years old.

For more information contact:

1. Elizabeth at the Diocese of Motherwell, Young Adult Ministry Team:
   

2. Telephone: 01698 269114
   

3. eMail yamt@rcdom.org.uk
   

4. or  look for Motherwell Diocese YAMT on Facebook.

SCOTTISH CATHOLIC YOUTH FESTIVAL

Stirling 2015 – organised by Catholic Youth Service Scotland - 30th July – 2nd August.

Join young people from Scotland and beyond for fun, prayer and joy in the University of Stirling Campus. For people between 14-25 years of age. Each young person is asked to pay £150 toward the cost of the event but the Parish will help defray this expense. 

For more information or to register your interest  Email: yamt@rcdom.org.uk   Tel: 01698 269114

LENTEN TALKS

This year the inter-denominational series of  talks will be held in St Bride’s at 7.30pm on the Sundays of Lent:

1. ✤Week 1 - 22nd February: “Into the Wilderness”- Fr Ness
   

2. ✤Week 2 - 1st March: “Covenant with Abraham, Sarah and Us” - Rev Lindsey Sanderson
   

3. ✤Week 3 - 8th March: “The Law Revives Us” - Lynn Toner
   

4. ✤Week 4 - 15th March: “Questioning, Rebellion, Redemption” - Rev John McGarry
   

5. ✤Week 5 - 22nd March: “We Wish to See Jesus” - Rev Anne Paton
   

6. ✤Week 6 - 29th March: “Entering Jerusalem” - Margaret Farrell

ASSISTED SUICIDE BILL

In last week’s letter about the Assisted Suicide Bill Bishop Gilbert wrote “We all want to be compassionate.  But enshrining assisted suicide in law would take us into another territory.  It would short-cut real compassion and social responsibility.  It would forget the lessons learned by the World Wars and embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It would narrow the horizons of human life.  It would subtly change the atmosphere.  It would add to the darkness.” He urgently asks us to write briefly, clearly, reasonably and courteously to our MSP, expressing our opposition to the Bill and asking her to vote against it.

The SCO this week reports on the opposition of the First Minister to the Bill and gives her reasons. It also focuses  on many other matters of interest in the Church and has yet another inspiring feature by Fr. Rolheiser 

CARE INSPECTORATE

The Care Inspectorate needs Inspection Volunteers, who are members of the public who use a care service, have used a care service in the past or care for someone like a family member or friend who has used a care service. Volunteers help the Care Inspectorate get the views of people using care services.

They work closely with the Care Inspectorate’s teams of specialist inspectors and together they help spot where things need to improve, help keep people safe and ensure that the rights of people receiving care are respected and their needs met.

Please contact getinvolved@careinspectorate.com or telephone 0345 600 9527 for more information

SCIAF CLIMATE CHANGE CAMPAIGN

“For the love of Mary…”  Climate change is pushing people like Mary Jackson into poverty. Take action today to cut your carbon footprint and ask the First Minister what she’s going to do about climate change.

Fill in the “For the love of…” campaign card that came with your SCIAF Wee Box, or online at www.sciaf.org.uk.

R.C.I.A. (RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS)

For several months, Tom Walton has been preparing to be received into the Catholic Church at this year’s parish Easter Vigil.

Last Sunday, the third Sunday in Lent, he continued the journey towards Easter by taking part in one of the R.C.I.A. rites, the Scrutinies, at the 11:30am Mass, and this Sunday and next, the fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent, he will participate in the Scrutiny given by the Church for those days.

The Scrutinies are rites for self-searching and repentance, not just for Tom, but for all of us.

Tom will also take part in scripture sharing with his parish sponsor, Robin, and R.C.I.A. catechists during the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Please remember Tom in your prayers.

WEEKLY TIMETABLE OF LENTEN MASS AND OTHER LITURGIES

Beginning Monday 23rd February.

1. Monday - Friday
   

2. Mass in the Church 7:00am and 10:00am
   

3. Mass in the High School 8.15am
   

4. Tuesday
   

5. Stations of the Cross at 7:00pm led by members of the parish’s lay ministries.
   

6. Thursday evening each week
   

7. Holy Hour at 7:00pm with the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
   

8. Saturday this week
   

9. No 7:00am Mass on Saturdays

LEARN ABOUT YOUR FAITH THIS LENT

MOTHERWELL DIOCESE

At the Pastoral Centre, Newmains

1. Lent Thursday Talks
   

2. 19th & 26th March 7.15pm
   

3. Tea & Coffee
   

4. 7:30pm - 9:00pm Talk, ending with a short time of adoration.
   

5. Entry free. All welcome!
   

6. 
   

7. Lent mini retreats
   

8. 21st Mar
   

9. Saturday 11:00am - 2:00pm
   

10. Gospel meditation,  Sacred Art Reflection, Adoration, Sacrament of Reconciliation and Stations of the Cross.
    

11. All welcome!  £6 including light buffet lunch.
    

12. For full details of the above, please  see noticeboard, or...
    

13. www.newmainspastoralcentre.org.uk
    

14. 01698 385397
    

15. email pastoralcentre@rcdom.org.uk 

THIRD WORLD GROUP DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Friday 24th April: Quiz Night

Saturday 16th May:  Book Sale

Sunday 7th June:  Millport Sponsored Cycle Run

MEETING ABOUT PLANNED BUILDING WORK

(To be arranged at Easter Holiday)

A minor works programme is already underway with the toilet facilities upgraded and the emergency exit door reinstalled.

Outstanding elements involve the piazza entrance: replacing the external doors and relocating the piety stall to install a new wheelchair ramp.  It is also proposed to take down the glass partitions which divide the church at present and install new seating in the side section similar to the pews in the main church. 

The aim is to restore much of the original internal design.

The major works programme principally involves strengthening the roof and sealing it to stop water penetration, as well as brickwork and gutter repair.

This is extensive, and as St Bride’s is a Grade 1 listed building there are restrictions on what work is carried out.

The church will need to be closed for around 12 months (perhaps from Autumn this year) to allow the work to proceed.  Options for how the parish conducts services over the period of closure can be considered at the meeting.  We want to ensure the parish is involved in these decisions.  This is your opportunity to guide us.

Please click here to read a more detailed report which John Hastings has prepared.

Please also watch out for further information on the upcoming meeting.

PAISLEY DIOCESE LENTEN CATECHESIS

Parishioners are encouraged to visit St Mirin’s Cathedral in Paisley for the Diocesan Lenten Catechesis from 2:00pm – 4:00pm on the Sunday afternoons of Lent.

This Sunday: “Jesus Christ is the Light of the World” by Rt Rev Mark Davis, Bishop of Shrewsbury; followed by Evening Prayer and Benediction.

http://rcdop.org.uk

PRAYER PARTNERS

Please support our children in their Sacramental preparation by adding your name to the named photographs of the children presented on the two displays.

This brings out the pastoral and spiritual element of what life shared within the parish community offers to all families and especially those with young children.

ADULT MINISTRIES

The new rota for Sacristans is in place.

Two more parishioners are willing to train to lead Liturgies to serve the Parish and Anne McHugh has joined the team of adult altar servers.

Thank you from the Parish.

THE PARISH LIBRARY

Regular users of the library have a great desire to see this resource more widely used by parishioners.

The Church wishes all people to learn more about the Deposit of Faith and the treasure our Faith offers us and the world for authentic human living.

An open meeting will be held this Sunday 8th March at 3:00pm to discuss and consider all aspects of this and decide how to progress this aim. 

CHURCH CLEANING AND PREPARATION OF THE CHURCH AND HALL FOR EASTER

We thank those ladies in the parish who have continued to clean and to plan ahead to clean and set up the church for our weekly liturgies and in prospect for Holy Week leading to the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday.

They have not received any help in response to our recent appeals.

Is it right or just that this service to the community for our worship of God should be left to only a few? 

CARE HOMES

Deacon John will lead a Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion at 2:00pm in McKillop Gardens on Tuesday 17th March.

PARISH MINI-RETREAT FOR LENT

Led by Fr Desmond Keegan, Redemptorist Priest.

Next Sunday, 22nd March, in the church and the hall.

1. Programme
   

2. 2:00pmGather in the church
   

3. 2:15pmLenten Reflection
   

4. 3:00pmStations of The Cross
   

5. Coffee break
   

6. 3:45pmHoly Hour/Exposition
   

7. with an opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation
   

8. 4:30pm Final Prayers and Benediction
   

9. 4:45pmFinish
   

Please take this opportunity for spiritual growth and development within the community.

No one can make you believe but no one can believe on their own.

AGAP THEATRE

AGAP Theatre presents “The Martyrdom of Saint John Ogilvie”- Saturday 14th March at 7.30pm at St Bride’s Hall, Coursington Road, Motherwell.

Tickets from:

1. 0141 554 1333
   

2. lentfest@agap.org.uk
   

3. www.agap.org.uk
   

(Under-16s free, not recommended for very young children.)

JUBILEE YEAR

The Holy See has conferred on three Glasgow parishes the privilege of celebrating 2015 as a Jubilee Year in honour of the anniversary of St John’s martyrdom:

1. St Andrew’s Cathedral, as the spiritual centre of the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the place of martyrdom
   

2. St Aloysius’ Garnethill, as the Jesuit parish and the location of the national shrine; and St Jude’s.
   

3. Saint John Ogilvie’s Barlanark, the parish in which the miracle took place which led to the canonisation.
   

Please see leaflet for indulgences which can be obtained for praying in these churches in honour of St John Ogilvie.

TWITTER

Remember you can view, or even better “Follow” us on Twitter for last minute information and reminders about parish events, as well as news and photographs about what matters to us.

http://www.twitter.com/StBrideEK

PRO-LIFE MASS

This month’s Pro-Life Mass is on Wednesday, 18th March in Bl. John Duns Scotus, Franciscan Friary, 270 Ballater St, Gorbals G5 0YT.

There will be Exposition at 6:00pm followed by Rosary at 7:00pm, then Mass at 7:30pm and tea and biscuits afterwards. The celebrant will be Canon John Cunney.

BEGINNING EXPERIENCE

The Beginning Experience is holding a residential weekend for those who find themselves alone again through divorce, separation or bereavement.

The weekend will take place from 20th-22nd March at the Conforti Centre, Coatbridge.

For further details contact Ros on 0131 669 0003 or email rcm2524@yahoo.co.uk

ST ANDREW’S AND ST BRIDE’S PTA

Ladies Pampering Evening.

Friday 20th March in St Bride’s Parish Hall, 7:30 – 11:00pm.

Tickets £5 including nibbles.

Call Hilary Kirby on 07714 981 908 for tickets for this fundraising night.

PILGRIMAGE TO IONA 20TH - 24TH OF APRIL 2015

II the business of our world today it can be hard to find a quiet space to connect with God.

There is so much going on, it is no wonder our spirit can become tired. At times like these a Pilgrimage can be the answer.

It provides a quiet space and the right atmosphere to focus on your spirituality.

So why not take a break from the busyness of the world and join us in Iona?

£290 full board, THE PARISH WILL HELP DEFRAY THIS EXPENSE

(Also, Bursary forms available on request.)

For more information, please contact: Andrew Cassidy, St Mary Star of the Sea, 106 Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6AW.

1. T: 0131 555 217
   

2. M: 07975 718 278
   

3. E: andrew.oblate.partners@gmail.com

LENTEN MEDITATION

Fr. Desmond Keegan will visit the parish on the afternoon of the Fifth Sunday of Lent to give a Lenten meditation

PVG APPLICATIONS

Diocesan ID verifiers will visit the parish on Monday 23rd March between 6pm and 8pm to assist with the completion of and to verify the PVG application forms. At the back of the church there is a list of volunteers who require to complete the forms, along with a guidance sheet which provides details of the identity documents needed to complete the application form.

Thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Any questions, please contact Margaret or Peter Kidd, Parish Safeguarding Co-ordinators, on 247 576.

LET THE CHILDREN LIVE

Let the Children Live do vital work as a charity of last resort for street children in Columbia.

Donations (Gift Aided if possible) can be handed into the stall.

FAMILY FAST DAY

Last Friday in aid of Let us Shine, Africa.

Please support parishioner Ross Mullen who signed up with for the 325km Challenge -  to run this distance over ten weeks between January 19th and March 30th.

His employers will match £1 for £1 up to a maximum of £1000 the money that he raises. Ross and friends aim to raise £6,000, the cost of building classrooms in Ghana.

Gift Aid forms available at the back of the church. Donations can be given to Fr. Ness or put into envelopes marked for Ross.

ICT WORKSHOPS

St Kenneth’s Primary ICT Workshops for adults, 60 years or over, with little or no skills in using the computer.

Supported by some of our P7 pupils we will showcase a range of technologies including our new Lottery-funded iPads and minibooks and will focus on:

1. Microsoft Word (creating address labels for Christmas Cards and creating tables);
   

2. Microsoft Excel (creating spreadsheets to help organise your bills)
   

3. Microsoft Publisher (creating cards and banners)
   

4. and finally using specific apps/settings on iPads.
   

The workshops will run on four consecutive Tuesdays during March: 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st between 2:30pm and 3:30pm in our ICT suite.

Contact school office on 224 741 to book a place - first come first served basis.  We look forward to seeing you there!

FEASTS THIS WEEK

Tuesday, St Patrick

Thursday, St Joseph

FR JOHN MCLAUGHLIN, RIP

With sadness we report that Fr McLaughlin died suddenly in Stirling on 23rd February.

Fr John led a Mission Appeal here in September 2012 for St Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan).

Fr John wrote to us as recently as November 2014 to thank us for the parcel of used stamps collected consistently on behalf of the Society.

ONE HOUR IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE

Family Holy Hour: 3:00-4:00pm, this Sunday, 15th March (4th Sunday of Lent):  

Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me… And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:38-41

THIS WEEK’S LENTEN TALK

This year’s inter-denominational series of talks for churches in the Village area continues in our Hall on Sunday at 7.30pm - Tea/Coffee available on arrival.  In this Sunday’s talk “Questioning, Rebellion, Redemption” given by Deacon John McGarry, we focus on Christians in Iraq.

Please give thought to this opportunity.

CHOIR FOR THE EASTER TRIDUUM

The choir will re-form to prepare and practice at 2:00pm on 22nd and 29th March for the great celebration that is the three days beginning on Holy Thursday evening  through Good Friday to the Easter Vigil.

A warm welcome will be offered to all ages to take part.

READERS’ ROTAS

Copies of the latest Readers’ Rotas for 10:00am Weekday Masses (16 March to 27 April) and for 7:00am weekday Masses (to end of Week 4 of Lent) are displayed on the notice boards in the church and in the sacristy.

LADIES PHOENIX CLUB

The Ladies Phoenix Club meets on Monday 16th March at 1:30pm.

Our guests will be Elinor Kelly and her mother.

We will also have a raffle.  Everyone welcome, tea/coffee £2.

TODAY IS MOTHER’S DAY

All of the boys and girls are invited to collect a daffodil for their mums, grans, and everyone in their life who looks after them like a mum does.

MARY’S MEALS

Here is some good news about one of our favourite charities, Mary’s Meals - they are now feeding 989,791 of the world’s poorest children every day they attend school.

That’s a VERY big number. 

ONE OF MANY GOOD QUESTIONS FROM P3 ON THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

How does a boy or girl who doesn’t make their First Reconciliation receive and offer reconciliation?

Such is the depth of knowledge of our children from age 7.