Rev Owen James Ness, LLB BD, was born in Wishaw on 1 August, 1950 and had his secondary education at St Francis Xavier Junior Seminary, Coatbridge, transferring to St Francis Xavier Senior Seminary, Cardross, until 1968, when he entered the University of Glasgow, where he took the degree of LLB. After graduation, he practised law until 2000 when, following his wife's death and his children now being grown up, he offered himself for the priesthood, for which he prepared at the National Seminary of Scotus College, Bearsden, taking the degree of BD from the Pontifical University of Maynooth.

He was ordained priest by the Right Reverend Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell, in St Ignatius' Church, Wishaw on 22 June, 2005. Father Ness was appointed to St Margaret's, Airdrie and chaplain at Monklands Hospital. On 27 November 2010, Father Ness was appointed to St Bride's, East Kilbride.

Father Ness became our Parish Administrator on 25 January 2011 upon the retirement of Canon Ryan. The next year, on 15 August 2012, he then became our Parish Priest.

Sadly, in May of 2015 he became unwell and this led to him leaving our parish soon afterwards. We thank him for all he did in our parish and wish him good health.