At Fatima, Our Lady asked that we “pray much for priests!”
 

DIOCESAN CHANGES
Effective
Friday 31 July 2020

Fr. Jonathan Whitworth, Assistant Priest at St. Mirin’s Cathedral will become Assistant Priest at St. John the Evangelist Barrhead, and School Chaplain to St. Luke’s High.

Fr. Laurent Bahati, currently on loan to the Diocese from Kasese Diocese in Uganda and currently at St. John the Evangelist Barrhead will move to become Assistant Priest at St. Mirin’s Cathedral. 

Bishop John also thanks

 Fr. Joe Balmer for his excellent service as Chaplain to St. Luke’s High till now                                             
                     and                         
Fr. Jude Okorie for taking on the responsibilities of Assistant Chaplain  in St. Andrew’s Academy.

Thank you Jonathan and Laurent for your generosity and willing service to the Diocese.

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


If you wish to download a copy of
BISHOP JOHN'S PASTORAL LETTER 
click on the link:
/documents/2020/
5/Good%20Shepherd
%20Sunday%202020.pdf

PLEASE NOTE:
Litirgies & Services have been suspended
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
due to impact of Covid 19.

WS Chaplaincy:

We’re delighted to announce that

Sunday Mass 

will be available in
St. Mirin’s
Chaplaincy Centre by UWS

at 5pm
during term time.

+

Weekday Mass

will be available
Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday 
 and Thursday

at 12.30pm 
during term time.
 

In addition to our Masses there will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament on Thursdays during term time 4-5pm.

Please come and join us!

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

CREDL

Any students from Paisley Diocese studying for the Certificate in Religious Education by Distance Learning (CREDL) who require seminar assistance can contact: 

Marianne Boland
on 0141 847 6130
for more information.

For details of the CREDL course click on the link:
/further-afield

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

The EU Settlement Scheme
is open for applications:

The UK’s EU Settlement Scheme is now open for APPLICATIONS and free of charge. It offers EU citizens living in the UK a legal route to remain. 

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens must apply to protect their existing rights.  Irish citizens and those with indefinite leave to remain do not need to apply.  

The scheme is open
until 30 June 2021.

Please go to the official website:
https://eucitizensrights.
campaign. gov.uk

or helpline tel:
0300 123 7379. 

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

Diocesan Courage Apostolate for Catholics with Same Sex Attraction 

Paisley Diocese has set up a Courage Chapter of Pastoral Ministry for those in our diocesan community with same sex attraction, who are looking to live faithfully their Catholic faith.

Courage is an international apostolate with over 100 Chapters worldwide and endorsed by the Holy See. 

It aims to help members find peace through fellowship, prayer, the Sacraments, and an appreciation of Church’s teachings in chastity. 

It extends the Church’s invitation to a life of peace, and grace to grow in Christian maturity. 

For information or advice please email in confidence our diocesan priest chaplain at courage@rcdop.org.uk

-------------------
 

Diocesan
Counselling Service
for Catholics Married
in the Catholic Church

Our diocese has arranged the   services and pastoral ministry of our own Catholic Marriage Counsellor. 

If you are concerned about your relationship and feel you are both unable to reach a conclusion alone, it is likely that you will benefit from marriage counselling.
The counsellor is there to maintain a neutral, non-judgmental position as the various problematic issues are discussed.
Marriage counselling can help you gain perspective on your relationship.

Expect help with the following:  Communicate in a more constructive way; Learn why arguments escalate; Reflect on the past and how it presents in your current relationships; Learn the art of           compromise. Negotiate and resolve conflicts in a healthier way. 

For information or advice please email in confidence counselling@rcdop.org.uk

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

PRAYING FOR YOU
 

We would like to invite anyone who is in need
of a prayer, for whatever the reason, to let us know.

We can unite as a 
community by joining together in #prayingforyou 

Prayer request ministry on our Diocesan website. Please visit

http://rcdop.org.uk/ prayingforyou

Please be assured of complete confidentiality
and discretion with your request.

NEWS UP-DATE
April 29, 2020
Fertility Care Scotland clinics teaching Natural Family Planning methods are still open remotely, although our physical clinics are currently closed. Our teachers are working very hard and successfully to teach new clients via video calls, phone and charting apps.

 

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

New Fertility Care Scotland Clinic in Paisley

 Fertility Care will run a clinic in our Diocesan offices on Monday evenings from 7 – 9pm, running alternate Monday thereafter.  They teach the Billings Ovulation Method of Natural Fertility Regulation, which helps couples achieve or postpone pregnancy in a natural way and they can help couples optimize their chances of conceiving.
The service is free and confidential.
No appointment is necessary.  

Come and visit.

Phone: 0141 221 0858

E-Mail: info@fertilitycare.org.uk Website at www.fertilitycare.org.uk

Facebook www.facebook.com/
fertilitycarescotland   

and Twitter  www.twitter.com/
billingsscot 

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




 

John Paul Retreats

A registered charity that aims to help families cope with bereavement, especially the loss of children.

John Paul Retreats is a newly created charity set up to help parents and siblings who are trying to cope with the loss of loved ones, either through death or other unforseen tragedy.

It provides a relaxed accommodation for grieving families and a peaceful space to reflect and share.

For further information, please tel. 07974 454856.

-----------------------
UCM
BOOK of REMEMBRANCE

The U.C.M. are maintaining a Book of Remembrance for all deceased members of the Diocese. 

They are looking for names from parishes who would like their deceased U.C.M. members to be included in this book. 

Any names should be sent to    Marian Colquhoun at
billcolquhoun@yahoo.co.uk 
  
There will be an annual mass in November each year which will take place in St. Laurence’s Parish, Greenock, celebrated by Father Andrew Coleman, their Spiritual Director.

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

 

 

Would you like to meet other young Catholics? 

20-40 Network is a Scottish networking club. We organise networking events for young Catholics aged 20-40, giving them the opportunity to meet and socialise in a friendly, relaxed environment.
Events are varied and will range from drinks in a local pub to more adventurous day trips.

To join our mailing list please email: 2040network@gmail.com 

Everyone who comes to our events is coming on their own, into the unknown, and that takes a lot of courage. We know this and have been in this position ourselves so we understand and promise you a warm welcome.
Just email 2040 network@gmail.com to buy a ticket or join our mailing list to find out about future events if you can’t make this one.
We’re also on Facebook at facebook.com/2040network

Our events are a great place for meeting fellow young Catholics. 
Just email 2040network@gmail.com to join our mailing list and to find out about future events. 

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

ROUTE MAP TO RE-OPENING

PHASE 3
 

DETAILS OF THE DIOCESAN INSTRUCTIONS ARE AVAILABLE ON THIS WEBSITE
VIA THE FOLLOWING LINK:
                                                 /route-map-to-re-opening

 

 

Important up-date:BCOS Covid 19 Link

14 JULY 2020

FOR FULL DETAILS CLICK ON THE BCOS LINK BELOW:

https://www.bcos.org.uk/COVID19/tabid/127/Default.aspx

PLEASE NOTE:The link above provides information, guidance and other documents related to COVID-19 and its implications for Catholic communities throughout Scotland. 

Since the files and documents will be updated frequently,
ONLY THE MOST RECENT VERSIONS WILL BE IN USE. 
Please read the online information regularly to keep up-to-date
with the latest advice.

If you know family/friends/neighbours who are parishioners
 who do not have access to the web -
please help to keep them up-to-date.

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

*Letter from Bishop John: 11 May 2020

Parish Income Drive during Covid-19

During this time of lockdown, as you know, we have been without our usual income from your weekly collections, which you so faithfully and generously give through the weeks and months of the year.  A number of you have been in touch concerned about your parish finances and asking how you can make contributions to help your parish priests pay the bills that are still coming in.   I want to let you know that this has been a big comfort and support to us.
 
As you can imagine, your own concern to help has been replicated by your fellow Catholics across the diocese.  Our Diocesan Office has been working to set up some processes to assist you in making contributions where you can. 
 
Obviously, lockdown and furlough measures have brought ongoing financial uncertainty to many of you.  It means that some of you are not in a position to make your contributions in the same way as before.  That is quite understandable and we hope and pray that more secure times soon return for you and your families.
 
That said, we thought that those of you who can and want to contribute would welcome your weekly Gift Aid Envelopes for 2020/21 to make your donations in the usual way.  You can send them by post or deliver them to the parish house until your church re -opens.
 
We also thought others might want to make regular donations by Standing Order directly from your bank accounts, and you can do so with the enclosed form.  Again, you can post it or deliver it to the parish house and they will pass it to your bank.
 
Through a brand-new facility we have introduced, you can now also make easy on-line donations to your parishes through our Online Parish Offertory portal which you can find on the Homepage of our Diocesan website (https://www.rcdop.org.uk/).  This is an easy, swift and safe method of payment.  It allows you to make one off or recurring donations, and if you are a taxpayer to Gift Aid your contributions making it worth 25% more at no extra cost.  All your donations will be paid weekly to your parishes.

I want to thank you for all your support in so many ways during these unprecedented times in which you have shown just what your faith, your parish and your diocese mean to you.  In the big, black cloud of Coronavirus this has been a precious silver lining.
 
To keep up to date with your parish and diocesan life and ministry online please visit your parish website and the Diocesan website at http://www.rcdop.org.uk for regular updates.
 
With every blessing and my assurance of daily prayers,
 God bless,
 +John

To read the full text of Bishop John's Easter Letter, click on the link:
   
       /documents/2020/5/Bishops%20Ltr%20Parish%20Income%20Drive%20110520-2.pdf

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

* St. Charles', Paisley:

St. Charles' Online Alpha

BEGINNING THURSDAY 23RD APRIL 2020 AT 7.30PM

Each Thursday we will use Zoom to meet, watch the video and spend some time having a chat afterwards.
Life just now is pretty strange! Alpha gives us the chance to think about some of the big questions:
 

• Is there more to life than this?
• Who is Jesus?
• Why did Jesus have to die?
• How can I have faith?
• Why and how do I pray?

​​​​​​​      ...and many more

 https://www.stcharles-paisley.org.uk/

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

* IMPORTANT:

Safeguarding Training Sessions - schedule postponed as a result of coronavirus pandemic.

For the attention of ALL CHURCH VOLUNTEERS with PVG CERTIFICATES:
The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group has recommended that all volunteers doing regulated work with children and vulnerable adults, or both, should complete the Safeguarding Training Induction Part 1 (formerly known as Level 1) and, with the agreement of Bishop John, this will now be implemented as Diocesan policy. 

Please contact Sarah Jane at the Diocesan Safeguarding Office safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk or 0141 847 6138 to register for a training session.  There will be limited space at each session, therefore volunteers should register up to one week before the date of the training session.    

Safeguarding Training, Induction Part 1 

Please contact Sarah Jane at the Diocesan Safeguarding office safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk or 0141 847 6138 to register. 

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

Safeguarding Training Part 2 
Safeguarding Training, Induction Part 2: The new Safeguarding Part 2  Training session, is for volunteers who have previously attended Safeguarding Training Part One, or Safeguarding Training Level one, more than 18 months ago.  If you attended Safeguarding Training Level One in 2016 or 2017, you should put your name forward for Safeguarding Training Part 2.  

Please contact Sarah Jane at the Diocesan Safeguarding office safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk or 0141 847 6138 to register. 

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

* Diocesan Pilgrimage : Lourdes 2020
 

Postponement of Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage and Youth to Lourdes 2020   (30 March 2020)
 
In light of the present circumstances in our country and the world, the decision has been taken, along with our Tour Operator Joe Walsh Pilgrim Tours Ltd and our Youth Tour Operator, Alba Tours, to postpone both our Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes and our Youth to Lourdes from June 2020 until June 2021.
 

The detailed reasons for postponement are as follows:

• The safety of all pilgrims. The risk of infection remains very high and is easily spread through close contact.  This would have a major impact on the safety of our supported pilgrims, helpers, youth group, ordinary pilgrims and clergy.
• The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.  The Sanctuary is presently closed and will be for some time.
• The Travel Arrangements: The present and ongoing uncertainty in travel, including cancellation of flights and ferries worldwide, affords no confidence in our getting there or return.
• Public Safety Considerations: We are mindful of the unspecified time limit on the ban on the gathering of people.
• The Hospitalite Team. These are frontline NHS staff and in the care profession, and are needed to care for the most vulnerable in our hospitals and care homes.

This will come as a disappointment and sadness to all of you, but inevitably not unexpected. 

Thankfully, we have been able to secure the funds already lodged with our Tour Operators as a credit towards the postponed pilgrimages.  JWT will be in touch with any pilgrim who has booked confirming that monies paid will be transferred to next year’s pilgrimage.
Kind regards,
Fr. Gerry McNellis                                                   Fr. John Morrison
Diocesan Pilgrim Director                                     Diocesan Youth Director.

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

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

* YOUR HELP IS REQUESTED:
 

 

REQUEST FROM BISHOP JOHN

"Dear Fathers, brothers and sisters,

Could I ask you to do what you can to support our Scottish Catholic Observer in what we can understand is a parlous situation for them amid the
c-virus crisis.  

With parishes closing, which are essentially the SCO’s newsagents, they have lost their distribution outlet.  With the normal local Catholic news stories diminishing and businesses withdrawing their advertisements they are having to urgently remodel their approach.

 www.sconews.co.uk/subscribe or tel: 0141 241 4956.

The SCO team are committed to doing everything they can to keep our national Catholic newspaper alive but they need our help.  The SCO has served the Catholic community well over the last 150 years and, in this first time of existential crisis for them, lets do what we can to help them as a mark of our solidarity and appreciation.

Stay safe and God bless."

+ John 

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

* THE MAGNIFICAT

To help follow the Mass, daily prayers, reading, etc. at home, and also keep up with the weekly church news you can gain free access to Magnificat online, and for those who would like the Print Edition, there is a special one-off 4-month subscription to Magnificat and/or a 3-month subscription to The Catholic Herald at substantially discounted and affordable prices to ensure that the maximum number of people can take advantage. 

They can only be ordered by telephoning Margaret on 020 7448 3607 or               Paul on 020 7448 3618 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.                              
For free access to Magnificat online, log in at www.magnificat.com/free

We hope that those who want to follow the Masses, prayers, readings, etc. feel that they can still share in the life of the Church.
 
Thank you and best wishes
Dennis Charlick 
 

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

* Little Sisters, Greenock:

Mass for Vocations: There will be mass offered for Vocations every 1st Tuesday of the month at 7pm in the chapel of the Little Sisters in Greenock. 
PLEASE ADHERE TO DIOCESAN AND GOVERNMENT INSTRUCTIONS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.

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

* Pilgrimage to Medjugorje:
2020 September (2nd – 9th September) and October.  This is a fully escorted pilgrimage and great places to visit. If you are interested in joining the group from St Mary’s Parish Paisley to Medjugorje in September or October 2020
please fill the form available from Fr. Jude and send your deposit to Fr Jude.  

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

* Teaching R.E. in Catholic Schools:

Are you a Teacher Open to becoming an RE Specialist in our Catholic High Schools?

The University of Glasgow is offering courses to enable qualified teachers to gain an Additional Teaching Qualification in Religious Education (ATQRE), leading to GTCS 'Professional Recognition' and allowing you to become an RE specialist in the Catholic secondary school. Currently our Catholic schools in Scotland are short of around 50 RE specialists. 
If you are interested please contact the diocese at Education@rcdop.org.uk or go to: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/education/cpd/atqre/
 
Are you an RE specialist teacher, recently qualifying or other, seeking employment? Paisley Diocese is compiling a list of RE specialists, qualifying or qualified and looking for employment in our schools, temporary or permanent, full time or part time. 
With your permission we will make this list available to our Diocesan Head Teachers, most of whom are currently looking to engage RE specialists.  Please contact Education@rcdop.org.uk

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

* St. Mirin's Chaplaincy:

We are currently looking for volunteers to help staff the Chaplaincy during the day at 45 High Street, Paisley. If you want more information or feel you can help please contact: Fr. John Morrison -
phone 0141 889 5056
e-mail vocations@rcdop.org.uk.

All volunteers will require a PVG specifically for the Catholic Church. 

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

'FORMED’  -  NEW YOUTH CLUB

St. Mirin’s Chaplaincy Center, 45 High Street, Paisley will be hosting a new club named ‘Formed’ on Monday afternoons 4.30-6.00pm 

The session is open to anyone in the present s3, s4, s5 and s6. Please come along and meet new people and find out more about your faith!

To find out more please contact Fr. John Morrison on 01418895056 or e-mail vocations@rcdop.org.uk.

All participants are required to complete a consent form this can be obtained from your Parish Priest or from Fr. Morrison. 

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

* Hospital Chaplaincy Services:
Thanks to our hospital chaplains and on-call local priest for continuing to provide outstanding pastoral care for us when we are in our local hospitals.  Please remember to let our hospital chaplains know if you or a relative are going into hospital or have been in hospital for any length of time. Our chaplains do not get to see everyone and very much appreciate you letting them know directly. 

For the RAH contact Mgr. Tormey at staidan@rcdop.org.uk or tel:  01505 320 900
For the IRH contact Mgr. Gallagher at stpatrick@rcdop.org.uk or tel: 01475 720223.

There is always a priest on call 24/7 for emergency call outs, in which case families can ask the nursing staff on the ward to contact the on-call priest.

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

* Society of St. Vincent de Paul Recruitment Campaign - Diocese of Paisley:

The SSVP are inviting parishioners to join the Society.  As part of an ongoing Recruitment Campaign, they have published information leaflets and posters which will be available in those parishes where the SSVP currently operate. For more details on how parishioners can to get involved, please speak
to a local SSVP member or your parish Priest.

 
LATEST NEWSLETTER click on the link /st-vincent-de-paul

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

* Diocesan Offices, Paisley:

St. Francis & St. Clare Prayer Group

 

* Knights of St. Columba: Centenary Recruitment Drive.

‘Serving God by Serving Others’.

If you are over 16 and a practicing catholic and want to join and organisation to promote the Catholic faith and help others, please contact – John O’Donnell Mob:  07854886425  john.odonnell1@hotmail.co.uk or Paul Laird on 07875499608 paullaird@outlook.com

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

* St. James', Renfrew:

FRASSATI YOUTH

For S4 and upwards -
this is a new Catholic faith based movement
within the Diocese of Paisley. 

Meetings take place every Sunday
from 4.30 to 6.30 pm
in Parish Hall. 
For more details - contact e.info@frassati.co.uk

Struggling 
After An abortion? 

You are not alone.

Non-judgemental and confidential help
is available.

Contact us to ask about free one-to-one counselling, by email: clare@archtrust.org.uk
or by phoning the helpline on 0845 603 8501 
Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm.

You can also talk to a befriender by phoning the helpline in the evening on
0845 603 8501
(7 days a week between 7pm and 10pm).
web:
http://www.archtrust.org.uk/

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

DIOCESAN FABRIC AND FINANCE INFORMATION
Summary Minutes of the Diocesan Fabric and Finance Meetings are now available on our Diocesan website under Curia, Finance and Property. 
 

DIOCESAN FUNDRAISING:

Fr. Oliver Freney and the Diocesan Fundraising Team have launched a Diocesan Friends Fundraising Campaign.

The Diocese is running an annual deficit of £300K and Bishop John has approved a plan to put us in surplus from now on. 

The Friends Campaign is the heart of this and so the Team will ask you to sign up to become
a Friend of your chosen Diocesan project through regular contributions.

More details via the following link:
/documents/2017/3/Diocese%
20of%20Paisley%20-%20Finance
%20Minutes%2003022017.doc
 

FRIENDS NEWSLETTER
&
BENEFACTORS' MASS
 

THANK YOU TO ALL PARISHIONERS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO BE FRIENDS
by setting up standing order payments or making one-off donations.

The Friends Newsletter will keep you up to date with the special projects from SPRED and Seminarians to Youth, Marriage, Missio and Retired Clergy.
Bishop John will offer Mass annually on the day following the Feast of St. Mirin for the intentions of all Benefactors and their Giving in Every Season.

-------------------- 

* TEXT A DONATION:

Please note that the Diocese have now set up their ‘Text a Donation’ Service which allows you to send a donation to the Diocese through your mobile phone.
All you have to do is text DOPF01 to 70070. £5 is only a suggestion.
Any amount will be very much appreciated.



Helping build a future for the Faithful of Paisley Diocese

financercdop.org.uk

 

* Worth a Thought?

Legacies: When making your Will have you thought of leaving a legacy to the parish or diocese? 

Gift Aid:  If you pay tax ask for a Gift Aid form and with your one-off signature we get an extra 25%.

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

ST. MIRIN'S FUND

DIOCESAN FUND

The Diocese of Paisley has set up a St. Mirin’s Fund to disburse the funds of the Episcopal Charities and the Bishop’s Fund. 

The Fund will begin on the First Sunday of Advent 2018 and then the Fund team, chaired by Canon Peter McGarry, will make around £10,000 worth of grants annually to projects in the diocese or led by parishioners of the diocese that help to build up the Kingdom of God or alleviate special need. 

Applications will be considered quarterly. 

If you want to make an application we encourage you to go to our diocesan website and download the forms.
 

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

*Diocesan Fundraising Campaign: 

Message from Fr Oliver Freney and the Diocesan Fundraising Team

The Diocese is running an annual deficit of £300K and Bishop John has approved a plan to put us in surplus from now on. 

Our Friends Campaign is the heart of this and so the Team ask you to sign up to become a Friend of your chosen diocesan project by making a regular contribution.

If every member of our diocese gave just £5.00 a year as a Friend we would be in surplus.

Please think about it and give thoughtfully and generously. 
Forms available, please ask.
Thank you.

--------