ST NINIAN’S PRIMARY – MRS MARY McLACHLAN
We extend our best wishes and thanks to Mrs. McLachlan (Headteacher) for her selfless devotion to generations of our parish schoolchildren – she will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by us all.
– Ad multos annos –
STATIONS OF THE CROSS AND BENEDICTION
Monday 4th (April) to Friday 8th (April) – 7pm
ST NINIAN’S SYNODAL PATHWAY
Just under two years ago, Pope Francis announced that the next General Synod – the gathering of Bishops from around the world in Rome that normally takes place every 2 years – would focus on ‘synodality’ itself. The themes would be communion, participation and mission, and for the first time in the history of the Church it would invite all 1.37 billion Catholics to take part in a two year process of listening and discernment.
A legacy of the Second Vatican Council, the aim of this ‘journeying-together’ – the literal meaning of ‘syodality’ is to bring us closer to the mission of Jesus. In this ‘way of being Church’, the whole people of God comes closer together on the journey of bringing alive the Kingdom of God on Earth.
Pope Francis has proposed a new vision of the Church, turning it on its head. He calls this a ‘synodal Church’. It means speaking out boldly, all the baptised having a discerning share in teaching and governance, with priests and bishops at the service of the people of God. If this vision is to become a reality then each of us will have to ‘journey together’, encountering Jesus on the way and bringing good-news to our world, especially those on the peripheries. At a time of severe crisis for the Church, he has offered us new hope and a new pathway – opening up of our hearts to the Holy Spirit revitalising the Church and our parish communities.
The 10 themes we are called together to reflect, share, pray about and discern the Holy Spirit’s presence in are:
1. Companions on the journey – what do we excel at and who do we leave behind?
2. Listening – do we exclude the voices we don’t want to hear?
3. Speaking out – do we speak out courageously, who does the world consider speaks for Catholicism?
4. Celebrating our faith – are our celebrations engaging, nourishing, satisfying?
5. Responsibility for our common mission – what hinders the involvement of all the baptised?
6. Dialogue – do we speak to other Christian communities, civil society, other faith communities?
7. Through our common baptism, other Christian communities have a special place in our lives – how does this manifest itself?
8. Authority and participation in our Church (parish) – how do we open this to all Church (parish) members?
9. Discerning and deciding – how do we ensure this is inspired by the Holy Spirit and takes into consideration the fruits of the discernment of all the baptised?
10. How do we continue to walk together, listening and discerning the way forward?
Our new Archbishop (Nolan) has said that “The Synod is not about persuading other of our opinion. The purpose is for the whole Church to travel the path together. So pray, reflect, speak out, listen… above all hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking in our fellow Christians as we discern God’s will for the Church”.
We warmly invite all our parishioners to pray and participate in our parish Synodal Pathway. Please feel free to come along to our evenings of Synodal Reflection, Prayer and listening to the word of God on Monday 11th April and Thursday 21st April (both 7pm). We invite you to come along with fellow parishioners on Thursday 28th April at 7pm for a further sharing and listening to each other in planning our parish response to the themes proposed by the synodal office of the Holy See. https://rcagsynod.org/ – Roman Catholic Diocese of Galloway (https://www.gallowaydiocese.org.uk/)
LENTEN PENITENTIAL SERVICE – WEST END DEANERY
With opportunity to receive (individual) Sacrament of Reconciliation will be held in St Paul’s, Whiteinch on Thursday 7th April at 7pm. All welcome.
RIP
Monday 4th April at 10am – Funeral Mass of William ‘Billy’ Cameron (Shafton Road).
Friday 8th April at 10am – Funeral Mass of Matilda Power (Gorget Quadrant)
– May they Rest in Peace –
PLEASE PRAY FOR THOSE WHO DIED RECENTLY
Billy Cameron (Shafton Road), Kevin McGinn, Matilda Power (Gorget Quadrant), James Burns, Catherine McCall, Anna McGeough, Meg Rafferty, Flora MacDonald (South Uist) and Gerard Murphy
– May they Rest in Peace –
PLEASE PRAY FOR WHOSE ANNIVERSARIES OCCUR ABOUT NOW
Eileen McCartney, John English, Isabella Quinn, Terri Bradley, Jimmy McIlwee, Brian Taylor,
Ellen MacLean, Alice McCafferty, Edna Dore and Myra De Groot.
– May they Rest in Peace –
ANNIVERSARIES
We wish all those who are celebrating Wedding Anniversaries at this time of the year continued happiness and joy in the years ahead – to all brother priests, religious and deacons the strength to continue to serve God’s people in humility, charity, respect, joy, and compassion in imitation of our Lord and Master, Jesus.
– Ad multos annos to all –
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Fr Frank is available to celebrate this sacrament either before or after weekday and Sunday Masses or at a time that can be arranged for convenience. Please speak to our priests.
SACRAMENT OF THE SICK (MINISTRY OF SPIRITUAL CARE)
Both Deacon Tommy and Fr Frank are available to bring Holy Communion to any of our parishioners who are presently unable to attend Mass. Please let us know to arrange a home visit.
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE SICK
We pray for all our sick – parishioners, family, benefactors, and friends, and all who care for them on our behalf.
PARISH FINANCE
Many thanks to all our parishioners for your generosity towards our parish and clergy, it is most appreciated. Our retiral collection last weekend (Lenten Alms) raised the most generous sum of £2,125 in support of S.C.I.A.F. Our retiral collection today (Lenten Alms) is taken up for or sick and retired clergy.