ihom

Down with Wallace & Gromit!

2010-12-09T20:47:00.004Z

Now before I'm flooded with complaints let me explain: I don't really mean Down with Wallace & Gromit as in never let them be seen on TV again. I do mean, how sad that their image will adorn most of the Christmas postage of our country this year. I was out collecting my Dad's pension today and at the same time took the opportunity of getting some stamps for Christmas cards. When offered Wallace & Gromit I asked if there was a religious alternative, upon which enquiry the muslim Post Office owner said that there was no religious alternative this year. She seemed so definitive about this matter that I decided a blog entry of complaint was in order, and so here I am. But before beginning this entry I thought it best to do some quick research, the result of which is the discovery that there are two (religious) Madonna alternatives. So, with the complaint gear very firmly in reverse, I present to you some of this year's Christmas stamps. (In case you've been trapped inside because of global warming and unable to see them in the flesh).

In the freezer

2010-12-08T16:33:00.003Z

Scotland is still in the grip of the latest global warming (tongue firmly in cheek as I type) temperature surge! With temperatures reaching -12 in Edinburgh today and -20 in other parts last night, it seems obvious that global warming is the culprit.

It's the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception today, and, as is fitting in a parish dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we have a full programme of liturgical prayer. After candlelit Rosary procession at 6pm and Mass at 7pm, our day will finish with Evening Prayer and Benediction at 7.45pm.

Another horror day of travel in Glasgow

2010-12-07T16:49:00.002Z

Seven of the faithful at Mass this morning is really rather respectable given the awful weather conditions which continue to bring chaos to the whole country. I managed one journey by car today to collect a prescription from a pharmacy three miles away, and was really pleased to return unscathed. It did involve a near miss with a taxi, and another near thing with a people carrier on the way back. Two parishioners spent 15 hours overnight in a service station on the M74 which had come to a complete standstill. I notice from the media that the Scottish Government is getting pelters for its lack of preparedness. So, another horror day of travel in Glasgow, i'm convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt it's all a result of GLOBAL WARMING!

Our schedule for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

2010-12-04T21:39:00.002Z

Wednesday 8th December - Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

9.30am - Holy Mass
12 noon - Holy Mass (Extraordinary Form)
6pm - Candlelit Rosary Procession from the garden shrine to Our Lady's Altar (weather permitting, will be transfered indoors if need be).
7pm - Holy Mass
7.45pm - Evening Prayer & Benediction

Another break in - this time in broad daylight!

2010-12-04T13:41:00.003Z

Yes, today at approximately 11.30am through the side door of the Church. Thankfully we have tightened security inside the Church since the last break-in three weeks ago. The parish shop is more secure and the collection boxes and votives are emptied on a daily basis. I phoned our neighbour St. Catherine's straight away, to be told that they had been done this morning also - during morning Mass! The erstwhile priest-in-residence, Fr. McNulty, had noticed the kid (they are mostly 15 and 16 years of age) during Mass and sent the passkeeper to deal with him, but it was too late, their votives has been rifled. Our side door had been forced open this time, but thankfully there appears to be no lasting damage - we will have to make it more secure for the future.

Liturgical schedule for Thursday 2nd Dec 2010

2010-12-01T23:35:00.004Z

9.30am Mass - Ordinary Form
6.15pm Mass - Extraordinary Form
7.30pm Evening Prayer from the Divine Office & Benediction

A snowy St. Andrew's Day

2010-11-30T22:20:00.004Z

We are no different from the rest of the country as it struggles with the present icy blast. Inspite of the weather 9 brave souls attended our 9.30am Novus Ordo and 7 our evening Extraordinary Form at 6.15pm. Here are some images of our snowy surroundings, and of our stained glass St. Andrew.

A few days break at Wickenden Manor West Sussex

2010-11-24T10:09:00.002Z

Along with three other Glasgow priests I'm spending the week at Wickenden Manor Retreat in West Sussex. Here are some views from a walk this morning.

Some recent events

2010-11-23T21:09:00.003Z

Here are some images of Una Voce's recent outing to Torphichen Preceptory in West Lothian and of our All Souls Day Prayers for the Dead in the local cemetery St. Kentigern's.

October Devotions

2010-10-09T23:07:00.002+01:00

We are having October Devotions every day of the month. Rosary, Litany, and Prayer to St. Joseph. Here is the weekly timetable:

Mondays at 5pm
Tuesdays at 10am
Wednesdays at 10am
Thursdays at 10am
Fridays at 10am
Saturdays at 6.30pm
Sundays at 6.30pm (with Benediction)

Annual Solemn Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament (40 hours) began today

2010-10-03T22:37:00.004+01:00

A small group of parishioners (16) gathered for our Holy Hour at 6.30pm this evening to mark the end of our first day of Exposition. My theme for the Holy Hours this year is 'The Blessed Sacrament in the writings of the recent Popes', and I began this evening with a look at Pope Benedict's Sacramentum Caritatis (sacrament of charity) of 22nd February 2007. It has some very helpful teachings needed in our own situation here in Glasgow.

For instance, this timely reminder not to abuse the sacrament of confession (a much needed assistance in receiving the 'sacrament of charity') by the misuse of general absolution:

"I ask pastors to be vigilant with regard to the celebration of the sacrament of confession, and to limit the practise of general absolution exclusively to the cases permitted, since individual absolution is the only form intended for ordinary use."

Closing Mass for my Primary School

2010-10-02T21:05:00.003+01:00

Yesterday saw a rather bitter sweet occasion take place in the east end parish of St. Mark's Shettleston. The local authority had recently made the decision to close the local Catholic Primary School, the Primary School that I attended. Yesterday at 1.30pm a packed St. Mark's church give thanks for over a century of Catholic education. Along with myself two other priest former pupils were in attendance, Fr. John Gannon and Fr. Joe Sullivan. It was lovely meeting so many old faces, stalwarts of a parish which has unfortunately been struggling for some considerable time.

Picture left to right: Fr. Joe Sullivan, Fr. Gerry Barnes(PP), Fr. John Gannon, Fr. Mark Morris.

Mass at Cambuskenneth Abbey today

2010-10-02T14:06:00.004+01:00

Una Voce Scotland made its third annual visit to Cambuskenneth Abbey today. The former Augustinian Abbey is situated in the village of Cambuskenneth(one mile east of Stirling).
Mass was offered by Fr. John Emerson of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter with two dozen faithful in attendance.

Some photos from the day of the Papal visit

2010-10-01T22:50:00.005+01:00

Only a few mind you, one of some priests in the vesting room before the Bellahouston Mass, and the others of my family back home after a momentous day.

The priests from left to right are: Fr. Matthew Despard (Motherwell), an English Augustinian based in Edinburgh (his name will come back to me!), and Fr. Gerry Byrne of Glasgow Archdiocese.

Mass in the Extraordinary Form here in Immaculate Heart

2010-09-30T21:18:00.002+01:00

Wednesdays at 12 noon, and Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.15pm.

Missionaries of Charity - Renewal of vows

2010-08-15T20:11:00.002+01:00

At our 11.30am Mass today we had the joy of hosting the Missionaries of Charity for their annual renewal of vows. Sr. Vianita, Sr. Elvira, Sr. Vimal Jose, and Sr. Olivia made a great impression on our parishioners as they came forward after the gospel to renew their commitment to live poverty, chastity, and obedience.

27 souls

2010-07-31T19:24:00.002+01:00

at the Vigil Mass this evening. Oh well, at least the number isn't going down any further. Holding steady at 25 - 30 over the last six months. If you have a minute this evening please pray for my missing parishioners. Thanks.

Thank-you

2010-07-31T12:06:00.002+01:00

to the anonymous donor of rosaries from Lourdes. They are much appreciated and helpful. We are always in need of them for the homeless and for callers at the parish house. Also, thank-you anonymous donor, for your words of support.

All quiet on the vandalism front

2010-07-26T16:05:00.003+01:00

Thanks be to God things have been quiet since the last incident in mid April. We had been on quite a wee run before then, mostly theft of goods and money from the church because we were open all day. The last incident was when some local kids were ushered down from the church roof only for one of their fathers to return to kick in the storm door and then the front door of the parish house. I was away at the time and it was only thanks to the alertness of parishioners that the subsequent vandalism to the doors was noticed. I hear on the grapevine that similar vandalism is happening in more parishes than is reported. It can be a difficult call right enough, does reporting and publicising vandalism help or hinder? Well in our last case reporting it to the police definitely helped because the guy who kicked in our doors was arrested very quickly and then prosecuted. That may have been due to Glasgow's recent alertness to sectarian offences.

Our Lady's Saturday

2010-07-24T12:40:00.003+01:00

As often as possible on Saturdays we celebrate a Mass of Our Blessed Lady. Personally I find the final Mass text from the Common of Our Lady the most inspiring. It appears in the Missal almost as an after thought, has no number (the others do), and is blithely entitled 'Other Prayers for Masses of the Blessed Virgin Mary'

Opening Prayer
All-powerful God,
we rejoice in the protection of the holy Virgin Mary.
May her prayers help to free us from all evils here on earth
and lead us to eternal joy in heaven.

Prayer over the Gifts
Lord,
accept the prayers and gifts we present today
as we honour Mary, the Mother of God.
May they please you
and bring us your forgiveness and help.

Prayer after Communion
Lord,
we are renewed with the sacraments of salvation.
May we who celebrate the memory of the Mother of God
come to realise the eternal redemption you promise.

Some help from St. Augustine

2010-07-23T15:58:00.004+01:00

'Diligens inquisitor inveniet'

The careful seeker will always find.

'Cum punit Deus peccatores, non malum suum eis infert, sed malis eorum eos dimittit'

When God punishes sinners, He does not inflict on them evils of his own making; He abandons them to evils of their own making.

'Nihil in Ecclesia catholica salubrius fieri, quam ut rationem praecedat auctoritas'

Nothing makes the Catholic Church stonger than acting by reason of authority.

Friday Penance

2010-07-23T14:16:00.003+01:00

For the past year or so I have been attempting to re-establish Friday penance in the parish. With regular announcements and preaching and extra opportunities for public and private prayer I am thankful that some small inroads have been made. Even though all Fridays are days of penance the practise of such penance in our city has been very much in decline. Today at 3pm we are having Stations of the Cross. Depending on the uptake this could become a weekly fixture. And if the weather keeps up for the next hour (it's 70 degrees today) then around the garden Stations we shall go.

"Whosoever Dies Clothed In This Habit Shall Never Suffer Eternal Fire"

2010-07-16T12:20:00.005+01:00

July 16th - Our Lady of Mount Carmel

From the leaflet 'The Brown Scapular and Our Lady's Promise'

Q. What is Our Lady's Scapular Promise?
A. In revealing the significance of the Scapular, Our Lady is said to have spoken as follows: "Receive this habit of your Order; this shall be to you and to all Carmelites a privilege that WHOSOEVER DIES CLOTHED IN THIS HABIT SHALL NEVER SUFFER ETERNAL FIRE."

Q. What does the promise mean?
A. Our Lady does not mean by her promise that those who die in mortal sin will be saved. The Promise means that anyone dying in Mary's family or Confraternity will receive through her, at the hour of death, the grace to die well.

Blessing for Travel

2010-07-15T15:26:00.005+01:00

For a few years now I've been encouraging parishioners to make use of the Blessing for Travel. Here is an amended form of the Blessing that may be of help to the readers of this blog.

The Itinerarium - Ancient Prayer for Travellers

In the way of peace and prosperity may the Lord the Almighty and merciful, direct our steps. And may the angel Raphael accompany us on our way, that we may return to our home in peace, safety and joy.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Our Father....

Let us pray.

O God, who made the sons of Israel to walk with dry feet through the midst of the sea, and who opened to the three magi, by the guiding of a star, the way which led to your Son: grant to us, we beg, a prosperous journey and a time of tranquillity, that, attended by your holy angels, we may happily arrive at N., and finally at the haven of eternal salvation.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

V. Let us proceed on our journey in peace.
R. In the name of the Lord. Amen.

A word of thanks

2010-07-15T12:42:00.002+01:00

A word of thanks to the recent 'anonymous wellwisher' who sent me a Mass for my intentions. It is much appreciated. This is the second in recent weeks. Both of them made mention of the recently concluded Year for Priests.

Comment moderation is on for the time being

2010-07-14T15:26:00.002+01:00

Because of the continued interruption of this blog by someone promoting Japanese pornography I have had to turn on the comment moderation facility. For a number of months now I have been deleting links to this pornography being left on comments at the end of posts. In order to stop them abusing the blog I have resorted to comment moderation. I noticed yesterday that the same thing is happening on the LMS Leeds blog.

Very clever Fr. Finigan...

2010-07-13T19:56:00.002+01:00

...and thought provoking. Have a look at his most recent entry at http://the-hermeneutic-of-continuity.blogspot.com/ entitled 'No extradition for priest rapist'.

Prayer for the lapsed

2010-07-13T16:45:00.002+01:00

Every Tuesday evening after 6.15pm Mass we have our St. Monica Novena for the lapsed of the parish and of the whole Church. If you would like a petition included in our weekly Novena please email us: ihom2@yahoo.com

HolyDay of Obligation this Tuesday

2010-06-26T21:20:00.002+01:00

Tuesday 29th June is the Solemnity of St. Peter & St. Paul and is a HolyDay of Obligation. Our Mass times: 9.30am, 12 noon, & 7pm. NB our usual Tuesday 6.15pm Mass is cancelled.

It's always a good time to pray for the Holy Souls

2010-06-26T19:28:00.006+01:00

We prayed for the Holy Souls in Purgatory at the Vigil Mass this evening. I found the following prayer while raking through a box of assorted prayer cards and devotional pamphlets.

Prayer for the Poor Souls in Purgatory

O Jesus, You suffered and died that mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness. Hear our plea for further mercy on the souls of:-

My dear parents and grandparents, My Jesus mercy!
My brothers and sisters and other near relatives, "
My Godparents and sponsors of confirmation, "
My spiritual and temporal benefactors, "
My friends and neighbours,
All for whom love or duty bids me pray,
Those who have offended me,
Those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me,
Those who are especially beloved by You,
Those who release is near at hand,
Those who desire most to be united to You,
Those who endure the greatest sufferings,
Those whose release is most remote,
Those who are least remembered,
Those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church,
The rich, who now are the most destitute,
The mighty, who are now powerless,
Those once spiritually blind, who now see their folly, and idleness,
The poor, who did not seek treasures of heaven,
The tepid, who devoted little time to prayer,
The indolent, who neglected to perform good works,
Those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments,
The habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace,
Parents who failed to watch over their children,
Superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them,
Those who strove for worldly riches and pleasures,
The worldly minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God,
Those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own,
Those who did not provide for the life hereafter,
Those whose sentence is severe because of the great things entrusted to them,
The popes, kings and rulers,
The bishops and their counsellors,
My teachers and spiritual advisors,
The deceased priests of this diocese,
The priests and religious of the Catholic Church,
The defenders of the holy faith,
Those who fought for their country,
Those who were buried in the sea,
Those who died of apoplexy,
Those who died of heart attacks,
Those who suffered and died of cancer,
Those who died suddenly in accidents,
Those who died without the last rites of the Church,
Those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours,
My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Your judgement seat.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them; For evermore with Your Saints, because You are gracious.
The Lord be with you,
And with your spirit.
May the prayer of You suppliant people, we beseech You, O Lord, benefit the souls of Your departed servants and handmaids: That You may both deliver them from all their sins, and make them be partakers of Your redemption. Amen.

Givin' it laldy

2010-06-20T14:15:00.005+01:00

It was lovely to see our newly formed choir giving it laldy during their practise this morning. Under the steady hand of Bruce Cameron they are coming on nicely. They sang the missa de angelis today, and did so very respectably and with no little enthusiasm. I'm sure there are great things to come in the future. And, yes, laldy is a Glaswegian word.

New appeal for rosaries and medals

2010-06-18T16:59:00.005+01:00

About two years ago the Scottish Catholic Observer very kindly made an appeal on our behalf for rosaries and medals for the homeless. We received a fantastic response for which we are grateful. Unfortunately the supply has almost run out. It is amazing how even the smallest medal or the oldest rosary evokes a response of gratitude among the less fortunate.

If you have any unwanted rosaries, medals, or small statues/religious objects then we can put them to good use. Please stick them in the post, or, if you are in the area bring them to the parish house. Many thanks. And, thanks for the recent donations of men's clothes.

Primary 7 Leavers Mass

2010-06-17T20:38:00.002+01:00

At 1.30pm to-day we had concelebrated Mass for the Primary 7 children in the local primary school St. Martha's. I was joined by Fr. David Brown, Parish Priest of All Saints, Fr. John McGrath, Parish Priest of St. Aloysius, and Fr. Angus McDonald, Parish Priest of St. Catherine's. All four parishes have children in St. Martha'a Primary School which lies within the boundaries of Immaculate Heart. Also present with the class teachers and the senior staff were a goodly number of parents. One class teacher had made an extra special effort to be with us after a recent leg fracture. Her appearance on crutches evoked the sympathy of her pupils.

Please pray for our children whose Catholic faith is already very much eroded by the lukewarmness of parents and other relatives, and under attack from our terminally sick materialist culture, as they head for pastures new.

God bless Nicaragua....

2010-06-16T15:54:00.004+01:00

....El Salvador, Chile, and Malta. The only countries on the planet who still have a complete ban on abortion!

The degradation of the modern Catholic parish

2010-06-16T12:44:00.008+01:00

We had a really honest look at the situation of our parish at the parish council meeting last night. With a some time to spare at the end of the meeting we took the opportunity to give some thought to the general parish situation. There was unanimous agreement that a substantial majority of parishioners appear to care very little about furthering the life and mission of the parish. One of the examples used was the comparison with the drive-thru fast-food takeaway, customers pay their £4 and then drive away with their purchase. They have no other interaction with the drive-thru takeaway until they are hungry again. So, as regards parish life, most parishioners who attend Sunday Mass (weekly, fortnightly, monthly, twice a year) make no other effort to build the life of the parish. They never attend any other service, Benediction, Novena, weekday Mass, confession. They make no response to frequent appeals to be involved, with myriad opportunities for that involvement.

Perhaps the most disturbing expression of this degradation of the modern Catholic parish is the protestantised movement of parishioners between parishes. A phenomena which is very prevalent in our local area. 'The Mass times suit me better at parish x', 'Father y looked at me the wrong way, I'm going to parish z', 'Parish c has more bingo and more parish socials, that the parish for me', 'Father d is too hardline, I'm going to Father e down the road beacuse he is friendlier', 'Father f asked me to attend Sunday Mass before the baptism of my baby son, I'm going somewhere else', 'Father g told me and my partner that we are living in sin, how dare he, i'm going to Father h who thinks living together is ok as long as we are committed to each other', and so the litany goes.

After an hour of lively discussion we were in agreement that a future priority for us is the return of our parishioners. With missing parishioners, lapsed or in attendance elsewhere, numbering in the high hundreds, the parish council will not be short of work in the future.

Soup run this Saturday

2010-06-15T11:29:00.004+01:00

The next parish soup run will be a bit earlier than scheduled. With one of the other parish groups not able to fulfill their commitment this Saturday we have been asked to stand in. We are still a bit short of men's clothing. If you have any clothes that we can use please bring them to the parish house, 162 Broomfield Rd, or leave them in the church hall during the day. Remember, we need this clothing before Saturday 9pm. Thank-you.

Missa Cantata for Corpus Christi

2010-06-03T11:58:00.003+01:00

Just a quick reminder about our Missa Cantata for the Feast of Corpus Christi this evening at 7pm. Mgr. Hugh Boyle will be the celebrant and, weather permitting, the procession will be outdoors around the garden. Holy Mass will be offered in the extraordinary form.

Walk 3

2010-06-02T19:59:00.004+01:00

Our men's walking club had it's third walk today. Starting at Kelvingrove in the west end we followed the river Kelvin out to the University of Glasgow's sports grounds. On the way back we had the good fortune of seeing a small puffer on the Forth and Clyde canal going the through the locks at Maryhill.

Day for Life 2010 - Pope John Paul II's words to women who have had an abortion

2010-05-31T19:20:00.002+01:00

During my sermon at Mass this morning I quoted from Pope John Paul II's 'Evangelium Vitae' (The Gospel of Life). Knowing the pain of women suffering emotionally and spiritually the after effects of abortion, I'm certain that the late Holy Father's words have the power to bring comfort and healing.

"I would now like to say a special word to women who have had an abortion. The Church is aware of the many factors which may have influenced your decision, and she does not doubt that in many cases it was a painful and even shattering decision. The wound in your heart may not yet have healed. Certainly what happened was and remains terribly wrong. But do not give in to discouragement and do not lose hope. Try rather to understand what happened and face it honestly. If you have not already done so, give yourselves over with humility and trust to repentance. The Father of mercies is ready to give you his forgiveness and his peace in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You will come to understand that nothing is definitely lost and you will also be able to ask forgiveness from your child, who is now living in the Lord. With the friendly and expert help and advice of other people, and as a result of your own painful experience, you can be among the most eloquent defender's of everyone's right to life. Through your commitment to life, whether by accepting the birth of other children or by welcoming and caring for those most in need of someone to be close to them, you will become promoters of a new way of looking at human life."

Day for Life 2010

2010-05-31T02:06:00.003+01:00

Today, the Feast of the Visitation, is the Day for Life 2010. Once again we are being asked to engage in the battle against the 'culture of death' with its incessant promotion of abortion on demand and its call for euthanasia. As well as our usual 9.30am Mass we will have Mass also at 6.15pm to allow our workers an opportunity to take part in the Day for Life.

6.30pm today

2010-05-30T13:45:00.002+01:00

At 6.30pm today we will have the last of our May devotions. The format will be: Evening Prayer from the Divine Office followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Litany, and then Benediction. All welcome.

Preparing Our Lady's statue

2010-05-29T14:12:00.002+01:00

Irene Reilly, Peter Rossi, Frank Gallacher, & John Harkins are seen here making last minute preparations for today's Procession.

May Crowning & Procession

2010-05-29T13:17:00.004+01:00

We had a decent turn out this morning for our May Crowning and Procession. By our standards over 30 on a Saturday morning is good. Having gathered in the lane between the Church and the house we processed around the garden stopping at the garden shrine to pray the Fifth Glorious mystery. As we continued from the shrine into the Church we prayed the Litany of Loreto, then at the Lady Altar everyone who had brought flowers came forward to place them. There was a lovely atmosphere about the place today, it makes such a difference when the faithful who really want to be there give expression the their faith freely.

Does anyone have a spare statue of St. Michael the Archangel?

2010-05-26T20:40:00.003+01:00

I would love to have a decent sized statue of St. Michael the Archangel for use in our outdoor shrine. Our parishioners have a devotion to St. Michael, and a good statue would make an excellent focus for prayer. Although we don't have a lot of spare cash in the parish we could manage to pay something, including postage of course. Please email me if you can help. Thanks, Fr. Morris.

ihom2@yahoo.com

I've always been sceptical of Parish Councils but......

2010-05-26T10:39:00.004+01:00

......in the absence of assistant priests they have a definite value. As long as the members realise that a Parish Council is ultimately a consultative group then things can work out positively. Having heard horror stories of the tail very much wagging the dog I was at first wary of the whole idea of a Parish Council. But I have to give credit to our Council members who have responded so well and really rolled up their sleeves. Take last night's meeting as an example. In one hour we were able to further plans for 6 forthcoming events in the parish. In terms of coordination of work alone it was one hour really well spent. When you have a group of parishioners who are pulling with you a Parish Council can be a real joy as well as a considerable assistance.

Some forthcoming events

2010-05-25T11:00:00.006+01:00

It has been a busy weekend; funerals on Saturday and Monday, First Communions and Confirmations on Sunday, and then our Easter Season dinner for 33 homeless men on Sunday evening. For the last three years we have hosted Christmas and Easter dinners for the men of Bellgrove Hostel (Gallowgate, Glasgow). Our Saturday evening soup run group visit Bellgrove on a regular basis and our festive dinners give the men a few hours break from the squalid conditions of the hostel. Last weekend's dinner was made possible because of the generous donation of Possil Community Business Forum, a group of caring local business people.

We still have some attractive parish events to look forward to before the holiday period begins;

Saturday 29th May - May Crowning and Procession at 9.30am followed by Mass. Please bring flowers to place at Our Lady's Altar and at the garden shrine.

Thursday 3rd June - 7pm Sung Mass of Corpus Christi followed by procession. Organised by Una Voce Scotland. Celebrant: Mgr. Hugh Boyle.

Sunday 6th June - 11.30am Mass for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi followed by procession. NB. First Communicants to report to Sacristy at 11.15am.

Saturday 12th June - 11.30am Parish Feast Day Mass (Immaculate Heart of Mary), followed by Feast Day lunch in the parish hall & then pictorial presentation of parish history.

The practical dangers of Communion in the hand

2010-05-24T20:48:00.006+01:00

When our local primary school children came calling last week on the Solemnity of the Ascension they provided a stark reminder of the inherent pitfalls of Communion in the hand. I suppose a large part of the problem is the fact that the majority of our children are taken to Sunday Mass only infrequently. When it has been months since your last visit to Mass then remembering how to receive Holy Communion becomes a problem.

Twice during the distribution of Holy Communion I had to follow children back to their seats to make sure they had consumed the Blessed Sacrament. On both occasions they hadn't. After Mass the first child told her teacher that in her parish they are told to take the Blessed Sacrament back to their seat before consuming. The second child, when asked by me if she was Catholic, replied simply "No". We then had an incident of the Blessed Sacrament falling through badly placed hands and ending up under the child's heel. She had no clue what had happened. Also, I had to keep rearranging hands so that they were properly placed. The teachers were mortified by the whole scenario, my nerves were shredded!

Some good news from the Vatican

2010-05-16T21:06:00.002+01:00

It is so heartening to read of the very large crowd which gathered in St. Peter's Square today. Spirit Daily have a link to an Associated Press report of a crowd estimated at 150,000. In response to the continuing scandal in the Church here we have the faithful expressing in dramatic fashion their love for Our Lord and His Catholic Church.

Altar Society Coffee Morning

2010-05-15T11:57:00.002+01:00

The ladies of the our parish Altar Society today hosted a Coffee Morning fund-raiser. A very helpful £162 was raised to help defray the costs of supplies needed for the sacred liturgy.

Solemnity of the Ascension Mass schedule

2010-05-10T21:57:00.002+01:00

Thursday is a HolyDay of Obligation in Scotland, the Solemnity of the Ascension. Our Mass schedule is as follows:

9.30am (with the children of St. Martha's Primary School)
& 7pm.

Our 6.15pm Thursday evening Mass is cancelled on this occasion, but the usual Thursday evening Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour will take place after the 7pm Mass.

Today's Una Voce Mass in Queensferry

2010-05-08T15:29:00.003+01:00

At 11am today Una Voce Scotland gathered for Mass in an ancient Carmelite church. St. Mary of Mount Carmel (as it is presently designated) is in the hands of the Scottish Episcopal Church. Monsignor Hugh Boyle was the celebrant of the Mass.

ihom Men's Walking Club - walk 2 - Lennoxtown to Strathblane

2010-05-05T21:21:00.003+01:00

Last month I started a men's walking club in the parish. Immaculate Heart is very similar to many parishes in that we find it difficult to get men involved in anything! I'm hoping that after a few months we can increase the number of men who come along. Today was our second walk and it followed the old railway line from Lennoxtown to Strathblane. Here are some pictures of the 8 mile round trip.

Weekday evening Masses

2010-05-04T23:30:00.003+01:00

After a fairly decent response to Tuesday and Thursday evening Masses during the season of Lent, I've decided to keep both of these Masses on the weekly schedule. During Lent both of these Masses were offered ad orientem with the Eucharistic Prayer (always number one) in Latin. These arrangements will be continued. Both Masses begin at 6.15pm with the Tuesday evening Mass being followed by prayers to St. Monica for the lapsed, and the Thursday evening Mass being followed by the Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. I'm hoping that these evening Masses will be of help to members of other parishes in the area.

Hustings scandal - Catholic candidates support abortion (Updated)

2010-05-03T17:31:00.010+01:00

Last night at our hustings meeting in the Parish Hall a genuine scandal emerged. Both Willie Bain (Labour, the sitting MP) and Billy McAllister (SNP) spoke out in favour of the retention of abortion provision (in one form or another) in the UK. Towards the end of the meeting I had the opportunity to ask these candidates, both of whom are Catholic, whether, given the opportunity, they would vote for the abolition of the 1967 Abortion Act. After repeated opportunities to give a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer, Mr. Bain failed to answer the question. Mr. McAllister said quite simply "No".

The other candidates present were; Kevin McVey (Scottish Socialist Party - lapsed Catholic & pro-abortion), Graham Campbell (Scottish Trade Unionist & Socialist Coalition - pro-abortion), & Eileen Baxendale (Liberal Democrat - who gave the impression of generally being against abortion, unfortunately in answering another question she took the side of a homosexual couple against a Christian Bed & Breakfast owner). Ruth Davidson the Conservative Party candidate was absent from the meeting.

In the light of last night's events I want to urge Immaculate Heart parishioners and all Catholics of the North East constituency not to vote for these blatantly pro-abortion politicians. To do so would surely to be complicit in their promotion of the evil of abortion.

Hustings Meeting this Sunday

2010-04-26T22:44:00.002+01:00

The Parish will play host to a hustings meeting this Sunday at 7.30pm in the Hall. Both Willie Bain (Labour), the current Member of Parliament, and Eileen Baxendale (Liberal Democrat) have confirmed that they will be in attendance. The Conservatives have promised that someone will be in attendance if Ruth Davidson, their candidate, is unable to attend. The other local Catholic parishes will be informed and invited and the meeting is open to the public.

Parish Council Meeting

2010-04-22T12:23:00.002+01:00

Just a reminder that our next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Tuesday 27th April at 7pm in the Parish House. It will end no later than 8pm.

Update on "Catholics and Evolution: Does it Matter?"

2010-04-16T12:16:00.004+01:00

As you may be aware, the large cloud of volcanic ash hovering above Britain has grounded all flights, including that of our guest speakers Hugh Owen and Timothy Murnane, who have been unable to fly from the US to Scotland.

However, Henry Creechan has nobly stepped in at the last moment to provide a lecture on the subject of evolution. For those who have heard Henry speak you will know that he is a passionate, well-informed, young Catholic whose talks are rivetting. His talk on the Turin Shroud was excellent and very well-received in our parish.

Thank you, Henry!

Catholics and Evolution: Does it Matter?

2010-04-15T12:07:00.007+01:00

3pm - 6pm

Sunday the 18th of April 2010

Immaculate Heart of Mary,

162 Broomfield Road, Balornock, Glasgow G21 3UE

Be there!

Evolution: A Fairytale for Adults

2010-04-15T11:58:00.007+01:00

One of the contributing causes to the widespread loss of Christian faith in our day is the influence of the various theories of 'hydrogen-to-human' evolution that have succeeded each other since the publication of Darwin's The Origin of Species.

We can see the effect of this in the vast numbers of Catholic schoolchildren who lapse from the faith even while still at school - partly due to evolution being taught as if it were a proven fact in biology lessons.

However, the real fact of the matter is that evolution has neither any basis in the reality of the fossil record nor any basis in the modern science of population genetics which observes the loss of genetic information across generations not the increase of genetic information which the theory of evolution presupposes. Time's arrow points downward - not upward.

In the face of the overwhelming evidence against evolution, fervent evolutionists - both the atheistic and theistic varieties - protest that given enough time a dormouse can, indeed, evolve into a blue whale. That is why the claim that the world is 4.5 billion years old is so important to evolution - as if the impossible can happen as long as there is enough time for it to happen.

Yet, is there any evidence that our world is in fact 4.5 billion years old? Don't the geological columns of the Grand Canyon witness to the great antiquity of the Earth? No, on both counts. It is becoming increasingly clear through the science of paleohydraulics that sedimentary layers are laid down sideways and rapidly in flowing water and harden into rock once the water has receded.

Further, the existence of polystrate fossils such as fossilised trees (see image above) that lie through geological layers which, without signs of rotting, are supposed to have been laid down over 'millions of years' demonstrate the rapidity with which these geological layers have been formed. The Grand Canyon now looks less like the product of aeons of slow development but, instead, the result of a catastrophic deluge of water which covered our planet. Sound familiar?

That, combined with the very large question mark now being placed beside the reliability of radioisotopic dating methods, indicate that our Earth is far 'younger' than evolutionists would have us believe.

Is it possible that the so-called 'scientific consensus' in favour of evolution over the last 90-100 years has been motivated more by dogmatic atheism and liberalism (with the attendant persecution of scientific dissenters against the 'orthodoxy' of evolution) than by actual scientific research?

If what has been said so far has either intrigued or infuriated you then do come to the talk "Catholics and Evolution: Does it matter?" given by Mr Hugh Owen and the scientist Timothy Murnane. It will be held between 3pm - 6pm on Sunday the 18th of April 2010 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 162 Broomfield Road, Balornock, Glasgow G21 3UE.

There will, of course, be the opportunity to ask the speakers whatever questions you wish!

Paschal Poem

2010-04-14T16:42:00.002+01:00

Here is an Easter poem from one of our parishioners:

*****

He allowed Himself to be taken
And uttered no word of complaint.
He offered His flesh as a ransom
And, like a lamb, was slain.

The Enemy rejoiced to see Him
Bloodied and nailed to a tree.
His Mother and John stood by Him
And wept in great pity.

But now the night is overcome
And the shadows all have passed.
For Love is risen from the tomb
That we might rise at last.

David Brower's Response to Fr Friel

2010-03-26T12:36:00.002Z

This is David Brower's response to Fr Friel's letter in the Scottish Catholic Observer concerning the dogma that "outside of the Church there is no salvation" and which stated that Fr Leonard Feeney was excommunicated for teaching this dogma. Sadly, the Observer declined to print David's response.

*********

I am greatly saddened that my letter citing the Catholic teaching “outside of the Church there is no salvation” has provoked such a heated response. Especially, since my letter contained nothing that is not contained in Scripture, taught by the Church Fathers, and solemnly proclaimed as infallible Catholic dogma - and thus as explicitly revealed by God - on three separate occasions.

To this I would say two things. Firstly, we should understand the dogma “no salvation outside the Church” with the mind of the Church which teaches that outside of Her visible structure there are also those who have been validly baptised and who are, thus, “imperfect members” of the Church. However, as Pius XII said in Mystici Corporis, they are in a condition "in which they cannot be secure about their salvation …. since they lack many great gifts and helps from God, gifts they can enjoy only in the Catholic Church”. Thus, the Church teaches the necessity of conversion. To insist otherwise is to disobey our Lord’s command to “teach all nations”.

Secondly, the real point about the letters is not so much the subject of the thrice-defined dogma “outside of the Church there is no salvation” as, rather, where the authority for our beliefs lies. Does it lie in God and His Church or in our own preferences? Do we account the good opinion of men as having greater importance than the truth revealed by God? As St Paul wrote to Timothy, “for the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths”.

As an addendum, I would point out that Fr Leonard Feeney was not excommunicated for teaching that “outside of the Church there is no salvation”. As the letter from the Holy Office in 1949 to Archbishop Cushing of Boston stated: “among those things which the Church has always preached and will never cease to preach is contained also that infallible statement by which we are taught that there is no salvation outside the Church”. Rather, Fr Feeney was excommunicated when he refused to attend a canonical trial in Rome for which he was not allowed beforehand to know what he was accused of. I would not personally share the views of Fr Feeney, who held a very rigorous interpretation of the ‘Catholic dogma’, but to state, as Fr Friel does, that Fr Feeney was excommunicated for teaching this infallible Catholic doctrine is simply not true.

David Brower's Response to Rev Ross Campbell

2010-03-19T17:00:00.004Z

This is David Brower's response to the recent letter in the Scottish Catholic Observer by the Rev Ross Campbell of Pontifical Scot's College Rome. Sadly, this was the third time which the Observer did not print a response from him on this subject.

****

Rev Ross Campbell cites St Cyprian of Carthage as the originator of the expression “outside of the Church there is no salvation” and states that it only refers to those who have lapsed from the Church. Indeed, it is true that in his letter on the schismatic priest Novatian St Cyprian said, “he who has turned his back on the Church of Christ shall not come to the rewards of Christ; he is an alien, a worldling, an enemy”. However, to argue from this that St Cyprian, therefore, did not believe in the need for Jews and pagans to enter the Catholic Church in order to be saved is specious, to say the least. In fact, in the same letter St Cyprian goes on to say that, “you cannot have God for your Father if you do not have the Church for your mother”.

It is incontrovertible that the Church Fathers were unanimous on the necessity of belonging to the Church for salvation. In fact, many Saints were cruelly martyred for professing this very same doctrine. In the Office for September 27th, the feast of the Holy Martyrs, SS Cosmas and Damian, we read that “. . . and then, for as much as they freely acknowledged themselves Catholics, and the Catholic faith necessary for salvation, he [the Prefect Lysias] commanded them to worship the gods, under threats of torments and a most cruel death”.

In the Gospel of St Mark our blessed Lord said, “he that believeth and is baptised, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned”. It takes mental acrobatics to interpret the crystal-clear words of our Lord as signifying anything other than an urgent call to repentance and baptism in order to gain eternal salvation. The dogma “outside of the Church there is no salvation” has been solemnly defined as infallible by the Church - and, thus, as divinely revealed by God through His Church - on no less than three separate occasions. Pope Eugene IV, in the Council of Florence, decreed in unvarnished words that “the most Holy Roman Church firmly believes, professes and preaches, that none of those existing outside the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics, can have a share in life eternal; but that they will go into the eternal fire, ‘which was prepared for the devil and his angels’, unless before death they are joined with Her”.

Neither a dogma itself nor the traditional understanding of a dogma can change over time, as Rev Campbell implies. As the First Vatican Council declared: “any meaning of the sacred dogmas that has been once declared by holy mother Church must always be retained; and there must never be any deviation from that meaning on the specious grounds of a more profound understanding”. It is with the claim of possessing a "more profound understanding" of the dogma of Extra Ecclesiam nulla Salus - presumably more profound than that of the Saints and Martyrs - that liberal Catholics twist and distort it into something that those same Saints and Martyrs would have regarded with horror.

To many people the doctrine that “outside of the Church there is no salvation” seems incompatible with God’s salvific will. But God desires that none be lost and will not condemn those who are inculpably ignorant of the Catholic faith. Rather, as Blessed Pius IX states, “if they carefully keep the precepts of the natural law that have been written by God in the hearts of all men, if they are prepared to obey God, and if they lead a virtuous and dutiful life, [they] can attain eternal life by the power of divine light and grace”. That is, God in His great mercy may grant such a soul who is approaching death the grace of conversion and infuse into her the light of divine faith and the gift of sanctifying grace without which no-one can be united with the Blessed Trinity in Heaven.

But these instances are known to God alone and, so, we must pray and do penance for all those who are outside the Church that they might at last find safety in Her bosom. For, as Venerable Pius XII wrote, “this is a deep mystery, and an inexhaustible subject of meditation, that the salvation of many depends on the prayers and voluntary penances which the members of the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ offer for this intention”. It was the same Pope who later lamented of those who, unfaithful to the perennial teachings of the Church, “reduce to a meaningless formula the necessity of belonging to the True Church in order to gain salvation”.

Prayers at Glasgow Cross for the conversion of Scotland

2010-03-08T20:56:00.004Z

Yesterday at 3pm a group of about 50 gathered at Glasgow Cross to pray for the success of the forthcoming Papal visit and for the conversion of Scotland. Towards the end of the hour of prayer a Litany for the conversion of Scotland was prayed. Maybe you could pray it too.

Lord have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us.

Christ hear us, Christ graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mother of God, pray for us.

Our Lady of Aberdeen, pray for us.

St. Andrew

St. John Ogilvie

St. Constantine

St. Magnus

St. Donnan

St. Kessog

St. Monan

St. Oswald

All ye holy Martyrs

St. Fergus

St. Finnbarr

St. Nathalan

St. Finan

St. Colman

St. Duthac

St. Cuthbert

St. Blaan

St. Palladius

St. Patrick

St. Aiden

St. Ninian

St. Machar

St. Gilbert

St. Serf

St. Marnock

St. Ternan

All ye holy Bishops

St. Flannan

St. Conval

St. Mirin

St. Boisil

St. Bean

St. Egbert

St. David

St. William

All ye holy Confessors

St. Kenneth

St. Foelan

St. Malrubius

St. Columba

St. Luan

St. Modan

St. Drostan

St. Adamnan

St. Comgan

St. Baithen

All ye holy Abbots

St. Ebba

St. Mechtilde

St. Modenna

St. Maura

St. Christina

St. Odda

All ye holy Virgins

St. Margaret

St. Thenog

St. Kentigerna

All ye holy Mothers

O my Jesus, through the intercession of St. Andrew our glorious patron, restore Scotland once more to the true Faith.

Guide and strengthen those lost souls who have abandoned our Holy Mother the Church that they may return to the one fold and one shepherd.

We, thy loving children, ask thee, Eternal Father to grant this our humble supplication, as by thy almighty power all things are possible.

Help us to cling to the rock of faith at all times and in all circumstances, so that we shall never be separated from thee, our one hope of salvation. Bless our country dear Lord, and pour thy manifold graces upon it.

This we ask through the intercession of our martyrs and saints, in unity with the Holy Trinity, One God, who livest and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.

Have you signed yet?

2010-03-02T22:06:00.002Z

Help support the Papal visit to these shores by signing the petition at the following link: http://www.petitiononline.com/PopeinUK/petition.html.

Congratulations to the young Catholics of Paris

2010-02-24T23:46:00.008Z

On the 14th of this month a group of courageous young Catholics repelled a group of militant homosexuals outside Notre Dame Cathedral.

You can watch what happened by going to the You Tube video entitled Affrontement des integristes religieux contre les homosexuels le 14.02.2010

David Brower's response to Ronnie Convery

2010-02-24T21:42:00.003Z

Mr. Ronnie Convery quotes paragraph 8 from Lumen Gentium as 'proof' that the Church no longer teaches that membership of the Catholic Church is necessary for salvation. There are, however, two major flaws in this argument.

Firstly, since the teaching that 'outside of the Church there is no salvation' has been declared infallible by the Church - on three separate occasions - no subsequent Pope or Council has the power either to change that teaching or even to change the sense in which that teaching has been understood by the Church throughout all the ages of her existence. When the Church declares a teaching - such as the necessity of the Church for salvation - as infallible this simply means that it is a truth revealed by God, through the Apostles, as part of the deposit of faith and, as such, is not subject to revision - regardless of how unpalatable the world might find that particular teaching.

Furthermore, since an ecumenical council is protected by the Holy Spirit against teaching error in faith or morals it is impossible that the Second Vatican Council could have contradicted any previous ecumenical council in an infallible dogma such as the one in question, as we shall shortly see.

Secondly, in 2007 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with the authority of Pope Benedict, released a definitive magisterial clarification of what Lumen Gentium taught about the Church. In this brief document it is affirmed that the Catholic Church is indeed the One Church of Christ outside of which no one can be saved. As evidence of this the document references the Acts of the Synod which are the record of the composition of the documents of Vatican II, and, thus, provide an insight into the mind of the Council Fathers.

In one passage in the Acts (Act Syn III/II 297-301) cited by the CDF document it is requested that, regarding the Decree on Ecumenism, "it be said more expressly that there is one true sole Church of Christ; that this is the Apostolic Roman Church; that all must seek to know Her and enter Her in order to obtain salvation". To this the response is given that "in the entire text [of the decree] what is demanded is adequately proclaimed". So, we see here that at Vatican II the Church in no wise changed the perennial teaching that outside of Her there is no salvation.

Finally, Mr. Convery quotes from Lumen Gentium that "many elements of truth and sanctification are to found outside the visible structure of the Church". However, he fails, as many do, to quote the words that immediately follow: "These elements, as gifts belonging to the Church of Christ, are forces impelling towards Catholic unity". Lumen Gentium was herewith affirming the traditional teaching of the Church that grace can be found outside of the visible confines of the Church but that the purpose of this grace is to lead those outside of the Church into the Church. Outside of the Church this grace is by itself not sufficient for salvation.

We must pray for the conversion of all those outside of the Catholic Church. To declare, as the modern ecumenical movement does, that salvation can be found outside of the Churchfounded by Christ is to choose the good opinion of men over the truth revealed by God. To refuse to evangelise in the name of ecumenism is to disobey Our Lord's command to go and "teach all nations". I fear that the indifference to divinely revealed truth fostered by the modern ecumenical movement may have already led to the loss of a great many souls.

Extra Services and Events for Lent

2010-02-24T20:56:00.003Z

Details of our extra services and events for the Season of Lent are as follows:

Masses - Tuesdays & Thursdays at 6pm

Stations of the Cross - Mondays at 6pm & Fridays at 3pm

Pentitential Lunch (Proceeds to Aid To The Church In Need) - Wednesdays at 1pm

Sunday Lenten Catechesis (Guest Speaker every week) - After 7pm Supper in the Parish Hall
(NB. During Lent Vespers & Benediction starts at 6.30pm)

Lenten catechesis

2010-02-24T17:39:00.003Z

Last Sunday, after Vespers & Benediction, we had our first session of Lenten catechesis. Sr. Odessa and Sr. Anna of the Little Sisters of the Poor spoke to us about the life of their Order's foundress, the recently canonised St. Jeanne Jugan.

Ash Wednesday schedule

2010-02-15T19:35:00.003Z

The Mass schedule for Ash Wednesday is as follows: 9.30am, 12noon, & 7pm. Ashes will be distributed at all Masses. If any sick or housebound parishioner would like to receive Ashes please contact Fr. Morris on 0141 558 5025 to arrange a home visit.

If none of those Mass times suit you there will be a Traditional Latin Mass at 6pm in Sacred Heart Bridgeton offered by Mgr. Hugh Boyle.

A few days in NB before Lent begins

2010-02-15T17:05:00.002Z

I managed a few days in North Berwick and Nunraw last week in the company of Fr. Joe McNulty. Here are some pictures of the local parish Church, Our Lady Star of the Sea, and of the view from the top of Berwick Law.

A warning about Professor Groome's lecture

2010-02-03T23:16:00.003Z

Faithful Catholics would do well to give the Glasgow lecture of dissenting "Catholic" theologian Professor Thomas Groome a body swerve. Due to be delivered in St. Aloysius Church in Gartnethill in the evening of Tuesday 20th April, Professor Groome's lecture bears the deeply ironic title What Keeps Us Catholic? The answer that faithful Catholics everywhere would surely want to give to the lecture title is: Staying away from this lecture. Professor Groome is a well known long term public dissenter from Catholic teaching. You can read more about his dissent at: http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=6515&CFID=28014086&CFTOKEN=21662962

The blessing of throats on St. Blaise's Day

2010-02-03T12:53:00.007Z

There was a noticably increased attendance at 9.30am Mass to-day as people gathered to receive the blessing of the throat through the intercession of St. Blaise.

The blessing for the candles is worth quoting:

O God, Almighty and yet meek, who created all things by your only Word, and brought about the reformation of humanity by the means of that same Word by whom all things were made, and who became flesh for our sakes, who is mighty and immense, terrible and worthy of all praise, worker of wonders, for whose confession of faith the glorious bishop and martyr St. Blaise did not tremble before the multitude of his torments, and bravely won the palm of martyrdom: the same God who mercifully granted, among so many other gifts, healing of the throat; we pray that you disregard our unworthiness, and by the merits of the same St. Blaise bless + these candles and pour your grace through them that the throats of all those who touch them may be healed of all afflictions of throat, returning to the church healthy and happy there to raise their voices to the praise of your holy name, which is blessed for evermore. Through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Evening Mass for the Feast of the Presentation

2010-02-03T00:43:00.002Z

With only a small congregation anticipated for our 6.30pm Mass I made the decision to use the Sacred Heart altar. I wasn't disappointed: with four parishioners in the pews and Willie Murray and I at the altar, the side altar was the perfect place for Mass.

Congratulations to David Brower......

2010-02-02T15:11:00.007Z

......for having a letter published in this week's edition of the Scottish Catholic Observer. On the subject of ecumenism, parishioner David has written cogently, directly, and in fidelity to the teaching of the Church. The full text of his letter is reproduced below:

Have we lost sight of the ultimate purpose of Catholic ecumenism, which is to lead all those who are outside of the one, true Church into the safety of Her bosom?

It is an absolutely central truth of our Faith - given by our Blessed Lord to the Apostles, preached by the Fathers, infallibly proclaimed by Popes and councils, taught by bishops and believed by the Faithful throughout the ages - that 'outside of the Church there is positively no salvation' and that this Church is none other than the Catholic Church, which was founded by our Lord Jesus Christ upon the Apostle Peter as the one Ark of Salvation.

This truth has always been an unpalatable one to those who remain outside of the Church, and, indeed, there are now many within the Church, who, from a false charity, fiercely deny the necessity of unity with the Catholic Church for salvation and say 'the Church no longer believes that'.

However, the Second Vatican Council neither contradicted this infallible dogma nor changed the meaning of it given by the Church throughout the ages. Furthermore, Vatican II reaffirmed that the Church of Christ is the Catholic Church and that it does not include any other religious body or community.

As for the oft-voiced accusation that the doctrine of 'no salvation outside the Church' is uncharitable: this is based on the erroneous conviction that we can personally determine what is true and what is not. It is not uncharitable to warn someone that they are walking towards the edge of a cliff. Truth is not determined by charity; rather, the acceptance of the truth should focus our charity in spiritual works of prayer and penance for all those outside of the Church - especially for those who are dearest to us - that they might enter in and be saved. We should never despair of God's infinite goodness in this regard and we should have great confidence that if our prayers are humble, devout, and persevering, God will answer them by granting those for whom we pray the grace of conversion either before death or - unseen to those around - at the very moment of their death. This is the great privilege, and, indeed, responsibility of the members of the Mystical Body of Christ which is the Catholic Church.

I will finish with a quote from a bishop and doctor of the Church, St. Augustine of Hippo: "No man can find salvation except in the Catholic Church. Outside the Catholic Church one can have everything except salvation. One can have honour, one can have sacraments, one can sing Alleluia, one can answer Amen, one can have faith in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and preach it too, but never can one find salvation except in the Catholic Church."

Candlemas 2010

2010-02-02T12:43:00.002Z

Inspite of today's fresh fall of snow we had a nice turn out for morning Mass for the Feast of the Presentation. Just as in previous years we blessed candles both for domestic and liturgical use.

Some of the prayers from the traditional liturgy for the blessing of candles on this day are very beautiful. Here is one of them.

Let us pray - O almighty and everlasting God, who this day didst present Thine only-begotten Son in Thy holy temple to be received in the arms of holy Simeon: we humbly entreat Thy clemency, that Thou woulds vouchsafe to bless +, and sanctify +, and to kindle with the light of Thy heavenly benediction these candles, which we Thy servants desire to receive and to carry lighted in honour of Thy name: that, by worthily offering them to Thee our Lord God, we may be inflamed with the holy fire of Thy most sweet charity, and deserve to be presented in the holy temple of Thy glory. Through the same Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

ihom Haiti collection

2010-01-30T11:44:00.002Z

A word of sincere thanks to all parishioners who responded so well to last week's appeal for Haiti. A cheque for £988.75 has been sent to the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund.

Vandalism and increased security

2010-01-30T11:28:00.002Z

Since I arrived at ihom in May 2005 there has been a steady stream of vandalism to the church and to the house. There has been an increase in the past quarter which has forced me in to putting protective cages on some of the most vulnerable windows of the house. At approximately £100 a time to replace the glass in the kitchen windows, the cages should in the long run save us money. A favourite past time of some of the local children is to smash our kitchen windows by throwing rocks from the lane at the back of the property. Bless them, I'm sure they throw the rocks because they are "bored" and "have nothing to do"!

Homeless men's Christmas Dinner

2010-01-11T20:50:00.004Z

Last night we hosted 35 guests from Bellgrove Hostel for Christmas Dinner. Thanks to the financial generosity of the parishioners and to the practical assistance of our Soup Run volunteers, our guests tucked into a really nice three course Christmas Dinner. We were graced also by the presence of the Missionaries of Charity who organise the Soup Run. With their own Christmas Dinner for the men having to be cancelled because of the adverse weather the Sisters made a great addition to our own festivities.

Celebrate Christmas - Celebrate the Christmas season

2010-01-06T16:58:00.006Z

At times it can seem like a real uphill struggle to maintain even the simplest of Catholic customs within the parish setting. "Did you have a good Christmas Father?", i'm often asked on St. Stephen's Day. "It has been really good SO FAR" is my reply. Once again, for many Catholics, the culture is the winner: Christmas Day over = Christmas over for another year. Anyway, please join with me in this battle against the culture. Let's celebrate the entire Christmas season, keep those decorations up and sing those Christmas carols until January 10th.

Catholics of Glasgow - awake!

2010-01-06T15:39:00.002Z

David Brower and I had our first foray into the world of street evangelisation to-day outside Springburn Shopping Centre. Armed with our 'Catholics of Glasgow - awake!' A5 flyer we set off just before 11am. Over 40 flyers were distributed with most people politely accepting and reading. Pictured here is David outside ihom having returned safely but absolutely frozen!

Solemnity of Mary Mother of God

2010-01-01T22:52:00.002Z

Thanks be to God we had some extra parishioners in attendance at Mass this morning to celebrate the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. 25 is 10-12 more than we usually have, so I am pleased. All small signs of hope in this winter of the Church are gratefully received.

Parish Hogmanay reception

2010-01-01T22:30:00.003Z

A small but convivial gathering of parishioners enjoyed a hogmanay party in the hall last night.

Nunraw at Christmas

2010-01-01T21:21:00.003Z

Thanks to Charles for these impressive photos of Nunraw Abbey Guest House and surrounds on Hogmanay.

Christmas tree in place

2009-12-22T15:53:00.003Z

Thanks to the hard graft of Willie Murray and Jim Carrigan the parish Christmas tree is now in place outside the church. Decorations to follow. We are indebted also to Maureen McLaughlin for donating the tree and to her merry band of helpers for transporting it.

Gearing up for Midnight Mass

2009-12-19T12:24:00.002Z

Frank & David were the first of our adult servers to trying on their new red cassocks which were delivered yesterday. Pictured here is Frank at the garden shrine looking pleased with proceedings.

Vespers & Benediction this Sunday at 6.30pm

2009-12-17T17:00:00.003Z

The parish is very much looking forward to the visit this Sunday evening of Alan Henderson and his schola. They will chant vespers in the traditional rite at 6.30pm, and then after 7pm supper Alan will deliver a talk on the chant of the Advent season. It would be lovely to have you, dear reader, in attendance. You are warmly invited.

Our new gear for Christmas

2009-12-17T14:58:00.004Z

Irene Reilly, who bears the burden of the secretarial duties here in ihom, was busy this morning making sure that priest and servers look their best during the Christmas season Masses. She managed to order a Gothic Low Mass Set in gold from Luzar of Oxford and then a full set of red cassocks and surplices for our adult and children altar servers from Dumont of Folkstone.

Parish Bulletin - Third Sunday of Advent

2009-12-12T21:02:00.002Z

Third Sunday of Advent - 13.12.09

1. Christmas Day Masses will be at 12 midnight, 9.30am, & 11.30am. There will be no evening devotions or Mass on Christmas Day. Full details of services will be printed in next Sunday's bulletin.

2. Last Sunday's collection amounted to £546.24. Also banked this week was £100 of back money from the votives, £300 of Fund-Raising event money, and £100 of Stall money. The total money banked this financial year is £26,836.59. The weekly average is £745.46.

The second collection at all Masses this weekend will go to the St. Nicholas Care Fund (formerly the Pastoral Care Trust). Please give generously. You can also support the St. Nicholas Fund by bringing your old mobile phones to the hall for recycling.

3. Advent talks. Last Sunday's talk went well with over 30 in attendance.

Third Sunday of Advent - Mrs. Rose Marie Casey will give a slide show and speak about the work of the Missionaries of Charity.
Fourth Sunday - Mr. Alan Henderson will speak about Gregorian Chant with emphasis on the Chant of Advent.
Why not come along to support our speakers, learn a bit more about the faith, and enjoy some good food.

4. The Monday Club is on tomorrow at 7pm until 8.30pm. The club will stop after tomorrow for a break and will start again on January 11th 2010. The children of the club will perform the parish Nativity play at the Parish Family Christmas Celebration on Tuesday 29th December at 6.30pm to which all are welcome.

5. There is a lovely photo of the parish Halloween Angels & Saints party in this weekend's Scottish Catholic Observer which is on sale at the parish shop. Christmas cards are also on sale, as is the Western Catholic Calendar for 2010 (price £2.90).

6. Sponsors for the Sunday flowers are being sought once more. If you would like the sanctuary flowers to be in memory of a loved one please give your £10 donation to Irene Reilly.

7. Grand Christmas Raffle tickets are available in the parish hall.

8. Parish Lotto - Game 1 continues - this weekend's prize fund is approximately £1780.

9. Gift Aid envelopes for 2010 are available for uplift in the sacristy. Please write your name and address on the back of the envelopes. Standard collection envelopes are in the parish hall.

(This is the abbreviated online version)

Why there should be silence in church

2009-12-10T18:57:00.002Z

We're working hard here in ihom to establish the appropriate reverence and silence in church. The article entitled Why there should be silence in church by Catholic Truth website is very helpful. Why not have a look yourself at: http://www.catholic-truth.info/misc/talking.htm

Mondays at 7pm......

2009-12-08T22:45:00.003Z

......is TLM (traditional Latin Mass) time in Sacred Heart Parish Bridgeton. Fr. Stephen Dunn, former assistant priest here in ihom, is Parish Priest of Sacred Heart. Responding to Pope Benedict's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum of September 14th 2007 Fr. Dunn is now offering the TLM every Monday at 7pm. Why not give yourself a treat some Monday and go and experience the beauty of the ancient Roman Rite.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

2009-12-08T22:28:00.002Z

Our two feast day Masses today had attendances of 23 and 12 respectively. We had planned a torchlit rosary procession from the garden shrine to the Lady Altar but heavy rain meant we had opt for plan B: the rosary in church. The evening Mass followed thereafter. Inspite of the modest numbers those in attendance renewed their faith and sang several well known Marian hymns strongly. In my preaching I made reference to how, sadly, many parishioners just didn't seem to care about making any extra effort to please God on such a wonderful feast day.

Advent talk 2

2009-12-08T12:31:00.005Z

On Sunday evening we had the second of our Advent talks. A gathering of over 30 parishioners and friends enjoyed a supper of homemade food; veg soup, beef curry, chicken curry, and chicken casserole. Our very own David Brower then delivered a really impressive talk on the subject of the Nativity. Starting with a reminder of the Catholic approach to scripture, David then took us on an enthralling journey through the Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah and finished where everyone thought he was going to start: with a look at the historicity of the gospel accounts.

Mobile phone recycle

2009-12-03T11:33:00.003Z

The St. Nicholas Care Fund of the Archdiocese are looking for your old mobile phones to recycle. Working with the 1touchmobile company 60% of the sell on fee will go the Care Fund. If you have an old mobile that your are getting rid of why not bring it to the recycle bin in the parish hall, or to the sacristy or parish house.

Pope Benedict offers Mass 'ad orientem'

2009-12-03T00:43:00.002Z

How wonderful to hear the news that the Holy Father has offered Mass 'ad orientem' in the recently restored Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace on Tuesday 1st December.

A bit of fun

2009-11-28T17:38:00.001Z

Thought you might like this:

http://badvestments.blogspot.com/

No more Sunday evening Mass

2009-11-28T17:20:00.002Z

Regretfully, after an experiment lasting a full calendar year, I've had to pull the plug on our Sunday evening Mass. We started the experiment on the First Sunday of Advent last year and will call it a day tomorrow evening. With an average attendance of about 20 no argument can be made for its retention. The highest attendance was 29 (on 3 occasions) and the lowest was 11. Oh well, it was worth a go.

The fog

2009-11-28T16:56:00.003Z

Coming out of the church after preparing things for this evening's Vigil Mass I was surprised by the fog which had come down.

Pray for Scotland......

2009-11-28T14:35:00.003Z

Public Rosary outside of the Scottish Parliament on Sunday 29th November, the eve of St. Andrew's Day, 2pm. Please attend promptly.

Enquiries: holyfamilyapostolate@googlemail.com

Advent talks - completed schedule

2009-11-28T11:47:00.005Z

Just like during the season of Lent earlier in the year, during the forthcoming season of Advent we will host a series of guest speakers at Sunday supper. The completed schedule is as follows:

First Sunday of Advent - Fr. Matthew Despard will speak about his experience as a military Chaplain.
Second Sunday of Advent - Mr. David Brower will speak about the Nativity with emphasis on the gospel accounts.
Third Sunday of Advent - Mrs. Rose Marie Casey will give a slide show and speak about the work of the Missionaries of Charity.
Fourth Sunday of Advent - Mr. Alan Henderson will speak about Gregorian Chant with emphasis on the Chant of Advent.

During the Sunday evenings of Advent we anticipate some really helpful and interesting talks and some great food. Proceedings begin each Sunday at 7pm with the talk at the end of supper.

Glitter sale 2009

2009-11-28T11:32:00.006Z

Today the Fund-Raising Committee hosted the annual Glitter sale in the parish hall. With a wide variety of goods and home baking on sale the Glitter sale was once again a good success. £217.19 was raised for much needed parish funds. Many thanks to the organisers.