Thank You Fr Raf

On behalf of all of St Joseph’s parishioners, the Parish Council members would like to express their sincere thanks to Fr Raf for all his priestly work over the past two years both with us and for us. His Homilies were from his heart, and were all the more brilliant in that Fr Raf rarely read from a script. Both Fr Raf and Fr Tad worked well together on our behalf and whilst saddened that Fr Raf is moving to the Cathedral, we are delighted that his talents will also be appreciated elsewhere. Read more “Thank You Fr Raf” →

Reopening of the church

The reopening of our churches – at this stage for individual prayer – is a welcome step towards congregational worship. We are a very welcoming community, but in these unprecedented circumstances, as a parish community we have to face some challenges and restrictions:

Read more “Reopening of the church” →

Volunteers needed

In order to reopen our church we need volunteers to carry 3-pronged duties:

1. Securing the safety of the building while opened.
2. Assisting people arriving at the church to their seats.
3. Cleaning the church after the closure (wiping the pews, door handles, etc.).

Read more “Volunteers needed” →

BCOS Documents on Reopening of Churches

In May 2020 the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland established four working groups; an Infection Control Group, Pastoral Ministry Group, Seminary Formation Group and Episcopal Finance Committee, to advise them on various aspects of how Church life would be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

These documents have been developed by the above working groups to inform, advise and support parish communities about how to plan for churches re-opening to the public. Read more “BCOS Documents on Reopening of Churches” →

Confessions in the garden

The recent easing of the restrictions means that now I can offer hearing confessions in the parish garden. There are a few important caveats to such an arrangement.

Read more “Confessions in the garden” →

Alexa at Mass

What could happen when an Amazon smart speaker is in the room where Mass is said?

Read more “Alexa at Mass” →

The Luminous Mysteries

These mysteries are about the public ministry of Jesus when He was teaching the apostles about the work they, and we, should do to continue the work of saving and healing that He started and made possible through His death and resurrection.

The Baptism of Jesus Read more “The Luminous Mysteries” →

Updates on lockdown

Quotation from the official document published on 21 May 2020 on the phased easing of restrictions: Read more “Updates on lockdown” →

Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary

Mysteries of the Rosary: The glorious mysteries

Jesus has done his work, now the responsibility rests with us.

The resurrection Read more “Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary” →

Catholicism in a time of Coronavirus

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been a great and unexpected trial. But for Catholics this trial is not only economic, social, or medical—it is spiritual.” Read more “Catholicism in a time of Coronavirus” →