Restoration of Sunday Obligation

The obligation for Catholics to celebrate Sunday as a Holy Day by gathering together for Mass will be restored from the First Sunday in Lent, Sunday 6^th March.

Given the easing of restrictions in every other walk of life, the Church looks forward to welcoming Catholics back to Holy Mass. As always, the obligation does not apply to those who are sick and their carers or to those aware of their greater vulnerability to the virus. Read more “Restoration of Sunday Obligation” →

Pastoral Letter for the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I hope you have been refreshed by the celebrations of Christmas and New Year.

As you know, Pope Francis has invited the whole Church to embark on a “synodal journey”, one that will climax at the next Synod of Bishops in October 2023. Read more “Pastoral Letter for the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time” →

Bishop’s Letter for Justice and Peace

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Every year we begin the new year by praying for justice and for peace. And each year it seems that justice and peace are beyond our grasp, yet ever more necessary than the year before. As we look around us, we see a world where justice and peace are an elusive dream for so many but not a reality. Read more “Bishop’s Letter for Justice and Peace” →

Public Worship

At the beginning of Advent, the Bishops of Scotland looked forward to welcoming the faithful back to Holy Mass and anticipated that the restoration of the Sunday Obligation might be possible as we begin the New Year. Sadly, there has been a serious worsening of the situation and the restoration of the obligation will be postponed until a more favourable time. For us, Sunday is always a Holy Day and we invite those who are unable to be with us in person to continue to join with us in prayer and spiritual communion either by personal or family prayers or by online celebrations of Mass. Read more “Public Worship” →

Advent Reflection 4: The Christ child alone

We have come to a resting place.

Our journey started in hope as we took our first steps towards the Kingdom of Heaven. We remembered that the Kingdom lives here, in our future and includes everyone; those who suffer as well as those who live in relative comfort. Read more “Advent Reflection 4: The Christ child alone” →

Advent Reflection 3: Synod

You may know that there is going to be a major meeting of Bishops in Rome in 2023, called a Synod. The subject is Synodality and we are all asked to help prepare for it.  In his sermon at the Mass for the opening of the synod process in October, Bishop Hugh told us that the Greek word synod means three things: traveling together, sometimes meeting, and road, or way. He reminded us that Jesus said He is the way, so synod means the same as pilgrimage. Read more “Advent Reflection 3: Synod” →

Covid Update

Following the recent announcement by the First Minister (3rd August 2021) there are two main practical implications: Read more “Covid Update” →

Pastoral Letter on the Sixth Anniversary of Laudato Si’

God saw all that he had made and indeed it was very good.[1]

God’s creation is a great gift to all humanity, and humanity itself is an integral part of that creation. We are blessed by having the earth for our common home. It is a place of great beauty, teeming with life of all kinds, a world full of wonderful resources which enable us not only to live but to enhance our way of life. In nature, God’s glory is revealed for all to see.[2] St Francis of Assisi was prominent among the saints in giving praise to God for the wonder of creation.[3] Read more “Pastoral Letter on the Sixth Anniversary of Laudato Si’” →

Reopening the Church for Masses

In the wake of the First Minister’s recent announcements, from Monday, 19th July, we move to Level 0 of the Covid restrictions. It has practical positive implications for our communal worship:

Read more “Reopening the Church for Masses” →

Guidelines for the Resumption of Mass

The Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Pastoral Ministry Working Group has published this Infographic summary of guidance for parishioners as they return to church for the public celebration of Mass.  Read more “Guidelines for the Resumption of Mass” →