Parish News

Clergy Appointments: On Thursday 14^th August, Bishop Keenan made clergy appointments. Fr Joe Burke and Fr Ryan Black will remain in St Mirin’s parish and will continue to provide pastoral care of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Bishopton while the parish priest—Fr Dan Fitzpatrick—administers St Joseph’s parish in Clarkston. Fr Laurent Bahati will remain in St Mirin’s parish to assist Fr Joe and Fr Ryan. For the full list of appointments, visit https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/clergy-appointments-2025. Please continue to pray for your priests.

Bishopton: Fr Dan Fitzpatrick continues his role as Parish Priest of Our Lady of Lourdes parish. Should you wish to contact him directly, please note that he retains access to the email inbox OurLadyofLourdes@rcdop.org.uk; he can also be reached by telephone on 0141 644 2640.

This Week’s News

Prayers: Please pray for those who have died recently, including: Margaret Coyle, Jim Derrick, Joe Catterson, Jane Baird, Thomas McClure, Franciess Johnston Fay, Patricia Thompson, Michael O’Malley, Ryan Muirhead, Rita Bolger, Anthony McLean, Joe Valerio, Alexander Robertson, Terence Gallagher; and for those whose anniversaries occur around now, including: Hugh Freer, Ellen McGarrigle, Willie Creery, John Rae MacQuarrie, Peter and Margaret Balsitis, James Crammond, Isabel McCarron, Neil and Cathrine Kane, Jim McMillan, and Anne O’Hagan; and for the six months’ minds of Margaret O’Reilly and Patricia McGinnigle. Please pray also for the sick, especially in our parishes.

RCIA Rite of Election:  Those looking to be received into the Church at Easter will officially enrol to do so with the Bishop today, 22^nd February, at 2pm. Please keep all those on this journey from our own parish and throughout the diocese in your prayers. A total of 16 will be received at the cathedral’s Easter Vigil Mass this year.

Polish Mass: Because of the Rite of Election in the cathedral today, 22^nd February, the weekly Polish Mass will take place in the hall.

Foodbank Appeal: In response to a general shortage of items for food parcels distributed from Cathedral House, St Mirin’s Parish Pastoral Council is making a monthly appeal for non-perishable foodstuffs (no alcohol). The food parcels are produced by SSVP Our Lady of the Wayside conferences out of St Mirin’s Hall. Please leave all contributions in the cathedral porch next to St John Ogilvie’s shrine and in St James’s hall before Monday 23^rd February. Thank you for your support.

Bishopton Stations of the Cross: Stations of the Cross will be prayed in Our Lady of Lourdes church at 9.30am on Thursdays in Lent, unless there is a funeral at 10am.

Cathedral Stations of the Cross: Stations of the Cross will be prayed in the cathedral at 6.30pm on Wednesdays and at 12.30pm on Fridays, unless there is a funeral at 1pm. There will be no Stations of the Cross this week in the cathedral because of First Confessions (Wednesday) and a funeral (Friday). Please note that during Lent, there will be no Exposition on Friday afternoons. We will pray for vocations during Exposition on Thursdays.

Lenten Evening Masses: From Monday-Thursday in Lent, there will be an evening Mass throughout the cluster: Mondays in St Mary’s (7pm); Tuesdays in St Peter’s (6.30pm); Wednesdays in St Mirin’s (7pm); Thursdays in St Charles’s (7pm). Please note that due to First Confessions, there will be no evening Mass in the cathedral on 25^th February.

Cathedral Funerals: Requiem Masses will be celebrated this week in the cathedral for the repose of the souls of Margaret Coyle, Jim Derrick, and Jane Baird at 1pm on Monday 23^rd, Tuesday 24^th and Friday 27^th February, respectively. Margaret’s mortal remains will be received into the cathedral at 6pm on Sunday evening; Jim’s and Jane’s will be received into the cathedral before Mass. Requiescant in pace.

First Confessions: Please pray for the children in P4 at St Catherine’s PS and St John Ogilvie PS who will make their First Confession at 6pm on Wednesday 25^th February in the cathedral; and for the children in P4 at St James’s PS who will make their First Confession at 6pm on Thursday 26^th February in St James’s church.

Wednesday Evening: Because of First Confessions, there will be no evening Mass or Confessions in the cathedral on Wednesday 25^th February.

Exposition: There will be no Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the cathedral on Tuesday afternoon to allow for preparations for a funeral at 1pm. There will be no Exposition on Friday afternoons during Lent.

Young Adults: The Young Adults’ series on the Doctors of the Church continues on Wednesday 25^th February at 7pm in the diocesan office, with a talk on St Thomas Aquinas by Fr Matthew Carlin. All young Catholics (aged 18-35) are welcome. For more info, contact Fr Joe McGill at joe.mcgill@rcdop.org.uk or Fr Paul Laverty paul.laverty@rcdop.org.uk.

Cathedral Wedding: Please pray for Paul and Fiona, who will be wed in the cathedral on Friday.

St Mirin’s Men’s Group: A men’s group in the parish will meet weekly at 7am on Friday mornings in the diocesan office, for faith and fraternity, finishing for 8am. Coffee, prayer and time to reflect. All men aged 18+ are welcome. Email Fr Ryan for details: ryan.black@rcdop.org.uk.

P4-P7 Lenten Retreat Day: NEXT SUNDAY. The diocesan Youth Commission invites children in P4-P7 to a Retreat Day on Sunday 1^st March from 1.45pm-5pm. In this special Jubilee Year of St Francis, the theme is “Our Friends, the Saints: The Franciscan Saints.” The Retreat takes place in St Francis of Assisi church and halls on Auchenbothie Road in Port Glasgow (PA14 6JD). It will include Holy Mass. A light dinner will be provided. Registration is necessary: www.tinyurl.com/dpy-lent-2026. Email Fr Ryan for more info: VE-Youth@rcdop.org.uk.

Diocese of Paisley Podcast: In a new mini-series, the Diocese of Paisley Podcast meets the wonderful priests of the diocese. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be chatting to a few of them as they give us a very personal insight into their ministry. They’ll also lift the curtain, giving us an insight into their personal lives. In the first episode, we hear from Fr Ryan Black from St Mirin’s Cathedral as he reveals how he feels about his first appointment as a priest, and the journey he has taken to get here. You can listen at www.rcdop.org.uk/podcast or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Quiz Night: Congratulations to this month’s winners, RCIA Here to Stay. The next Quiz Night will take place from 7pm until 10pm on Friday 20^th March. Entry costs £2 per adult and £1 per child. Bring your own drinks and snacks. A maximum of 8 per team. Raffle prizes will be gratefully received. All are welcome.

Closure of Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme: In late January 2026, the UK Government announced the closure of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, which had allowed VAT to be reclaimed on repairs to listed places of worship (including St Mirin’s Cathedral), at the end of March 2026. This announcement was unexpected and will end a scheme which has been vital over many years. The Bishops’ Conference is working with other stakeholders to enter dialogue with both the UK and Scottish Governments – but we need you to make representations to your MP. It is better if as many people as possible in a constituency write to their MP. More details are available on the noticeboards.

Parish Pastoral Council: The St Mirin’s PPC will meet at 6.45pm on Wednesday 4^th March. If you have anything you would like to be discussed at the meeting, please speak to a priest or a member of the PPC.

Assisted Dying: Within the diocese, a number of MSPs voted for the Assisted Dying Bill at first reading. The Paisley Group of the Coalition Against Assisted Dying has identified two MSPs who they hope could be persuaded to change their vote. One of these is Natalie Don-Innes who represents Renfrewshire North and West. Her constituency covers Bishopton, Gallowhill, Renfrew, Erskine, Houston, Bridge of Weir and Kilmacolm. They are encouraging constituents to download and sign a letter, which can be found on the Home Page of the cathedral website. Completed letters should be returned to Cathedral House ASAP.

Bishopton Against Assisted Dying: To encourage as many people as possible to sign and date the letter to Ms Don-Innes drafted by the Paisley Group of the Coalition Against Assisted Dying, several copies have been printed and left in the porch of Our Lady of Lourdes church. Please sign and date this letter and return it to Fr Joe, Fr Ryan or Fr Laurent ASAP.

WhatsApp: Follow the St Mirin’s Cathedral channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbCIX8s1dAvw0CJkBv05.

Ireland Pilgrimage-Trip: £50 deposits are now due for those who have booked their places on the St Mirin’s Pilgrimage-Trip to Ireland in September 2026. Call David Conway on 0141 563 7498 for more info. A date will be arranged soon for an initial meeting.

Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion: A two-session course will be offered by the diocesan Liturgy Commission for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.  Everyone who wishes to serve as an Extraordinary Minister in 2026, either at Mass or in homes, must complete this course. The course will be offered in each deanery over two Saturdays, thus allowing the option to attend another venue if the date for any particular deanery does not suit someone. The course will cover introductions to the Theology of the Church and Mission, the Theology of Ministry, and on the second week, Eucharistic Theology and the Liturgy of the Mass. Registration for the sessions will begin from 11am each day; the first input will be from 11.30am until 12.30pm; from 12.30pm until 1pm there will be tea and coffee (participants should bring their own lunch if they wish); the second input will be from 1pm until 2pm. The session will end at 2pm. Those attending must complete a form and bring it with them to the first session. Forms can be collected from Margaret Mills, or from a priest. The dates are as follows:

East Renfrewshire: February 21^st and 28^th in St Joseph’s Hall, Clarkston.

Older News

Ireland Pilgrimage-Trip: £50 deposits are now due for those who have booked their places on the St Mirin’s Pilgrimage-Trip to Ireland in September 2026. Call David Conway on 0141 563 7498 for more info. A date will be arranged soon for an initial meeting.

Coffee Morning Appeal: The Cathedral Coffee Mornings after 11am Mass are a good way to get to know other parishioners. Volunteers give of their time to host every week. In 2026, many of the FOURTH Sundays of the month are not covered. If we can’t find volunteers to cover these days, we will have to cancel the Coffee Mornings. If you would be interested, please email Caroline at caroline.oneill1966@outlook.com. Thank you.

Madha Discount: Owned and run by parishioners, Madha in the Merchant City area of Glasgow offers the varied flavours of North and South Indian cuisine all under one roof. A first for Scotland! A family-owned restaurant, they serve traditional dishes of exceptional quality. Vegan and gluten-free menus available. For a 15% discount in Madha, simply mention St Mirin’s Cathedral when you arrive.

Cathedral Crafts: Interested in joining the Cathedral Crafts group? They meet every Thursday afternoon, after 1pm Mass. All are welcome to drop in for a chat and cuppa. Crafts new and old including knitting, crochet, embroidery, card making, hand sewing, machine sewing, water colours painting, patchwork, etc. For more info, pat_murdoch@hotmail.com or drop in any Thursday.

Vocations: Come and pray before the Blessed Sacrament for vocations to the priesthood. In St Mirin’s, on Fridays, from 12 noon until 1pm; in Bishopton, on Mondays and Fridays, from 9.25am until 10am.

Beaver Scouts: There are now spaces available for some more girls and boys (aged 6-7) to join the St Mirin’s Beaver Scouts on Tuesdays from 7-8pm in the cathedral halls. Beavers believe that fun, friendship and adventure are what matter most. If you enjoy being creative, playing games, going on visits and discovering the world around you then you will love what we do. Young people aged 7 ½ can join the Cubs. Come along on a Tuesday or email stmirinscubs@gmail.com for more info.

Card Readers: Two new card readers have been installed in the cathedral. You can now donate to St Mirin’s parish with the tap of a bank card or phone! These donations can be Gift Aided for those who pay tax. One card reader can be found in the porch; the other, at the side door leading to the car park. Thank you for your support.

OLOL Exposition: All are invited to pray for vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Paisley before the Blessed Sacrament exposed in OLOL church on Monday and Friday mornings.

Bulletin: Notices and names for the bulletin should be submitted no later than Thursday each week. Parishioners in Bishopton can continue to pop names and offerings through the letterbox at the Chapel House, or they can give them to Fr Joe or Fr Ryan after Masses.

Contact: Should anyone from either parish wish to speak to a priest, please contact Cathedral House (details above).

Sick List: Given the complications associated with Data Protection regulations—and the length of sick lists in both parishes—we do not publish the names of the sick in the bulletin. The practice in Our Lady of Lourdes of presenting the Sick List during the Offertory Procession will continue. Please keep all sick and housebound parishioners in your prayers.

Supporting the Parish: The best way to make recurring weekly or monthly donations is by setting up a standing order; you can set this up with your online banking or by calling in at a branch of your bank with the Parish bank details (from Fr Joe/Fr Ryan). Alternatively, parishioners can use PayaCharity (for single and repeat donations) but please note that PayaCharity receives 5% commission from all contributions. Following recent changes to the PayaCharity scheme, the new QR code you can scan to support the parish can be found at the top of the bulletin. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Cathedral Choir: If you are interested in joining the choir and meeting new people, speak with Pat Murdoch after 11am Mass or email pat_murdoch@hotmail.com.

Cathedral Crafts: Interested in joining the Cathedral Crafts group? They meet every Thursday afternoon. New members always welcome. Email pat_murdoch@hotmail.com.

Sacred Silence: At recent Parish Council meetings, the level of noise in the cathedral before and after Holy Mass has been discussed. It is worthwhile to reflect upon what the Church says about the importance of sacred silence, in the General Instruction of the Roman Missal: “It is commendable that silence to be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner.” We should all try to enter into a sacred silence in preparation for—and in thanksgiving after—Holy Mass.

Holy Communion at Home: In such a large parish, it is only natural that the list of housebound parishioners should be so long. With the recent growth of the cathedral parish, this list will no doubt grow. Fr Joe and Fr Ryan are appealing for parishioners who are interested in bringing Holy Communion to the housebound. If you are interested, please email or speak with Fr Joe or Fr Ryan. All who bring Holy Communion to people’s homes must be PVG-checked by the Church.

Standing Orders: The bank accounts of St James’s parish have now been closed. Any Standing Orders that were paying into those accounts will have been cancelled, and new Standing Orders will have to be set up. This gives us an opportunity to remind all parishioners that Standing Orders are a secure and reliable way to support your parish. Standing Order and Gift Aid forms will be available after all Masses this weekend. Thank you for your continued support.

Gift Aid: If you pay tax and you haven’t already signed a Gift Aid declaration for the parish, please do so. All your contributions will be augmented by 25% at no cost to you. In the year 2022-2023, the Gift Aid on contributions to the cathedral parish amounted to £18,000+.

Parish Register: We have established a register of parishioners with contact details, enabling us to email bulletins and other important information from the parishes. To register, please visit the website. We would appreciate it if as many people as possible would register.

Receiving Holy Communion: Receiving the Eucharist is the greatest gift imaginable. Before receiving Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, we are asked to make an act of reverence. After the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion says, “The Body of Christ,” each communicant responds, “Amen,” before receiving the Sacred Host. This response is a sign of our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Please consume the Host in front of the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister. If you are receiving the Host in your hand, please be careful to ensure that no particles remain on your hands.

Diocesan and Other News

Festival of Synodality: All are invited to the National Festival of Synodality at Glasgow Caledonian University on Saturday 6^th June, a day inspired by Pope Francis’ call to be “witnesses to synodality.” The Festival will focus on Conversation in the Spirit, a simple and powerful way of communal discernment rooted in listening, conversion and mission. The day will celebrate the fruits already flourishing in the Church in Scotland. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience Conversation in the Spirit first-hand. Lunch is included. All are welcome, especially those involved in parish and diocesan life, pastoral councils, schools and faith organisations. Tickets cost £65. Book here: www.bit.ly/synodality26.

Stop Assisted Suicide: Please take 30 seconds to contact your MP and ask them to stop assisted suicide from being forced into law. Right to Life UK has made an EasyAction tool to email your MP asking them to oppose attempts to force assisted suicide into law by bypassing the House of Lords. Please visit www.righttolife.org.uk/ASCommons2026 to ask your MP to oppose forcing the assisted suicide Bill into law.

Explore Paris with Diocese of Paisley Youth: Those who will be in S4-S6 in the next school year are invited to join us in Paris from 21-25 September 2026 for a pilgrimage filled with faith and friendship (and a trip to Disneyland!). Limited spaces available. To secure your child’s place, pay £100 deposit and complete the online form: https://www.tinyurl.com/dpy-paris-registration. For more info, email kerry.miller@rcdop.org.uk.

In God’s Image (V2): The Instruction on Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Scotland can be viewed here: https://www.bcos.org.uk/Safeguarding#InGodsImage.

Safeguarding Thought for the Month: We take time to respond to the Day of Prayer for Survivors of Abuse on Friday 20^th February 2026. (Feb 2026)

Safeguarding Training: Safeguarding Induction training has been organised into one course only. If you are a new volunteer—or one who completed Part 1 training more than two years ago—you are invited to sign up for one of the following training sessions.  Please contact Sarah Jane Colhoun at the Safeguarding Office to register (0141 847 6138; safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk). Next sessions: Saturday 28^th March, 10.30am, St Joseph’s (Greenock); Tuesday 21^st April, 7pm, Diocesan Centre (Paisley); Saturday 16^th May, 10.30am, St Mary’s (Greenock); Tuesday 9^th June, 7pm, Diocesan Centre (Paisley).

Applying for Seminary: At this time of year, the Catholic Church in Scotland welcomes applications for seminary for the year 2027. If you think God may be calling you to the joyful life of a Priest in the Diocese of Paisley—to serve His people, to celebrate the Sacraments and to Preach the Word— then ‘do not be afraid – He is there.’ To find out more about the application process and seminary itself, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director, Fr Eoin Patten, by email at ve-vocations@rcdop.org.uk.

2025 Diocesan Safeguarding Action Plan: A copy of the completed Safeguarding Action Plan for 2025 is now available on the diocesan website.  This plan was reviewed at the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Group on 11^th December 2025 and has now been approved by Bishop John.  As always, we extend our thanks and gratitude to all our clergy, PSC’s and church volunteers who commit themselves to ensuring our Church communities remain as safe and protected as humanly possible.

Vocations: Please join us in praying for more vocations to the Diocese of Paisley. Have you connected with our new diocesan Vocations social media accounts? Instagram – dioceseofpaisleyvocations; TikTok – paisleyvocations; X – @DoPVocations. Vocations Director Fr Eoin Patten explains our new Vocations message, “He is There!” Be sure to like, follow and share.

Bible Study: Join Fr Matthew for Bible Study in St Aidan’s, Johnstone on Mondays at 7pm in the parish house. Using a course called “Genesis to Jesus,” we will learn about the story of God’s covenant with His People, especially in the Old Testament. Please bring a Bible if you have one, but don’t worry if you don’t!

Diocesan e-Bulletin: This weekend, the diocesan Communications Commission is launching the Diocese of Paisley e-Bulletin. The bulletin does not replace individual parish bulletins but adds to them by allowing news and events from across the diocese to be shared with the wider diocesan community. In order to receive the e-Bulletin each week by email, please subscribe at rcdop.org.uk/diocesan-bulletin.

Podcast: Listen to The Diocese of Paisley Podcast at rcdop.org.uk/podcast and on all major platforms.

Mailing List: The diocesan Youth Office seeks to provide opportunities for children and young people from the ages of 5-35 to foster faith and develop friendships. Parents/guardians and young people can complete an online form to sign up to a mailing list and stay informed about events for young people in the Diocese of Paisley. Access the form here: www.tinyurl.com/dpy-mailing.