Contents
Jubilee in Botswana
Rondavel Blessing
Seminar
Thanksgiving Mass

From Fr. Martin cp
Homily - St. Gabriel

News of
Tobar Mhuire
Holy Cross, Ardoyne
Mount Argus
The Graan
St. Mungo's Glasgow

  

News from St. Mungo's

Work on the restoration of the exterior of the church began last October. This includes re-roofing, stonework repairs, conservation of the stained glass, and re-instatement of a number of original features over the main entrance, which had been removed in the 1930s. Since January, we have had to vacate the church, with Masses being celebrated in the Hall. The total cost of the project is about one and a half million pounds, most of which is funded by Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Meanwhile, parishioners are involved in a wide range of activities to raise the rest of the money. Gus will be running in the Edinburgh 10K mini-marathon in September for the restoration fund.

In Sighthill, Iraqi families wait to hear news from their parents or brothers and sisters in Baghdad and other parts of the country. The situation here has been aggravated by an increase in racist violence. Among the hundreds of Iraqis living in Sighthill are about twelve Catholic families. Our Passionist Sisters have been visiting their homes during the past weeks to show solidarity with them. Meanwhile the drop-in centre for refugees and asylum seekers at Saint Mungo's is still welcoming new arrivals in the area.

Last November we started a monthly Mass in French for refugees from French-speaking countries in Africa. This has led to the setting up of French-speaking RCIA groups for adults and teenagers from the "communauté francophone" who wish to be baptised. Last month we also hosted a Mass for a group of Malankara Indian Orthodox Christians celebrated by Father Abraham Thomas from Kottayam, Kerala, who is parish priest of the Indian Orthodox parish in London.

For the last two years, Paul Francis and Sister Maureen have been the Catholic chaplains at Glasgow Caledonian University. Formerly known as the Glasgow College of Technology and located beside Dobbies Loan, the University has eleven thousand full-time and three thousand part-time students, mostly engaged in health, business, computing or technology related courses. This year's Lent Retreat at the University was given by Gus and was, of course, well-received by all.

Meanwhile, Jim and Gus carry the bulk of the burden of the parish work, as Paul Francis is still doing the Royal Infirmary chaplaincy, while we wait for the Archbishop to resolve the issue of the lack of a full-time chaplain for the Royal. Jim is recovering slowly from his last operation and has finally overcome a post-operative infection which had left him very weak for several months. In the midst of his other occupations, Gus has managed to contribute a series of articles for Lent to the Limerick Leader.

Many in the Province will remember Eddie Finnegan, a lifelong member of the SVDP and tireless supporter of generations of Passionists here in Saint Mungo's. After struggling with cancer and other complications, Eddie died peacefully at the great age of eighty-six. May God reward him for his goodness.