St Mungo's, Glasgow

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Since our last contribution to the Province Newsletter, we have moved back into the Church, after an absence of more than a year while the restoration work was going on. While there are still some small things to be done, we are delighted to be back in the Church and to see the effects of about a year and a half of repair and improvements.

Our programme for Lent includes two Lectio Divina groups, one in the parish and one in the University, and a weekly Meditation on the Passion for young adults. We also have a daily Mass in two of our Primary Schools, in the morning before class begins. These school Masses are often attended by adults who not practising Catholics and who initially feel more comfortable attending Mass in school than in church. This year's Lent Retreat in Caledonian University will be given by Tom Scanlon.

This year's Lent is made easier by the presence in the community of Eustace and Justinian, who are both making a valuable contribution to our life and ministry. Hubert, who is now unable to preside at the Eucharist in church because of his eyesight, is still busy doing confession duty, as well as visiting the sick and the unchurched in various parts of the West of Scotland.

Augustine gave a Lenten mission with Charlie in Arklow a few weeks ago and is about to set off again, this time with Charlie and Martin Coffey to Carrigart, Co. Donegal. In spite of his missionary labours and his work at home, he still finds time to write reflections for Lent for the Limerick Leader.

We recently waved goodbye to Sister Vincent Strambi who has moved to Ilkley. Vincent was the first of the Cross and Passion Sisters to arrive at Saint Mungo s when the CP sisters community was set up five years ago. She and Maureen lived with us in Parson Street until they and Edith found accommodation in Sighthill. Vincent made a valuable contribution to the life of the parish, visiting the housebound in the parish and the sick in the royal infirmary, and helping in our day centre for the elderly and sometimes also in the refugees and asylum seekers project. She has grown to be much loved by the people for her warmth and friendliness. We will also miss her for her quiet presence and her ability not to take the brethren too seriously.

A few weeks ago, we celebrated the funeral Mass of May McGovern, the sister of the late Brother Louis McGovern C.P. May had attended daily Mass in Saint Mungo's until quite recently when she became housebound. Small and quiet, but always ready to greet you with a smile and a cheerful word, May was 92 when she died. May she rest in peace.