With a gradual return to public Masses, various parishes continue to stream services online, however, some times may change. Please check with the individual parishes.
Online Morning and Evening prayer will continue to be broadcast each day.
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Last Sunday we heard of our Lord’s baptism as told by the Gospel of Mark. Today we hear what happened next as told by the Gospel of John. The story is unfolding. We are at the beginnings of Jesus’ public activity. There’s an ancient tradition that Jesus began his public ministry at the time of the spring equinox, when the hours of daylight begin to prevail over the dark. That would fit. In agricultural societies, it’s the “hungry gap” when the winter supplies of food are running out and the new crops not yet in. People will feel needy. Crowds have gone down to the Jordan valley to hear the provocative, baptising prophet John. Spring is about. There’s warmth in the air, birdsong, fresh green. The light of Jesus is rising and new things are happening. John the Baptist sees him walking by, Continue reading
Jesus invited a little child to stand among them, “Truly I tell you,” He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-3)
You are invited to a book study of The Good Shepherd and the Child: A Joyful Journey to dive more deeply into the spirituality of childhood! Continue reading
In order to help people troubled by this question to settle their consciences, three public statements are laid out here.
They are not of themselves statements on the medical efficacy of these vaccines. This is a matter where we follow the judgment of competent health professionals. The statements address rather wider questions, e.g. concerning their sourcing, degree of obligation and availability. Continue reading
The Church in Scotland is now inviting enquiries from those considering applying for seminary. Continue reading
Following the death of Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, the President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Bishop Hugh Gilbert has issued the following statement: Continue reading
Today we remember the Baptism of the Lord. It’s an event that moves the imagination. We can picture Jesus making the journey from Nazareth south east to the Jordan valley, then standing in the crowd listening to John, joining the queue of those lining up for baptism. John recognises him. He’s taken aback. He hesitates. Jesus insists. The rite is performed. Into the river and under the water he goes. And then comes up. And something happens. Three things says St Mark: the sky is torn open, the Spirit appears in the form of a dove, and a voice speaks to Jesus: “You are my Son, the Beloved.” Who saw and heard this we don’t fully know. Jesus, yes; John yes; perhaps some others. This is often how these things are: visible and invisible, inner and outer, factual and mysterious at the same time. In any case, it was an epiphany: a manifestation, a disclosure of who Jesus is. And it marked the beginning of his public life. He did not go home to Nazareth and carpentry. Continue reading
Following the First Minister’s statement that all places of worship will close until Monday 1 February 2021, Scotland’s Catholic Bishops have issued the following statement:
“Recognising the dangers posed by the new faster-spreading variant of COVID-19, we note the Scottish Government’s decision to close all places of worship. Continue reading
“The riches of the sea will flow to you, the wealth of the nations come to you.”
The word “Epiphany” means manifestation. Something hitherto invisible becomes visible, something previously hidden shines out. There’s splendour around, “the glory of the Lord”. And it evokes a response. Continue reading
“The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we have seen his glory” – from the Gospel of John just proclaimed. Continue reading
We are all very busy preparing for Christmas: there’s an obvious statement! And those preparation are now in disarray. Life is complicated. From the 26th of this month, mainland Scotland will move into Tier 4. The good news is that our churches will remain open. The bad news is that Mass attendance will be reduced to 20. And this will be so for at least three weeks. After that, we don’t know. Continue reading