"The most Holy Virgin in these Times has given a new efficacy to the recitation of the Holy Rosary. She has given this efficacy to such an extent that there is no problem, no matter how difficult it is, that we cannot resolve by the praying of the rosary" ( Sr Lucia). A rosary service will be held in St. Mirins Cathedral on Tuesday, 17th March at 7.00 pm, for an end to the Coronavirus and in intercession for all those affected by it. This service is open to all. Not everyone will be able to be present for the Rosary at the Cathedral on Tuesday evening but we can all join in in this prayer, either at 7pm itself or at another time of the day.

Please note that the Mass at the Royal Alexandra Hospital is suspended. Also due to protocols implemented by Greater Glasgow & Clyde pastoral visits to hospitals are suspended at this time. Priests will still be available in an emergency—this should take place by asking the ward staff to get the switchboard to page/call for the on-call priest

Please keep in your prayers the children of Primary 4 in St Charles’ Primary School, who will be making their First Confessions this coming Tuesday, 17th March at 7.00pm

Parishioners are reminded once again that the car park across from the entrance to the church is for residents of Union Court only. Please therefore respect our neighbours and use the large car park behind the church or find alternative spaces. Thank you.

Each month we will have a safeguarding thought for the month to help us continue the focus on this important priority. The Safeguarding thought for March is: Families need to know that the Catholic Church is making every effort to protect their children. ( Pope Francis)

40th Anniversary of 1980 BEd class at Notre Dame College. In order to make 2020 special it is proposed to arrange a gathering of classmates. If interested please contact Mike Carroll by email at mikecarroll556@gmail.com

The Diocese of Paisley will be facilitating a 'Taize evening' for our youth (S1 upwards) at St. Fergus, Paisley on Tuesday, 10th March at 7pm. Led by Bishop John and two volunteers from the Taize community in France, the evening will be modelled on the practices of the Taize community in France, and will consist of communal prayer, song, silence, personal reflection and sharing. Under 16s should bring a completed consent form. These can be obtained from your parish or by e-mailing Fr. John Morrison - vocations@rcdop.org.uk.

The Scottish Government is consulting on new legislation around the ability to legally change gender. Consultation closes on 17th March. The Catholic Parliamentary Office has prepared a four page briefing to help people engage with the consultation process. The briefing can be accessed via https://rcpolitics.org/ briefing-gender-recognition-reformscotland-bill/ Please consider responding to the consultation. Anyone can access and respond to the consultation at https://consult.gov.scot/family-law/ gender-recognition-reform-scotland-bill/.

Bishop John will again be celebrating Station Masses around the diocese this Lent. Please come to your local Mass at St Mary’s, Paisley this Wednesday, 11th March. His 7.00pm Station Mass will be the only Mass in your cluster that day, to allow our priests and people to join him. Station Mass is simply Mass with the Bishop that replicates the ancient custom of the Popes to go out to ‘station parishes’ around Rome leading up to Easter. Bishop John’s homilies will be a catechesis on the meaning of the Creed as a simple summary of what Catholics believe. There will be Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions available from 6.00pm.

If you are interested in joining the Diocesan Choir as we prepare for the Chrism Mass, please join us as we rehearse in St Charles (Paisley) at 2.30pm on Sunday 15th March. All welcome!

This poses a danger particularly to vulnerable members of our community. It is spread by physical contact. We have a duty to protect each other by good general hygiene, especially washing hands frequently and thoroughly. If we have coronavirus -or cold/flu like symptoms, we should stay away from gatherings. The Diocese of Paisley will implement the following from FRIDAY 6th MARCH for parishioners. (1) Holy water fonts will be emptied; (2) The Sign of Peace will be suspended; (3) Distribution of the Precious Blood among the faithful will be suspended; (4) Holy Communion will be distributed on the hand or tongue. If receiving on the tongue, present yourself with mouth wide open and tongue extended to minimise finger contact from the minister. If receiving by hand, thoroughly wash your hands and extend them wide open for the host to be placed with minimum contact. Other guidelines are in place for parish workers and volunteers. Thank you for your co-operation.

Friday, 28th February has been designated as a Day of Prayer by Pope Francis for those who have suffered abuse. Please keep this intention in your prayers. This will be a particular intention during Stations of thee Cross at 7pm.

During Lent we will have Mass on Mondays and Thursdays at 7pm in addition to the usual 10 am weekday Mass. On Fridays we will have Stations of thee Cross and Benediction at 7pm

Bishop John will again be celebrating Station Masses around the diocese this Lent. Please come to you local Mass at St Mary's, Paisley on Wednesday 11th March. His 7pm Station Mass will be the only Mass in your cluster that day, to allow our priests and people to john him. Station Mass is simply Mass with the Bishop that replicates the ancient custom of the Popes to go out to 'station parishes' around Rome leading up to Easter. Bishop John's homilies will be a catechesis on the meaning of the Creed as a simple summary of what Catholics believe. There will be Eucharistic Adoration and Confessions available from 6pm. Maybe some will make your Lenten discipline to journey to all of these Masses.

A Lenten retreat group will again meet weekly from 7pm to 8.30pm each week in St Columba's Oratory, starting on Tuesday 5th February. The theme: "Journey into Freedom: a Retreat based in the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola". All are also welcome to a Lent Quiet Morning in the Oratory from 10.30 am to 1pm on Saturday 29th February - an opportunity for prayer, quiet time and sharing. The morning will end with Mass and a light lunch.

The Pilgrimage takes place from 26th June - 2nd July 2020. For more information please contact Fr Gerry McNellis: stninian@rcdop.org.uk

On Saturday 22 nd of February the 40 Days for Life Lenten Prayer and Fasting Vigil for an end to abortion will commence with the celebration of Holy Mass at 1pm in St Andrew’s Cathedral. It will be the Feast of the Chair of St Peter. Archbishop Tartaglia will be the celebrant. The 40 Days for Life Vigil will then take place as before from Ash Wednesday 26 th February from 8am until 8pm each day outside of the Hardgate Road entrance to the QEUH. The Vigil will close on Palm Sunday 5 th April at the QEUH. Continue reading ...

Th Diocese of Paisley will be holding a reflection day for young adults (S3 to S6) on Sunday, 1st March at St Mirin's Chaplaincy Centre, 45 High Street, Paisley. The day will be from 2pm to 6pm and will include Mass at at 5pm. NET Ministries will be our facilitators. While the retreat is open to all young people from this age group , there is an expectation that any participants in Youth to Lourdes 2020 should be in attendance. All attendees will be required to bring a signed consent form. These can be obtained from your school or your Parish or downloaded from the diocesan website. For more information please contact Father John Morriso: telephone 0141 889 5056 or email vocations@rcdop.org.uk

The Diocese of Paisley will be hosting a retreat day for primary school pupils for P4 to P7 at St Mary's Greenock on Sunday 15th March 2 - 6pm. The retreat day will include activities, Mass and the chance to meet new friends. All participants must bring a signed consent form. Consent forms can be obtained from your Parish primary school, downloaded from the Diocesan website or by contacting Father John Morrison - email: vocations@rcdop.org.uk or telephone 0141 889 5056.

Our Lenten Season begins with Ash Wednesday on 26th February. It is a day of fast and abstinence, which means giving up one meal of the day and abstaining from meat for the whole of the day. The season of Lent is a liturgical season of forty days of fasting, prayer and penitence, The liturgical colour for Lent is violet, the Gloria and Alleluias are omitted, Masses are celebrated with simple music and our sanctuaries are more quietly adorned.