SYNOD 2021-2023
We need to begin our work on the current Synod. Every parish in the world has been invited to contribute to the Synod Process. Synodality is the word used by Pope Francis to describe his vision of the church in the 21st Century. Primarily it’s about the Church as a way of living and working as Communion. It is about the style and form of the Church. This refers to the experience of communion, participation and mission by all the faithful in the life and evangelising task of the Church and flows from the Godhead itself. All members of the Church sharing in the one Priesthood of Christ by virtue of their baptism are members of the priestly, prophetic and royal People of God. We need to meet four times before Easter to discuss these ideas as a parish. Before we meet though, the fundamental question should be kept in mind:
A synodal Church, in announcing the Gospel, “journeying together”:
How is this “journeying together” happening today in St Anthony’s & St Mark’s?
What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?
The best way to approach this then, I think, is to treat it primarily as a parish Synod.
SUNDAY MASS ATTENDANCE
The Reintroduction of the Obligation to attend Sunday Mass is to be reintroduced and the Bishops of Scotland have issued a Pastoral Letter on this subject. Bishop Toal has issued a supplementary letter responding to comments from the clergy and the faithful on the original letter.
The original letter can be read by clicking here but it is important to read also the subsequent one from Bishop Toal which can be read by selecting the link to it immediately below the Pastoral Letter or by clicking here.
BOOKING FOR MASS IS NO LONGER REQUIRED
Because Scotland moved to Level Zero for Covid restrictions from Monday 19th July, the congregation can now simply turn up for any Service they wish. This does NOT mean that there are no restrictions so please click here to see the Bulletin for Sunday 15th August for details. In particular face masks are still required.
Fr. Coyle has added some Services to our normal weekly events, please see the Services page for details.
The parish is in the diocese of Motherwell and is a merger of two parishes.
St. Mark’s parish was founded in 1956 and the church was formally opened in 1961 by Bishop James Scanlan.
St Anthony’s parish was established in 1965 and the church was formally opened in 1970 by Bishop Francis Thomson.
Father Coyle’s initial message
I am absolutely delighted to be your priest. I grew up in Rutherglen and my grandparents lived in this parish; I also spent time here one summer during my seminary training, so I am familiar with the parish. I know many of you and I am looking forward to getting to know many more of you. I also know Fr Frank very well and I know he loved working here. I am looking forward to building upon the great work he has done here.
Church Closures & Reopening
The reopening of the churches is still a gradual process and we have to face the fact that it will still be a while before things go fully back to the way they were before. In the meantime, please note that the obligation to attend Mass on a Sunday continues to be suspended.
Our two churches will open for Sunday and weekday Masses as announced in the weekly bulletin.
Please continue to pray for each other, for the most vulnerable, and for those seeking to navigate a way out of this crisis.