Welcome to the Catholic Parishes in Duntocher & Faifley

candlecross3

Pope Leo XIV

5933af03-67e9-5254-08ea-df06abc525d6
I share the joy of more than a billion Catholics around the world at the news that we have a new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV!
When a Pope dies, Catholics feel a real sense of loss; almost a sense of being orphaned. And so the arrival of a new Holy Father is news of great joy for us.
While I do not know the new Pope personally, I know that he was widely regarded as a fine pastor with experience as a missionary priest as a bishop in Peru and as a cardinal in the Vatican with responsibility for appointing bishops all over the world and that experience will be of great value in the tasks which await him.
He will not be a carbon copy of Pope Francis or any of his predecessors. He will be a man who brings his own gifts and experience to the Church and to the world and I look forward with a mixture of excitement and gratitude to the months and years ahead as we get to know and love our new Pope.

4th Sunday of Easter

‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them.’

On this ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’, the Gospel verses are taken from the tenth chapter of St John. Here Jesus speaks of himself as the Good Shepherd, who brings life, love and protection to those within his flock.

 In the First Reading, St Luke describes a turning point in Paul and Barnabas’ ministry. Rather than discouraging them, their rejection by the Jews fills them with fresh confidence to preach the message to the Gentiles. They are filled with joy and the Holy Spirit as the Church then begins to expand throughout the whole region.

The Psalm is full of joyful thanksgiving. It is a powerful reminder that we are made by God. We are the sheep of his flock and he will never ever abandon us.

The Second Reading reflects God’s diverse and inclusive plan for salvation. This heavenly scene depicts people from all corners of the earth, of every nation, tribe and  language. We are united in faith and rejoice in God’s unconditional, limitless love.

In the Gospel the image of the Good Shepherd reassures us that we do not have to earn God’s love; it is freely and unconditionally given to all of us. All we need to do is hear his voice and follow him.

As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we pray that we will be liberated, rejoicing in the knowledge that we already belong to God whose love for all people is abundant. How might I bring this message of unity and acceptance to different communities during this Easter period?

(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)

ARTWORK

Christ as the Good Shepherd  

Lucas Cranach the Younger

Anger Museum Erfurt, Germany

Pope's Prayer Intention for May

candlecross3
candlecross3
pexels-photo-13422648-640wC

Mass and Confession Times

Sunday Masses
St. Mary’s - Sat Vigil Mass 5pm; 10am
St. Joseph’s - 12 Noon
Weekday Mass
St. Mary’s - Monday – Friday 9.30am
Sacrament of Reconciliation
St. Mary’s - Saturday 4.15 - 4.45pm
(Please note that the Confession box is the one next to sacristy)
St. Joseph’s - Sunday 11.45am

candlecross3
Scroll to Top