If you have a notice you would like added to the list, email notices@rcdop.org.uk.

Diocesan Vocations Mass: On Thursday, 12th September, we will celebrate the Diocesan Vocations Mass at St. John’s in Port Glasgow (6.30pm). Bishop John invites you to attend this Mass and to pray between this Sunday Pentecost) and the 12th of September for an increase in Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Consecrated Life. Bishop John asks that between Pentecost and the 12th September (National Vocations Awareness Week), we pray daily for an increase in vocations. You may find it suitable to offer a daily Rosary or a visit to the Blessed Sacrament for this intention.

Youth to Lourdes 2025: In S3-S6? Do you want to serve others? Learn more about your faith? Meet other young people? Y2L could be for you! We will leave Scotland on Thursday 26th June 2025 and return on Friday 4thJuly. Transport by bus & ferry. The pilgrimage costs £750 butwith a deposit of £75.00 before our first meeting on Sunday 7th September at the Diocesan Offices in Paisley, you will qualify for an Early Bird rate of £700! To travel, you must have a valid UK or EU Passport. Want to know more? Call FrJohn Morrison on 0141 889 2026 5056 or email vocations@rcdop.org.uk.  For more info, visit https://rcdop.org.uk/events/youth-to-lourdes-2025.

Safeguarding Induction Training: Safeguarding Induction Training has been organised into one course only.  If you are a new volunteer, or one who completed Part 1 training more than a year ago, you are invited to sign up for one of the following training sessions:

• Saturday 21st September at 10.30am in St. Mary’s, Greenock

• Tuesday 22nd October at 7pm in St. Mary’s, Greenock

• Tuesday 12th November at 7pm in the Diocesan Centre, Cathedral Precincts, Paisley

• Saturday 23rd November at 10.30am in St. John’s Parish Hall, Barrhead

To sign up for a place on one of the above training sessions,  you should  first inform your Parish Safeguarding Coordinator that you wish to attend Safeguarding Training. Secondly to book a place contact Sarah Jane Colhoun at safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk or call her on 0141 847 6138. 

Sponsored Camino Pilgrimage: Our Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor, Gerry McBride, is walking the St Francis section (116km) of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in October 2024 for the Celtic Foundation. The 5-day trek is entirely self-funded, with all monies raised going towards the charitable aims of the Foundation, which will be particularly focussed this year on children’s development projects and providing much-needed financial support to the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children within our local communities. You can support Gerry's efforts by visiting https://bit.ly/McBride-Camino. All donations will be gratefully received.

Marriage Preparation Courses: We invite engaged couples due to be Married in 2024 to register for our final course of this year.  Starting on Wednesday 18th September, the course will consist of two evening in-person sessions, and one Saturday morning workshop, which will be held in St. Mirin’s Cathedral Hall, Paisley. For any additional details please contact marriageandfamily@rcdop.org.uk. The cost for the course per couple is £50 which includes a gift with additional reading materials, couple exercises, books and light refreshments during the workshop. Once couples have registered we will contact them directly regarding attendance at the course and a certificate will be issued upon completion. This course fulfils church requirements regarding preparation before marriage and is a wonderful opportunity to meet other couples and share in fellowship. You can follow the link to access further information https://www.rcdop.org.uk/marriage-preparation or use the QR code to see the course dates and go straight to our booking page. We look forward to seeing you!

Setting Out on the Road: Are you a Catholic Teacher who needs your Catholic Teaching Certificate? Setting Out on the Road is a course which leads to the award of the CTC enabling you to teach Religious Education in our Catholic schools. If you live or work in the Diocese of Paisley, you can sign up for monthly group support seminars, and the Diocese of Paisley will cover the cost of the course fee. Find out more: https://www.rcdop.org.uk/news/setting-out-on-the-road-1

Think Vocation: “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” Are you being chosen to give life to His people as a priest? Contact Fr John Morrison: 0141 889 2602 | vocations@rcdop.org.uk.

Catholic Parish Summit Reflections: Between June 12th and 14th, Parishes from all over the UK, Ireland, parts of Europe, and as far away as New Zealand gathered in Harrogate to reflect on how we can become evangelising parishes. We invite you to join us for a series of evening reflections on some of the speakers' presentations. These will take place in St. Bernadette’s Church, Park Drive Erskine, PA87AE, from 7 pm until 8.30 pm.

• Thu 5th September – Michelle Moran - Leading with Hope

• Thu 17th October – Sister Miriam James Heidland – Healing and Leadership

• Thu 7th November – Stephen Foster – Leading in a Post- (Pre-?) Christian Society

Deanery Meetings on Assisted Suicide: The real facts about the Assisted Dying Bill and how it will change health care in Scotland for good- for you, your elderly and vulnerable ones- should concern you.  The Bill is before Parliament and could pass the critical Stage One by the end of the year which will effectively ensure State sanctioned euthanasia in Scotland. So, action is urgent.  If our MSPs hear nothing from us as citizens, they will feel free to vote it in. Deanery meetings around our diocese will help parishioners build local momentum to make MSPs sit up, take notice and vote against it.  Please come to our meetings and invite anyone concerned about this watershed moment.  Bishop John will attend all meetings:

• Mon 9th September at 7.00pm. St. Joseph’s Hall, Clarkston (East Ren Meeting) 

• Tue 10th September 7.00pm, St. Mary’s Hall, Greenock (Inverclyde Meeting)

• Wed 25th September at 7.00pm. St. Mirin’s Hall, Paisley. (Renfrewshire Meeting)

Young Couples and Families: Following a brief summer break, our gatherings will recommence on September 21st at 2pm in the Cathedral Halls. Deacon Patrick Doogan will join us for prayers and spiritual guidance. Complimentary tea and coffee will be available, but we kindly ask attendees to bring their own snacks. See you there! For more information, please contact: youngfamiliesrcdop@protonmail.com. 

Novena: Join the community at St Margaret's in Johnstone for a Novena to Our Lady, Untier of Knots, weekly from Tuesday 10th September at 6.30pm until Tuesday 5th November. There will be Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Novena Prayer and Procession to the Lady Altar with our petitions, finishing with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. All welcome to attend. You may email your petitions to stmargaret@rcdop.org.uk if you are unable to attend in person. All welcome to join us in this Novena.

March for Life UK 2024: The March for Life UK will take place on Saturday 7th September 2024 in London. The Diocese of Paisley in partnership with SPUC is organising an overnight coach for pro-lifers wishing to attend. Pickup from Paisley St Mirin’s Cathedral (midnight) and Glasgow St Andrew’s Cathedral (12.30am). Return from Parliament Square at 6pm. To book your seats (£30pp or for one way only £15pp), visit: https://rcdop.org.uk/marchforlife2024