Parish eBulletin (28.06.20)

Below is some important information from Fr Joe for the 13th week in Ordinary Time.

Collections: 21st June
Collection Gift Aid: £10
Collection Non–Gift Aid: £155
Gift Aid Building Fund: £110
Sick & Retired Priests: £55
Vocations: £30
Communications: £50
St Anthony’s: £10
Monthly Standing Orders: £1677

We pray for those who have died recently: Rebecca Nann.

We pray for those whose anniversary occur around now: Charles Burns, Chas Burns, Fr Charles Kane, Jimmy Mc Ewan.

Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (NHS): You can donate Blood in St Thomas Hall on Monday the 29th June from 1.30pm-3.30pm and then from 5pm-7pm. Please note that if you wish to donate blood on the above date, you have to book an appointment online. This is mandatory.

Re-opening of St Thomas Church: We will re-open our Parish Church this Sunday the 28th June for private prayer. We will open from 10am until 1pm. On weekdays (Mon-Sat) we will open for only one hour from 11am until 12 noon. On Wednesdays we will be open also from 5pm – 6pm. However, there are some guidelines from the Bishop’s Conference. All those entering the church must wear a mask or face covering, covering your mouth and nose at all times. This is mandatory and not an option. On entering the church, please use the Sanitary Hand Gel to clean your hands which the Steward will direct you to in the porch and then you may enter the main body of the Church. You must exit by the back door via the sacristy, as we will follow a one-way system. Please follow the instructions of the Stewards on entering and exiting the Church. The stewards will guide you to the seating areas. The two- metre distance will be followed at all times. Please, refrain as best possible from touching your surroundings. The stewards will disinfect your seating space after you vacate it. You cannot use votive candles or the toilet.

Volunteer Stewards: We are looking for volunteers to act as stewards during the opening times of the Church. The steward volunteer will greet everyone entering the Church and make sure that they are wearing a mask or face covering, which covers the mouth and nose. They will then ask the visitor to clean their hands on the sanitary gel provided and then point out to them the seating areas clearly marked. When the visitor vacates the seat, the Volunteer Steward will disinfect the seat area. All PPE will be provided by the Parish. Watch the video uploaded to further understand the role of the Steward Volunteer. We are still looking for more Steward Volunteers. Without them we cannot open the Church. So, thank you to the 4/5 people who have volunteered so far. Those who cannot be a Volunteer Steward are anyone under 18, anyone who has underlying health conditions which require shielding and anyone who has a long-term health condition which requires the annual flu vaccination. We should still be mindful that the over 70’s are one of the categories of people who should follow Scottish Government advice about whether or not to come to Church, as are women who are pregnant and those who receive the flu jab for medical reasons. If you are interested please call Margaret Gillies on 07870404344.

July, Month of the Most Precious Blood: Pope St. Clement I, who was Pope between Ad 88 to Ad 99 said, “Let us fix our gaze on the Blood of Christ and realize how truly precious it is, seeing that it was poured out for our salvation and brought the grace of conversion to the whole world.”. We are encouraged this month to meditate on the profound sacrifice of Jesus on the cross when he poured out his blood for all humanity.

On Fridays of this Month we will come together as a Parish at 7pm to pray a Litany of the Most Precious blood of Jesus along with other prayers. The prayers will be online from tomorrow (Sun) as will paper copies, which can be picked up from the plastic pouch on the front door of the Church house. The prayer below is taken from the Opening Prayer of the Votive Mass of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus.

O God, who by the Precious Blood of your only Begotten son have redeemed the whole world, preserve in us the work of your mercy, so that, ever honouring the mystery of our salvation, we may merit to obtain its fruits. Admitted to your sacred table, O Lord, we have with joy drawn water from the fountains of the Saviour: O may his blood, we beseech thee, become within us a fountain of water springing up to eternal life. Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Canon Bernard Canning: Could you all remember Canon Canning, who was parish priest here in St Thomas from 1991-2007, in your prayers? He is ill with a serious infection. Our Lady, health of the sick. Pray for him.