St. Joseph's, Helensburgh

ADVENT

Today we begin the season of Advent: a period of reflection, hope and preparation as we await the celebration of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. The word "advent" comes from the Latin word for "coming" or "arrival". 

Jesus is the light of the world…and he calls us to bring his light to the world. During Advent, the coldest and darkest time of the year, we use a special Advent wreath with candles to represent the light of Jesus in our hearts and homes. The wreath's circle of evergreen branches symbolizes eternal life and God's infinite love and mercy. This weekend we light the first purple candle, representing Hope.

As Francis of Assisi said, “All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.”

 

ADVENT REFLECTION

As we begin this sacred season of Advent, why not step away from the noise and join us in a focussed time of spiritual preparation on Tuesday 2nd December in the presbytery? All are welcome. 

There is more about the season and some prayers for Advent on the Advent Reflections page.

​

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The start of Advent also marks the beginning of the Church's year. We switch to Year A of the liturgical cycle, also know as the Year of Matthew. You can read more about the Gospel of Matthew on our Reflection page. 

​​​

HOLY YEAR 2025

It is a year ago that Pope Francis opened the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, marking the start of the Jubilee Holy Year of Hope. There's now just under six weeks before the Holy Year draws to a close on the Feast of the Epiphany.

As Pilgrims of Hope we reflect on the year and would like to invite you to share your own experiences of the Holy Year: perhaps you visited one of the designated shrines, or were able to pass through one of the Holy Doors; did you take part in any special service or celebration?

Please send your thoughts, memories, or even pictures for us to share on our Holy Year page. Items can be emailed to stjoseph.helensburgh@rcag.org.uk

​​

FAMILY MASS AND COFFEE MORNING

Next weekend we'll celebrate our Family Mass at the 11am mass at St. Joseph's, followed by a coffee morning in church. We hope you can join us. Please bring a reusable cup, if possible, and donations of home baking are welcome.

​

PARISH MERGER​

Members of the parish councils of St Gildas, Rosneath, and St. Joseph's, Helensburgh, met with Archbishop Nolan on 10th November to discuss, in depth, the proposed merger of the parishes. The discussion included an open exchange of concerns, hopes and logistical considerations. There was a consensus agreement to go ahead with the merger.

The group also unanimously agreed to retain St. Joseph's as the patronal name for the new merged parish, which will comprise St. Joseph's and St. Gildas' churches. 

Ahead of the merger there will be some administrative changes (such as bank accounts and bulletins). We will continue to keep all parishioners informed as the merger proceeds.

​​​​

SVdP APPEALS

Christmas Collection 

Next week you will have the opportunity to make a special donation to our parish Society of St Vincent de Paul. All money received will be spent helping to make this Christmas much brighter for around 25 local families, mainly single parent or immigrant/refugee families who are now part of our local community. All are struggling financially and need assistance, that our parish SVDP, with your help, can provide.

​

Ozanam Collection

Our St Vincent de Paul society would be pleased to receive Men's waterproof type jackets, jeans and trainers only.  Items can be given to the SVDP Member/s holding the donations box at the end of Vigil & Sunday Masses. The team will then deliver to the Ozanam Centre for distribution. Please note: we cannot take any other clothing or shoes. The closing date for the appeal is 30th November. Thanks in advance for your support.

​

Piano Keyboard needed
A Ukrainian refugee mum has asked if anyone has a keyboard no longer being used that could be given to her young son. Their keyboard is no longer working, and they are both sad about this. If you can help, please speak to Kathleen or phone SVDP 07954 163267.

​​

NATIVITY PLAY

An invitation is extended to the town Nativity Play in Colquhoun Square next Saturday, 6th December, at 1.30pm. Seating will be provided, the event will last for half an hour. Community Carol Singing is part of the Nativity narrative and children are invited to dress in costume if they wish. There will be a real donkey present. Refreshments will be offered afterwards in the Baptist Church. For more information see the poster at the back of the Church.

​

​​​SECOND COLLECTIONS

The second collection for Catholic Education last weekend raised £324.05.  Thank you for your generosity.

​​

Future second collections are as follows:

• Next weekend, 6th/7th December: Annual SVDP collection 

• 14th December: Caring Sunday - St Nicholas Care Fund.

• 24/25th December: For the Carmelite Sisters in Dumbarton.

​​

​CHILDREN'S LITURGY

Children's Liturgy continues this Sunday at the 11am mass in St. Joseph's. Please encourage our younger members to take part.

​​

​​​​DEANERY YOUTH MINISTRY

Theology on Tap: The next evening of discussion and fellowship takes place on Thursday 11th December at 7pm at the Abbotsford Hotel, Dumbarton. The theme for the third event is "Mary: His mother and our mother."

​

This is part of the monthly series of talks and fellowship for 16–30 year olds in West Dunbartonshire, led by Fr. Ross Campbell (St. Patrick's, Dumbarton).  For more information on the series, see the Youth Ministry section of our Parish Groups page. You can also contact CatholicYoungAdults.WD@gmail.com or follow us on Facebook (Catholic Young Adults in West Dunbartonshire) and Instagram (@CatholicYAWD).

​

​​​​​​DEVOTIONS

There will be a time of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament starting at 9am on Tuesday and Thursday this week.

​​​​​

FOODBANK

October was a busier month at the Food Bank with 311 Food Bags issued to local individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and food poverty, that was 61 more bags than the previous month. A total of 5,778 food items was distributed by the Food Bank. Most needed this month is Cartons of Long Life Milk and Tins of Fray Bentos Chicken Pies, Fray Bentos Steak & Gravy Pies, Mixed Vegetables, Custard and Fruit Cocktail. A full list is on the church notice board. Grateful thanks for your continued support.

​

​NOTICES​​

If you have any notices for the bulletin or noticeboard, please send them to parish email address (see above) or give to Fr Greg no later than Thursday of each week.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​

We remember in our prayers:​​

• the sick, including Janice Keeper, Margaret Cavana Mckechnie, Mgr. John Hughes, Anne Cunningham, Paul Letters, Louie Sims, Maxine Widdop, Mary Campbell, Nicola Maruyama, Gerald McGoldrick, Sabina Kosovyck, Ian O'Donnel, Anne Kelly.

• the recently deceased, especially: Annie Grant, Rena O'Neill, Gerard McGurk, Marion Christine Page, Melda Dollar.

• all those whose anniversaries occur about this time, especially:  Thomas and May Welsh, Fr. Peter Lennon, Joan Cattenach, Nora Beale, John Hickey, Nancy Turner.

 

​

​