St. Joseph's, Helensburgh

POPE LEO XIV

Following his election and first days, the formal inauguration of Pope Leo takes place on the morning of Sunday 18th May, marking the official beginning of his pontificate. We keep him in our prayers as he begins this new phase of his ministry, asking the Holy Spirit to guide him. You can read more about Pope Leo XIV on the Reflection pages of our website.

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EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Over the coming weeks and months we have a number of events planned which we hope you will get involved in.

Joy of the Spirit - 8th June

A short service to celebrate Pentecost, followed by a reception in the gardens. Parishioners from the wider Argyll and Vale of Leven pastoral area have been invited to join us for the event, so please do come along and make them welcome. Any contributions of home baking for the reception would be welcome.

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Parish Synod - 14th June

As we shared last week, our synod is just a few weeks away. Please remember to return the questionnaire with your ideas and reflections - there's a box at the back of church for completed forms. If you didn't manage to get a form last week you can download a copy from the website or Facebook page or speak to one of the Welcome Ministry.

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International Barbeque - 29th June

Continuing the tradition started by Monsignor Hughes, we'll be holding our parish barbeque on 29th June after the 11am mass and are looking for your help to bring some international flavour! If you are able to contribute a dish representing a different culture or tradition, or if you'd like to supply some home-baking, please add your name and a note of the dish to the poster at the back of church. We hope as many as possible will come along on the day to spend some time together more socially.

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Parish Pilgrimage - tbc

We hope to arrange a pilgrimage to the beautiful retreat of Schoenstatte in the Campsie Fells, probably late August or September. At this stage we simply want to gauge interest before we find a date and commit. The plan would be to arrange coach transport, leaving Helensburgh around 10am and returning no later than 5pm. There will be a small donation requested to cover costs and you'll need a packed lunch. If you would be interested, please add your name to the list at the back of church - this doesn't commit you to attending, but will allow us to get more information and explore options.

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GET INVOLVED!

Could you commit some time, no matter how much and either occasionally or regularly, to support the life of our parish and help build our community? Whether it is by getting involved in the events outlined above or contributing to the many other activities which keep the parish going, we're keen to extend the opportunity to as many as possible. If you are interested in any of the following (or if you have ideas of your own) let us know the the 'Volunteers' list at the back of church or via the parish email.

Ways to get involved: 

- Welcoming the community to services   -   Reading at Mass  -   Take the Collection   -   Join the Choir   -   Help with Coffee Mornings   -  and many moreI

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ST JOSEPH'S SCHOOL

We are delighted to learn that we have a new head teacher at our primary school. Jenna McGlinchey was successfully appointed and we extend our warmest congratulations. We look forward to continued close collaboration with her and the whole school. Please keep them all in your prayers.

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DEVOTIONS

Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament continues each Tuesday and Thursday morning before Mass, starting at 9am.​​

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​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.​​​​​​​​​​​

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​​​​​​​​FOODBANK

April was a very busy month at the Foodbank with 303 Food Bags issued, providing a five-day supply of food to local individuals and families within our local community, all experiencing financial hardship and food poverty. This was a total of 6,366 food items distributed by the Food Bank. Most needed this month is Breakfast Cereals, Tins of Cold Meat, Vegetables & Fruit, and Long Life Milk. A full list is on the church noticeboard. Grateful thanks for continued support and thanks also to our parishioners who volunteer at the Foodbank.

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We remember in our prayers​​

• the sick, including Janice Keeper, Margaret Cavana Mckechnie, Lesley O’Neill, Grace Dunn, Mgr. John Hughes, Tilda Evans, Anne Cunningham, Paul Letters, Louie Sims, Ernie Rutkiewicz, Catherine Bell.

• the recently deceased, especially Pope Francis, Michael McGlinchey, Maura O'Connor, Margaret Owens, Michael Blake.

• all those whose anniversaries occur about this time, especially: William Carney, Joseph Scullion, Isabella Brabender, Margaret Nichol, Anne Gaughan.

 

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