SOLEMNITY OF SS. PETER AND PAUL: “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.’ (Acts 12:11).
SAINT OF THE WEEK: St Irenaeus (130 – 202)
A stained glass window by Lucien Bégule (1848–1935) in the church of St Irenaeus at Lyon, France.
Whenever we take up a Bible we touch Irenaeus’s work, for he played a decisive role in fixing the canon of the New Testament. It is easy for people nowadays to think of Scripture – and the New Testament in particular – as the basis of the Church, but harder to remember that it was the Church itself that had to agree, early on, about what was scriptural and what was not.
Before Irenaeus, there was vague general agreement on what scripture was, but a system based on this kind of common consent was too weak. As people meditated on the intolerable event of the Redemption, dissensions and heresies inevitably arose, and reference to scripture was the obvious way of trying to settle what the truth really was. But in the absence of an agreed canon of scripture it was all too easy to attack one’s opponent’s arguments by saying that his texts were corrupt or unscriptural; and easy, too, to do a little fine-tuning of texts on one’s own behalf.
So Irenaeus went through all the books of the New Testament, and all the candidates (such as the magical pseudo-Gospels, and the entertaining and uplifting novel The Shepherd of Hermas). He did not simply accept or reject each book, because his enemies could have said that he was doing it to bolster his own arguments: he gave reasons for and against the canonicity of each. Irenaeus’s canon of scripture is very nearly the modern one (he does not quote from three of the short universal epistles), but more important is the fact that he started the tradition of biblical scholarship.
Irenaeus had to fight against the Gnostics, who believed that the world was irredeemably wicked, and against the Valentinians, who claimed to be possessors of a secret tradition that had never been written down but passed from master to disciple through the ages. This pessimism and this arcane élitism remain with us even today, and each generation must renew the fight against them. Let us pray for the inspiration of St Irenaeus in our battle.
UPDATE ON PARISH SHRINE TO SS. CARLO, FRANCIS & CLARE: With the help of an architect in the parish, we have now settled on the exact size of the three icons for the triptych which will form the central feature of the shrine. This will enable the iconographer to begin work once the wood required has been supplied from the source he uses in Serbia. We are now working on determining the accessories that will be needed for the shrine, e.g. specialised glass coverings for the icons (non-reflective, UV-proof, etc.), lighting, the display for the first class relic of St. Carlo, kneelers, etc..). A list of these, together with an overall description of the project as well as some initial attempt at costing, has been submitted to the Diocese for approval. This is required for two reasons: first, any expenditure over £10k must receive diocesan approval; second, Bishop Frank has taken a personal interest in this project and so is pleased to be updated on its progress. With St. Carlo’s help, then, things are now beginning to take shape, but again it will be next Spring before we see the work completed and the shrine dedicated and blessed by the Bishop.
Mgr. Peter Magee, PP, 21st March 2026.
Most Recent News: The wood on which the icons will be painted (originating from Serbia) has now been cut and the carver has carved out the size and shape agreed between myself and the iconographer for the three icons. The items are currently in transit to the UK. – Fr. Peter, 20.06.26
BISHOPS OF SCOTLAND OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND EVANGELISATION: Our Bishops have recently launched this new office to support our common efforts in proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to the life of the Church in our nation. It is one of the most encouraging initiatives to date coming from the Bishops’ Conference. As part of this mission, Being Catholic TV will now serve as the official digital platform of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. It will provide video content, livestreamed events, features from around the country, and faith formation resources to assist our parish communities in their work of evangelisation and outreach. To access these resources, visit beingcatholic.org or sign-up to the BCTV social channels.
We are invited to share our parish good news stories by sending them to media@bcos.org.uk We are also invited to consider how digital media can further our own local evangelisation efforts. Parishioners are encouraged to engage with Being Catholic TV and the resources it provides.
PASTORAL LETTER OF BISHOP FRANK DOUGAN ON THE UNSUSTAINABILITY OF PARISH STRUCTURES IN THE DIOCESE OF GALLOWAY: PASTORAL LETTER FEBRUARY 2026
Notices
MRS. ELIZABETH ROBERTSON, RIP: I am sorry to announce the death of Mrs. Robertson on Sunday 14th June, fortified by the rites of the Church. May she rest in the peace of Christ. Our deepest condolences go to her daughters Julie and Mhairi and we pray for the Lord’s consolation for them and the wider family at this time. Elizabeth’s coffin will be brought to St. Mary’s on 1st July for a Vigil Reception at 6pm. The Requiem Mass will then follow on 2nd July at 10am, and thereafter to the Clyde Crematorium.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) FOR ST. MARY’S, LARGS, AND OUR LADY’S, MILLPORT:
Information page for the 2026-2027 program:
https://www.rclargsandmillport.com/rite-of-christian-initiation-of-adults/
Form if you want to volunteer to assist in the RCIA programme for 2026-2027: VOLUNTEERS FORM
RELIC OF SAINT CARLO ACUTIS: For information and photos, please click on this link: https://www.rclargsandmillport.com/2024/08/21/relic-of-blessed-carlo-acutis/
PHOTO GALLERY, ST MARY’S PARISH FESTIVAL 2024: St Mary’s Festival Photos
PHOTO GALLERY, ST MARY’S GARDEN 2024: St Mary’s Flower Garden
PHOTO GALLERY, ASSISI PILGRIMAGE OF FEBRUARY 2024: Assisi Pilgrimage 2024
OUR LADY’S PARISH CENSUS: If you are a Catholic who lives within the boundaries of Our Lady’s Parish (Millport), please consider filling out a Census form. Hard copies of the form are available in Our Lady’s church porch. Alternatively, you can fill in one on line by using the following link: https://forms.gle
ST. MARY’S PARISH CENSUS: If you are a Catholic who lives within the boundaries of St. Mary’s Parish (Largs, Fairlie and Skelmorlie), please consider filling out a Census form. Hard copies of the form are available in St. Mary’s church porch. Alternatively, you can fill in one on line by using the following link: https://forms.gle/bViFEJBgCRVjuYnE8
SCOTTISH CATHOLIC SAFEGUARDING STANDARDS AGENCY (SCSSA): The official website of the new Agency can be found at: https://www.scsafeguarding.org.uk/SCSSA
“IN GOD’S IMAGE”, version 2: The Safeguarding Instruction of the Bishops of Scotland. https://www.rclargsandmillport.com/2021/08/28/in-gods-image-version-2-safeguarding-instruction-of-the-bishops-of-scotland/
DIOCESAN WEB-PAGE & FACEBOOK PAGE ON THE SYNOD: https://gallowaydiocese.org.uk/synod https://fb.me/gallowaysynod
VATICAN NEWS: Keep up to date with all news from the Vatican in English at: https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html
LITURGY
LITURGICAL CALENDAR , 21/06/26 to 19/07/26
– SUNDAYS:
LARGS (live-streamed): Saturday Vigil, 6pm & Sunday 10am; Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (with exception of 2nd Thursdays) and Friday: Mass at 10am. Wednesday: Mass at 8am.
MILLPORT (live-streamed): 12.15pm, Sunday; 10am on 2nd Thursdays.
LIVESTREAM LINKS:
– HOLIDAYS OF OBLIGATION:
LARGS: Vigil Mass at 7pm; 10am Mass on the Day
MILLPORT: 12.15pm Mass on the Day
