FIFTH ORDINARY SUNDAY: “But Jesus said to Simon: ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch.’ (Luke 5:10)

SAINT OF THE WEEK: Our Lady of Lourdes
                                                 
— The niche in the grotto where the apparitions took place, with Fabisch’s 1864 statue of Our Lady of Lourdes. Photograph by Dennis Jarvis, Halifax, Canada.

 

In 1858 the immaculate Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous, near Lourdes in France, in the cavern called “de Massabielle.” Through this poor, fourteen-year-old girl, Mary calls on sinners to change their lives. She has inspired in the Church a great love of prayer and good works, especially in the service of the poor and the sick.

From Universalis

The Holy Father will canonise Blessed Carlo Acutis  in Rome on Sunday 27th April 2025. The canonisation will take place in the context of the Jubilee for Teenagers which will run from 24th-27th April. Given the now global popularity of this young friend of God, and the countless works of healing and grace which the Lord has been pleased to work through his intercession, the celebration will very probably witness a rather huge gathering of faithful from all over the world. 

Devotion to Blessed Carlo in our parishes has taken deep roots and produced much fruit in many people’s lives, often in surprising ways. Last summer, we obtained a first class relic of Blessed Carlo (hair cuttings) which it would be good to make available for people to see and venerate when they visit st. Mary’s in Largs. With the Bishop’s permission, it is hoped to erect a SHRINE TO BLESSED CARLO in St. Mary’s church, probably at the back of our current side aisle. The basic idea is to erect a “triptych” or three-panelled display: at the centre, will be a representation of Blessed Carlo and, on either side, representations of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi. A few benches will be removed to make room for a votive candle stand and a kneeler. Our first class relic of Blessed Carlo will be embedded appropriately to ensure security and accessibility.

As an extraordinary expense, the project can only proceed if we raise enough funds to realise it. I have already received two very generous donations, totalling £1.5k. However, in order to produce something truly beautiful and worthy of our church, I think we want to aim higher, possibly between £7-£10k. My hope is that the shrine can become a place of pilgrimage for people who hear of it and in whose hearts there is already a devotion to Blessed Carlo and the other saints of Assisi. The main goal must remain to draw them closer to the Eucharist, to Christ Himself.

 If you are able to make a contribution towards this project (and I know not everyone is in these challenging times), I would be very grateful. Soon, on the contactless terminal, an option will be there to donate towards the Blessed Carlo shrine. Evidently, you can donate in any other way you wish. May God bless and prosper this project!

QR code and link to facilitate donations.

Blessed Carlo Shrine

 

Notices

 

 

POPE FRANCIS’ DOCUMENT convoking the Jubilee Year of 2025: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/bulls/documents/20240509_spes-non-confundit_bolla-giubileo2025.html

 

CATHOLIC FAMILIES FOR LIFE Newsletter from the National Commission for Marriage, Family and Life – latest version can be found at www.marriagefamilyandlife.org.uk

ENCYCLICAL LETTER OF POPE FRANCIS ON THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS:

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/20241024-enciclica-dilexit-nos.html

 

PASTORAL LETTER OF BISHOP FRANCIS DOUGAN REGARDING THE JUBILEE 2025 YEAR:

JUBILEE PASTORAL LETTER OCT 2024

 

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS – Journey in Faith:  For more information, please visit our page:    https://www.rclargsandmillport.com/rite-of-christian-initiation-of-adults/

 

RELIC OF BLESSED 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 Marys Festival Photos

 PHOTO GALLERY, ST MARY’S GARDEN 2024: St Marys 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 SYNODhttps://gallowaydiocese.org.uk/synod https://fb.me/gallowaysynod

 

Keep up to date with all news from the Vatican in English at: https://www.vaticannews.va/en.html

 

LITURGY

– SUNDAYS:

LARGS (live-streamed): Saturday Vigil, 6pm & Sunday 10am; Monday-Friday: 10am Mass, with exception of 2nd Thursdays.

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

Our Location

St Marys Star of the Sea
28 Greenock Road
Largs, KA30 8NE

Tel: 01475 740 019
largs@gallowaydiocese.org.uk

Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

2 George Street, Millport,
Isle of Cumbrae KA28 0BE
Tel: 01475 740 019
millport@gallowaydiocese.org.uk