SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS: “When He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

SAINT OF THE WEEK, 4th NOVEMBER: ST. CHARLES BORROMEO (1538-1584

Charles Borromeo was a leading figure of the Catholic Reformation.

He was born in a castle on the shores of Lake Maggiore in northern Italy, to a powerful family. He was related to the Medici through his mother. As the second son, he was destined for a career in the Church from an early age. He received a doctorate in civil and canon law at the University of Pavia, and when his uncle was elected Pope Pius IV in 1559 he was summoned to Rome and made a cardinal. Among many other responsibilities he was made administrator of the vacant diocese of Milan and protector of the Catholic cantons of Switzerland and of the Franciscans and the Carmelites.

He played a large part in the diplomatic efforts that led to the re-opening in 1562 of the reforming Council of Trent, which had been suspended since 1552. As long as the Church was in a weak and corrupt state, emperors and kings could control it and its assets – and they would not easily give up control.

In late 1562 Charles’s elder brother died, leaving him as head of the family. His relations wanted him to abandon his ecclesiastical career and marry, and even the Pope suggested it; but Charles saw his brother’s death as a sign of the vanity of human wishes. Eventually, in 1563, he settled the argument by secretly being ordained priest. He was soon consecrated as Archbishop of Milan, but the Pope would not let him leave Rome because he was needed there. He worked on the catechism, the Missal and the Breviary, and reformed his own diocese as well as he could from a distance through trusted deputies.

At length Pius IV died and in 1566 his successor permitted Charles to take up residence in his diocese. He began reform from the top, giving much of his property to the poor. He set up the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine to teach children the faith: it was the beginning and inspiration of the Sunday School movement. When famine struck the province, he fed 3,000 people at his own expense for three months and inspired others to do likewise. When plague came, he prepared himself for death, made his will, and went to the hospital where the worst cases were. After enormous amounts of nagging, preaching and persuasion the secular clergy at length followed his example.

As might be expected, Charles encountered determined opposition to his programme of reform. His aunts, in Dominican convents, treated the introduction of grilles as a personal insult. More seriously, the canons of one church slammed the door in his face to prevent him making a visitation and their servants fired at him, damaging the crucifix he was carrying; and the members of a rich and corrupt order of monks were so opposed to being reformed that one of them dressed as a layman, joined Charles’s household at evening prayer, and shot him. The assassin’s bullet did not penetrate Charles’s clothing. (Two years later the Pope had to suppress the order and distribute its assets: a sad end to an order that had done much good and produced many saints in its 350-year history).

The King of Spain, whose jurisdiction included Milan at the time, resisted any diminution of his power, and the next fifteen years are a complex tapestry of arrests, excommunications, denunciations, calumnies, and absolutions – ending at last in peace.

Charles’s final visitation was of the cantons of Switzerland in 1583, where as well as the usual corruptions and abuses he had to deal with senior priests who were practising witchcraft and sorcery, and enemies who claimed that his fight against heresy was a plot to extend Spanish domination into the region.

Charles died on 3 November 1584 at the age of 46.

from Universalis

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

Mr. RONALD BISSET, RIP (St. Mary’s): Very sorry to announce the death of Ron at Crosshouse Hospital this morning, 5th October. Duly fortified by the Rites of the Church, may he now rest in peace. May the Lord sustain with His merciful love the entire family and all his many friends in Largs and beyond. The Requiem Mass will be on Thursday 5th November at 10am in St. Mary’s, and thereafter to the Brisbane Glen Cemetery.

RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS (RCIA) FOR ST. MARY’S, LARGS, AND OUR LADY’S, MILLPORT:

Seeking Christ in faith and witnessing to Him, as and when we find Him, lies at the heart of a truly fulfilled human existence. The RCIA is intended to assist those who believe Jesus is calling them to enter the Catholic Church by taking them through the content of the Catholic Faith in a systematic and straightforward manner.

The aim is not to fill the head with concepts, but to stir a love for Christ and His Church born from a deeper and truer knowledge of them. So, if you feel a pull to Catholicism, or if you are just curious to see what it’s about, come and see! Any adult in the Largs area with a sincere desire to seek and find is most welcome!

Information page for the 2026-2027 programme, including the full schedule of meetings and subject matters can be found by clicking this link:

https://www.rclargsandmillport.com/rite-of-christian-initiation-of-adults

If you already know you want to apply, here is the form to fill out and return to St. Mary’s parish in Largs:

SIGN UP FORM

Or if you are already a Catholic and want to volunteer to assist in the RCIA programme for 2026-2027, here is your form:

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/

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

– 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

SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS: “When He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).

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