NINETEENTH ORDINARY SUNDAY: “And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea”(Matthew 14:25).

SAINT OF THE WEEK: ST. CLARE OF ASSISI (1193-1253), 11th AUGUST.

— From a fresco (1322–1326) by Simone Martini (1284-1344), in the Lower basilica of San Francesco, Assisi.

She was born at Assisi and came under the influence of Saint Francis. She left home at the age of 18 and, under Francis’s guidance, began a community that grew to become the order of the Poor Clares (she was later joined both by her sister and by her widowed mother). In its radical attachment to poverty the Rule of the order was much more severe than that of any other order of nuns. In 1215 Clare obtained from the Pope the privilege of owning nothing, so that the nuns of the order were to be sustained by alms and nothing else. Such a rule was (like the Franciscan rule) both a challenge to established structures and a risk to those who followed it, and successive Popes tried to modify it. In 1247 Pope Innocent IV promulgated a new Rule that allowed the ownership of communal property: Clare rewrote it. A later attempt at mitigation in 1263 partly succeeded (perhaps because Clare was dead by then): some communities followed the old, strict rule and some followed the new.

Clare was a noted contemplative and a caring mother to her nuns. She died at Assisi in 1253.

The drift towards laxity and the desire for strictness are part of the history of every religious order. In the history of most monasteries, for example, one can find both a steady relaxation of the rule and a desire on the part of some members of the community to be more severe and ascetic – possibly even to become hermits. The Maronist Saint Sharbel Makhluf is one example; the Trappist Thomas Merton is another. In our own lives, too, we are always oscillating between being too strict and being too lax. It seems to be a universal tension in the human race.

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. PETER CUNNINGHAM, RIP (St. Mary’s): Truly sorry to announce the death of Mr. Cunningham on Sunday 26th July at Crosshouse Hospital, fortified by the sacraments of the Church. May the Lord grant him the joy and glory of eternal life. Our prayers and condolences go to his daughter Anne and the rest of the family. Mr. Cunningham will be buried in Renfrew and be laid beside the mortal remains of his late wife.

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/

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

– 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

RC Largs and Millport Follow

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RC Largs and Millport @rclargsmillport ·

12h

Life is a gift. It is also a project. If our project is self-centred, our life will implode and we will lose everything, our life included. But if our project is self-giving, to others and to God, then we will gain everything, God included.

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RC Largs and Millport @rclargsmillport ·

9 Aug

In His prayer to the Father for us, the Lord Jesus sees and penetrates into the depths of our lives. His vigilance over us is permanent. No matter how high the waves or strong the winds, He will come to us, reassure us, challenge us and deliver us as His love sees fit.

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RC Largs and Millport @rclargsmillport ·

7 Aug

To be filled, I must empty myself. Jesus emptied Himself of His divine glory to be filled with our humanity. We must likewise empty ourselves of our human “glory” to be filled with His divinity. That is why trying to save our lives will lead to losing them … and vice versa.

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Flavia Magalhães @flaviamsoares76 ·

5 Aug

Esse é meu filho, que tentaram me convencer a fazer um aborto.

Há 19 anos atrás falaram que ele tinha síndrome de down e não tinha uma perna.

Eu segui com minha gravidez. Ele já estava todo formado dentro de mim.

Não me importei com as condições. Eu só queria meu filho nos

Reply on Twitter 2084852051008221450 Retweet on Twitter 2084852051008221450 6918 Like on Twitter 2084852051008221450 53709 Twitter 2084852051008221450

NINETEENTH ORDINARY SUNDAY: “And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea”(Matthew 14:25).

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