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Mar 2020 edition of the Dunkeld News

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DUNKELD NEWS DUNKELD NEWS Diocesan Newsletter of the Bishop of Dunkeld No. 19 March 2020 ©2020 DIOCESE OF DUNKELD - SCOTTISH CHARITY NO. SC001810 INSIDE - Lenten Reflections, Ordination Joy, Parish and School News, Papal Awards, Clergy changes... INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Fr Mark Cassidy`s tribute to the life and service of Fr Anthony McCarthy p4-5 Photo - Eddie Mahoney A new edition of the Dunkeld Directory is now available in your parish - or directly from the Pastoral Centre Bookshop. Updated addresses, phone numbers and emails for parishes, priests, religious orders, schools and lay organisations... Mass times too. Pick up a copy in your parish (£1 dona - tion) or order from reception@dunkelddio - cese.org.uk (Post & Packing +£1.50) Benemerenti award for Clare McCready Bishop Stephen presented the Papal Medal ‘Benemerenti’ to Clare McCready at a Mass in St Paul’s RC Academy to thank her for her contribution to Catholic Educa - tion in Dundee, after a teaching career of over 38 years. In presenting Clare to Bishop Stephen, Mgr Ken McCaffrey, Chaplain at St Paul`s, noted that Clare had been an out - standing and excellent witness to her faith in four Catholic schools – Our Lady’s High, Motherwell and then Lawside Academy, St Saviour’s High and most recently as senior Depute Head teacher at St Paul’s Academy, Dundee from where she retired in the sum - mer of 2019. Mgr Ken said, "Throughout her career Clare has taught Religious Education to all age groups in St Paul’s, instilling the Gospel values while encouraging active participa - tion in the Catholic life of the school and the diocese. Clare has been responsible for curricular developments and ensuring quality learning and teaching in the RE De - partment. She has also played a prominent part in introducing the Caritas Awards, en - couraging senior pupils to reflect on their faith journey. Throughout her teaching career Clare has been a role model for pu - pils and staff and clearly had Christ at the centre of everything she did for our young people and their families. She is most wor - thy of this award." Here I am Lord .... Photo - Eddie Mahoney

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page 2 Stella Maris (Apostleship of the Sea) have expanded their ship-visiting network to Dundee as they prepare to celebrate their centenary later this year. The seafaring charity, which was origi - nally formed on the banks of the River Clyde in Glasgow back in 1920, are now busy offering practical and spiritual help to seafarers arriving on the River Tay who are often thousands of miles away from fam - ily and loved ones. AoS’ recent recruits are local volunteers Michael Kidd and Andrew Laing, pictured here, working closely with North/East of Scotland Port Chaplain, Dea - con Doug Duncan, and established ship visitor Jacqueline McGuire. The team have in the past taken foreign sailors to Mass in St Andrew’s Cathedral in Dundee as well as providing other forms of assistance. Pluscarden lectures - Praise in an Age of Ag itation Dr Christopher Ruddy will give this year`s Pluscarden 2020 Lectures, 2nd-4th June - the subject - `It ain’t no sin to be glad you’re alive’: Praise in an Age of Agitation. Dr Ruddy is associate professor of Sys - tematic Theology at the Catholic Univer - sity of America. He was formerly associ - ate professor of Theology at the University of St Thomas in St Paul, Minnesota, and taught also at St John’s University and the College of St Benedict in Minnesota. A graduate of Yale College and Harvard Di - vinity School, he received his doctorate in Systematic Theology from the University of Notre Dame. His two books are The Local Church: Tillard and the Future of Catho - lic Ecclesiology and Tested in Every Way: The Catholic Priesthood in Today’s Church (both Herder & Herder). His theological interests include ecclesi - ology, Vatican II, the nouvelle théologie and ressourcement movements, and the re - lationship of Christianity and culture. New York natives, he and his wife, Deborah, have four sons. There will be no charge for these lectures and all are welcome to attend, either for the whole series or for individual lectures. We can offer hospitality at the Abbey for a lim - ited number of both men and women. Ear - ly booking is advised. There are also many places to stay in the Elgin area: contact the local tourist office: 01343 542666. The lectures will take place as usual in St Scholastica’s Retreat, the white single storey building a short distance outside the main gate. For further information or to book ac - commodation, please write to: Pentecost Lectures, Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin, IV30 8UA. (enclosing a SAE); or fax 01343 890258 or guestmaster@pluscarden - abbey.org The Port of Dundee comes onboard with the Apostleship of the Sea Over the past five years, the Archives & Local and Family History team at Culture Perth and Kinross have helped groups and individuals across the region deliver a vari - ety of projects to commemorate the Cente - nary of the First World War. As we move further away from the First World War, it is even more important that we record and preserve as much as pos - sible. From original material, including letters, postcards and photographs, to re - membrance services and community-led events, all of this will help future genera - tions learn about the impact of the Great War, and how it was commemorated in the years following. Have you been involved with First World War memorial projects in your local com - munity? Do you have original photographs, letters and other papers from the First World War? If you would like your collec - tions or commemorative events to be part of a First World War Legacy Collection, we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Fiona Hall, Perth & Kinross Re members Project Officer at fionahall@ culturepk.org.uk or 01738 477053. More information about Perth & Kinross Remembers, how to get involved and up - coming volunteering opportunities check www.culturepk.org.uk/cpkremembers Archive it Archive it

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page 3 Bishop of Dunkeld: Rt Rev Stephen Robson bishop@dunkelddiocese.org.uk Vicars General: Very Rev. Mgr. Aldo Canon Angelosanto St Anne’s, 46 Corbie Drive, Carnoustie, DD7 7NU stbridesmonifieth@dunkelddiocese.org.uk Very Rev. Kevin Canon Golden St Andrew’s Cathedral, 150 Nethergate, Dundee. PH1 5PY Tel 01738 622241 Diocesan Centre Chancellor: Mr Malcolm Veal B.A. chancellor@dunkelddiocese.org.uk Vice-Chancellor: Fr Michael Carrie Finance Administrator: Miss Melissa Walton, A.C.C.A. accounts@dunkelddiocese.org.uk Director: Very Rev. Kevin Canon Golden 24-28 Lawside Road Dundee. DD3 6XY Tel 01382 225453 Religious Education Advisor: Mrs Mary O’Duffin mary.oduffin@dunkelddiocese.org.uk S afeguarding: Mr John Smith safeguarding@dunkelddiocese.org.uk Episcopal Vicars: Very Rev. Mark Cassidy (Vocations) Immaculate Conception 41 High Street Lochee, Dundee. DD2 3AP Tel 01382 611282 Very Rev. Michael Freyne (Mission, Justice & Peace) The Presbytery, St Bernadette’s Baingle Brae, Tullibody. FK10 2SG Tel 01259 213274 Very Rev. James High (Laity and Lay Organisations) 23 Market Street, Montrose. DD10 8NB Tel 01674 672208 Very Rev. Ronald McAinsh CSsR (Religious) St Mary’s, Hatton Road, Kinnoull, Perth. PH2 7BP Tel 01738 624075 Very Rev. Steven Canon Mulholland (Ecumenism and Interfaith Relationships) St John the Baptist’s, 20 Melville Street, Perth. PH1 5PY Tel 01738 259371 Very Rev. Mgr. Basil Canon O’Sullivan JCL (Clergy) St Clare’s, Claredon Place, Dunblane. FK15 9HB Tel 01786 822146 Very Rev. Thomas Canon Shields (Education) The Presbytery, St Fillan’s Ford Road, Crieff. PH7 3HN Tel 01764 653269 St Stephen`s Primary, Blairgowrie, have a very active Mini Vinnie Group which is also supported by their local parish. Mini Vinnies are 7-11yr olds based in schools and par - ishes forming a part of the St Vincent de Paul Society. They are dedicated to tackling pov - erty in all its forms. St Stephen`s Mini Vinnies meet to pray, discuss and offer support where they can. Recently, local parishioners Barrie and Jacqueline Starck, have been visit - ing them every week - teaching children skills in knitting along with wider fund raising activities as well as collecting soups/clothing for the homeless. Mini Vinnies bring help for the homeless As near to the Feast of the Annunciation as possible, members of the Legion of Mary seeks each year to celebrate the ACIES. This ceremony is one of the most beautiful and profound functions of the Legion. It is a time for members to renew and express publicly their Consecration to Mary with the words ‘I am all yours my Queen and my Mother and all that I have is yours.’ This is the occasion when all active and auxiliary members come together for their consecration to Our Lady. They extend a warm welcome to all who would like to come along. For members of the Legion of Mary in Dunkeld Diocese, the ACIES will take place on Thursday 26th March at 7pm in St Andrew’s Cathedral starting with the Rosary and Legion Prayers then procession for the Consecration and then close with Benediction. Speaking on behalf of Dunkeld`s Le - gion of Mary, Margaret Carswell reported, "Once again, our Fatima Devotions will commence on Thursday 13th May in St Andrew’s Cathedral and thereafter on 13th of each month until and including 13th October, in a different church each month. This information will be published a month in advance in parish newsletters under the heading ‘Fatima Holy Hour’. "Drawing its inspiration from the True Devotion to Mary, as taught by St Louis Marie de Montfort, and which had a pro - found influence on the Founder of the Le - gion, the Servant of God, Frank Duff, the Legion is at the disposal of the Bishops and Priests for use in the mission of the Church. "While not engaging in the giving of ma - terial relief, legionaries will often find op - portunities to do works of service for the needy." Legion of Mary - an act of dedication

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page 4 Fr Anthony McCarthy, parish priest of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Broughty Ferry, died on Thursday 10th October, 2019. Fr Tony was born in Cork and studied for the priesthood at All Hallows College, Dublin. He was ordained priest for Dunkeld on 22nd June 1958 by Archbishop Patrick Skinner CMI of Newfoundland. In his homily at the Requiem Mass Fr Mark Cassidy said: When a priest dies, particularly a priest of venerable age, after a long priesthood, and who is of another generation from most of us, it can be easy for us, as priests, to finish our reminis- cences of him by saying, ‘..there are no charac - ters left any more’. But, rather than saying Fr Tony was a character, we would have to say that he was a man of character; a priest of character. Fr Hugh McInally last year, at the celebration for Fr Tony’s Diamond Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood, pointed out that Fr Tony had taken the Pledge; the pledge to abstain from al - cohol. He took that on the occasion of his Con- firmation day – now some 76 years ago. Fr Hugh remarked that he had remained steadfastly reso- lute in his adherence to the pledge that he had taken. That was a mark of the character of the man. He brought that same steadfast resolution to his adherence to the promises he made at his ordination to the priesthood. At that ordination Fr Tony promised to remain celibate for the sake of the kingdom and in lifelong service to God and mankind. He acknowledged that he was re- solved to maintain and deepen a spirit of prayer appropriate to his way of life, and in keeping of what was required from him to celebrate faith - fully the liturgy of the hours for the Church and the whole world. He promised respect and obe- dience to his Bishop and his successors. And he also promised to serve the people of the parishes to which he was appointed both by carrying out his ministry faithfully and by the example of his life and work. And he fulfilled these promises in his life of priestly service. Within the first few years of his priestly ser - vice Pope St John XXIII called the Second Vati - can Council and this was to have a profound and lasting influence of Fr Tony’s life. I presume that he was as voracious a reader then as he still was in later life. He must have devoured the writ - ings of the Council as they were published. The Church’s teaching on the Kingdom of God were the basis of the philosophy of Fr Tony’s min - istry. The Council speaks of a people brought into unity from the unity of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. This is the work of God’s sav - ing love in Christ – the holy people gathered to - gether by the Word of God accepts it and bears witness to it in the world. It is a priestly people: it is a people led by its Pastors. Fr Tony understood that unity in Christ and he firmly believed in an equality of all men and women in Christ. Fr Hugh, in his homily last year, mentioned all the places that Fr Tony had served and he pointed out that these ap - pointments meant that Fr Tony had ministered to coalminers and shipwrights; prisoners and prison officers; the landed gentry and castle- dwellers; farmers and berry pickers – the whole range and assortment of people. But for Fr Tony, social status brought no difference to a man’s or a women’s standing in Christ and before God. That did not always make him terribly popular; but Fr Tony’s priesthood wasn’t lived so that he might be popular, but so that he might be faith - ful. The image of the disciples walking with Christ on the road to Emmaus might sum up Fr Tony’s attitude to the Church. Whether we are clergy or lay; whatever our Christian denomina - tion, the fundamental aspect of our Faith is that we walk side by side with Christ being formed by the Word of God and recognising Christ to - gether in the breaking of the bread in the Eucha - rist. He believed that every individual had their calling. In St John’s in Perth in the late 60s and early 70s, just after the Council, there was a flourish - ing of different groups for people to belong to. Apart from the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Union of Catholic Mothers, there sprang up a Mission Group – furthering the Church’s mis - sion abroad and also at home; there was a Parish Council, the St Anne’s Group so that there could be special care of the elderly, a group dedicated to visiting the sick, there were Readers at the Liturgy. Many people found new ways to ex - press their faith through a life of service. This was in no small part due to the vision and or - ganisation skills of the Senior Curate, Fr Tony McCarthy, ably assisted by his Junior Curate, Fr Ken McBride. His understanding of the Church’s teaching on the people of God also inspired him to reach out to fellow Christians of other denominations, truly understanding that more unites us than di - vides us. He took seriously his role as parish priest. As the reading from St Paul directs us, Fr Tony was never ashamed of his priesthood, never deceit - ful, and he certainly never watered down the Word of God. He faithfully preached the Word of God he loved so much. Loved so much that usually one sermon was not enough! He celebrated the sacraments; he visited his people; he was a great defender of Catholic Education and a supporter and promoter of the Church’s charities. He knew the responsibility for his people that he had been given by the Church and by the Bishop. If people lived with - in the bounds of the parish then they were his parishioners and they came under his care and he had the responsibility of administering the sacraments to them. Again this might not have made him popular with some of his people, and even with some of his colleagues in the clergy, Fr Mark Cassidy pays respect to Fr Tony McCarthy “He faithfully preached the Word of God he loved so much” Sixty years and more in a life of priestly service Fr Tony celebrating his Diamond Jubilee Mass in June 2019 together with Bishop Stephen and Mgr O’Sullivan

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page 5 but Fr Tony’s priesthood was not about popular - ity. It was about being faithful to the task he had been given. Just a few weeks ago a pastoral question came up with regards to the parish. And when I visited him in Roxburghe House he wanted to talk about it. But first he fixed me with one of those looks of his and asked, “Am I still the parish priest of Our Lady of Good Counsel?” When I told him that he most definitely was still the parish priest he said, “Well this is what is to happen” and as a good acting assistant priest I did what he told me to do. Fr Tony was a humble man – he would often ask advice of his fellow priest to make sure he was giving parishioners the correct advice and the correct teaching. For those of us who went to him for Confession we found a priest who was gentle in his approach – allowing very few of his own words to come between the penitent and Christ. In the celebration of the Sacrament he was, as we found him in every other aspect of life, gentle and patient and welcoming. Like all of us, Fr Tony was an earthenware jar that held the great treasure. He was one who strove to make sure people might glimpse the glory of God through his ministry of service. As that earthenware jar he had his own weakness and his own faults. I know that he would ask forgiveness for the mistakes he made and for whatever hurts he might have unintentionally caused to any of his people. He would ask us to pray for him, as we do today, and to continue to remember him in our prayers, asking the Lord to forgive those sins committed through hu - man weakness and asking the Lord to give Fr Tony the reward of his many years of faithful ministry. Years spent walking with his people in Christ – allowing his heart to be set on fire as he listened to the words of God and recognising the Lord in the breaking of the bread, in the celebra - tion of the Eucharist. Taking the words from the ordination liturgy of the priest, Fr Tony believed what he read, he taught what he believed, and he practised what he taught. We give thanks that God, who began this good work in him, has brought it to fulfil - ment. Following the Mass in Our Lady of Good Counsel, Fr Tony’s Remains were taken to En - niskean, Co Cork. Fr Mark represented the Bishop and celebrated a Funeral Mass with Fr Tony’s family in the local parish. Following the Mass Fr Tony was laid to rest with his parents in the church graveyard. Requiescat in Pace Craiglockhart Teacher Training College 50th Anniversary Reunion Do you recognise anyone here? If you went to Craiglockhart from 1970-1973, please think about joining us at our reunion in Edinburgh on September 29th 2020. Please share with people you think were part of our year group, and contact us using our email CraiglockhartReunion70to73@yahoo.com On Sunday 2nd February, the Maltese community from across Scotland gathered in St Mary`s Monastery in Kinnoull, Perth, to celebrate the feast of the Shipwreck of St Paul. The feast - celebrated on the 10th of February in Malta - is a national holiday on the island and remembers the occasion in 60AD when St Paul was shipwrecked on the island of Malta. At that time he was on his way to Rome as a prisoner. The Scottish celebration started with a Mass celebrated by Maltese priest Fr Jean Gové, who is a weekend assistant at St Mary`s Lochee while here studying in Scot - land. Mgr Charles Hendry, parish priest at St Mary Magdalene`s, Perth concelebrated. The Honorary Vice-Consul for Malta in Edinburgh, Dr Nicholas Pace, was also pre - sent. Mass was followed by a potluck lunch full of tasty, homemade, Maltese dishes. If there are any Maltese wishing to get in contact with Fr Jean, they may do so via email at govejean@gmail.com Maltese Community in Scotland celebrates Shipwreck of St Paul Fr Mark Cassidy pays respect to Fr Tony McCarthy “He faithfully preached the Word of God he loved so much” Sixty years and more in a life of priestly service

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page 6 Project Gambia: People Feeding Peo - ple are delighted to be working with the Diocese of Dunkeld following their meet - ing with Bishop Stephen Robson in June. Rebecca Lafferty and Aidan Curivan, two young students who run the fund raising efforts of the charity, are shown pictured with Pope Francis. Project Gambia was set up 7 years ago and Aidan and the other volunteers, having done voluntary work for various charities working in Africa, came to realise that The Gambia, a small country in West Africa, was not getting the support that some of the other African countries were receiving. After visiting schools in The Gambia, they came across St John’s School for the Deaf in the Catholic Diocese of Banjul. Be - ing one of the only special needs schools in one of Africa’s poorest countries, it seemed like a logical place for them to start. Re - becca said that “After touring the school, we were taken into the store room, where we were shocked to find that the only food they had for at the time 200 children was a bag of rice and a bag of onions. After seeing that and meeting the children, we decided there and then that we had to do something to help them and make their lives at least a little bit easier”. Having set up a fully functioning feeding programme at the school four years ago, as well as pro - viding the children with school bags, learn - ing materials and school uniforms, the at - tendance now sits at over 350 children. The transformation of the attendance has only been one of the benefits they have noticed. Aidan said that “the children are now com - ing to school more focused, more concen - trated, more energetic and are doing better in their exams than ever before”. Although St. John’s was the initial focus of the char - ity, they have recently expanded their ef - forts to St Patrick’s Lower Basic School and St. Joseph’s Nursery School in The Gambia - taking their feeding programme to over 1,000 children between the three schools. Mother Teresa summed up their mission perfectly when she said that “if you can’t feed one hundred children, then just feed one”. Thanks to the support of the Catho - lic community in Scotland, they are now able to feed more than 1,000 children every day. The charity is ran entirely by volun - teers who do the charity work in their spare time, so they find it particularly amazing that it has grown to the extent that it has. One accomplishment their volunteers are particularly proud of is that they were able to secure a visa for a young pupil of St John’s, Alieu (Muhammed Cham) to come to Scotland. Alieu was born without ears, but the type of Deafness he had was en - tirely treatable. Through a partnership with the NHS and ENT Surgeon Mr Iyer, Alieu was able to hear for the first time in his en - tire life. Since this life-changing surgery, he has also learned how to speak and is now attending a mainstream school in The Gambia. During his time here he was able to meet and thank Bishops, parish priests and parishioners who had so faithfully sup - ported his school over the past years. The charity volunteers, fuelled by their faith and education, fund raise by visit - ing different parishes across Scotland each weekend. As they now expand their efforts into the Diocese of Dunkeld, many of you will be meeting them and hearing more about their story in the months ahead. Rebecca said that “We would all like to thank Bishop Robson for his support, which included a very generous donation of £500 from the Diocese. The fact that he has welcomed us into the parishes of his Diocese with such open arms is so heart- warming. We would also like to thank the parish priests of the Diocese, who have been so keen to support us and invite us to tell our story in their parishes. St Therese, whose relics journeying so memorably through our Dioceses last year, said that “the Church has a Heart and this Heart is burning with love” - which has been precisely our experience of our Church here in Scotland. It is this heart of the Catholic Church, beating full of life, that makes our work in transforming the lives of over 1,000 children every day pos - sible. To all the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Dunkeld, we assure you of our continued prayers - and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts”. Project Gambia says - thank you to the people of Dunkeld diocese Rebecca and Aidan with Pope Francis

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page 7 The Gospel reading from the second week of Ordinary time struck a chord with me for a variety of reasons. In the depths of January, the two-week holiday with family over Christmas and Epiphany beginning to fade, like most of you, my thoughts turned to the New Year and New Decade of 2020. What hopes and desires do I have kin - dling in my heart and soul at this brink of the year? What patterns and habits would I like to change to live a more joyful and free life? More importantly, as well as improving my health and exercising my body more, in what ways can I improve my spiritual health and embark on new and rewarding spiritual exercises? By the time you are reading this we will have entered into Lent, that period of re - flection reassessment and transformation, as we meditate on the identity of Jesus and his suffering, death and Resurrection for our sakes. The Church in her wisdom builds on this yearning for light and growth and we celebrate Lent, or the Lengthening of days, before meditating more deeply on the central gift of our faith in Holy Week in the Passion, death and Resurrection of Jesus. Beyond the fasting from sugar or alcohol or the increasing of our devotional practic - es such as regular confession or attendance at daily Mass, Lent is also a time of deepen - ing of our understanding of ourselves and our spiritual needs, and also rediscovering our relationship with God, through prayer and devotions. This year of 2020, we are deeply aware of the need to take stock of our faith and how it relates to our lived experience. It is all too easy to think that Herculean efforts will lead us closer to God, and we end by being disappointed and discouraged by our weakness and losing sight of the graces, blessings and joy that a penitential season should reveal. Perhaps returning to Jesus’ homely ex - ample of the Patched cloak and the new wine in wineskins will be helpful here? In the face of challenge from the authori - ties, Jesus gives this example. It is a chal - lenge and a mystery. It requires some still - ness to ponder its meaning. We are asked if it is wise to put a patch of unshrunk cloth on a torn cloak? The fabrics will not work well together and when washes the patch will shrink and cause a worse tear. In these days of finan - cial hardship and increased awareness of the ecological impact of “Fast Fashion” which impacts the environment more that air travel, it might be a good thing to look at up-cycling clothes and returning to the thrift of our grandmothers’ ”Make Do And Mend”! Pope Francis would agree with us in the Spirit of “Laudato Si” - Care for Our Common Home. In the passage of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus seems to be looking closely at the heart and its choices, the attitude towards God and neighbour that is so much central of his Mission and identity. What might this mean for us? What are the unshrunk patches of cloth in the fabric of our lives? In order to restore ourselves to wholeness, what preparation and mending might need to be done? The mending of hearts and relationships is per - haps one of the greatest life-skills. Being human, we hurt, disappoint, harm and let down, sometimes those people that we love most… Our faith teaches us that something bro - ken can be mended, something lost can be found, something spoiled can be renewed. All the Gospels abound with examples of this and particularly through the person of Jesus, his style of relating, accepting and challenging we see what it means to draw closer to God. This if the gift of the Incar - nation celebrated at Christmas, revealed at the Epiphany. God becomes small and humble in order to approach without over - whelming. He accompanies us in our hu - man experience as we witness in the Gospel accounts, and through his Passion, Death and Resurrection, shows how God patches the tear in human existence and with great compassion and tenderness, and asks us to do likewise. What are the unshrunk patches in your life? A relationship, situation or habit? Perhaps this Lenten season of growth and transformation might be the time to pre - pare to mend the fabric of your life, patient - ly and intentionally. The results of freedom warmth and peace will remain with you long beyond Eastertide? But what of the wine and the wineskins? Those of you who attempted Dry January and are fasting from alcohol during Lent may be intrigued by Jesus using this image? As we see in the Theophany, or show - ing of God’s power, at The Wedding Feast of Cana, Jesus understands and rejoices in our Human Nature. He sees our sensitive feelings of embarrassment and shame, and used wisely, the capacity of wine to increase a sense of joy and celebration. No mere chance that wine transformed is a central element of His Real Presence in the Eucha - rist. New wine, in terms of attitudes to God and others, new ways of praying and show - ing love in deeds perhaps needs to be stored and shared in a new way. As we strive to renew our faith in God and in each other as Church, perhaps we can consider new ways of reaching out to one another, in joy, grati - tude and compassion. Have blessed Lent and spend some time thinking of what God may be working in you in this Sacred Season, through the humble patching of our lives and the keep - ing and sharing of the new wine of his mes - sage in our lives. The Cherishing of Patches and Wineskins - Mark 2:18-22 by Mary O`Duffin by Mary O`Duffin Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly father will also for - give you. But if you do not forgive men their sins,

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page 8 Like many of you in the New Year of 2020, I have resolved to take more ex - ercise; and in this year of a significant birthday and a looming family wedding, I would like to lose a bit of weight and establish a healthier approach to eating. I am determined to fit into a dress that I bought in the January sales! Luckily for me, the discovery of an ancient wisdom floods our awareness in magazines, social media and conver - sations with friends. The popular con - sciousness has discovered the gift of fasting, more specifically intermittent fasting. No mystery of calorie counting, or expensive shakes; the secret to success in this approach is to eat less by fasting and the truly feast and enjoy in a specific time period, healthy and varied foods. And the health benefits of lower blood pressure, better cholesterol and weight loss are clear to all who are committed to persevering with this approach. Could our spiritual health be enhanced by a similar approach to fasting and feasting in Lent? Far from being a war against food this way of losing weight becomes a celebra - tion. No longer harried by incessant food choices, there is the freedom of knowing meals need not be planned until a set time; the wrestling of conscience over which healthy snacks to eat vanishes; and there is the freedom and the desire to be productive and present to everyday tasks knowing that a wonderful satisfying feast awaits. We do not spend our days eating and grazing, but looking forward to inten - tional feasting! Even better, it can be sa - voured without ambivalence or guilt! The world is beginning to notice a wis - dom that has long been a dimension of the Catholic Tradition, that fasting brings a deeper joy and anticipation to life and that sometimes to appreciate plenty we must experience a hunger and a desire for a future feast. Our Lenten journey can be understood in this way, becoming more attentive to our spiritual hunger in order to be truly satisfied by the great Feast of Easter, the central mystery of our faith. Prayer, fast - ing and almsgiving take on a more radi - ant hue. In order to understand the great gift of Christ’s presence in the world, it might be helpful to explore the Lenten experience in company with Jesus, and through that companionship see our fellow human beings with his eyes, the gaze of a loving God. Knowing oneself to be Beloved, can even help us to face trials, desolations and loneliness. The revelation of Jesus’ true identity comes to us at the Feast of the Baptism of The Lord, when, we discover the life of the Trinity at work in the world, and hear the voice of The Father declare Jesus as The Beloved, and we witness the Holy Spirit descending from the heavens in the form of a dove. This anointing by the Spirit leads to a recognition of God’s saving plan. Unex - pectedly, Jesus is driven into the wilder - ness, to be tempted by deeply human de - sires, facing the attraction and glamour of evil and being ministered to by angels. The Baptism of Jesus is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke and historians accept that this event was his - torical. The account of Jesus withdrawing into the Wilderness for forty days and forty nights follows hard on the heels of this account, and forms the basis of our liturgical celebration of Lent, accompa - nying Jesus in his humanity so that we may discover our vocation of Godliness through his mission as the anointed one, The Christ. The temptations of Jesus help us to un - derstand our own weakness and tendency to draw away from God. In the desert, Jesus experiences real gnawing hunger, and the devil, often de - scribed as the enemy of our human na - ture, tempts him to abuse his divinity by turning a stone into bread to satisfy his bodily hunger. Jesus is tempted but does not sin, replying that, “Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” The devil then appeals to Jesus’ human ego, taunting him by saying, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus answers Satan simply, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” This temptation to pride in his divinity is a real temptation, but Jesus dismisses it in humility, by showing reverence to the Father who has so recently announced him as a Beloved Son. The last temptation of Jesus in the de - sert experience is that earthly power. The Evil One tempts Jesus to kneel before him in return for all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus resists stating, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Whilst considering the temptations of Jesus in slightly different order, Matthew and Luke’s gospel list the three tempta - tions. It is Matthew and Mark who say that when the devil had departed from him, that angels ministered to him. Mark alone mentions that Jesus copes with the challenge of wild animals or brute beasts that figure in the later ac - count of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15) Jesus emerges from the desert strength - ened in his sense of mission and acutely aware of the frailties and vulnerability of our shared human nature. Only then, does Jesus begin his public ministry of compassion and reconciliation. But what can these accounts mean for us on the threshold of Lent? Perhaps it is only when we encounter Fasting and Feasting – a fresh look at Lent

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page 9 our own temptations to bodily comfort, pride and power that we fully realise our need of God’s grace to be our best selves? For we are not isolated and without help in this realization. As the much later writer of the Letter to the Hebrews will state emphatically, “For, we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weak - nesses, but we have one who in every re - spect has been tested as we are, yet with - out sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Can we enter this season of lent joyful - ly, with great generosity and open-heart - edness? Recognising and noticing that in the challenges of our lived experience, God is very near? And let that knowledge overflow in kindness to our brothers and sisters, known and unknown? Is it possible that we deepen our un - derstanding of the humanity of Jesus first in order to grasp the depth of God’s love for each one of us personally, even unto death. If we are to Feast in the light of the Res - urrection, we must be prepared to fast with Jesus in these 40 days of Lent? And the greatest surprise of this Holy Season may be that we discover ourselves refreshed and renewed in gratitude and awe at the gift of so great a Saviour! Have a blessed and joyful Lent. Fast well, and enter wholeheartedly into the Feast of Eastertide that is the great gift of our Faith . Mary O’Duffin RE Adviser Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them. Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of life. Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light. Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God. Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify. Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude. Fast from anger; feast on patience. Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism. Fast from worry; feast on divine order. Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation. Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives. Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer. Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance. Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness. Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others. Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth. Fast from discouragements; feast on hope. Fast from facts that depress; feast on verities that uplift. Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm. For the last two years the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow has been offering a Lent Retreat In 2020 the retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola in an accessible and up-to-date form - either as a FREE prayer book or online - to be down - loaded to you phone/ tablet/ or desktop. In either format the materials are beauti - fully illustrated and set out for use as Daily Prayer. The material is be provided for people to pray with each day of Lent. This includes Scripture readings, medita - tions, pictures and full instructions. Your Local Group Meets in: DUNKELD PASTORAL CENTRE, 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee. DD3 6XY TUESDAYS at 7pm February - 25th, February March - 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st April - 7th and 14th The Retreat will also take place in Perth on THURSDAYS - starting on 27th February - at the PERTH RIVERSIDE CHURCH , Bute Drive, Perth, PH1 3BG THURSDAYS at 7pm February - 27th March - 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th Then, after a break for Holy Week, two more final sessions on April - 16th and 23rd William Arthur Ward (American author, teacher and pastor, 1921-1994.)

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page 12 Members of the Dundee Italian community gathered for their Annual Mass with Bishop Stephen and their chaplain, Mgr Aldo, at St Bride’s Church, Monifieth. Photo - Eddie Mahoney Dundee`s Italian Community celebrates their Annual Mass NEWS AND PICTURES FROM AROUND THE PARISHES Maria Bartlett, a parishioner at St James’, Kinross, was presented with a Papal Award by her parish priest, Fr Martin Pletts, fol - lowing Sunday Mass in her parish. The award of a Benemerenti Medal comes as a recognition of Maria’s great contribu - tion to the life of the Church. Fr Pletts com - mented, “It is a great service and it is right that it should be celebrated in this way.” “It is good to rejoice in and give thanks for the way in which God works in and through us, and good to recognise the achievements of His grace in our lives – because God has touched and is touching many lives through Maria and her desire to be open to Him and responsive to the call of His Holy Spirit.” Last year the parish celebrated 35 years of the Prayer Group in St James’ parish, and, whilst not failing to acknowledge the continued contributions of many others who have kept the group alive and vibrant, Maria has played an important role in its success. “Maria has been a spiritual friend and confidante to many, and a tower of prayer, and your door is always open to those who need your counsel and spiritual support.” “I know, too, that from the time of Mgr Donnachie who became Maria`s spiritual director, that she has prayed with and sup - ported many of the parish priests who have served here – including me… and she has offered practical support and kindness, hospitality and compassion. She has served as a reader, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, member of the RCIA group, and engaged in prayer ministry, healing, and deliverance work. The work that she is do - ing has now even taken her to represent our Diocese on the National Service Team of Catholic Charismatic Renewal." “As we recognise the work of God in your life, Maria, we also rejoice in how God works in our lives too. We know that you have not done any of this to receive a medal and a parchment or any formal recognition, but you have done what you have done in an effort to love God and love your neighbour as Christ commands. To - day’s celebration, whilst recognising what God has done for you, and how you have responded, is also a poignant reminder to each one of us of how the Lord is asking us to respond generously to His grace work - ing in our lives in order that we may please Him, show His love to our neighbour, and receive the ultimate reward – the crown of eternal glory – when we pass from this life into the next.” Maria`s Papal Medal is a cause of great parish and family joy Photo - Eddie Mahoney

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page 13 St Bride`s RC Church, Monifieth - Thursday morning tea group pictured presenting a cheque for £50 to the Inclusion Group Dundee for their funds. Photo - Eddie Mahoney Cathedral hosts Nightfever NIGHTFEVER is an evening of Adoration and Outreach. The most recent one took place on Saturday 22nd February at St Andrew’s Ca - thedral, Dundee. The evening started with Ex - position of the Blessed Sacrament from 7pm, to which everyone was made welcome. Volunteers were on hand to speak to people outside, on the street, inviting them to come into the Cathedral and pray, and light a candle. SVdP Kids Club The Saint Vincent de Paul Society runs a club for children with additional needs. They meet every Thursday from 6.30-8.30pm at the King - spark School Dundee. At the moment they are in need of more volunteers to run the club safely. If you think you can help, please contact us at ozana.club@gmail.com or 07575702739. Alma Mater Fund Scottish university students who are experi - encing an unexpected pregnancy are eligible to apply for The Alma Mater Fund. Call, text, or WhatsApp 07849 088 244 almamaterfund@gmail.com Facebook @almamaterfund DPAPS Dundee Pregnancy and Parenthood Support is based at the former Lawside Convent; sup - pling baby equipment & clothing; companion - ship, appointments and help with accessing ben - efits etc. Contact them on Facebook or phone 07453 784295, confidentiality assured. Mission Day Sponsored by the Knights of Saint Columba, St Mungo’s, Alloa, held a Mission Day on 29th February 2020. The speakers were Fr Dorin (Mill Hill Fathers) who gave a talk on Mission Life in the Philippines, Falkland Islands & Af - rica. He was followed by Clare Fulton from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) whose talk ad - dressed the subjects of Christian persecution and refugees. Clergy appointment Following the death of Fr Anthony McCarthy, Bishop Stephen Robson announced that, as from 1st February, 2020, Canon Kevin Golden VG was to be appointed as the permanent par - ish priest of Our Lady of Good Counsel. He will also remain Administrator of St Andrew’s Ca - thedral, Dundee. At the Immaculate Conception, Lochee, Dundee, Catholic mothers with young chil - dren are invited to `come and join` the St Gerard Majella Mothers Group. St Gerard Majella (1726-1755), was a Redemptorist priest and is the Patron Saint of Expectant Mothers. The group meets on Fridays from 9.30-11.30am in St Mary`s Church Hall. Just like most baby and toddler groups, there is time for activities, toys, prayer and a cup of tea. They aim to meet to share friendship, faith and find support. For more details please contact: Rachel 07789 811946 or Ruth 07858 774196 St Gerard Majella Mothers Group in Lochee St Bride`s help for Dundee Inclusion Group Confirmation Mass at St Joseph`s, Dundee Pupils from St Joseph`s RC Primary, together with young adults from the parish, with their parish priest Fr Gregory Murphy, Deacon Ron Wylie and Bishop Stephen Photo - Eddie Mahoney Photo - Eddie Mahoney NEWS AND PICTURES FROM AROUND THE PARISHES

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page 14 To celebrate National Storytelling Week, residents from Renaissance Care’s Beech Manor Care Home in Blairgowrie have re-lived some of their most treas - ured memories and shared their favourite life stories with children from St Stephens Primary, as part of a special project. Four residents from the care home were interviewed by the primary pupils, who plan to bring the senior citizen’s moments to life through a range of creative subjects including art, drama and literacy. The children aged between 10 and 11 will read the stories and memories back to care home residents in March to mark Inter - generational Week. During the storytelling sessions, the children were given a glimpse into what life what was like for the residents born almost three generations apart. Residents Dave, Beryl, Maureen and Ja - net relived their youth as they shared sto - ries with four pupils who will be their dedi - cated story-tellers, helping their classmates to recreate the memories in their chosen form. This project is part of a successful, on - going partnership between St Stephen’s and the Blairgowrie care home, which is managed by Renaissance Care. Now in its fourth year, the partnership sees pupils visit the home weekly, which has became an im - portant and much loved part of the school’s curriculum, providing pupils with an al - ternative learning environment, which can aid those for whom traditional classroom education does not offer optimal learning opportunities. By enveloping this partnership into their general curriculum, St Stephen’s pupils have benefitted from improved citizenship skills, literacy and general health and wellbeing. The strong relationships built between the pupils and the residents has even extended to some of the children visiting their new friends during their weekends. Sheila Baxter, activities co-ordinator at Renaissance Care’s Beech Manor home, said: “The residents love sharing their sto - ries with the children during their weekly visit, so National Storytelling Week gives us a great opportunity to work together and use these stories as an educational experi - ence for the kids. “Interacting and sharing with the chil - dren is such a cherished part of the resi - dent’s life at Beech Manor and they are re - ally looking forward to seeing their stories brought to life by their friends at St Ste - phen’s Primary in March.” Mr Simon McKell, head teacher at St Stephen’s Roman Catholic Primary School, said: “When speaking to the children about their experiences in school and what they enjoy most, the visits to Beech Manor Care Home are consistently at the forefront. Our pupils and the residents have developed real friendships which offer both parties a different perspective on life. The children have loved listening to the stories by Dave, Beryl, Janet and Maureen, and are looking forward to retelling their tales through art, drama and story-writing, and presenting them back to their friends at the care home at Intergenerational Week in March.” St Stephen’s Primary applied for funding through the Gannochy Trust to support this project and to aid in their search for a local artist who would assist in capturing and representing the resident’s stories in comic form. NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK COMES ALIVE IN BLAIRGOWRIE `Once upon a time` - generating memorable and cherished links If you are a local artist who wishes to get involved, please contact St Stephen’s Primary, Blairgowrie

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page 15 Fr Mark Cassidy, Dunkeld’s Voca - tions Director, led the Annual Vocations Mass in St Andrew’s Cathedral, Dundee. Priests and Religious came from across the diocese and were joined in prayer by representatives of schools and parishes. Canon Kevin Golden directed the Dioc - esan Choir which was accompanied at the organ by Kevin Veal. Fr Jean Gové, newly ordained in the Archdiocese of Malta earlier in the year, preached. He came to Scotland to study at St Andrews University and is based with Fr Cassidy, serving the parishes of Immacu - late Conception, Ss Leonard and Fergus and St Columba’s, Dundee at weekends. Addressing the question about why we need priests, Fr Gové examined the role of the priesthood and what are qualities a priest should have. Rather than wise words of wisdom from long experience, he suggested that he could simply share the "naïvety idealism of his youth." Quoting Pope Francis - Fr Gové said, “the priest must have the smell of the floor” - in other words, the priest must be prepared to get his hands dirty. He is called to imitate Christ’s mission to be with the poor, the marginalised, the addict, the alcoholic, the prostitute and the unloved and to free them from the things that have captured them. The priest should speak up against injus - tice and lies in favour of truth and love. The priest is called to continue to carry out Christ’s mission - and that is to bring salva - tion to all mankind." As to the ideal qualities for candidates for the priesthood, Fr Gové reflected on the human weakness of many priest and bish - ops, including the apostles themselves. "Above all, a candidate for the priesthood should be a man who is faithful. God does not call someone because of his merits, tal - ents or capabilities - this is because God’s grace alone is sufficient. Let us pray for men who are faithful to the Gospels. Perhaps is good to remind ourselves from time to time of our naïve idealism!" What qualities does God look for in a priest? On the 1st of February, Bishop Robson arranged an anticipation of the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord for the Religious of the diocese. He was already engaged on the 2nd of February which is officially the Feast day and is a special day set apart for members of the Consecrated Life. After a busy morning of presiding at the Requiem Mass for Deacon Tom Clark, the Bishop came and celebrated Mass with a good group of Religious from the diocese. Present were also a number of other con - secrated persons as well as the diocesan choir under the direction of Canon Kevin Golden, VG. In his homily the Bishop stressed the importance of Religious Life in the Church and his belief that no diocese is complete without Religious. He spoke about the call to live in poverty, chastity and obedience - well as the invitation to witness to both the narrow and wider aspects of community. He thanked the Religious for their pres - ence in the diocese and mentioned each group by name. Four Religious priests from different Religious Congregations concelebrated the Mass with the bishop. Afterwards he had arranged a lunch for the Religious which was prepared by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. It was truly an excellent lunch, and the sense of sharing was present not only in the food, but in the conversation; so much so, that the meal went on until after 4 o’clock! Fr McAinsh, Vicar Episcopal for Re - ligious, said "It was really a very blessed moment of fraternity and it was a joy to see the Sisters and Brothers interacting so beautifully." He proposed a vote of gratitude to the Bishop for initiating and arranging the day, and to the Sisters for preparing the splendid lunch. The group meet again in Lent and as usual, any diocesan priest who wishes to participate will be very welcome. The suggested date is 19th March, the feast of St Joseph, the venue being Lawside Convent and the gathering time 2.30pm. "A very blessed moment of fraternity - a joy to see the Sisters and Brothers interacting so beautifully" Missionaries of Charity Dunkeld`s Missionaries of Charity, known as the Mother Teresa Nuns, are working predominantly in the north part of Dundee including Whitfield, Fintry, Kirkton, Douglas, Charleston andArdler. After spending an initial few months based at St Anne`s, Lawside, assessing how they might best to help those liv - ing in deprivation, they opted to move into St Clement`s where their mission has begun in earnest. (Left-right) Sr Mary Simeon, Sr Mary Irene (Superior), Sr Mary Steven and Sr Mary Deepti

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page 16 Two sisters who are part of the Just Live It Programme being piloted at St Fillan’s Parish in Crieff – were given the task of conducting the Mass for Epiphany Sunday. This included choosing the hymns, prayers and readers, as well as writing and deliver - ing the homily. We have shared their unique insight on this feast below: "In the gospel we have heard today, the three wise men had also set out on a long journey with expectations. They hoped to find an infant king and had been instruct - ed to find out all about the child and report back to King Herod. No doubt they too would have experienced many challenges on the way, riding their camels over hills and deserts on their way to Jerusalem and Bethlehem, overcoming all in their way." "The Magi also discovered something much deeper and richer in the presence of the infant baby Jesus as they recognised Jesus as both God and King. They were not of the Jewish faith, but instead represented the Gentiles – the nations of the world. Isaiah in the First Reading prophesies this moment, when the nations would come to the light of the world bringing gifts of gold and incense and worshiping the Lord. The Magi represent the wise people from the pagan nations and by bowing down to the infant king, recognised his power and au - thority over all. Their gifts of gold, frank - incense and myrrh were symbols of God becoming man. The gold represented the infant child’s kingship, the frankincense his divinity and the myrrh his humanity." "God had come not just to save the Jew - ish nation but as the Saviour of the whole world so that all people could be united to Him. This is the meaning of the Epiphany – God becoming man in Christ to unite the whole world to himself as Lord over all. Just as the Magi were touched by be - ing in the presence of the baby Jesus, ex - periencing a change in their lives and returning home a different way, so do all who come closer to Christ, as their hearts and minds are transformed and all return home, in a new way – where things just seem – different." "As we each continue to make our own journey towards Christ, let us draw closer to him and allow ourselves to be trans - formed and united more deeply to him so that we may each experience the differ - ence he makes in our lives.” Alisha and Arianne McCrosson JUST LIVE IT! Annual National Youth Pilgrimage Saturday 19th September at Dunkeld More information will be available later Lent Retreat Dunkeld`s young Catholics, aged 14-18 are preparing for a Lenten Retreat at the Pastoral Centre from 10am on Saturday 14th March until 2.30pm on Sunday 15th March. The event builds on the Advent Retreat organised by diocesan Youth Com - mission - ably supported by Canon Tom Shields, its Youth Director. It too will offer lots of physical and practical activities, from team games and races to flashcards, posters and small group discussions. The theme is “Eyewitness” and the young people will be joined by Bishop Stephen for the occasion. Registration can be completed using the dunkeldyouth.org.uk online sign-up form or by emailing the youth office. It`s not too late to register... Photo by Aleksandra Mołoń Photo by Aleksandra Mołoń

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page 17 Life Teen 2020 Registration is now open for the DYS an - nual trip to the Life Teen Europe Summer Camp! Please see their website for details. Through powerful Eucharistic encoun - ters and engaging catechesis, teens are im - mersed in a dynamically Catholic parish culture. With the parish as their true home, the teens are then further strengthened by Summer Camps, Events, Resources and Blogs. Their goal is not only to equip par - ishes worldwide with timely, high quality resources to train Catechists and “reach” today’s teens, but also to create an environ - ment where Catholic teenagers feel sup - ported and engaged the other 167 hours a week, outside of Sunday Mass. Teens (13- 19 years) are in a decisive stage of life: they are no longer children, but they are not yet grown up. In this phase they become more and more aware of themselves, they make decisive choices in study and/or work and they form an opinion about important mat - ters in life. There is a lot to teenagers in a very short time; moreover, they are some - times vulnerable and influenceable by the many media. Teenagers want to be taken seriously and belong somewhere. That is why it is important that teenagers, during this phase of life, can also belong to the Church and feel welcome! Launching - All Fired Up Dunkeld Youth Service has now launched its online bi-monthly newsletter written for young people, about young people and by young people. Speaking at the launch, Canon Tom Shields said, “Its a brand-new platform to get our stories out there! The new newsletter will feature what’s going on for the young people in our diocese, what you can get involved in, upcoming DYS events, teaching and testimonies, activities and more!” Each edition is published as a .pdf on the Youth Service website www.dunkeldy - outh.org.uk HOT OFF THE PRESS! Subscribe to their mailing list and a copy of the newsletter will be sent directly to your inbox! Become a Young Reporter If you are interested in writing and sharing your experience, or if you think there’s an important issue or event we should include in our newsletter, please get in touch! This is your platform! Email the youth office - youth-office@dunkeld - diocese.org.uk or contact them on social media - facebook.com/DunkeldYouthService @RCDunkeld_Youth instagram.com/dunkeld_youth_service Friday 22nd May at 5pm - Monday 25th May at 1pm - come gather with hundreds of people and step into a life- changing relationship with Jesus Christ with a 3-night camping stay in the stun - ning Highlands of Scotland at Craig Lodge House of Prayer for a powerful weekend of adoration, sacraments, mu - sic, talks, discussions, mountain walks, evening fun and loads more. This Catholic Festival is for 16-35 year olds. You can get a train or a bus from Glasgow to Dalmally and we can pick you up from there if you let us know when you arrive. If you have any issues regarding transport etc, feel free to con - tact the page, email strongholdfestivals - cotland@gmail.com or call 01838 200 216. If you’ve been before and are keen to come again, bring your friends! In - troducing them to God’s infinite love is the best gift you could give them. Please “Like” the Facebook page (https://www. facebook.com/strongholdfestival/) and follow their Instagram @strongholdfes - tival See you in the Mountains!

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page 18 Kilgraston School celebrated the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe with Mass entirely in Spanish! Pictured here are Mgr Patrick Provost McInally, Mrs MacGinty (headmistress) and Mr Allaker (chaplain) with all the Mexican pupils at Kilgraston. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Kilgraston St Modan`s, Stirling celebrate Feastday Mass Bishop Stephen with staff and pupils at St Modan`s High School, Stirling and chaplains Mgr John Harty (St Mungo`s, Alloa) and Fr Andrew Kingham (St Andrews and Edin - New teachers are setting out on the road Pictured here with Bishop Stephen and Fr Gregory Murphy - teachers who have completed the Setting Out on the Road curse and gained the Catholic Teacher`s Certificate (CTC) qualifying them to teach Religious Education in a Catholic school. It is delivered through the St Andrew`s Foundation for Catholic Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow. Safeguarding Training dates If you work with children or vulnerable adults within Dunkeld Diocese you MUST be PVG scheme registered for the specific role you have regardless of the membership you have for other roles. If you do not apply for PVG membership then you will be unable to continue your work if it involves children or vulnerable adults. For all who are enrolled in the scheme - your parish safeguarding coordinators will able to ad - vise you which training session you are due to attend. It is essential for participants to BOOK A PLACE in advance – by calling the Diocesan Centre – 01382 225453 or by emailing recep - tion@dunkelddiocese.org.uk Once a date has become fully booked it will not be possible for additional names to be added to that session. Tuesday 10th March Induction Part 1 7-9pm Jane Egan Pastoral Centre, 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee. DD3 6XY Monday 16th March Induction Part 2 7-9pm Audrey Mistry St John the Baptist Church, Melville Street, Perth. PH1 5PY Tuesday 7th April Induction Part 2 7-9pm Jane Egan Pastoral Centre, 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee. DD3 6XY Monday 20th April Induction Part 1 7-9pm Audrey Mistry St John the Baptist Church, Melville Street, Perth. PH1 5PY Tuesday 12th May Induction Part 1 7-9pm Jane Egan Pastoral Centre, 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee. DD3 6XY Monday 18th May Induction Part 2 7-9pm Audrey Mistry St John the Baptist Church, Melville Street, Perth. PH1 5PY Tuesday 9th June Induction Part 2 7-9pm Jane Egan 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee. DD3 6XY Monday 15th June Induction Part 1 7-9pm Audrey Mistry St John the Baptist Church, Melville Street, Perth. PH1 5PY Thursday 18th June Induction Part 1 7-9pm Jason Hynes Pastoral Centre, 24-28 Lawside Road, Dundee. DD3 6XY

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page 19 Mass for the World Day of Prayer for the Sick Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s, the Immaculate Conception, Lochee, Dundee – on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11th February 2020. Bishop Stephen Rob - son was accompanied by St Mary’s Parish Priest, Fr Mark Cassidy, and priests from across the diocese for the Mass which in - cluded Anointing of the Sick. The homily was given by Bishop Stephen. Photo by Eddie Mahoney On the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, 11th February 2020, Bishop Stephen Rob - son joined staff and pupils at Our Lady’s RC Primary School, Perth, to celebrate their patronal festival. Headteacher, Mrs Lynn Mendes, wel - comed Bishop Stephen to the school and invited him to visit the classes and witness their work. From nursery to P7 there was a common thread, Our Lady, St Bernadette and the story of Lourdes. Bishop Stephen listened as the children told him about Bernadette`s encounters with the Blessed Virgin Mary. He told the young learners about his own many visits to the Marian Shrine – at one point he completed a freehand map of France on a white board to allow him to lo - cate the Marian pilgrimage centre. Bishop Stephen said, “Our diocese organ - ises three pilgrimages each year to the place where St Bernadette had the visions of Our Lady more than 150 years ago. Every time there are pilgrims who return and say how the experience has healed them in so many different ways.” Bishop Stephen joined P7 pupils as they watched a live webcast of Mass from the Lourdes Grotto – when he recognised a fellow bishop at the altar. This prompted so many questions – how do you become a bishop; did you always want to be a bishop; have you met the Pope? It was difficult to explain how his ap - pointment was not something he sought – but rather it sought him. “You don’t apply for the job,” said Bishop Stephen, “it finds you! Sometimes God works in you in a way you’d least expect.” After lunch P1-P7 joined Bishop Stephen and Fr Colin Golden (their school chap - lain) for Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in the church. The children re - turned to school to be treated by Fr Colin – with cakes from Murrays the Bakers! Our Lady`s Primary, Perth, celebrate their special day with Bishop Stephen

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page 20 DUNKELD NEWS Coming editions 14th June 2020 20th September 2020 12th December 2020 Email your stories and photos Photos need to be high resolution .jpg dunkeldnews@dunkelddiocese.co.uk on Twitter @DunkeldNews Editor - Andrew Mitchell CALL or TEXT 07806 789791 The staff and pupils and their families at St Thomas` RC Primary School, Arbroath, said a fond farewell to the school building that has served them for over 50 years. The first St Thomas School was opened in 1874. The main part of the present building was opened by Bishop Hart on June 7th, 1965. An addition was made to the building in 1999. Bishop Stephen celebrated the closing Mass at the school which was followed by a whole school concert. The children have now moved into their new school building which is a shared campus with Hayshead Primary. The shared campus has dedicated flex - ible teaching spaces to accommodate both schools, including classrooms, activity spaces and group tutorial rooms. It also provides shared accommodation, includ - ing multi-purpose halls, general purpose rooms and a campus library. The Early Years facility on campus is shared by the existing St Thomas and Hay - shead nurseries and they have a dedicated playgroup area. The campus has been de - signed to be fully inclusive for those with additional support needs and includes a multi-sensory room and provides dedicat - ed community facilities. At this moment of great change and new opportunities, Bishop Stephen said, "We give great thanks for the generations of teachers, parents and parishioners who have built up St Thomas` Primary over these past 166 years. Indeed there are some here today who will recall attending the origi - nal two-roomed school that was attached to the church. In the new shared campus we have an excellent resource to carry this work forward." St Thomas` RC Primary, Arbroath new beginnings St Thomas` RC Primary, Arbroath new beginnings Photos - Eddie Mahoney 100 years ago - photo courtesy of Norma Giulianotti Celebrating generations of support for Catholic Education at St Thomas`, Arbroath

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