In recent weeks, Bishop Keenan has made important announcements about the configuration of parishes in Saint Andrew's Cluster (Paisley).

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For almost two years, the clergy and parish communities of Paisley have been working and praying together in an attempt to better plan for pastoral care of future generations in the town.

On Sunday 9th June 2024, Bishop Keenan celebrated Holy Mass in Saint Paul's church. At Holy Mass, he announced that the parish of Saint Paul's will be suppressed on Friday 1st September 2024, and that the church will close on the same date. On that date, the territory of the parish of Saint Paul's will be zoned to Saint Mary's parish.

On Sunday 23rd June 2024, Bishop Keenan celebrated Holy Masses in Saint James's church and Saint Mirin's Cathedral. At these Holy Masses, he announced that the parish of Saint James's will be suppressed on Thursday 15th August 2024, but that the church will remain open as a second place of worship within the parish of Saint Mirin's. On that date, the territory of the parish of Saint James's will be united to that of the parish of Saint Mirin's.

In other words, although the parish of Saint James's will cease to exist, nevertheless Masses and other liturgies will continue to be celebrated in Saint James's church. The parish of Saint Mirin's will become much larger, and it will be centred around two places of worship: Saint Mirin's Cathedral and Saint James's church.

These announcements are a response to proposals made to the bishop by the relevant Parish Pastoral Councils, and they follow long periods of consultation at a parish level. They also follow the bishop's consultation with his Council of Priests and College of Consultors.

Read the Homily concerning Saint Paul's

Read the Homily concerning Saint James's and Saint Mirin's

• For more on Clusters within the diocese, click here.