A Letter from Bishop John on St. Margaret’s Adoption Society
Adoption Week Scotland 21st –27th November 2016
 
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
The inaugural Adoption Week Scotland took place from 21st—27th November and was a great success. With this in mind, I want to bring to your attention our own Catholic Adoption Agency, St. Margaret’s  Adoption Society.  It was set up in 1955 in the trust of the dioceses of Glasgow, Motherwell, Paisley and Galloway and still has the bishops of these dioceses as its President and Vice Presidents.  I have recently visited their Centre for the Family and was most impressed with the work that is being done there to support children and families.
 
The first thing I want you to know is that St. Margaret’s is now the only Catholic adoption agency left in the United Kingdom.  After recent equalities’ legislation, the others decided to break their connections with the Church.  St. Margaret’s instead went to the Court to argue their case that they were entitled to operate as a Catholic adoption agency and work within the teachings of the Church and they won.  We are very proud of them for their courage and loyalty to the Church.
 
The second thing I want you to know is the amount of work St. Margaret’s has done in carrying on Jesus’ own loving care for the little ones.  To date they have placed well over 3,500 children in need of a “forever home” in West and Central Scotland.  Although the sole focus of their work is in adoption, they realise that their wider mission is to support the full wellbeing of the children and families who come to them for as long as they need. Adoption has changed over the years and most children they find homes for have suffered neglect or abuse. For these little ones St. Margaret’s has broken this bad cycle by providing a path out of their difficult start in life.    The hard work of the staff team has been recognised once again this year by the Care Inspectorate who awarded them three  grade sixes, the highest achievable award.
 
The third thing I want to do is to ask you, our parents, to think of adopting a child through St. Margaret’s and they will be there to give you all the help and support you need.  They will give you the training and peer support you need ongoing to continue meeting the needs of your child for as long as you need it and you will be invited to their weekly play group and calendar events so that you feel part of St Margaret’s big family.  Their Christmas Service and Annual Mass is always a joyous occasion to come together to give thanks to God for the gift of family.  Mass is usually followed by a barbeque and entertainment for the children.

Finally, how can you be part of this great mission of our Church?  Firstly St. Margaret’s could not exist without generous support of the dioceses of Paisley, Motherwell, Glasgow and Galloway so if you are in our  Catholics schools, parishes or societies why not run a fundraiser for them!  Secondly if you want to find out about adopting just call St. Margaret’s for a chat.  They will also post out some literature to read.
 
The final word I want to leave is from a parent who adopted a child through St. Margaret’s a few years ago, who says it better than I ever could.    “I simply wouldn’t have my family today if it hadn’t been for St Margaret’s. The staff manage to balance being like an extended family while displaying professionalism at every turn.  Just knowing they are always there with practical support and advice when we have difficult times, is a great source of strength.  Our children enjoyed going along to playgroup and events and this connection helps us. I know of many families who have returned to St Margaret’s again due to their positive experience first time around.”
 
When Jesus arrived in a town where children were being pushed round by their society he made sure they could come to Him and He embraced them and blessed them and He still does it today through our wonderful Saint Margaret’s.
 
As Adoption Week Scotland comes to an end let’s keep them and their work in our hearts and prayers.
 
God bless you all,
 
 
 
+John
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tel: 0141 332 8371
 
E-mail:  info@stmargaretsadoption.org.uk
 
www.facebook.com/stmargaretsadoptionsociety
 
www.twitter.com/stmgtadoption