This is the practice of the laity to provide financial support to the Holy See to allow the Holy Father the means to respond to those suffering as a result of war, oppression, natural disaster, and disease. Catholics around the world contribute roughly £70M annually through this collection. The US is the biggest contributor at 30%, followed by Italy, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Brazil and South Korea. You can donate easily to this collection by clicking on the ‘Online Parish Offertory’. This allows you to donate to any of the causes or parishes of your choice. Many thanks

The Caritas permanent commission would like to promote the work of The ‘Improving the Cancer Journey’ Service’ within Renfrewshire Council. Details of the service can be found in the newsletter here

Are you a qualified teacher, at secondary or primary level, interested in an advanced qualification as an RE specialist? The University of Glasgow is offering an ATQ in RE this coming academic year (21/22). A grant of £400 is available in two instalments from Paisley Diocese for teachers resident in the diocese who attend monthly diocesan seminars to support the completion of their assignments. This qualification fulfils the requirement for applying to the GTCS for Professional Registration as a specialist Religious Education teacher in the Catholic Secondary school. Please find all the details, including teaching dates and cost, here: ATQRE: https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/education/cpd/atqre/ GTCS PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION: https://www.gtcs.org.uk/registration/routes-professional-registration-secondary-teachers.aspx

We remember our Sick & Retired Priests of the diocese with great love and affection. We have fourteen retired priests of our diocese, still active in prayer and witness: one living in Rome, two living in Chile, five in houses throughout the diocese, three in parish presbyteries and three at the Residence of the Little Sisters along with Bishop John Cunningham. We thank God for the gift of these priests and keep them in our prayers. You can donate easily to this collection by visiting the ‘Online Parish Offertory’ page. This allows you to donate to any of the causes or parishes of your choice. Many thanks

Scotland’s Catholic Bishops have welcomed a call from Pope Francis for a Synod on the theme of Synodality, to be held in 2023. Commenting on the announcement, Bishop Hugh Gilbert, President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland said; “Last Sunday the Church celebrated the Feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and our Lady at the very beginning, the birthday, of the Church. We gave thanks for the gifts of the Holy Spirit that first Pentecost but also celebrated the ongoing gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Church. Mindful of these gifts the Bishops of Scotland welcome the initiative of Pope Francis to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church, to the People of God, to listen to one another, and to make that Synodal journey together of communion, participation and mission.” Bishop Gilbert added; “The Pope has called for a very participative process, engaging all the faithful, which will prepare for this Synod. The Bishops of Scotland welcome the Initiative for a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission. As the principle and foundation of unity in our dioceses, the Bishops look forward to the launch of the Synodal journey, a period of consultation and discernment in our local Churches, on Sunday 17th October of this year, and preparations are now being made for that event. We ask all the faithful to pray for the success of this initiative in the life of the universal and local Church, and above all to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and listen to the Holy Spirit speaking through all of us in the Body of Christ.”