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Our Thirty Three Day Consecration to Jesus through Mary begins Saturday 9 January at 9.00pm UK time. All you have to do is join Bishop John's livestream on his Facebook page each evening at 9.00pm for around 10 to 15 minutes as he reads a chapter and leads you in the prayers. It will remain on the Page so that if you miss the livestream you can play it as catch up anytime.

Father Joe Burke, Vicar General, now has the role of overseeing the Approval process. Applications and references for posts in the three local authorities within our Diocese should be returned to: Rev Joseph Burke, Teacher Approval, Diocesan Centre, Cathedral Precincts, Incle Street, Paisley PA1 1HR or email: approvals@rcdop.org.uk Please note that applications for posts in Our Lady of the Missions Primary School and St Ninian’s High School should be sent to the Archdiocese of Glasgow in whose territory they are located: Archdiocese of Glasgow, Teacher Approval , 196 Clyde Street, Glasgow G1 4JY. Email: approval@rcag.org.uk Arrangements for the pastoral care of staff and pupils in these schools will continue to be the responsibility of the Diocese of Paisley.

Our diocese has arranged the services and pastoral ministry of our own Catholic Marriage Counsellor.  If you are concerned about your relationship and feel you are both unable to reach a conclusion alone, it is likely that you will benefit from marriage counselling. The counsellor is there to maintain a neutral, non-judgmental position. Click on the image for more information or to get in touch.

MARRIAGE MATTERS (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) Second Sunday of Advent (Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-4 2 Peter 3:8-14 Mark 1:1-8) Let us be a sign for all

To mark St Andrew’s Day, the St Andrew’s Foundation for Catholic Teacher Education is launching a brand new blog called The Cloisters. The aim of the blog is to stimulate discussion, debate and collaboration in the area of Catholic religious education, and Catholic education more widely. They invite contributions to the blog from academics in Scotland and beyond, teachers, alumni, students, parents, clergy, and all interested in the mission of Catholic education. Click on the image to visit The Cloisters. There you will find their opening editorial, and instructions regarding how to submit a blog and comment.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, I want to write to you as lockdown relaxes and our schools return after summer holidays, and as our churches recommence public Masses and plan for the full resumption of parish life in the months ahead. 

MARRIAGE MATTERS (www.twoinoneflesh.org.uk) Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Isaiah 55:6-9 Phil 1:20-24, 27 Matt 20:1-16) ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts’ God can put thoughts into our minds, but how can we ensure these make a difference to our lives?

"I want you to know that in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Rosary" - St Dominic

An ancient custom still alive today... By the end of the eighth century the Anglo-Saxons felt so closely linked to the Bishop of Rome that they decided to send a regular annual contribution to the Holy Father. It was thus that the Denarius Sancti Petri (Alms of Saint Peter) originated and spread throughout Europe.

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Eccles 27:30-28:7 Rom 14:7-9 Matt 18: 21- 35) How can I love my spouse and bring life? We are called to set aside resentment, to listen gently to our beloved, seeking understanding.

We remember our Sick & Retired Priests of the diocese with great love and affection. We have fifteen retired priests, still active in prayer and witness: one living in Rome, six in houses throughout the diocese, three in parish presbyteries, and five at the Residence of the Little Sisters along with Bishop John Cunningham.

Lockdown lifelines August- from the Marriage Counselling Service   "Healthy relationships: this month try to find some "couple" time, just for the two of you.

Vocations Awareness Week Sunday marks the beginning of Vocations Awareness Week, a time of prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood, Diaconate and Consecrated Life.  Focused on the theme of ‘Parable’, these invite pupils to consider God’s plan for their lives and include resources for prayer and reflection. The material is also designed to be augmented by a talk from the school chaplain.

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ezek 33:7-9 Rom 13:8-10 Matthew 18:15-20)Matthew reminds us of Jesus’ promise “...where two or more meet in my name I will be with them”.

Protect Scotland The Protect Scotland app from NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect is a free, mobile phone app designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns.

Mgr. James Cunningham celebrates  60 years of priestly ordination on Friday 11th September.  We thank God for his long and faithful service to the people of Paisley Diocese, wish him a happy day and many blessed years of retirement to come with the Little Sisters in Greenock.

Today is the birthday celebration of our dear mother.  In December we honor her Immaculate Conception.  In January we celebrate her as the Mother of God.  In August we celebrate her Assumption into Heaven and there are many other days throughout the year where we honor a unique aspect of her life.  But today is simply her birthday celebration!

It's that time again when a few of our clergy move or take on new ministries within the diocese: Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they settle in. 

I encourage you to join me in asking the Little Flower’s intercession so that in these unprecedented times, in her words, we may both ‘trust God that we are exactly where we are meant to be’ and, at the same time, ‘not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.’

Holy Places collection - "will be a sign of rediscovered hope and of salvation after the Passion that many people now participate in, as well as solidarity with those who continue to live the Gospel of Jesus in the land where 'it all began.'"