Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday and the World Day of Prayer for Vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life. When I am writing my Pastoral Letters to you I usually think of you in your parish communities at Sunday Mass, reflecting on my words after being nourished by the Word of God and preparing to welcome our Risen Lord in the Eucharist.  I fondly imagine you sharing this Sacred Gathering with your families and friends and, of course, with your priests.

The Gospel tells us how the Church’s first Easter encounter with the Risen Lord was a quiet affair.  While almost all of the disciples were locked down at home, two women of their number went up to the Tomb in the dark as their representatives and carried out the necessary rites on behalf of them all. 

In today’s Gospel Mary of Magdalen comes to the Tomb.  We hear how she is still in the dark as she approaches the scene; still in the dark as to the real meaning of all that has happened since the Lord was taken away from her on Calvary, and her own Way of the Cross had begun.

Christmas Midnight Mass 2019   Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today a Saviour has been born for us Who is Christ the Lord.  The Psalm for Midnight Mass takes up this message of the Angel to the Shepherds who were watching their flocks by night.  Reflecting on the wonder of that Heavenly encounter, and on all the shepherds went on to see in the Bethlehem stable, tonight’s Mass contemplates the God Who made this most sacred night radiant with the splendour of the true light.  The Mystery of the Messiah on earth has continued revealing itself down the ages to Christian souls who have come to see and wonder like the shepherds, even until this night.  The light of Bethlehem will shine on our poor world until that Happy Day when all is at last made manifest and humble worshippers delight in His gladness in Heaven.   

Feast of the Holy Family 2019 Sixtieth Anniversary of the Holy Family Parish, Port Glasgow     Dear brothers and sisters, it is a joy for me to be with you today in this Christmas Season and on the Feast of the Holy Family.  It is a delight to celebrate this Holy Mass with you on the occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of this wonderful parish.