Pope’s dramatic plea to Putin

Pope’s dramatic plea to Putin

By Ronnie Convery

‘The world is at risk of nuclear war. I urge you to step back from the brink of catastrophe’ … that is the dramatic plea from Pope Francis to Russian leader Vladimir Putin this month as the conflict in Ukraine deepens.

The Holy Father devoted his whole Sunday Angelus address to the crisis last week. He said: “The course of the war in Ukraine has become so serious, devastating and threatening, as to cause great concern…

“I am deeply saddened by the rivers of blood and tears spilled in these months… Certain actions can never be justified! And what about the fact that humanity is once again faced with the atomic threat? It is absurd.

“I deeply deplore the grave situation that has arisen in recent days, with further actions contrary to the principles of international law. It increases the risk of nuclear escalation, giving rise to fears of uncontrollable and catastrophic consequences worldwide.

“My appeal is addressed first and foremost to the President of the Russian Federation, imploring him to stop this spiral of violence and death, also for the sake of his own people.

“On the other hand, profoundly saddened at the immense suffering of the Ukrainian people as a result of the aggression they have suffered, I address an equally confident appeal to the President of Ukraine to be open to serious proposals for peace.

“Please let the younger generations breathe the salutary air of peace, not the polluted air of war, which is madness!

“After seven months of hostilities, let us use all diplomatic means, even those that may not have been used so far, to bring an end to this terrible tragedy. War in itself is an error and a horror!

“Let us trust in the mercy of God, who can change hearts, and in the maternal intercession of the Queen of Peace, as we raise our Supplication to Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompei, spiritually united with the faithful gathered at her Shrine and in so many parts of the world”.

Wayside Club puts Pope Francis’ teachings into action

By Brian Swanson

Archbishop Nolan warmly praised volunteers at the Legion of Mary Wayside Club as he celebrated Mass to mark its 90th anniversary.

He told them: “If Pope Francis had been around 90 years ago he would be delighted at the initiative of the Legion of Mary in setting up the Wayside Club because it conforms in every way to how Pope Francis tells us we should deal with the poor.”

Delivering his homily at a well-attended Mass at Blessed John Duns Scotus Church in the Gorbals, the Archbishop went on: “Pope Francis tells us not to just throw money in a basket or a collection bag – he tells us to look the poor in the eye, to recognise their human dignity and to show them respect as a fellow child of God – and that is what the Wayside Club does.

“Of course money is important but the volunteers give much more than money – they give themselves”.

“By giving of your very self and showing love and humanity to those you are caring for, you are showing to them the love of God because God acts through you.

“In carrying out these good works you are also carrying out God’s work.

“We know of course from the Gospel story of the Good Samaritan when Jesus talks of those who pass by on the other side. Certainly the Legion of Mary and the Wayside Club do not do that. They recognise when someone is down on their luck for whatever reason, needs help and you do not neglect them.

“The Legion volunteers do not pass by on the other side – and for 90 years they have done that and it is a wonderful achievement and a great cause for celebration.

“What’s sad though is that while the Wayside Club was necessary 90 years ago it is still necessary today – things have not changed as there are people still very much in need of that care.”

Afterwards the Archbishop, whose concern for the poor and support for issues of justice and peace are well known, spent some time mingling with guests and chatting to officials, volunteers and clients from the Wayside Club before the cutting of a celebration cake.

And in the true spirit of charity the leftovers from the food provided by parishioners was later delivered to the Wayside Club’s Midland Street base in the city centre.

100 years of “Lourdes’ little sister”

By Brian Swanson

Being Scotland it rained. Being Carfin it didn’t matter …

And so, with the respectful devotion born of a shared faith, the people came in their thousands to venerate the relics of St Bernadette on the day that Carfin Grotto, in its 100th anniversary year, was proclaimed Scotland’s National Marian Shrine.

This significant honour was underlined by the fact that the Grotto, Scotland’s ‘little sister’ of the French shrine, was selected as the only place outside England to receive the Saint’s relics during their first ever UK tour.

It was, as Bishop Joseph Toal of Motherwell, principal celebrant at the National Pilgrimage Mass, put it: “A day of special joy and fervour.”

It was also a day to recognise both the unswerving passion of former parish priest of St Xavier’s Carfin, Canon Thomas Taylor whose vision led to the Grotto being created and the devotion and selflesss labour of the unemployed miners whose sweat and faith built it in the harsh winters of the early 1920s.

It was for them quite literally, a labour of love which has evolved into a place of peace, of prayer, and of pilgrimage.

You can be sure that their descendants were among those sharing the joy of pilgrims of all ages who came from Scotland and beyond to share in the days of grace in the presence of the Saint’s precious relics which arrived the day before the National Pilgrimage Mass.

In contrast to the rain on the day of the Mass, glorious sunshine of the sort seen as an answer to prayers, greeted the relics when they arrived on the morning of Saturday September 24 having been driven from Our Lady and St Joseph’s Church, Carlisle which was one of 50 destinations in England and Wales chosen to host the little saint of Lourdes.

On arrival, they were piped into the Grotto by John Nevens, a Deacon from Motherwell Diocese where they were greeted with spontaneous applause by the large crowd – some of who would later find themselves queuing for more than four hours to venerate, pray before them and leave petitions. Mobile phones, of course, recorded everything!

Guarded by members of the ever faithful Knights of Saint Columba, the exquisite golden reliquary encased in a glass case and, perhaps smaller than some had imagined, was placed next to an icon of St Bernadette written by a Carmelite nun from a monastery in Latvia as a reminder of the many Latvian families who settled in the area over the years.

Nearby a small statue of Our Lady, resting on a bed of flowers had been positioned in readiness to be carried at a later torchlight procession.

Behind the reliquary skilled stonemasons had created a new drystane dyke which swept like a river round the altar calling to mind the River Gave which flows through Lourdes.

The other river was made up of people and they too flowed around the relics to venerate them in respectful silence.

All generations were represented. Old men, some of whom appeared to have something in their eye, stood with young children who one day will tell their grandchildren of this day, family groups stood alongside visiting nuns – ‘Devotions are wonderful for the people,’ one said.

“Do you get paid for this son?” someone shouted to a young lad in a high-viz vest in a burst of humour.

“No mate,” came the quick reply “I get paid in grace!”

It was that kind of day when none were ashamed of their beliefs while in the queue new friendships were created, old ones renewed in a lengthy line of the patient faithful.

Few probably paid much attention to the new wall but it too is another very visible sign of faith and devotion by those who love this sacred place.

The building of the wall and renewal of the altar in similar style were just two examples the months of hard work – twelve hour days were by no means unusual – that a small army of volunteers undertook to make sure the grotto looked its best.

This reporter can confirm that they succeeded.

At the entrance to the grotto, adorned with fresh cut flowers, Statues of Our Lady and a young Bernadette gleamed in the sunshine, while the once tired-looking holy water font had been given a new coat of white and gold paint.

Nearby row after row of devotional candles flickered, faded and were constantly renewed by the eager faithful.

Elsewhere grassy areas had been manicured, hedges trimmed, statues and shrines renewed and cleaned all in preparation for the pilgrims from every diocese in Scotland who arrived by coach on their allocated day to celebrate Mass and venerate the relics throughout the week of the historic visit.

In a few weeks the relics, a piece of bone from Bernadette Soubirous’ thigh, will return to the Upper Basilica at Lourdes where in pre-Covid times they were venerated annually by more than three million people.

Cathedral joy for new Fr Douglas

By Brian Swanson

In the place where his faith journey began, as a member of St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir, Father Douglas Green became Glasgow’s newest priest bringing to an end a joyful summer of ordinations which gave the Archdiocese three new priests and two new permanent deacons.

For the newly ordained Father Green, 57, it was the faith he encountered among fellow choir members that encouraged him to convert to the Catholic faith and later to study for the priesthood which culminated in his ordination in the Cathedral on September 15, The Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

As with earlier ordinations this year, Archbishop Nolan, who celebrated the Mass of Ordination with Archbishop Conti, gave heartfelt advice to the new priest

He said:” “As we heard in the readings tonight Paul said he was the least of the apostles and not worthy to be one but only became an apostle by the Grace of God.

“I want you to remember in your priestly ministry the humility of Paul and his awareness of his faults and failings but above all his awareness of the Grace of God.

“Paul preached the good news to the people of God and you too are asked to preach to the people by word and deed, and by your actions, by your kindness to others and by sharing the love and compassion of God.

“As a minister of the sacraments you will be honoured to act in Christ’s name. The people will see you … but it is Christ the people are encountering in the sacraments.”

During his final placements leading up to his ordination Father Green served as a deacon at a number of churches in the Archdiocese who sent representatives to support him with their presence and prayers.

These included St Michael’s Parkhead, St Dominic’s Bishopbriggs and St Robert Bellarmine, Househillwood, where he worked closely with the late Father Jim Dean who died in April just five years after becoming parish priest following his ordination.

The solemnity and joy of the evening was enhanced by the uplifting contribution by St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir whose interpretation of specially chosen sacred music was simply outstanding in honour both of the occasion and their former choir member.

Following the prayer of consecration, as is the custom during priestly ordinations, Douglas was vested with his stole and chasuble.

He was helped by his fellow Beda College student Father Philip Bua from the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles who was himself ordained earlier this summer.

The pair studied together at the Pontifical Beda College in Rome and became good friends during their formation.

Father Green, who worked as a housing officer in Glasgow and who is shortly to be appointed to a parish the Archdiocese, said: “I am so grateful to so many people - including my friends in the choir, all the priests and parishioners I have met. I look forward to taking up my first appointment and beginning my new life as a priest.”