St. Paul’s News     

RCIA

For the next 2 Sundays the Candidates who are to be received into Full Communion with the Church at Easter will celebrate “The Scrutinies” and will leave the church after those celebrations.

200 Club

Numbers are now around the 150 level and we will go ahead with the 200 club.  The first draw will be on the last Sunday of April. Direct Debit slips are available for those who wish them and those who wish to pay yearly by cheque or cash should place these in an envelope addressed 200 club.  individuals will be allocated numbers before Easter and the list will be published after Easter.

Parish Summer Fayre

The PPC are quite keen to go ahead with a summer fayre in June.  Thank you to those who have volunteered to help run stalls at the summer fayre.  You will be contacted by a member of the PPC in due course!!

Eucharistic Ministers

The new rota is available at the back of the church.  Please pick up one.

Lenten Discussion Groups

Continues on Wednesday after Stations of the Cross.  The course is called “By his wounds”.

 Lenten Family Prayer Group

The family prayer group will run every Sunday during Lent 3.00pm-5.00pm.  If your are interested please contact the McKeown’s 266124 or McGi nley’s 283929.

SCIAF Lent Day

This Sunday the  4th Sunday of Lent our J & P group is organising quiet reflection after Mass until 3pm.  SCIAF materials will be available in the hall and a soup lunch will be made available by the  J & P group. Today the Special Collection will be taken up for SCIAF.

 Collection

£945.00. Many thanks.

Church Stall

The Repository has recently taken delivery of new Religious articles and cards for Easter and First Communion. Please feel free to browse around the repository. There is a selection of booklets, rosary’s, candles and cards for all sorts of occasions.  Please support this.

Papal Visit

Whilst it is not confirmed it would appear the main event in Scotland will be a Mass on Thursday afternoon  16th September in either Bellahouston Park or Glasgow Green.  I would suggest that the use of private transport is probably not advised so we need to book some buses for the event.  Please let me know the number expecting to go in the next month by adding your name to the list in the porch.

Disclosure Scotland

Thank you to those who attended the meeting concerning Child Protection.  However I do have to point out that some of the parents  who take their children into the Children’s Liturgy did not come.  I can only stress that attendance at a Child Protection Meeting and compliance with Child Protection Law is MANDATORY. The Child Protection team will return to the parish in just over a month and I do expect compliance with the Child Protection Policy with the Church in Scotland.

St. Francis Xavier’s News

Heating in the Church

The new heating is now installed and after the church has been cleaned this weekend we hope to move back into the church on Wednesday.  A very special thank you to those who have made such efforts to give a thorough clean to the church. Please note that the Sceptic tank and drawaway pipes are being installed behind the church over the next few weeks.  Please keep away from any works.

Communions to the Sick

No communions this week.

Toilets and Hall Kitchen

In the light of the views expressed at the recent parish meeting we intend to modernise  the kitchen with a few new units sink, fridge and cooker.  We will convert the toilet into a disabled toilet and modernise that.  Francis Rooney is going to draw up a plan for the toilet and kitchen and once the plan is approved we will move on with that work.

Eucharistic Ministers/Readers

We are looking for new volunteers in these ministries to augment our present number.  Any volunteers will be Commissioned into the Ministry at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday.

Collection

£175.60, 50/50 £18.10.  Many thanks for your continuing generosity.

General Church News

Holy Week Services

A card containing timings for all Holy Week Services is now available in both churches.  Please take one home today.

Gonzaga Lectures

The annual Gonzaga Lectures held at St. Aloysius College Glasgow start on the 23rd February.  The theme this year is “Change, Challenge and the Church”.  See poster for further details.

QMA Fashion Show

QMA are having a fashion show in the school on Wednesday 31st March in aid of Badagry.  Tickets cost £5 and include refreshments.  Contact QMA on 01292 268379.   See poster in porch.

Penitential Services for Lent

St. Paul’s Tuesday 16th March, Troon Sunday 21st March, Prestwick Monday 22nd March, Mossblown and Drongan Wednesday 24th March,                         St. Margaret’s Thursday 25th March, Maybole Sunday 28th March,

Society for Protection of the Unborn Child

The Ayrshire branch of SPUC are trying to organise door to door leafleting in various areas to highlight Pro-Life issues in their political debate leading up to the General Election.  The Church in England and Wales has already highlighted Pro-Life issues in their recent document concerning “The CommonGood”- a 10 page document issued to help us cast our votes.  If you are interested in helping with the distribution of these leaflets please sign up today.

Church Envelopes

The new envelopes for 2010 start on the Sunday after Easter.  These will be available next week in both churches.  Anyone requiring envelopes is invited to add their names to a list at the back of both churches.  Please indicate on the list if you are a UK Taxpayer, therefore allowing us to claim gift-aid on your contribution next year.

Marriage Preparation

The Priests of the Deanery have long been trying to have a common policy on Marriage Preparation courses.  This was discussed recently at the Diocesan Council of Priests. At the same time a National initiative on Marriage Preparation is being offered to all the Diocese of Scotland.  Anyone interested in learning more about the course materials for marriage preparation and who may be willing to participate in the programme is invited to a Diocesan meeting in St. Joseph’s Church Hall Kilmarnock on Thursday18th March at 7pm.  Anyone interested in going should let me know as soon as possible.

Hispanic Studies

From this Friday until next Friday I will be pursuing my annual course in Hispanic Studies in one of the cultural hotspots of Andalucia.  I will think of you.

On-line

Please note both parishes can access our website on www.ayrstpauls.com. Please use that site and add any comments.

Clergy moves

Following the death of Canon John Walls the Diocese have announced the following Clergy moves: 

1. Fr Jim Hayes: Saltcoats to St Teresa’s Dumfries

2. Fr. Graeme Bell: Cumnock/Auchileck/Muirkirk to Saltcoats

3. Fr. Stephen McGrattan:Maybole/ Mossblown to  Cumnock/Auchinleck and Muirkirk

4. Fr. Phillip Kitchen:St Joseph’s K/K to Maybole/Mossblown.

5. Fr. Willie McFadden: Kirkcudbright as second Vicar General