St. Paul’s News     

 Kits for Kids

Any readers of the Daily Record are invited to collect the kits for kids tokens and save them for St. John’s Primary team.

Parish Summer Fayre

New Date Sunday 13th June after Mass.  The PPC are now asking for support for the Summer Fayre.  We are looking for donations of books, bric a brac and bottles for the stalls.  Anyone wishing to help with the stalls please see a member of the PPC.  A list of all the stalls we hope to have is available in the porch.

First Communion/Confirmation

The parish will celebrate these Sacraments on Sunday 16th May at 11.30am.  Please pray for the children in their final weeks of preparation.  The photos are now on the notice board beside the organ.  As in previous years there will be an additional Mass that morning at 10am.

 200 Club

Thank you to all who wish to be part of the 200 club.  The first draw will take place after Mass this morning.  A list is still available in the porch for anyone who wishes to join up.  If you haven’t yet paid could you please do so soon.

 Collection

£917.00 Many thanks.

Church Stall

The Repository has recently taken delivery of new Religious articles and cards for 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.

Memorial Garden

Since I mentioned this idea a month or so ago a few people have indicated  they would like to plant a rose bush or shrub to remember a loved one.  Once the area is finally cleared out we will be able to gradually plant Memorial bushes.

Parish Choir

The Choir resumes on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.  All are welcome to join.

Communion to the Sick

No visits this week.

Tuesday Club

Meets on Tuesday at 2pm.   All are welcome.

Week of Guided Prayer

The Diocesan Prayer group will be visiting the parish 16-21st May for our annual week of guided prayer.  Anyone interested in learning more about this should contact Margaret Watson.

St. John’s Primary Induction

The school will be sending out invitations for newly enrolled primary one pupils to attend their induction programme in May and June.  If you have not already enrolled your child for this session please contact the school.

Children’s Liturgy Group

I’d like to meet all the helpers at our children’s liturgy group after Mass on Sunday 2nd May to plan family Masses and other events.

Meeting of Parents for First Communion and Confirmation

Could all parents wait behind after morning Mass today.

Diocesan Youth Forum

Any teenagers in the parish wishing to meet up with other teenagers from across the Diocese are invited to the above forum in St. Matthew’s Kilmarnock on Saturday 5th June. See me for further details.

St. Francis Xavier’s News

Heating in the Church

The exposed copper pipes are very hot so please keep away from them.  After Easter we will have them encased in wood.  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 visits 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.

Plans for the New School

I’m hoping some time this month to have a copy of the plans for the new school to share with you.  Obviously parents of children in the school will see these first through the school.

First Communion/Confirmation

Ryan and Ewan will be celebrating these Sacraments on Saturday 22nd May.  Could I have a few volunteers to help with a celebration buffet afterwards in the hall.

Parish tidy up day

Now that the outside work has been done around the hall and church I hope that one Saturday afternoon in June we might get a team together to tidy up the grounds.

General Church News

Church Envelopes

The new envelopes for 2010 have started.  These are available in the porch.  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.

Papal Visit

It is now confirmed that Pope Benedict will celebrate Mass around 5.30pm on Thursday 16th September.  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.  After speaking with the coach company the buses would leave approx between 1.30pm and returning from Bellahouston from 8pm onwards. Over the next few weeks more detailed plans will be worked out concerning the preparations in the Diocese, Deanery and eventually in the Parish.  Presently about 80 from St. Paul’s and 15 from St. Francis Xavier’s have indicated they want to go to Bellahouston.  I have booked two coaches for St. Paul’s and will arrange a separate coach from Dalmellington/Patna.

Queen Margaret Academy Reunion

Did you start QMA in 1983? If you did a reunion is taking place on Saturday 29th May at 7.30pm at Floyds on Maybole Road.  Tickets available costing £5 from Sharon Rae on 289721 or raeshar@googlemail.com or Amanda on 265007 or can be bought at the door.  See letter in porch.

Aid to the Church in Need

I received a very kind letter from John Woods thanking both congregations fro their generosity at last weeks special appeal.  The total contributions including donations and sales of books and gifts were as follows:                        St Francis Xavier’s £252.36  St. Paul’s £1136.00  See thank you posters in both churches.

Faith Today

A new monthly publication by the Bishops of England and Wales concerning topical Church issues has been sent to all parishes.  Anyone withing to subscribe should contact me.  The ONLY parish copy is available in the porch for you to look at.  Do not remove.