ST MATTHEW’S PARISH DIRECTORY 2009
A MESSAGE TO THE PARISHIONERS
One of the topics which inevitably comes up for discussion at meetings
and assemblies during the year is the subject of communication.
Parishioners feel the need to be more aware of the existence of societies
and organisations, and of times of services and meetings. It is hoped
that this parish directory will give some idea of the various activities and
opportunities for service which make up our parish life.
A Parish is much more than a grouping of people who happen to live in a
particular area. It should be a community sharing its gifts and talents
for the good of all. So whether you have been in St. Matthew’s for a long
time or have only recently joined our parish, I assure you that you are an
important part of the community. I hope you will draw strength and joy
from our parish life and will feel able to participate in that life, enriching
it by your presence and by the sharing of your particular abilities and
talents with us all.
If there is anything that particularly catches your attention, please do
not hesitate to enquire further. All the various groups are anxious to
welcome new members. We all need each other.
Let us always remember each other in our prayers and help one another
to grow in love.
Mgr. Hugh Bradley
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CONTACT DETAILS
St Matthew’s Presbytery
2 South Crosshill Road
Bishopbriggs
G64 2LZ
0141 772 1619
e-mail – saint.matthews@ntlworld.com
Web site – www.saintmatthews.co.uk
SERVICES
Sunday Masses
5.30pm (Anticipated Mass for Sunday)
9.30am, 11 am, 12.15pm & 6pm
Masses on Holydays
7.30pm (Anticipated Mass on the evening before)
7.30am, 10 am & 7.30pm
Weekday Masses
7.30am & 10 am
Evening Masses as announced.
Confessions
Saturday after 10 am Mass and 5pm - 5.20pm
Baptisms
Sundays at 1.15pm by arrangement.
Marriages
At least 6 months notice should be given – and
before making other arrangements.
Sick Calls
Anytime.
Funerals
Contact Presbytery as soon as death occurs.
All contact details for parish committees, organisations and clubs can be
found on the attached contact sheet.
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HALL ACTIVITIES
Sunday
Children’s Liturgy during 11am Mass.
Monday
Ladies Keep Fit 10.30am to 11.30am
Tuesday (Alternate)
Tuesday (Alternate)
Tuesday
Senior Citizens 1.30pm to 3.30pm
UCM 7.30pm to 9.30pm
SVDP 8.00pm to 9.pm
Wednesday
Bridge Club 10.20am to 1pm
Thursday
Sequence Dancing 1.30 pm to 3.30pm
Friday
Tea/Coffee 10.30am to 11.30am
Saturday
Functions
Reserved from 7.30pm to 12.30am
All enquiries regarding the use of the Hall should be made to Mr Gerry
Cullen Tel: 563-4915
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AWARENESS & SAFETY IN OUR CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES
SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE & VULNERABLE ADULTS
The Catholic Church in Scotland is concerned with the lives, safety,
wholeness and well-being of each individual person within God’s purpose
for everyone. It seeks to safeguard the welfare of people of all ages who
are involved in whatever capacity with the church and its organisations.
As a church community, we in St Matthew’s accept it is the responsibility
of all of us, ordained, professed, paid and voluntary members to work
together to prevent the physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect of
children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The appointed coordinator for this parish is Mrs Anne Capanni.
What can you do to help if you see a situation or behaviour that concerns
you?
You must contact the coordinator, Anne Capanni or the Diocesan advisor
on 0141 226 5898. In an emergency, where the child or vulnerable adult
is in imminent danger and you cannot contact the above, you must contact
the police, social work department or medical practitioners immediately.
SCHOOLS
St. Matthew’s Primary
Tel: 0141 955 2282
Head Teacher: Mr Michael McLaughlin
Chair Person of the Parent Council – Mr S. Cunningham
Turnbull High
Tel: 0141 955 2393
Head Teacher: Mr Neil Roarty
Chair Person of the Parent Council – Mr E. Owens
St Mary’s Kenmure
Principal: Mr William Duffy
Board of Managers: Mr Brian Mallon
Services – by arrangement
Tel: 0141 563 0220
NURSING HOME
Mavisbank Home
Attended from St. Matthew’s
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Tel: 0141 772 6162
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GENERAL INFORMATION
New parishioners are warmly welcomed to St. Matthew’s. To ensure your
name is recorded, please call to the Sacristy after Masses for a copy of
the Parish Directory and a census form. Your participation in the
activities of the Parish would be greatly appreciated – ask for the Special
Commitment Form.
If parishioners are moving away from the Parish, please inform us in
order to keep our records up-to-date.
Holy Communion can be arranged for the sick and housebound by
contacting one of the priests. Please contact the priest as soon as the
person is unable to attend Church.
Notices for the Parish Newsletter should be handed in before 11 am on
Fridays.
An induction loop system is fitted in the Church for the benefit of
hearing aid users; switch aid to the ‘T’ position.
Catholic papers, magazines, pamphlets, cards for all occasions and
spiritual books are available at the Repository. There is also a wide
selection of religious goods such as rosaries, medals, crucifixes, baptismal
candles etc.
Holy Water can be taken from the container which is kept in the Church
meeting room.
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PARISH RECORDS
The Parish of St. Matthew’s was founded in 1946 and the present church
was opened in 1950. The current population comprises approximately
4,000 (1,300 families). The church hall was built in 1965. St. Matthew’s
primary school was opened in 1960 and Turnbull High in 1974.
The following priests ministered in St. Matthews;
Parish Priests
1946-52
1952-55
1955-84
1984-98
1998-2005
2003 -
Fr. Thomas L O’Kane (RIP)
Fr. John Quinn (RIP)
Canon Hugh Kelly (RIP)
Mgr. Eugene McGee
Mgr. Peter O’Farrell
Mgr Hugh Bradley
Assistant Priests
1963-70
1969-75
1970-74
1975-81
1980-82
1981-85
1982-86
1986-91
1989-92
1991-95
1995-99
1999-03
2003 -
Fr. Romeo Coia
Fr. John Sheary
Fr. Patrick J Byrne (RIP)
Fr. Brian Morren
Fr. Dermot Healy
Fr. Michael McCabe (RIP)
Fr. Edward Campbell
Fr. John Hughes
Fr. Paul Gallacher
Fr. Stephen Connolly
Fr. Gerard Barnes
Mgr. Hugh Bradley
Fr. Eamon Friel
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PASTORAL ACTION
One of the great themes which emerged from the second Vatican Council
was that of shared responsibility. The task of building up the family of
God belongs to all baptised, and not just to one particular group or
privileged section. But in order to be able to respond to this call, it is
necessary to create structures which will enable us to reach the areas of
need.
This small booklet details the organisations of our own community. It
gives information, but more importantly it comes as a reminder and a
challenge to all of us to live out the meaning of our baptism and to use the
gifts which God has given us for the service of others.
Many of the organisations listed need our help and support, so please
respond generously. Also, if you feel that there are areas of need in our
parish which are not being dealt with, then please let us know.
CHURCH OFFERINGS & GIFT AID
The Archdiocese and the Parish benefits from the regular giving which is
best done by making weekly offerings. Those who pay income tax are also
encouraged to use the gift aid scheme, which enables the Church to
recover most of the income tax already paid on their offerings from
HMRC. The scheme costs nothing and entails no loss of individual privacy.
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL
The Parish Pastoral Council meets to provide guidance and support to the
Parish Priest on matters which affect the life and spiritual well-being of
the parish. It discusses a wide range of issues and makes practical
recommendations and proposals in response to matters raised for
consideration by members of the Parish organisations.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
The work of this group is to help the Parish Priest with monitoring the
parish finances.
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FABRIC COMMITTEE
The fabric committee help in overseeing the maintenance of the parish
property, grounds and developments within the parish. It is also involved
in carrying out maintenance and repair work year by year.
BEREAVEMENT GROUP
The Parish Bereavement Group was formed to offer prayers and moral
support on behalf of the parish to all those parishioners who have
recently suffered bereavements. This support will be offered in 3 ways:
1. Two members of the group will visit the bereaved family with a card on
behalf of the parish within a month of the bereavement.
2. The group will organise an annual Mass of remembrance on the feast of
all souls.
3. The group will organise and be responsible for a Book of Remembrance
in which the names of deceased parishioners will be inscribed.
The Bereavement Group meets on the last Tuesday of the month at
7.30pm in the Presbytery.
SOCIETY OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul continues the work of its 1833
founder, Frederic Ozanam, of going to the poor of all denominations and
seeking to alleviate all forms of poverty.
Financial assistance is not the only help provided. Part of our work
consists of visits to people who are ill, at home or in hospital, the lonely
and the housebound etc. At our meetings in the hall at 8.00pm on Tuesday
evenings, we have spiritual readings, discussion and communal prayer. The
meetings last for about an hour and new members are always welcome.
MESSENGERS
The role of the messenger is to promote communication and build up
relationships in the parish. At each visit they deliver a News Letter
containing information on parish events and programmes for special
services. Your parish needs you!
Do consider making a gift of your time and energy for the building up of
the Kingdom of God.
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UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS
The Union of Catholic Mothers meets fortnightly from September to May
on a Tuesday evening at 7.30pm in the hall. The first meeting of each
month is a spiritual evening, normally involving an invited speaker, and the
second is given to the social aspect of our union. The main objects are to
uphold the Catholic ideal of marriage and home life, to offer help to
families in difficulty and to pray for and support vocations.
HALL COMMITTEE
The hall is a great asset to the parish in bringing people together and in
building up the community. The leaders of the various activities in the hall
go to form the committee and are responsible for its maintenance and
equipment. The hall is kept free for parishoners to hire on Friday and
Saturday evenings - if you have an enquiry about the hall please contact
Gerry Cullen.
THE WORD OF GOD
The Readers’ Ministry is another important part of the liturgy, in which
lay people proclaim the Word, to and for the community, during the
celebration of Mass. There is always room for new readers, who should
express their interest to the Co-ordinator Teresa McKenna.
CHILDREN’S LITURGY
The purpose of this group is to help prepare children to take a full part in
the Sunday liturgy at the 11am Mass. If you would like more information
please contact Geraldine McCann.
ECUMENISM
Meetings and services take place regularly in the district during the year
in order to promote good relationships with our brothers and sisters in
Christ. Parishioners are encouraged to attend the various events which
will be published in the parish bulletin.
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RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION OF ADULTS
RCIA is a rite of the Church designed to assist prospective members in
entering the Church Community. It can also apply to adults who have been
baptised as infants but have not received the other sacraments. The
RCIA team represents the rest of the parish in arranged instruction,
prayer partners and sponsors, gradually introducing the new members to
our community. For specific information about meeting times please
contact Pat Lynch.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are appointed to assist the
clergy in the distribution of Holy Communion. This may be at Mass, or in
other public services in the Church, or when the Eucharist is taken to the
sick or housebound, as an extension of the parish’s liturgy.
MUSIC
Music is an integral part of the Mass and it requires ‘musicians’ to lead
and inspire the community in the celebration of the liturgy. The term
‘musician’ covers everyone from a person who can start off a simple chant
or hymn to a first-rate professional.
PASSKEEPERS
The team of passkeepers have the job of welcoming people to services
and other events in the Church. They also arrange places for everyone
and take up collections. Please contact Brian Jeffrey if you would like to
get involved in this role in the parish.
ALTAR SERVERS
Young people over 8 years of age can play an important part in the liturgy
as altar servers. From time to time, training sessions are organised for
new servers who are always welcome. Contact Mr. Phil Reilly for more
information.
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TEA & COFFEE GROUP
The aim of the group is to share hospitality as a parish family and to get
to know each other; share each other’s joys and sorrows. Proceeds go to
the parish, missions and Scotus College etc. Tea & coffee mornings every
Friday after 10 am Mass – plus Feast days.
BRIDGE CLUB
The club meets every Wednesday in the Church Hall after 10am Mass
until 1pm. This is an opportunity for parishioners and friends to practice
basic bridge. A donation of £1 per session is collected for hall funds and
charity.
SEQUENCE DANCING
This takes place every Thursday afternoon from 1.30pm to 3.30pm in the
Church Hall. £1 per session is collected this includes tea and biscuits.
KEEP-FIT CLUB
The keep-fit club meets on Monday mornings at 10.30am in the Church
Hall. This activity is open to all denominations of all ages. Price 50p per
week.
SPORTSMEN’S CLUB
This group meet in the hall on Mondays and Wednesdays after 10am Mass
to discuss sporting events of the week. New members are always welcome
and tea & coffee are provided.
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