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Thursday 7th July 2011; St Quivox Church, Prestwick http://www.stquivox.org.uk/
St Quivox Church was built in 1933 and extended in 1969, incorporating the original building into a rectangular shaped church.
Another rainy morning as I left Cumnock on the 8.45am bus to Ayr. I felt close to God as I reflected on my life. Yes, I was on a journey. As I looked from the bus to the oak and the beech trees on the Barony Road just outside Auchinleck I was transported back to the wee girl walking with her beloved Grampa.
Today is the sixth of my Masses. I’m heading for St Quivox in Prestwick. As usual I was too early so I walked to Ayr High Street to window shop. The rain was heavy so I stepped in a doorway to shelter, and along came Susan from Mossblown. It’s a lovely feeling to meet a friend. Susan, Jean and Margaret were wonderful friends when we went on Pilgrimage to Lourdes four years earlier. It was only months since my husband had died and I was a bit lost. So thank you girls, you were my guardian angels.
The Holy Spirit works in the most beautiful way when he brings people into our lives. I asked Susan the times of weekday Masses at St. Ann’s, Mossblown so next week with the help of God I’ll head there on Tuesday.
I arrived in Prestwick just after 9.00 so I looked around the Main Street before I headed for St Quivox Church. Canon McSorley led his congregation in morning prayers before Mass. A good preparation I thought. Well Done Canon.
During Mass I noticed Isobel and my heart lifted because among strangers it’s good to see a known face, and there she was, waiting for me outside church to invite me for coffee. Isobel now lives in Prestwick but still comes to our neighbouring parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Patrick’s. Thank you Isobel, meeting two friends in one day, what a blessing. Lord, thank you for guiding me on this pilgrimage.
St Kevoca; Feast Day March 13th; Died 7th Century
St Kevocha was a Scottish saint, honoured in Kyle but now believed to St Mochoemoc, also known as Quivox.
St Quivox Church was built in 1933 and extended in 1969, incorporating the original building into a rectangular shaped church.
Another rainy morning as I left Cumnock on the 8.45am bus to Ayr. I felt close to God as I reflected on my life. Yes, I was on a journey. As I looked from the bus to the oak and the beech trees on the Barony Road just outside Auchinleck I was transported back to the wee girl walking with her beloved Grampa.
Today is the sixth of my Masses. I’m heading for St Quivox in Prestwick. As usual I was too early so I walked to Ayr High Street to window shop. The rain was heavy so I stepped in a doorway to shelter, and along came Susan from Mossblown. It’s a lovely feeling to meet a friend. Susan, Jean and Margaret were wonderful friends when we went on Pilgrimage to Lourdes four years earlier. It was only months since my husband had died and I was a bit lost. So thank you girls, you were my guardian angels.
The Holy Spirit works in the most beautiful way when he brings people into our lives. I asked Susan the times of weekday Masses at St. Ann’s, Mossblown so next week with the help of God I’ll head there on Tuesday.
I arrived in Prestwick just after 9.00 so I looked around the Main Street before I headed for St Quivox Church. Canon McSorley led his congregation in morning prayers before Mass. A good preparation I thought. Well Done Canon.
During Mass I noticed Isobel and my heart lifted because among strangers it’s good to see a known face, and there she was, waiting for me outside church to invite me for coffee. Isobel now lives in Prestwick but still comes to our neighbouring parish of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Patrick’s. Thank you Isobel, meeting two friends in one day, what a blessing. Lord, thank you for guiding me on this pilgrimage.
St Kevoca; Feast Day March 13th; Died 7th Century
St Kevocha was a Scottish saint, honoured in Kyle but now believed to St Mochoemoc, also known as Quivox.
Tuesday 12th July 2011 - St Ann’s Church, Mossblown
St Ann's Church was built in 1898 in local red sandstone. In every Catholic church the sanctuary lamp continually burns before the tabernacle, to honour the presence of Christ. In St Ann's, this lamp is a miner's lamp, representing the mining community. And a beautiful touch, is a brass plaque with the names of eight men who died as a result of accidents in local mines.
Once again I found myself on the Ayr bus to visit St Ann’s, Mossblown or it’s official name St Ann’s, Annbank. Jean was in church and Susan had told her I would be coming some Tuesday. Jean’s beautiful smile and outstretched arms greeted me, and then came the introductions. She introduced me to everyone in church. Father Philip gave me a lovely welcome when he arrived from Maybole.
I felt so loved. This is parish community in action. The seeds were sown on fertile ground in this mining community. As I left Mossblown I knew I was meant to do this. Thank you Lord and thanks to the many people I met today. Father Philip, Jean, Margaret, Anne, Mary, Ellen, Agnes, etc. Sorry to the etc. I cannot remember your names, but thank you.
St Ann - Feast Day July 26th
St Ann also shares this Feast Day with her husband St Joachim. Ann and Joachim were parents of Mary, Mother of God. Catholic tradition says that angels visited them separately to inform them that Ann would give birth to Mary. They were a devout Jewish family in Galilee when it was part of the ancient Roman Empire. They dedicated Mary to God in a Jewish temple when she was 3 years old. They are honoured by the church because although we don’t know the facts about where and when they were born, the truth is that they taught Mary and brought her up to be a worthy Mother of God.
St Ann's Church was built in 1898 in local red sandstone. In every Catholic church the sanctuary lamp continually burns before the tabernacle, to honour the presence of Christ. In St Ann's, this lamp is a miner's lamp, representing the mining community. And a beautiful touch, is a brass plaque with the names of eight men who died as a result of accidents in local mines.
Once again I found myself on the Ayr bus to visit St Ann’s, Mossblown or it’s official name St Ann’s, Annbank. Jean was in church and Susan had told her I would be coming some Tuesday. Jean’s beautiful smile and outstretched arms greeted me, and then came the introductions. She introduced me to everyone in church. Father Philip gave me a lovely welcome when he arrived from Maybole.
I felt so loved. This is parish community in action. The seeds were sown on fertile ground in this mining community. As I left Mossblown I knew I was meant to do this. Thank you Lord and thanks to the many people I met today. Father Philip, Jean, Margaret, Anne, Mary, Ellen, Agnes, etc. Sorry to the etc. I cannot remember your names, but thank you.
St Ann - Feast Day July 26th
St Ann also shares this Feast Day with her husband St Joachim. Ann and Joachim were parents of Mary, Mother of God. Catholic tradition says that angels visited them separately to inform them that Ann would give birth to Mary. They were a devout Jewish family in Galilee when it was part of the ancient Roman Empire. They dedicated Mary to God in a Jewish temple when she was 3 years old. They are honoured by the church because although we don’t know the facts about where and when they were born, the truth is that they taught Mary and brought her up to be a worthy Mother of God.
Saturday 16th July 2011 - St Mary's Star of the Sea, Largs http://www.stmaryslargs.co.uk/
The parish of Largs was transferred from Glasgow to Galloway diocese after the Second World War. The development of the town as a holiday and retirement area required a larger church and after the original church on the site was destroyed by fire in 1960 a fine new modern church facing the sea front was opened in 1962.
I met Anne Maria while taking part in “Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living” at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow. It was a wonderful life-changing course from October 2010 to May 2011. We intended keeping in touch when the course had ended perhaps for day visits but when she knew about my pilgrimage she suggested that I go to Largs for a weekend and we would go to the Vigil Mass at St Mary Star of the Sea on the Saturday then Midday Mass on the Sunday at the Benedictine Convent.
I count my blessings when I see where my bus pass can take me in next-to-no-time. So here I was heading for Largs, leaving Cumnock on the 8.15am bus to Ayr. As usual I had lots of time before I caught the 585 bus to Largs at 9.45.
I enjoy people and it can be fun seeing all the different characters on their travels, and this also gave me a chance to time my journey to the other churches along the coast. Yes Lord, I have so much to thank you for.
Anne Maria was waiting for me at the bus stop and we walked the short walk to her lovely home.
After lunch we went to the Benedictine Convent to have tea at their annual Strawberry Tea. I was introduced to some of Anne Maria’s friends and it was good to see the many helpers with raffles, tombola and stalls.
The Vigil Mass at 6.00pm in St Mary Star of the Sea was a beautiful Mass. Thank you to Ron and Betty and to Father Flynn and the newly ordained Deacon, George McDermott, who will be moving on to Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan to help the priests in these busy parishes. I think I need to pray also on my pilgrimage for more priests and more people like George to study for the Diaconate.
The Midday Mass was the first time I had been to Mass in a Monastery and it was a special moment for me. There was something beautiful about being with the sisters and yet not with them. It reminded me of words from a childhood hymn “You in your small corner and I in mine”. Two different worlds coming together, to feast at The Lord’s Supper.
At the end of Mass a family from the Philippines touched each other’s forehead with the back of their hands. It was lovely to see this and Anne Maria asked what it meant and Anita, the Mother / Grandmother told us it was a mark of respect.
I give thanks to God for Anne Maria inviting me into her home, a home that reflects so much of her life. Here is a little poem/prayer I wrote for Anne Maria:
Anne Maria’s Bits and Bobs
A life worth living
A life of caring and sharing A life of faith, of study of travel
A life of pretty crafts
A life of giving
Yes, Lord, a life of bits and bobs
A life for you
A life worth living
My pilgrimage is growing in spirituality. I find now as I head off for each Mass that I’m praying more and giving thanks to God.
St Mary, Star of the Sea
This is an ancient title for the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. Star of the Sea is a translation of the Latin title Stella Maris, first reliably used with relation to the Virgin Mary in the 9th. Century. The title emphasized Mary’s role as a sign of hope and as a guiding star for Christians. Under this title, Mary is believed to intercede as a guide and protector of those who travel or seek their livelihoods on the sea. She is patroness of the Catholic Missions to seafarers, the Apostleship of the Sea and to the many coastal churches named Stella Maris or Star of the Sea.
The parish of Largs was transferred from Glasgow to Galloway diocese after the Second World War. The development of the town as a holiday and retirement area required a larger church and after the original church on the site was destroyed by fire in 1960 a fine new modern church facing the sea front was opened in 1962.
I met Anne Maria while taking part in “Growth in Prayer and Reflective Living” at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in Glasgow. It was a wonderful life-changing course from October 2010 to May 2011. We intended keeping in touch when the course had ended perhaps for day visits but when she knew about my pilgrimage she suggested that I go to Largs for a weekend and we would go to the Vigil Mass at St Mary Star of the Sea on the Saturday then Midday Mass on the Sunday at the Benedictine Convent.
I count my blessings when I see where my bus pass can take me in next-to-no-time. So here I was heading for Largs, leaving Cumnock on the 8.15am bus to Ayr. As usual I had lots of time before I caught the 585 bus to Largs at 9.45.
I enjoy people and it can be fun seeing all the different characters on their travels, and this also gave me a chance to time my journey to the other churches along the coast. Yes Lord, I have so much to thank you for.
Anne Maria was waiting for me at the bus stop and we walked the short walk to her lovely home.
After lunch we went to the Benedictine Convent to have tea at their annual Strawberry Tea. I was introduced to some of Anne Maria’s friends and it was good to see the many helpers with raffles, tombola and stalls.
The Vigil Mass at 6.00pm in St Mary Star of the Sea was a beautiful Mass. Thank you to Ron and Betty and to Father Flynn and the newly ordained Deacon, George McDermott, who will be moving on to Stevenston, Saltcoats and Ardrossan to help the priests in these busy parishes. I think I need to pray also on my pilgrimage for more priests and more people like George to study for the Diaconate.
The Midday Mass was the first time I had been to Mass in a Monastery and it was a special moment for me. There was something beautiful about being with the sisters and yet not with them. It reminded me of words from a childhood hymn “You in your small corner and I in mine”. Two different worlds coming together, to feast at The Lord’s Supper.
At the end of Mass a family from the Philippines touched each other’s forehead with the back of their hands. It was lovely to see this and Anne Maria asked what it meant and Anita, the Mother / Grandmother told us it was a mark of respect.
I give thanks to God for Anne Maria inviting me into her home, a home that reflects so much of her life. Here is a little poem/prayer I wrote for Anne Maria:
Anne Maria’s Bits and Bobs
A life worth living
A life of caring and sharing A life of faith, of study of travel
A life of pretty crafts
A life of giving
Yes, Lord, a life of bits and bobs
A life for you
A life worth living
My pilgrimage is growing in spirituality. I find now as I head off for each Mass that I’m praying more and giving thanks to God.
St Mary, Star of the Sea
This is an ancient title for the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. Star of the Sea is a translation of the Latin title Stella Maris, first reliably used with relation to the Virgin Mary in the 9th. Century. The title emphasized Mary’s role as a sign of hope and as a guiding star for Christians. Under this title, Mary is believed to intercede as a guide and protector of those who travel or seek their livelihoods on the sea. She is patroness of the Catholic Missions to seafarers, the Apostleship of the Sea and to the many coastal churches named Stella Maris or Star of the Sea.
Friday 22nd July 2011 - St Mary's, Irvine
http://www.stmarysirvine.co.uk/
The building of 1883 was originally a chapel school and still serves as parish church. Extensive renovation was carried out in 1963 after the Christmas crib caught fire and the west side of the church considerably damaged.
Today finds me on the 7.45am bus to Kilmarnock to catch the no 11 Ardrossan bus which will take me to Irvine to St Mary’s. I arrived in Irvine around 9.00 and had a wee look around then headed for the church. I remember being there many years ago at a Justice and Peace meeting, so I had a vague idea where it was. As usual I was too early and went back to the shops. When I went back to St Mary’s I spoke to a lady and asked her about Mass at St Margaret of Scotland, Castlepark. Sadly there are no weekday Masses, so it will have to be a Sunday Mass at 10.30. I may need to use a friend to take me there if the Sunday bus service cannot get me there on time. However that is the future, and here I am on the Feast of Mary Magdalene in St Mary’s.
Father Willie Boyd certainly gave me food for thought when he spoke of Jesus saying “Mary” and she recognised him. He asked us to replace Mary with our own names and it was a beautiful moment; a prayerful start to Mass.
As I left the church I spoke to a young woman named Sini from Dreghorn. I told her I was going to Kilmarnock to catch a bus to Cumnock, we shook hands and Sini went off to the shops and I headed for home. Sini from Dreghorn, it was good to meet you.
St Mary - Feast Day January 1st
Mary the Mother of God, Mother of Jesus, wife of St Joseph and the greatest of all Christian Saints.
“I believe in God, the Father almighty and in Jesus Christ, his only son, Our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary”. This quotation from the Creed gives some indication of the prominent position that the Mother of Jesus Christ has always held in Christian belief. The information on Mary’s life, sparse as it is, nevertheless contains overtones which indicate that a theology of Mary was elaborated from very earliest times. St Luke makes Mary the central figure because he sees in her the fulfilment of the whole history of the Old Testament. St John goes even further, in two scenes she is the central figure. At Cana she is the means by which Christ manifests the Glory, which, except for her, would have been hidden, and at Calvary, where the Glory is shown in all its fullness. Christ appoints her as the Mother of John, who stands for all those “whom Jesus loved". She is not merely the personification of the old Israel, she is the beginning of the new Israel, the Church.
http://www.stmarysirvine.co.uk/
The building of 1883 was originally a chapel school and still serves as parish church. Extensive renovation was carried out in 1963 after the Christmas crib caught fire and the west side of the church considerably damaged.
Today finds me on the 7.45am bus to Kilmarnock to catch the no 11 Ardrossan bus which will take me to Irvine to St Mary’s. I arrived in Irvine around 9.00 and had a wee look around then headed for the church. I remember being there many years ago at a Justice and Peace meeting, so I had a vague idea where it was. As usual I was too early and went back to the shops. When I went back to St Mary’s I spoke to a lady and asked her about Mass at St Margaret of Scotland, Castlepark. Sadly there are no weekday Masses, so it will have to be a Sunday Mass at 10.30. I may need to use a friend to take me there if the Sunday bus service cannot get me there on time. However that is the future, and here I am on the Feast of Mary Magdalene in St Mary’s.
Father Willie Boyd certainly gave me food for thought when he spoke of Jesus saying “Mary” and she recognised him. He asked us to replace Mary with our own names and it was a beautiful moment; a prayerful start to Mass.
As I left the church I spoke to a young woman named Sini from Dreghorn. I told her I was going to Kilmarnock to catch a bus to Cumnock, we shook hands and Sini went off to the shops and I headed for home. Sini from Dreghorn, it was good to meet you.
St Mary - Feast Day January 1st
Mary the Mother of God, Mother of Jesus, wife of St Joseph and the greatest of all Christian Saints.
“I believe in God, the Father almighty and in Jesus Christ, his only son, Our Lord, who was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary”. This quotation from the Creed gives some indication of the prominent position that the Mother of Jesus Christ has always held in Christian belief. The information on Mary’s life, sparse as it is, nevertheless contains overtones which indicate that a theology of Mary was elaborated from very earliest times. St Luke makes Mary the central figure because he sees in her the fulfilment of the whole history of the Old Testament. St John goes even further, in two scenes she is the central figure. At Cana she is the means by which Christ manifests the Glory, which, except for her, would have been hidden, and at Calvary, where the Glory is shown in all its fullness. Christ appoints her as the Mother of John, who stands for all those “whom Jesus loved". She is not merely the personification of the old Israel, she is the beginning of the new Israel, the Church.
Saturday 30th July 2011 - St. Andrew's, Dumfries
http://www.standrewsdumfries.org.uk/
The original cathedral of the diocese ,which dated from 1810, was destroyed by fire on 10th May 1961. Only the tower of 1858 remains. Although a modern church was rebuilt on the site, it was decided that the cathedral should be transferred to Ayr, reflecting the fact that a majority of Catholics now lived in the northern part of the diocese.
Dumfries again this morning, on the 7.45am bus. This time to 10.00 Mass at St Andrew’s Church.
Last night as I was about to pray the evening prayers of the church I had a phone call with news that another relative has cancer. After a short pause to reflect on what I had heard I found the prayers so relevant to my needs. This happens so often, it’s a message letting us know that God is there with us through thick and thin.
The journey was like a family gathering. Being the only person at the start of the journey I had the front seat and at New Cumnock an elderly gentleman came on with two of his family. It was ‘Good Mornings’ all round and then he handed me three sweeties and did the same to the driver. What a beautiful start to the day. I felt good.
The sun was shining. Kirkconnel, Sanquhar then Thornhill, and by this time the bus had an assortment of friendly souls and I was smiling inside. People are amazing, and in a strange way I felt they were kin. Who knows, some of them could have been, because I have paternal great-great-grandparents buried in Sanquhar graveyard.
I had a spring in my step as I walked up The Vennel, and headed for the High Street, then on to English Street and Queen Street, which eventually took me to St Andrew’s Church. This is the first time I have been in St Andrew’s Church and I was impressed by the modern architecture. I liked it. I usually prefer more traditional churches, feeling that there is a holiness about them but this pilgrimage has made me realize that it’s not the buildings which are holy it’s the people in the buildings. And today in St Andrew’s I found myself at a most beautiful Mass. Thank you Father David Borland and thank you to the lady Sacristan who quietly slipped a hymn book by my side.
An added bonus this morning was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30 till 11.00am. Thank you Lord for listening to my pleas for my family and friends
I walked from church and the words on a recent postcard from Lourdes came to my mind “All shall be well, And all shall be well, And all manner of things shall be well”, a quotation from the writings of Mother Julian of Norwich.
Lord I do not know what the future holds but if in my own small way I can make a difference then all I ask is that you and I hold hands as we journey together.
I spent some time by the River Nith looking at the still waters before eventually making my way to the bus stop and found that some of the people from my early journey were heading home too. Here we were again, one big family, putting the world to right, the political system, the judicial system, and even the best way to grow tomatoes. Salt of the earth people I love you all and thank God for you.
St Andrew -Feast Day November 30th
Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, both being sons of Jona, a Galilean fisherman. His vocation is one of the first to be mentioned in the Gospels, one account making him responsible for introducing Peter to Christ. His later history is uncertain, some traditions associate him with the evangelisation of Greece, where he is said to be martyred at Patros on a cross shaped like an x, the symbol in the flags of Greece and Scotland. Part of the cross is said to be in one of the four great piers which support the dome of St Peter’s in Rome.
http://www.standrewsdumfries.org.uk/
The original cathedral of the diocese ,which dated from 1810, was destroyed by fire on 10th May 1961. Only the tower of 1858 remains. Although a modern church was rebuilt on the site, it was decided that the cathedral should be transferred to Ayr, reflecting the fact that a majority of Catholics now lived in the northern part of the diocese.
Dumfries again this morning, on the 7.45am bus. This time to 10.00 Mass at St Andrew’s Church.
Last night as I was about to pray the evening prayers of the church I had a phone call with news that another relative has cancer. After a short pause to reflect on what I had heard I found the prayers so relevant to my needs. This happens so often, it’s a message letting us know that God is there with us through thick and thin.
The journey was like a family gathering. Being the only person at the start of the journey I had the front seat and at New Cumnock an elderly gentleman came on with two of his family. It was ‘Good Mornings’ all round and then he handed me three sweeties and did the same to the driver. What a beautiful start to the day. I felt good.
The sun was shining. Kirkconnel, Sanquhar then Thornhill, and by this time the bus had an assortment of friendly souls and I was smiling inside. People are amazing, and in a strange way I felt they were kin. Who knows, some of them could have been, because I have paternal great-great-grandparents buried in Sanquhar graveyard.
I had a spring in my step as I walked up The Vennel, and headed for the High Street, then on to English Street and Queen Street, which eventually took me to St Andrew’s Church. This is the first time I have been in St Andrew’s Church and I was impressed by the modern architecture. I liked it. I usually prefer more traditional churches, feeling that there is a holiness about them but this pilgrimage has made me realize that it’s not the buildings which are holy it’s the people in the buildings. And today in St Andrew’s I found myself at a most beautiful Mass. Thank you Father David Borland and thank you to the lady Sacristan who quietly slipped a hymn book by my side.
An added bonus this morning was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 10.30 till 11.00am. Thank you Lord for listening to my pleas for my family and friends
I walked from church and the words on a recent postcard from Lourdes came to my mind “All shall be well, And all shall be well, And all manner of things shall be well”, a quotation from the writings of Mother Julian of Norwich.
Lord I do not know what the future holds but if in my own small way I can make a difference then all I ask is that you and I hold hands as we journey together.
I spent some time by the River Nith looking at the still waters before eventually making my way to the bus stop and found that some of the people from my early journey were heading home too. Here we were again, one big family, putting the world to right, the political system, the judicial system, and even the best way to grow tomatoes. Salt of the earth people I love you all and thank God for you.
St Andrew -Feast Day November 30th
Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, both being sons of Jona, a Galilean fisherman. His vocation is one of the first to be mentioned in the Gospels, one account making him responsible for introducing Peter to Christ. His later history is uncertain, some traditions associate him with the evangelisation of Greece, where he is said to be martyred at Patros on a cross shaped like an x, the symbol in the flags of Greece and Scotland. Part of the cross is said to be in one of the four great piers which support the dome of St Peter’s in Rome.