Tuesday 2nd August 2011 - St Mary's, Saltcoats
A simple stone church of 1856 replaced the original church which was located in the loft above the Queen’s Hotel. The land was donated by the Earl of Eglinton.
I’m on the X76 bus at 7.45am with my destination, St Mary’s Saltcoats. I would catch the number 11 Ardrossan bus in Kilmarnock around 8.30 and be at St Mary’s in time for the Rosary before Mass. St Mary’s official name is Our Lady Star of the Sea.
On reflection last night, I thought about my pilgrimage and didn’t want it to become a list to tick as I visited each place. With what I have written so far you will see that it has been a spiritual experience for me, and with God’s grace I pray this will continue.
As we left Cumnock I settled into prayer, naming each person and thinking about them at the same time. I felt God was very near as I asked for his healing.
The congregation were praying the Rosary as I arrived and as each decade was prayed more parishioners came in, and I must say this was the biggest crowd I had seen so far at a weekday Mass in our diocese.
It was a good feeling when I saw Father Graeme Bell on the altar. He was very kind to me when my dear husband died, and helped me get some confidence back by giving me small jobs around the church. He was being a priest in every sense of the word, he was being the Good Shepherd. A gentle prayerful Mass, by a gentle prayerful priest. Dear Lord, keep him well.
We had a nice wee chat in the presbytery but I knew it would be short because Father has his work at the Tribunal on a Tuesday in Glasgow. So it was goodbye then I was off again, heading back as far as Irvine before continuing home. When I sat down in the bus a lady spoke to me. She had noticed me at Mass and I reminded her of a woman from Kilbirnie. I told her I was from Cumnock and I found out she was Margaret from Ardrossan who often goes to morning Mass at St Mary’s. There’s tea in the Parish Hall on a Tuesday morning so as we went our separate ways in Irvine, we said our goodbyes and Margaret said “If you come back on a Tuesday you will have to come to the Hall for tea”. Margaret from Ardrossan it was good to meet you, thank you.
Our Lady Star of the Sea
This is the ancient title for the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. Star of the Sea is a translation from 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 liveliehoods 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.
On reflection last night, I thought about my pilgrimage and didn’t want it to become a list to tick as I visited each place. With what I have written so far you will see that it has been a spiritual experience for me, and with God’s grace I pray this will continue.
As we left Cumnock I settled into prayer, naming each person and thinking about them at the same time. I felt God was very near as I asked for his healing.
The congregation were praying the Rosary as I arrived and as each decade was prayed more parishioners came in, and I must say this was the biggest crowd I had seen so far at a weekday Mass in our diocese.
It was a good feeling when I saw Father Graeme Bell on the altar. He was very kind to me when my dear husband died, and helped me get some confidence back by giving me small jobs around the church. He was being a priest in every sense of the word, he was being the Good Shepherd. A gentle prayerful Mass, by a gentle prayerful priest. Dear Lord, keep him well.
We had a nice wee chat in the presbytery but I knew it would be short because Father has his work at the Tribunal on a Tuesday in Glasgow. So it was goodbye then I was off again, heading back as far as Irvine before continuing home. When I sat down in the bus a lady spoke to me. She had noticed me at Mass and I reminded her of a woman from Kilbirnie. I told her I was from Cumnock and I found out she was Margaret from Ardrossan who often goes to morning Mass at St Mary’s. There’s tea in the Parish Hall on a Tuesday morning so as we went our separate ways in Irvine, we said our goodbyes and Margaret said “If you come back on a Tuesday you will have to come to the Hall for tea”. Margaret from Ardrossan it was good to meet you, thank you.
Our Lady Star of the Sea
This is the ancient title for the Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus. Star of the Sea is a translation from 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 liveliehoods 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.
Tuesday 9th August - Holy Trinity, Lockerbie
Built 1874, as Trinity Church, a United Presbyterian Church and became a Roman Catholic church (re-named Holy Trinity) in 1973, replacing St. Mungo’s. Contains a copy of the Lockerbie Memorial Plaque and Book of Remembrance and also a plaque commemorating 1000 years of Christianity in the Ukraine. Near the town is a small Ukranian chapel built by prisoners of war.
It’s 4.46am and I will be off to Lockerbie in two hours time. I had an early night last night and by 3.00am was wide awake, so I decided to walk over to church to wave our Galloway youngsters off to Madrid. They too are on a Pilgrimage to meet with youngsters from around the globe who will be taking part in World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI. As I walked through the lane for the two-minute walk to church I could smell the lovely aroma of cooked bacon wafting through the early morning air. Teresa and her family, with Marjorie and Susan, were there to cater for everyone before they set off on their journey by coach and boat for Spain. Marjorie’s daughters and Susan’s son are part of the Pilgrimage and they were there to see them off. Teresa, David and their family of four daughters and one son are leaving later this evening and driving to Gatwick to fly to Madrid.
The group are in the capable hands of Father Stephen and Father Graeme.
God bless them all. I hoped and prayed that they have a wonderful time as I waved them off.
I have a happy heart as I think of my journey this morning. The 246 to Dumfries is one of my favourite journeys and this will be the third time to board this bus on my Pilgrimage, and looking at the names of many of the parishes I’ll be back a few times more, please God.
The sun was shining as I waited for the no.81 Lockerbie bus. We left at 9.10am and as I travelled through the lush countryside I was thankful to God for my life. As I passed through Lochmaben, I was reminded of John and Cathie. They lived in Cumbria and used to love coming north towing their caravan and spending a few days here near the loch. From here they would drive to Cumnock to visit my parents. So here I am again remembering many friends who are now in heaven. As I travelled I looked at the blue sky and thought about that winter evening in 1988 when Lockerbie will be forever known throughout the world. So many peoples' lives changed by an unnecessary act of violence. So Lord I add prayers for peace this day.
I arrived at 9.40 and as we turned into the High Street, there on my left was the towering spire of Holy Trinity Church. I enjoyed a coffee in a nearby café before going to church.
When the door opened, I was warmly welcomed by a friendly lady. We chatted for a few minutes before she started preparing for Mass. I had phoned Father Joseph Holmes yesterday to check that Mass would be in Lockerbie this morning and he made me very welcome as he arrived in church.
Only six of us at Mass, but its not the numbers that matter. I was aware of the early church and how it would grow from small groups in each other’s homes. Some people say the Church in the western world is dying. It is certainly changing but it will never die as long as prayerful people gather together.
Father invited his small congregation for coffee after Mass and one of the ladies had brought home made scones. I was impressed by Lockerbie, and as I waited for the bus back to Dumfries I watched the people going about their business in the High Street and was very aware of a town which had to overcome great sorrow.
Father Holmes is based in Annan and ministers to a widespread community. As well as ministering to the sick he says Mass in Lockerbie on Tuesdays, Moffat on Thursdays and Annan on Fridays, and then repeats these journeys for Sunday Masses. Lord please give him the health to continue and please give me the health to continue too on my pilgrimage. You are deep in my heart and I love you. Thank you Father Holmes and Mary.
The Holy Trinity
No saint to reflect on today so where can I start to talk about the Holy Trinity. I am no expert so as a simple pilgrim, I’ll talk straight from my heart . I’ll take one Sunday. I come to church because God calls me there, the God of my childhood, the God I believe in and trust. And, once there, I listen to the word of God from the stories of the Old Testament to the stories of Jesus the Son, in the New Testament. The gentle Jesus, meek and mild who looks upon a little child. Yes Lord I am that little child. I remember all the stories and I trust in you. You are the Jesus of the Eucharist and you nourish me for the week ahead and as I prepare to leave the church your Holy Spirit comes with me to face each day. The whole work of creation and Grace is a single operation common to all three divine persons, who at the same time operate according to their unique properties so that all things are from the Father, through the Son and in the Holy Spirit. The Blessed Trinity. The saints must revel in this so with all the saints we bless you Lord.
On reflection this morning, after a conversation with my son, St Ignatius came to my mind. Yes! Everything is coming together. Our young folks are sailing to the northern coast of Spain on the start of their pilgrimage and also some people will be walking the Camino somewhere in that area heading for Santiago de Compostela to the church of St James, the Patron Saint of Pilgrims. St Ignatius came from Northern Spain too and is Patron Saint of the Basque Country so here am I, in my own way doing my Camino around Galloway.
I have now been to Mass in thirteen churches and I pray words from a hymn. “Be at my side O Lord and guide me on my way".
Saturday 13th August 2011 - St Matthew's, Kilmarnock
A modern brick building, a combination of church and hall, opened in 1977. Beautiful light pours in from stained glass windows.
Where would I go today? As there was no morning Mass here in St.John’s, I wondered would I have a rest day or perhaps go to Waterside to the vigil Mass at 5pm. However Michael from our parish always enjoys Saturday morning Mass and was planning to go to Kilmarnock or Galston for Mass, and he offered me a lift. I phoned Betty in Galston to see if there was to be a Mass there and, as it was a visiting priest due to their parish priest being ill, she wasn’t sure. We decided we would chance it anyway and headed off to St Sophia’s. Sadly no Mass there, but we had time to go to St Matthew’s in Kilmarnock with minutes to spare before Father Martin Chambers entered the church.
I was impressed by the silence of the people at prayer in St Matthew’s and saw some familiar faces, thank you to Father Martin on this morning of my fourteenth Mass.
Later in the day I was thinking back to the last time I was in St Matthews. It was at Kathleen and Peter’s wedding around twenty seven years ago and I prayed for them and their family in County Monaghan. Thank you dear Lord for bringing back memories.
I’ll visit Galston some other time and I pray today for Father Pat Lawson who has cancer.
St Matthew: Feast Day, September 21st
Matthew, son of Alphaus was a Galilean. During the Roman occupation which began in 63 BC Matthew collected taxes from the Hebrew people for Herald Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Jews who became rich in such a fashion were despised and considered outcasts. He would have been literate in Aramaic and Greek. It was in this setting that Jesus called Matthew to be one of the twelve disciples. Matthew invited Jesus to his home for a feast and on seeing this the scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. This prompted Jesus to answer “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” [Mark 2:17]
A modern brick building, a combination of church and hall, opened in 1977. Beautiful light pours in from stained glass windows.
Where would I go today? As there was no morning Mass here in St.John’s, I wondered would I have a rest day or perhaps go to Waterside to the vigil Mass at 5pm. However Michael from our parish always enjoys Saturday morning Mass and was planning to go to Kilmarnock or Galston for Mass, and he offered me a lift. I phoned Betty in Galston to see if there was to be a Mass there and, as it was a visiting priest due to their parish priest being ill, she wasn’t sure. We decided we would chance it anyway and headed off to St Sophia’s. Sadly no Mass there, but we had time to go to St Matthew’s in Kilmarnock with minutes to spare before Father Martin Chambers entered the church.
I was impressed by the silence of the people at prayer in St Matthew’s and saw some familiar faces, thank you to Father Martin on this morning of my fourteenth Mass.
Later in the day I was thinking back to the last time I was in St Matthews. It was at Kathleen and Peter’s wedding around twenty seven years ago and I prayed for them and their family in County Monaghan. Thank you dear Lord for bringing back memories.
I’ll visit Galston some other time and I pray today for Father Pat Lawson who has cancer.
St Matthew: Feast Day, September 21st
Matthew, son of Alphaus was a Galilean. During the Roman occupation which began in 63 BC Matthew collected taxes from the Hebrew people for Herald Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee. Jews who became rich in such a fashion were despised and considered outcasts. He would have been literate in Aramaic and Greek. It was in this setting that Jesus called Matthew to be one of the twelve disciples. Matthew invited Jesus to his home for a feast and on seeing this the scribes and Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners. This prompted Jesus to answer “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” [Mark 2:17]
Tuesday 16th August 2011 - St. Winin's, Kilwinning
The original chapel school of 1872 is now the hall. In 1937 it was replaced by a new church, whose interior was reordered in 1997.
This Mass was planned last week. A friend from Kilwinning offered to meet me and take me to Mass at St Winin’s Church. So I set off as usual on the X76 Glasgow bus to take me as far as Kilmarnock where I would catch the No.11 Ardrossan bus arriving in Kilwinning around 9.10. I was early as usual but Josephine was early too, so I only had to wait a short time at the bus stop before she arrived.
We walked the short walk to church, to find the rosary was just about to be prayed. This was the first time I had been to St Winin’s Church.
As I prayed the Rosary I offered each decade for all my family and friends with cancer and I thought about all the other rosaries being prayed around the world.
Father McGhee offered a lovely Mass and I offered it up for all the people on my list. There are so many names so I just held them all close to my heart.
After Mass I was introduced to some of the ladies and was given a friendly welcome. Thank you God for the ladies at St. Winin’s and for Josephine who gave me a lovely time and welcomed me to her home.
St Winin
Little is known about the man who gave his name to the town of Kilwinning. St Winin, also known as Finnan was a Christian missionary from Ireland who came to Scotland at the end of the 7th Century. He travelled through the West of Scotland converting the locals to Christianity and establishing churches of worship. Nothing survives of his small church at Kilwinning but it was almost certainly on the same site as the later Tironensian Benedictine Monastery, built in the 12th Century and dedicated to St Winin and the Virgin Mary.
The original chapel school of 1872 is now the hall. In 1937 it was replaced by a new church, whose interior was reordered in 1997.
This Mass was planned last week. A friend from Kilwinning offered to meet me and take me to Mass at St Winin’s Church. So I set off as usual on the X76 Glasgow bus to take me as far as Kilmarnock where I would catch the No.11 Ardrossan bus arriving in Kilwinning around 9.10. I was early as usual but Josephine was early too, so I only had to wait a short time at the bus stop before she arrived.
We walked the short walk to church, to find the rosary was just about to be prayed. This was the first time I had been to St Winin’s Church.
As I prayed the Rosary I offered each decade for all my family and friends with cancer and I thought about all the other rosaries being prayed around the world.
Father McGhee offered a lovely Mass and I offered it up for all the people on my list. There are so many names so I just held them all close to my heart.
After Mass I was introduced to some of the ladies and was given a friendly welcome. Thank you God for the ladies at St. Winin’s and for Josephine who gave me a lovely time and welcomed me to her home.
St Winin
Little is known about the man who gave his name to the town of Kilwinning. St Winin, also known as Finnan was a Christian missionary from Ireland who came to Scotland at the end of the 7th Century. He travelled through the West of Scotland converting the locals to Christianity and establishing churches of worship. Nothing survives of his small church at Kilwinning but it was almost certainly on the same site as the later Tironensian Benedictine Monastery, built in the 12th Century and dedicated to St Winin and the Virgin Mary.
Thursday 18th August 2011 - St. Luke's, Moffat
Originally an Episcopalian Church from 1865 until 1872. It then became the Mechanics’ Hall until consecrated as a Catholic Church in 1895. It was restored in 1990.
Here I am heading back to Annandale. Last week, Lockerbie, this week Moffat. I settled down for my scenic journey on the 246, 6.45am bus to Dumfries. I feel God is very near. It’s a special day. Thank you Lord.
There was a mist hanging over the wooded areas between Sanquhar and Thornhill as I prayed. I could not find words, I just absorbed the beauty of God’s world and held all my names close to my heart.
By 9am I was on the X74 on my way to Moffat for what was to be my 16th Mass in St Luke’s church. First I decided to find the church and there it was just off the High Street. It was only 9.35 and as Mass was at 10.30 I had a welcome coffee and a stroll around the shops before I headed back to St. Luke’s.
Patricia arrived and after we introduced each other she told me that Father Holmes needed to rest a sore foot so it would be a Eucharistic Service. I thought after travelling so far for Mass that I would be disappointed, but instead I looked forward and enjoyed meeting the ladies as they arrived.
Patricia, Christine, Sheila and Lorna, we shared in the Eucharist and I hold the memory in my heart. Christine and I were both strangers to St. Luke’s. “I was a stranger and you took me in".
I think before winter sets in that I’ll go back to Moffat for Mass but I’ll check first.
What a wonderful week I have had. When I watched the film “The Way”, the main character set out to walk The Camino not knowing what he was going to find but he knew he had to do it. I too set out on my own Camino round Galloway and here I am only a third of the way and I know I was meant to do this. Thank you to Patricia for welcoming me to her home before I headed back to Dumfries. Thank you Lord for this day.
St Luke, Feast Day October 18th
Luke the writer of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles has been identified with St Paul’s “Luke, the beloved physician [Colossians 4: 14]. We know few other facts about Luke’s life from Scriptures and from early Church historians. It is believed Luke was born a Greek and a Gentile. Colossians 10:14 speaks of those who are with him. He first mentions all those “ of the circumcism”, in other words, Jesus. He does not include Luke in this group. Luke’s Gospel shows special sensitivity to evangelizing Gentiles It is only in his Gospel that we hear about the Good Samaritan and also about Jesus praising the faith of the Gentiles such as the widow Zarapath and Naaman the Syrian, and of the grateful leper who is also a Samaritan. According to early Church historians, Eusebius [ Luke] was born at Antioch in Syria.