Monday 7th November 2011
I’ve just received news that my youngest son has completed the last 110 kilometres of the Camino de Santiago. Well done Kirk; you and Mary have had a difficult year. Tomorrow I’ll head for Kilbirnie to St. Brigid’s for my thirty-second Mass.
Tuesday 8th November - St Brigid's, Kilbirnie
Opened in 1862 thanks to the efforts of Father Lee from Limerick, and renovated and expanded in 1957, the church celebrates its 150th Anniversary in 2012.
This morning I found myself on an early bus to Kilmarnock; the 6.40am to be exact. And then I boarded the wonderful number 11 to Irvine. I knew I was early but it had been many years since I visited Kilbirnie and I knew I needed to find my bearings, so, with apprehension, I boarded the X34 Glasgow bus at Irvine which would take me to Kilbirnie.
Here I was, early again, heading towards the church at 8.40am. I found what I thought looked like St Brigid’s and then walked along to where there were some shops and a bank. I saw a building, which used to be a Picture House and now seemed to be a community centre with the old foyer as a café.
The pleasant young woman was just opening up and gave me a lovely cup of coffee. I had a chat with her then headed back towards St Brigid’s, where I found Janet quietly preparing the church for Mass.
People arrived and then we prayed the Rosary before Mass.
Thank you to the parishioners of St Brigid’s for welcoming me to their church. To Bridie, Janet and Margaret and last but not least to Canon McGarry for a beautiful Mass and his friendly invitation to join him in the presbytery after Mass for coffee and very tasty brown bread and butter. I enjoyed our chat Canon, God bless you.
An hour later I was heading to the other side of town to catch the Glasgow bus back to Irvine. As I approached the bus stop, I looked around and then was transported back fifty-two years. I knew this street, in fact I was standing looking at two houses and could not remember the one where my brother-in-law’s parents lived. Mr and Mrs Traynor, I had been thinking about you at Mass, you were a very special couple who lived for your family and will now be with Your Father in heaven.
Thank you Lord for another special Tuesday and I ask your prayers for the young woman from Beith I met on the bus. Protect her Lord.
St Bride also known as Brigid, Feast Day February 1st; Born around 451 died 525
Born in Louth, Ireland, daughter of a pagan chieftain and a Christian slave woman. Brought up as a Christian, Bridget consecrated herself to God at an early age as did so many of her fellow countrywomen. These first Irish nuns lived in their homes helping the church and leading a dedicated life of prayer and penance. Bridget’s special vocation was to found convents for these consecrated women. She travelled all over Ireland in the course of her foundations. She was a practical, hard- working woman equally at home in the fields tending the sheep or in the dairy making butter. St Brigid is still an inspiration and an example not only for nuns but for women in general.
Sadly, Canon Alec McGarry has now died. . R.I.P.
Tuesday 15th November 2011 - St John Ogilvie Church, Bourtreehill
Built in 1979 to serve the expanding population of
Irvine New Town.
This morning I felt quite rested so decided to make my way to St. John Ogilvie Church in Bourtreehill for what will be the thirty-third Mass of my pilgrimage.
Again it was three buses for me. The X76 to Kilmarnock, the no.11 as far as Irvine, and the no.28 to Bourtreehill Village Centre. Father Con Botter had given me excellent directions and minutes after leaving the bus here I was. If anyone is reading this then the directions are: The no.28 bus, from outside Iceland, in Irvine. At Bourtreehill, get off at the Village Centre and walk down steps which head for the shops, but don’t go as far as the shops. At the bottom of the steps take the path on your right which leads to The Church of Scotland on the right and St John Ogilvie on the left. Thank you Father Con for helping me find your church with such ease.
I was impressed with the feeling of warmth I felt in such a modern building. I lit candles and prayed and then after some parishioners arrived we prayed The Rosary.
Two priests for the price of one! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. One was Father Jerry and one was Father Con, this was indeed a rarity in Galloway and it was just lovely. A beautiful Mass followed by thirty minutes of Adoration where we prayed from a small prayer book.
St. John Ogilvie, you were a special saint and it’s lovely to see such a special wee church dedicated to you.
As I left the church I met up with some of the parishioners who, like me, were heading for Irvine. It was good to talk to you, Wilma and Val, thank you for being so friendly.
St John Ogilvie, Feast Day - March 10th
Born in 1579, John Ogilvie belonged to Scottish Nobility. Raised a Calvinist, he was educated on the continent. Exposed to the religious controversies of his day and impressed with the faith of the martyrs, he decided to become a Catholic. In 1596 at the age of seventeen he was received into the Church at Louvain. He attended a variety of Catholic educational institutions, and eventually he sought admission to the Jesuits. He was ordained at Paris in 1610 and asked to be sent to Scotland, hoping some Catholic nobles there would aid him. Finding none, he went to London, then back to Paris, and finally returned to Scotland. John's work was quite successful in bringing back many to the Catholic Faith, but some time later he was betrayed by one posing as a Catholic. He was arrested then tortured in an effort to get him to reveal the names of other Catholics, but he refused. After three trials, John was convicted of high treason. He was sentenced to death and hanged in Glasgow in 1615 at the age of 36.
Built in 1979 to serve the expanding population of
Irvine New Town.
This morning I felt quite rested so decided to make my way to St. John Ogilvie Church in Bourtreehill for what will be the thirty-third Mass of my pilgrimage.
Again it was three buses for me. The X76 to Kilmarnock, the no.11 as far as Irvine, and the no.28 to Bourtreehill Village Centre. Father Con Botter had given me excellent directions and minutes after leaving the bus here I was. If anyone is reading this then the directions are: The no.28 bus, from outside Iceland, in Irvine. At Bourtreehill, get off at the Village Centre and walk down steps which head for the shops, but don’t go as far as the shops. At the bottom of the steps take the path on your right which leads to The Church of Scotland on the right and St John Ogilvie on the left. Thank you Father Con for helping me find your church with such ease.
I was impressed with the feeling of warmth I felt in such a modern building. I lit candles and prayed and then after some parishioners arrived we prayed The Rosary.
Two priests for the price of one! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. One was Father Jerry and one was Father Con, this was indeed a rarity in Galloway and it was just lovely. A beautiful Mass followed by thirty minutes of Adoration where we prayed from a small prayer book.
St. John Ogilvie, you were a special saint and it’s lovely to see such a special wee church dedicated to you.
As I left the church I met up with some of the parishioners who, like me, were heading for Irvine. It was good to talk to you, Wilma and Val, thank you for being so friendly.
St John Ogilvie, Feast Day - March 10th
Born in 1579, John Ogilvie belonged to Scottish Nobility. Raised a Calvinist, he was educated on the continent. Exposed to the religious controversies of his day and impressed with the faith of the martyrs, he decided to become a Catholic. In 1596 at the age of seventeen he was received into the Church at Louvain. He attended a variety of Catholic educational institutions, and eventually he sought admission to the Jesuits. He was ordained at Paris in 1610 and asked to be sent to Scotland, hoping some Catholic nobles there would aid him. Finding none, he went to London, then back to Paris, and finally returned to Scotland. John's work was quite successful in bringing back many to the Catholic Faith, but some time later he was betrayed by one posing as a Catholic. He was arrested then tortured in an effort to get him to reveal the names of other Catholics, but he refused. After three trials, John was convicted of high treason. He was sentenced to death and hanged in Glasgow in 1615 at the age of 36.
Friday 18th November 2011 - St. Joseph's, Stranraer
Built in 1853, repaired, improved and redecorated in 1886 with a new organ
and Stations of the Cross from Paris.
I have been staying at Ayr with my good friends Norman and Elizabeth. They have been interested in my pilgrimage and knew of my difficulty in getting to Ayr for the early morning bus to Stranraer, so, being the special friends that they are, they invited me to spend last night with them and then Elizabeth drove me to Ayr bus station for the 6.40am no.58 to Stranraer. Five ladies were at stance 6 when we arrived. They were obviously heading for the Ferry to Ireland.
I hugged and thanked Elizabeth and stepped on the bus with The Dominic Kirwin Fan Club. They were meeting a coach in Stranraer to continue on to Kilkenny for a weekend of entertainment with their favourite singer. I hope you had a lovely time girls.
I felt a sadness when I reached the port because this was to be an end of an era. The last ferry would sail this weekend from Stranraer. The new port at Loch Ryan was all ready to take off on Tuesday. The grand new ferry was in place.
I remembered how excited Hugh and I were when we made our first David Urquhart Tour to Ireland, followed by many others with either Urquhart or Caledonian Travel.
I walked along the main street and went in to a lovely café for coffee and asked for directions to St Joseph’s church, Lewis Street. It was only a five-minute walk away. I was early but the church was already open and Father Mark Kelly had lit a candle at Our Lady’s altar and St Joseph’s altar, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was tangible. I prayed and thanked God for Norman and Elizabeth and for my family and friends and for all who suffer and live with cancer. And also for those who work in cancer research, that they will soon find a cure.
I prayed for past priests, retired priests and for my present priest, Father Stephen. Lord protect them and guide them with Your loving hands.
I found this quiet time for prayer so beautiful before the other parishioners arrived. By 10.00, Mass was underway and the beautiful sanctuary was ready to receive Our Lord.
I found Father Mark to be a very genuine open young man. He has a nice confidence about him. Thank you for the coffee and chat Father Mark.
He is there for the long term Lord. Protect him and protect all the priests of the Diocese. I’m so glad I decided to go around this special diocese. Thank you Lord.
Our church is changing. Numbers may be fewer and perhaps we will have to go back to the scriptures to the early church to start again, but we will survive as long as we love and go forward in faith to love and to serve the Lord.
I spoke to a mother at the bus stop who was carrying far too many bags for one person to cope with but it was her weekly shop as she headed back to Ballantrae. She spoke of her concerns for Stranraer now that the ferry would be gone, so please Lord, take care of the people in this town as they adjust to change. There is a similar message for all of us in the Galloway Diocese. We are all having to face changes, one way or another.
Advent approaches. Where will I go? I’m sure you will tell me Lord.
St. Joseph; Feast Day March 19th; Patron of the Universal Church
Everything we know about the husband of Mary and the foster father of Jesus comes from Scriptures. We know he was a carpenter, a working man, for the sceptical Nazarenes asked about Jesus, “Is this not the carpenter’s son?” He wasn’t rich, for when he took Jesus to the Temple to be circumcised and Mary to be purified, he offered the sacrifice of two turtle doves or a pair of pigeons, allowed only for those who could not afford a lamb. We know Joseph was a man of faith, obedient to whatever God asked of him. When the angel came to Joseph in a dream and told him the truth about the child Mary was carrying, Joseph immediately and without question or concern for gossip, took Mary as his wife. We don’t know much about Joseph, where and when he was born and where he died, but Scripture has left us with the most important knowledge - who he was - “a righteous man”. [Matthew 1:8]
Tuesday 25th November 2011 - Sacred Heart, Girvan
The church and its stained glass windows date from 1860 but a modern porch (inspired in shape by the prow of a ship) was added in 1959.
Today was a downpour. I knew from the previous evening’s weather forecast that it was going to be one of those days. If I had stayed at home I would have protected myself from some rain, but this is Advent. Advent is a time of presentation for the Coming of the Lord and letting God’s will be done in our hearts and in our everyday lives. If this means a bit of sacrifice is needed then so be it.
Sacred Heart, Girvan was to be my thirty-fifth Mass so I set off in the rain with appropriate clothing to catch the 7.05am no.48 Ayr via Drongan bus.
I headed to stance 6 for the 8.20. no.58 Girvan bus. A lady from Drongan was also going to Girvan so it was good to have her company. Thank you Ann.
I stepped from the bus at the harbour to a windswept sea front so I quickly walked along Henrietta Street to find the church. I arrived at the back of the church and had to make my way round the corner to the front door of the church in Harbour Lane or Harbour Street. I didn’t stop to look at names I just looked for shelter. I soon found it.
It was only 9.30am and there were a few parishioners already in church, as was Father McGhee. The beautiful sense of prayer was everywhere.
Considering the dreadful weather it was heartening to see so many at Mass. Thank you Lord for giving me that get up and go this morning, I was meant to come here. Thank you Kathleen and Lillian for your friendly welcome, and thank you Father McGhee.
I left the comfort of the church to head for the bus shelter at the harbour to wait for my bus back to Ayr. By the time I reached Cumnock I was drenched but I was glowing inside. Thank you Lord.
The church and its stained glass windows date from 1860 but a modern porch (inspired in shape by the prow of a ship) was added in 1959.
Today was a downpour. I knew from the previous evening’s weather forecast that it was going to be one of those days. If I had stayed at home I would have protected myself from some rain, but this is Advent. Advent is a time of presentation for the Coming of the Lord and letting God’s will be done in our hearts and in our everyday lives. If this means a bit of sacrifice is needed then so be it.
Sacred Heart, Girvan was to be my thirty-fifth Mass so I set off in the rain with appropriate clothing to catch the 7.05am no.48 Ayr via Drongan bus.
I headed to stance 6 for the 8.20. no.58 Girvan bus. A lady from Drongan was also going to Girvan so it was good to have her company. Thank you Ann.
I stepped from the bus at the harbour to a windswept sea front so I quickly walked along Henrietta Street to find the church. I arrived at the back of the church and had to make my way round the corner to the front door of the church in Harbour Lane or Harbour Street. I didn’t stop to look at names I just looked for shelter. I soon found it.
It was only 9.30am and there were a few parishioners already in church, as was Father McGhee. The beautiful sense of prayer was everywhere.
Considering the dreadful weather it was heartening to see so many at Mass. Thank you Lord for giving me that get up and go this morning, I was meant to come here. Thank you Kathleen and Lillian for your friendly welcome, and thank you Father McGhee.
I left the comfort of the church to head for the bus shelter at the harbour to wait for my bus back to Ayr. By the time I reached Cumnock I was drenched but I was glowing inside. Thank you Lord.