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Lent 2021
In his message for Lent, Pope Francis calls us to renewed faith, hope and love through the traditional disciplines of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Lent is a time for believing, for welcoming God into our lives and allowing him to “make his dwelling” among us. Fasting involves being freed from all that weighs us down in order to open our hearts to the One who comes to us, poor in all things, yet full of grace and truth.
Saint Paul urges us to place our hope in reconciliation. By receiving forgiveness in the sacrament that lies at the heart of our process of conversion, we in turn can spread forgiveness to others.
In Lent, may we be increasingly concerned with speaking words of comfort, strength, consolation and encouragement, and not words that demean, sadden, anger or show scorn. In order to give hope to others, it is sometimes enough simply to be kind, to give the gift of a smile, to speak a word of encouragement, to listen amid general indifference.
Love is a gift that gives meaning to our lives. A small amount, if given with love, never ends, but becomes a source of life and happiness. Such is the case with our almsgiving, whether small or large, when offered with joy and simplicity.
The call to experience Lent as a journey of conversion, prayer and sharing of our goods, helps us – as a community and as individuals – to revive the faith that comes from the living Christ, the hope inspired by the breath of the Holy Spirit and the love flowing from the merciful heart of the Father.
SCIAF APPEAL
This Lent, the SCIAF WEE BOX appeal looks at the ongoing crisis in South Sudan where a generation of children with disabilities are locked out of an education and trapped in a cycle of poverty. Together, we’re helping children with disabilities in South Sudan to access the education and support they need to build a bright future.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2021
Build on a Strong Foundation is the theme for this year's WDP on Friday 5th March. St Michael's was due to host a service for the church communities of Dumbarton. Instead, you are encouraged to devote time to prayer this Friday, focussing on our call to respect God's Creation, to cooperate with his plan of Salvation, building on Christ, the Foundation.
Poverty & Pandemic
Justice and Peace Scotland invites you to join a discussion on the impact of the pandemic, identifying how Church communities might meet the challenges which emerge.
The panel includes:
Prof Stephen McKinney (University of Glasgow)
Fr Basil Clark VE (Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh)
Danny Collins (National President, Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Scotland)
Martin Johnstone (Poverty Truth Network / At the Edge)
On Sunday 7th March (4.30pm – 6pm). Book to join the event here:
GONZAGA LECTURES
This year's series of lectures, hosted by St Aloysius College, is titled 'Keeping Faith in a Covid World'
Wednesday 10th March, 7pm
Fr Adrian Porter SJ
Wednesday 17th March, 7pm
Dr Theodora Hawksley CJ
Wednesday 24th March, 7pm
Fr Simon Bishop SJ
The lectures will be held virtually, and you must register with an email address to receive the link for each lecture. To find out more about each lecture, or to book your free place, please click here.
Please click here for useful resources and
latest information on our response to Coronavirus 19
Parish Funds
To donate to the parish:
Bank: RBS
Name: St Michael's, Dumbarton
Sort code: 83 18 05
Acc no: 00255036
Name: St Michael's, Dumbarton
Sort code: 83 18 05
Acc no: 00255036
The Archdiocese has created a new facility on its webpage rcag.org.uk allowing you to donate to parish or diocesan funds. To donate to St Michael's Parish, click on the following link:
Flourish
The latest edition of Flourish can be read online at www.flourishnewspaper.co.uk
Prayer amid pandemic
Almighty and eternal God,
our refuge in every danger,
to whom we turn in our distress;
in faith we pray
look with compassion on the afflicted,
grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners,
healing to the sick, peace to the dying,
strength to healthcare workers, wisdom to our leaders
and the courage to reach out to all in love,
so that together we may give glory to your holy name.
Through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
For any spiritual and pastoral support, prayer requests, contact:
Fr Vincent Toal
Tel. 01389 762709
For financial/material support, contact:
The parish St Vincent de Paul Society
Tel: 07583 372624