St Brides Church - Latest News

Documentary On Assisted Suicide, created by Being Catholic TV

“Do No Harm” is a short documentary which highlights some of the grave concerns around proposals to legalise assisted dying in the UK and Scottish Parliaments. The documentary, which features Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Bishop John Keenan, Dr Gillian Wright, Lord David Alton, and Professor David Albert Jones, gathers together experts from the medical and palliative care professions, alongside prominent politicians, ethics experts and religious leaders, to construct a unified voice of unease. It spotlights key concerns around preserving human dignity and protections for vulnerable groups, and challenges the robustness of tabled safeguards in the UK legislation, by citing the experience of other jurisdictions which quickly eased access and expanded eligibility. You can view the documentary via the links:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mi3S2yp3hjY

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/1029444718?share=copy

St. Bride's Parish Christmas Dinner Dance

This will be held at WK golf club on Friday 13 December at 6 30 for 7 pm. Tickets £25 each

Please contact Phyllis Howie , Laura McLean or Betty Orr.

Please come along and support our Parish. All welcome, friends and family and enjoy a fun filled night with a very special guest appearance!

CHANA (Churches Homeless Action North Ayrshire)

CHANA (Churches Homeless Action North Ayrshire) is teaming up again with the Night Before Christmas Charity (NB4CC) to provide a Christmas present for those who are homeless & being supported by North Ayrshire Council. Last Christmas, Liz Brown of NAC wrote '169 gifts were provided, including gifts for boys & girls of all ages as well as particularly vulnerable or isolated adults who otherwise might not have received a present at Christmas'. If you can help, please put a cash donation in an envelope marked NB4C & put it in the usual collection bag or donate online at https://www.nightbeforechristmas.co.uk/

Sycamore Advent Programme

Please join us for the first Meeting of “Sycamore” at St Bride’s. The Meeting is on Wednesday, 20th November 7pm in the Church Hall. Everyone is very welcome!

Laying of Wreaths At West Kilbride

This Sunday, there will be the laying of Wreaths at the War Memorial in West Kilbride at 10am. Lorraine and Paul Corrigan will represent St Bride’s this year.

Tesco Foodbank Collection - Irvine And Saltcoats

This takes place on 28th, 29th and 30th November. If you can spare a couple of hours between 10am and 4 pm giving out leaflets and encouraging people to donate, please contact Anne on 07979 065564 for Irvine or Danny on 0797 954 2319 for Saltcoats. Thank you.

Year of Hope 2025

Pope Francis Has announced that 2025 will be a year of Jubilee - an event that happens every 25 years. More information and resources here.

Dilexit Nos - He Loved Us

Pope Francis issued his fourth Encyclical on the 24th October 2024, called "Dilexit nos" ('He loved us'): on Human and Divine Love of the Heart of Jesus Christ. A world that has become "heartless" and indifferent to greed and war, and a Catholic Church in need of revitalising its missionary joy need to open themselves up to Christ's infinite love, Pope Francis wrote.

Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting on 14th October are now available.

October Harvest Collection At St. Peter's And St. Bride's

This weekend is the last for our October Harvest Collection this year. Sincere thanks for all the contributions for the Neo-natal unit for babies and expectant mothers. We will pass on our donations this week. Thanks again for all the support and generosity.

Sunday Teas At St. Bride's

Tea and coffee will be served in the hall after Mass today Sunday. Everyone welcome!

Bridie's Blethers - September 2024 Edition

The April 2024 edition of Bridie's Blethers is now available. We hope you enjoy it!

St. Bride's Monthly Draw

Congratulations to Seamus Gallanagh who wins £31 in the October draw.

St. Bride's SSVP

Thank you to everyone who handed in tea and coffee for the larder.

Big "Thank You" To Sister Rosemary

Sister Rosemary was able to arrange for us some very beautiful and necessary items for the celebration of the Liturgy at St Bride’s. We have received priest’s vestments, lectern covers, cruets, candles, and two beautiful chalices… I am very grateful to Sister Rosemary for all the generosity and keeping St Bride’s in mind… a big “Thank You”!

Donation To St. Bride's

We have gratefully received a donation of £1000 from the Archbishop Eyre Fund towards the running costs of St Bride’s Church. Thank you.

Thank You

A huge thank you to all the bakers, helpers on the day, donators and clearing-uppers who made our celebration of Father Gerry’s Golden Jubilee so special. God Bless and thank you.

"I would like to thank Father Duncan and all the parishioners
of St Bride’s for all their kind words, cards and gifts
celebrating my Golden Jubilee".....Fr. Gerry

Divine Mercy

Anyone interested in establishing a Divine Mercy Group in the Three Towns can contact Miriam on 07377457657 or contact the parish office at St Mary’s 01294 463461.

Generous Donation To St. Bride's

A sincere thank you for the very generous donation of £1000 to St Bride’s for the new Lectionaries that will begin in Advent this year. The donation has been given in memory of Paul McNulty.

Donation For The New Lectionaries At St. Bride's

The SVdP at St Bride’s have donated £250 towards the new Lectionaries for the Church. This is from a donation of Eric Gibney, who had received regular visit from the SVdP, when he was resident at Arran View Care Home. The donation is given in his memory. Also, a very generous donation of £1000 towards the new lectionaries has been given in memory of Dennis Atkins.

Donation For The New Lectionaries

If anyone would like to give a donation towards the new Lectionaries, their names will be recorded at the front of the Lectionary Book. Donations can also be made in memory of family members or loved ones.

St. Bride's SCIAF Emergency Appeal

We have received a letter of thanks for the £444.50 raised a few weeks ago for our sisters and brothers affected by the conflict in Israel and Palestine. Please see the letter of thanks on the noticeboard.

New Alter Signature

Thank you to Nick Monir of Zebra Signs for the new wording on the alter canopy. The words are a quote from St. Bride.

St. Bride's Family Fun Day

A huge thank you to everyone for the success of the Family Fun Day. A great day of unity and fun.

Sisters of Saint Paul Of Chartres

We are delighted to announce that the contract for the sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres who serve in the Three Towns has been renewed for another 5 years. We thank Sr. Marie Monique and Sr. Ursula for assisting in our parishes.

Cost Of Living Crisis - Support Guide

Anthony Horan of the Catholic Parliamentary Office has pulled together a guide to some of the key benefits available from the UK and Scottish Governments along with some suggestions of further support as people navigate the cost-of-living crisis. There may be parishioners and others in the community who may not be aware of what help is available. Anthony aims to update the guide as and when there are major developments.

In And Around St. Bride's Church

I’m very grateful to all our Parishioners who have contributed to the maintaining of our Parish. The Notice Board at the front of the Church has been updated with the new information; the garden wall and fence will be repainted soon and the railing from the steps will be repaired. The damaged carpet at the bag doors has been repaired....Fr. Duncan.

Christians Against Poverty - Irvine and Thee Town Debt Centre

Are a Christian Organisation that helps people struggling with personal debt issues to begin a journey out of debt. This service is free and will see clients face to face at the Connexions centre, Irvine or at any office location. Please call the freephone number 0800 328 0006.

Galloway Diocese Synod Summary Now Available

In September 2021, a Diocesan Synodal Team was formed, consisting of three lay women, one lay man, and one diocesan priest whose primary role was to provide spiritual direction to the lay team. A period of intense preparation followed as the format of synodal encounters was prayerfully decided on and developed, facilitators for these encounters were identified and trained, and the ten thematic nuclei provided by the Vatican were circulated with short reflective videos to encourage participation across the diocese. The Summary of all the hard work and efforts is now available. You can download the document here. If you need paper copy, please ask in the Sacristy.

Further information on the Synod 2021 - 2023 and the themes/questions.

St. Bride's Readers

Please add your name to the list at the back of the church if you can help out at any point of the week.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is available in St Bride’s church every Tuesday and Friday at 9.30am. It’s a wonderful chance to sit a while with the Lord and encounter him again in the Real Presence. Why don’t you make an appointment with our Lord and “waste” some time with him!

Free Booklet on Christ the King

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe marks the end of the Church’s liturgical year. Pope Pius XI said that the many evils in the world—including secularisation, communism, and atheism —were “due to the fact that the majority of men had thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law out of their lives.” Instead of following the ways of the world, Pope Pius said that Christ should reign as King in every aspect of every Christian’s life. That’s wonderful advice for each one of us. In the 1920s, Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King. The Pope knew that, as Christians, we should make Our Lord preeminent in every aspect of our lives. With these prayers and meditations on Sacred Scripture, we hope you will deepen your relationship with Christ the King. Click here to download Christ the King: Prayers and Meditations.

Waiting on the Father's Promise: A Novena to the Holy Family

Devote some time daily with your family for the next nine days to reflect, read and respond to God in prayer with this novena to the Holy Family.

Please CLICK HERE to get a copy of the Novena.

Free Booklet on the Meaning of the Eucharist now available

"God works through all these messy human realities and wants to encounter us at every Mass." - The Lord wants to deeply encounter everyone in the Mass and especially in the Eucharist. However, it can be hard for us to recognise his presence. By learning about the deeper meaning behind what Catholics do at Mass, we left the veil between the human and divine. In this excerpt, Dr. Edward Sri (a founding leader of FOCUS and professor at Augustine Institute) discusses what the Mass is and the three ways that every Catholic should know the Eucharist. Learn about the Eucharist as:

the memorial of Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross
the real presence of Jesus
Holy Communion with Our Lord

Ready to learn more about the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? Click here to get your FREE copy.

Letter to a Suffering Church book from Bishop Barron Now Available

Feeling hurt, angry, or demoralised about the sexual abuse crisis plaguing the Catholic Church? Our parish wants to help, and that’s why we’ve made available a downloadable version of a new book on our Parish websites. It’s titled “Letter to a Suffering Church: A Bishop Speaks on the Sexual Abuse Crisis” by the well-known American Bishop Robert Barron. We invite you to download your free copy. I think you’ll find it helpful and uplifting. Bishop Barron provides clear insight on the crisis and where we should go from here. So please make sure to take a copy of the book and know that the Parishes of St Bride’s and St Peter’s care deeply about helping you navigate these stormy waters

The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit

The Novena in honour of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all Novenas, since it was first made at the direction of our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light, strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian, especially in these challenging times. We hope that you will be prompted to ask the Holy Spirit to empower, encourage, and embolden you to follow His lead. We pray the Novena from Ascension Thursday, 13th May until the Solemnity of Pentecost, 23rd May 2021. Come, Holy Spirit!

With a Father’s Heart Booklet - now available

In a new Apostolic Letter entitled “With a Father’s Heart”, Pope Francis describes Saint Joseph as a beloved father, a tender and loving father, an obedient father, an accepting father; a father who is creatively courageous, a working father, a father in the shadows. The Letter marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pope Pius IX’s declaration of St Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church. To celebrate the anniversary, Pope Francis has proclaimed a special “Year of St Joseph,” beginning on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 and extending to the same feast in 2021. The Holy Father wrote “With a Father’s Heart” against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, which, he says, has helped us see more clearly the importance of “ordinary” people who, though far from the limelight, exercise patience and offer hope every day. In this, they resemble Saint Joseph, “the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence,” who nonetheless played “an incomparable role in the history of salvation.”

Support Your Parish If You Can

Our Parish Communities of St Bride’s and St Peter’s work tirelessly to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in a culture bent on pushing God to the margins. I am very grateful for all your financial contributions and donations, however, I would ask you that you consider making a Standing Order to aid our critical mission. Also if you pay tax, please consider signing a “Gift Aid Form” - this will not cost you anything, but contributes an extra 25% added to your donation. Both forms are available at the back of Church or from the Parish Office. Another, and relatively new way of giving, is by clicking on the QR Code below. This will take you to the Online Parish Offertory at the Galloway Diocesan Website. There, you can sign up online for either St Bride’s or St Peter’s. As a Catholic Charity, we very much rely on your support to sustain our ministry. Each year, our efforts help many people to come to a closer knowledge of Jesus Christ and to deepen their relationship with him in the Church. Please consider a regular Standing Order and Gift Aid so that we can continue to proclaim Christ in the culture in new and engaging ways. Please have a look at Bishop Nolan’s Appeal Message.

Donate here: https://tinyurl.com/rcwestkilbride

Or scan QR Code: