‘God is our Father… but even more He is our Mother’

‘God is our Father… but even more He is our Mother’

By Ronnie Convery

Feel God’s fatherly – and motherly – love in your lives. With these striking words Pope Leo has addressed a beautiful ‘letter of love’ to grandparents and the elderly, ahead of a special day dedicated to them later this month.

The Papal letter is for ‘World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly’ which is marked this year on July 26 – the feast of Jesus’ grandparents St Joachim and St Anne.

It is an emotional ‘thank you’ to older people from the Holy Father in which he shows a rare capacity to understand the issues they face.

He writes, “The Church understands the suffering of her elderly members; she knows full well that they are all too often viewed through the lens of stereotypes and considered a burden.

Burden

“She knows that many elderly people are left behind by children who are forced to migrate … For each of these reasons, she proclaims the Lord’s promise: ‘But I will never forget you!’”

In a gentle reminder to children and grandchildren to treasure older family members the Pope writes: “May this day be an inspiration for everyone, especially the young, to revive the beautiful custom of visiting their grandparents, the elderly members of the family and even those who have no one to visit them.

“Bring them, through this message and your presence, the closeness and affection of the Pope…”

And in a striking passage he quotes Blessed Pope John Paul I (right) – the ‘smiling Pope’ who reigned for only 33 days in the summer of 1978.

“It is a joy, at any age, but especially when we are no longer young, to discover, as John Paul I said, that we are the recipients ‘of undying love on the part of God… he has always his eyes open on us, even when it seems to be dark.

“He is our father; but even more He is our mother.’”

Pope Leo adds: “Even in old age we do not cease to be sons and daughters; therefore, the invitation to return to the arms of God — whose love is both paternal and maternal — remains worthwhile at any age.”

And he invites people who have never been religious before to ‘go deep’ during their retirement years.

“Old age — beginning with the questions that arise with greater urgency during this season of life — can become the right time to begin or resume a spiritual life. On this new journey, one can recognise that as Saint Augustine says, “God is a mother because He cherishes, because He nourishes, because He nurses, because He protects.”

Pope Leo ends the letter with a fitting expression of thanks to all the older people who pray for him.

“Dear elderly brothers and sisters, I thank you for supporting me every day with your prayers, especially when you recite the Holy Rosary.

“I return this gratitude from the bottom of my heart and leave you with this prayer: may the Lord always renew us in faith, hope and love — He who never forgets us!”

Artwork recalls the night Maryhill was a river of fire

By Ronnie Convery

The new ‘Welcome and Information Brochure’ produced by Immaculate Conception Parish in Maryhill contains a very special piece of artwork.

The parish has bought the copyright of a painting from the National Gallery in Edinburgh entitled “Rescue Party on Kilmun Street”, an artwork by Ian Fleming which has a special resonance in the community.

It recalls the events of March 1941. During the air raids the old Immaculate Conception Church, St Mary’s school and tenements in the adjacent street were bombed in the Clydebank blitz.

Bombardment

In total 169 people died and the church had to be demolished after the war. The bombardment is still recalled as a tragic piece of local history.

The publication led to a spate of memories from parishioners who had been affected by the bombing.

Fr Jim Lawlor, Parish priest of Immaculate Conception said: “There is a whole section in the latest book about the Clydebank blitz, and the bombing in Maryhill. It is still a very powerful memory in many people’s lives.”

As if to prove the point, one follower of the Parish on Facebook, Mary Ribet, posted: “That night the Blessed Sacrament was brought to our family home 190 Cumlodden Drive and brought into the room where my mother and I were after she gave birth to me on 8th March.

“My Aunt Ciss (Miss Harkins of St Mary’s School) baptised me that very night.”

The new brochure can be collected from Immaculate Conception Church before or after services.

Lourdes pilgrims prepare to depart

By Brian Swanson

Pilgrims across the archdiocese and beyond are preparing for this month’s special encounter with Our Lady …

For almost 80 years the annual Archdiocesan Lourdes pilgrimage has accompanied the people of Glasgow and the surrounding area to the shrine of Our Lady at the foot of the French Pyrenées each summer.

It is the largest and most long-running annual pastoral initiative undertaken in the name of the Archdiocese of Glasgow.

Canon Tom White, the Pilgrimage Director, said: “Each year, pilgrims—those who are sick, housebound, bereaved, or simply burdened by life’s challenges—journey to Lourdes seeking spiritual renewal and the comfort of Our Lady’s care and protective embrace.

“Supporting them is a remarkable community of volunteers: experienced Lourdes veterans, medical and care professionals, and young people, many of whom are serving for the very first time with a genuine desire to help others.

“The Archbishop and clergy faithfully dedicate this week to walking alongside the pilgrims, offering prayer, presence, and pastoral support.

“For those who have experienced Lourdes with the Archdiocese, this will resonate deeply. For those who have not, the invitation is simple: come and see!

“One ongoing challenge is the lack of a stable working fund to support planning and development. We are seeking to address this need now and any contribution you are able to make will be deeply appreciated and carefully used to support and enhance the Lourdes pilgrimage.”

The financial issues of running the annual pilgrimage have led the organisers to take steps now to ‘futureproof’ pilgrimages of the future by launching an ambitious, and continuous, fund-raising programme.

To help out, please visit the Archdiocesan website at www.rcag.org.uk

Parishes unite to thank Fr Joe

By Brian Swanson

When Father Joe Uwah, much loved Parish Priest of St Robert’s and St Bernard’s, celebrated the 20th anniversary of his ordination a very special guest was waiting in the wings to surprise him …

For his sister Florence, a nun serving with the Daughters of Divine Love in London travelled north to join in the celebrations which by happy coincidence fell also on her brother’s 50th birthday.

And there was more joy to come when Father Joe, to sustained applause from parishioners past and present, their families and friends along with fellow Nigerian priests and local clergy, was presented with a framed Papal blessing in recognition of his devoted service.

The celebrations did not fail to recall former priest Father Jim Dean who died in April, 2022.

Ordination

By a twist of fate Father Joe’s first appointment when he arrived in Glasgow in 2015 shortly after his ordination, was to St Agnes’s in Lambhill, working alongside the man he was later to succeed at St Robert’s.

A member of the Parish Pastoral Council told the gathering: “In the midst of the sadness of Father Jim’s death Archbishop Nolan asked Fr Joe to step in as Administrator for both parishes – a responsibility he accepted with great sensitivity, compassion and steadiness at a time when we needed it most.”

“In October 2022 much to our delight and after the two parishes were merged, he was appointed parish priest of both parishes.

“And since then his prayerful ministry has not only strengthened our spiritual life but enriched our parish community in so many ways.

“Father Joe’s unwavering commitment to the people of Saint Robert’s and St Bernard’s speaks volumes about his faith and his dedication.”

Father Joe said: ”I want thank everyone so much for their generosity, their prayers and for joining me in this wonderful celebration which has meant so much to me.

“I will continue to pray for you all and ask that you keep me in your prayers too.”