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The new edition of the official journal of the Archdiocese, Flourish, is out this weekend. Among the highlights are full coverage of the recent St Mungo Festival; a preview of Lentfest; a special report on the work of SCIAF in India and an entertaining interview with Mgr Peter Smith looking back on his 25 years working closely with the late Cardinal Winning and then Archbishop Conti. All of this and much more for 60p this weekend!

Archbishop Conti is celebrating the 1.00 pm Mass this Thursday in St Andrew's Cathedral in the presence of the Religious of the Archdiocese.  2nd February, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, is World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life: we pray this day for those living the consecrated life and we give thanks for their service to our local Church.

Archbishop Conti has announced the following Clerical Changes: Fr Martin Kane, Assistant Priest at St Patrick's Dumbarton to be Assistant Priest at Christ the King, Kings Park and Chaplain to Holyrood Secondary School. Fr Anthony Gallagher, Assistant Priest at Christ the King, to be Assistant Priest at St Patrick's, Dumbarton. The changes become effective next month.

The Holy Father's message for World Communications Day has been released. It focuses on the need for silence in a world of instant and constant exchange of information: "People today are frequently bombarded with answers to questions they have never asked and to needs of which they were unaware,” Benedict XVI notes .... “If we are to recognize and focus upon the truly important questions, then silence is a precious commodity that enables us to exercise proper discernment in the face of the surcharge of stimuli and data that we receive.”

“When messages and information are plentiful,” the Pope added, “silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary.”

But the Pope went on to praise the internet and social media when seen as aids to prayer and reflection. He noted that we live in an era in which “the various types of websites, applications and social networks…can help people today to find time for reflection and authentic questioning, as well as making space for silence and occasions for prayer, meditation or sharing of the word of God.”

“In concise phrases,” Benedict XVI said, “often no longer than a verse from the Bible, profound thoughts can be communicated, as long as those taking part in the conversation do not neglect to cultivate their own inner lives.”  

The Archdiocese of Glasgow pioneered this approach to using Twitter and Facebook as a stimulus to prayer and reflection during Advent and it is envisaged that a similar scheme will be run during Lent.

The full text of the Holy Father's message can be found here:

 

The Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Glasgow, Monsignor Peter Smith, has been appointed to the Vatican's United Nations Embassy. Mgr Smith will become Attache at the New York office where the Holy See has UN Permanent Observer Status. The appointment becomes effective on March 1.

Fr Tom White will succeed Monsignor Smith as Chancellor and as Parish Priest of St Mary's Calton and as Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies.

Commenting on the appointments, Archbishop Conti said: "Mgr Smith has served with great dedication as Vice Chancellor and then Chancellor of the Archdiocese for almost 25 years. I have benefited greatly from his support. We cannot do better than to agree to the appointment of Mgr Peter as Attache, even if it means losing him for a while from the active service of the Archdiocese."

Mgr Smith said: "I am very much looking forward to taking up the new role, though it will be a wrench to leave the Parish of St Mary's and my friends and colleagues at the Archdiocese. I am delighted that Fr Tom has been appointed to succeed me in the various roles I vacate and am grateful to the Archbishop for releasing me from the Archdiocese for a while to take up this new post."

The following events are available for all who wish to be involved in adult faith development activities:

"Sensing God through Scripture!"

A SPRED Programme to which all are invited.

Presenter:  Dr Noel Donnelly

Date:        Saturdays - 3 March & 19 May 2012

Time:         11.00 am - 1.00 pm (refreshments at 10.30 am)

Venue:       SPRED Office, 20 Robroyston Road, Glasgow, G33 1EQ

(To book please call: 0141 226 5898 or email: re@rcag.org.uk)