Parish Priest: Fr Jeremy Bath
Deacon Paul Brady
Welcome to the St Machan’s Parish Homepage!
Our Parish is formed of three local church communities: St Dominic’s Torrance, St Machan’s Lennoxtown and St Paul’s Milton of Campsie.
“Our mission as one parish community is to thrive in faith with God and to live our lives through the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus. We are called in faith to nurture the young, comfort those in need, minister to the broken, and celebrate all that is beautiful and good that comes from God.”
Parish News and Upcoming events
VESTRY HOUR
FOR ALL GENERAL PASTORAL ENQUIRIES , TUESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER IN THE PARISH HOUSE.
Theme ‘Our Time Will Come’
This parable about the wise and foolish virgins and the sudden arrival of the Bridegroom is centered on spiritual enlightenment. Although the resources are potentially there, like oil for lamps, it must be our choice to be willing to draw their spiritual enlightenment into our own lives; we cannot simply expect someone else to do that for us. The metaphor of ‘light’ in the presence of Jesus Christ, the eternal ‘Bridegroom’ of the ‘marriage covenant’ between God and the world, is our personal spiritual conversion. In the broader sphere of life, we all have the potential, the natural grace to accept God into our lives. It’s not really an over-complicated doctrine to understand; but once we truly have our ‘lamps lit’, then we are ready for the Messiah, no matter when He calls us.
Reflection from ‘Bible Alive’
“As we participate in the Sunday Mass today, we are nearing the end of the Church’s Year. In a few weeks Advent will begin. The final week before Advent invites us to look forward to our goal and destiny, when our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, will come again and bring us into the final unity of heaven. If our preparedness is beginning to wane, or if our lives are lacking the power of the Holy Spirit, there is only one solution — and the wise ones knew it: ‘Go to the one who provides it’. It is Christ himself, present in the Church, by Word and Sacrament, who renews the gift of the Holy Spirit within us and reawakens our longing for heaven.”
Shared Parish News
The Plight of War John Simpson, a famous BBC war correspondent, reflected in his autobiography as he sat by a beautiful beach watching his 3-year-old son paddling in the water, on humanity must think again about the consequences of war; that the world seeks and pleads for a better solution to its injustices and fears. This Sunday we remember the many victims of global conflict in times past. Fighting an enemy we don’t possibly know or even have sight of before they are killed. As Jesus said in the Beatitudes, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God’.
Cenotaph services today:
Torrance 10:40am. Wreath laid by Laurence Cavanagh
Lennoxtown 10:45am. Wreath laid by Deacon Paul
Milton of Campsie 1:30pm depart from St Paul’s. Wreath laid by Canon Bath
Armistice Day is on Wednesday 11th November at 11am, when we should observe a 2-minute silence for the war dead.
Catholic Education Week This takes place from the 15th to the 22nd November. We hope to have pupils and staff from St Machan’s Primary and St Ninian’s High School attending our Sunday Masses and sharing their message about what the vision for Catholic Education is at this time. We pray that we, parents, teachers and pupils, can work together and value our education system, freely given in Scotland today. We pray too for the staff, parents and pupils of Our Lady’s High School, Cumbernauld, where recently Aidan, a 17-year-old pupil, died suddenly. God rest his soul.
40 Hours Adoration St Dominic’s Next weekend, the 13th, 14th and 15th November, there is Quarantore (40 Hours Eucharistic Adoration) in St Dominic’s Chapel. It’s an opportunity to spend precious time praying in the month of the Holy Souls in front of the Blessed Sacrament. The times are as follows:
Fri 13th November — 12noon to 5pm
Sat 14th November — 10:30am to 5pm
Sun 15th November — 10am to 4pm
A time sheet is available in the foyer for you to initial the period of time you are willing to ‘keep vigil’ in front of the Monstrance. May many spiritual graces come from this time.
Sacramental Life
P3 – First Confession The children will be enrolled at the 5:30pm Mass on Saturday 14th November. Please bring your registration forms, completed, to that Mass. Children at schools other than St Machan’s require their parents/guardian to attend a meeting on Saturday 14th November at 4pm in St Machan’s Parish House to have their child registered. This is also for the children in 2027, not at the Catholic School, who are due to make their 1st Holy Communion and Confirmation.
R.C.I.A (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) The next class is on 21st November at 11:30am in the parish house, led by Deacon Paul Brady. The theme: “A God who speaks”.
Sacramental Leaflet There is a new leaflet at the church foyer explaining the benefits of the sacramental life. It could be of benefit to parents presenting children for the sacraments and adults who seek instruction and learning.
Recent Deaths
Robert Park R.I.P We pray for the soul of Robert Park who died in hospital on Friday 30th October. We remember all the family and friends of Robert, who was much loved and respected in the Campsie Community. Robert’s coffin will be received into St Machan’s Church on Thursday 12th November at 6pm and his Requiem Mass is at 10am on Friday 13th November. May he rest in peace.
Tommy Morrison R.I.P Tommy, a former resident of Lennox Castle Hospital, passed away on Saturday 31st October. He loved his time there and was a huge football fan of the ‘Hoops’. May he rest in peace.
(No funeral arrangements have been advised.)
Parish Quiz Night Don’t forget the Quiz Night at St Machan’s Hall, The Canon’s Hall, on Friday 13th November at 7pm. Adults: £5.00, children free. Bring the family! The proceeds will help fund the Pensioners’ Christmas Dinner. Raffle prizes are always welcome. B.Y.O.B.
Reform of the Parish Pastoral Council (P.P.C) Over the coming Sundays, the Canon Bath will explain the planned reforms of the P.P.C. The aim is to help make it more accountable to the Mission of the parish and more unitive in terms of being One Parish built around three churches.
Dates For Your Diary
Cemetery Services Sunday 22nd November
1:30 pm – Campsie – Canon Bath
2:15 pm – High Park – Deacon Paul
2:30 pm – Cadder – Canon Bath
3:00 pm – Baldernock – Deacon Paul
Graveside candles are on sale at church stalls.
Bereavement Masses
Monday 23rd November, 7pm St Machan’s
Wednesday 25th November, 7pm St Machan’s
Families who have had a death from September 2025 and September 2026 should have received an invitation advising which Mass to attend.
Mustard Seed Prayer Group All are welcome to attend this gathering on Monday 9th November at 6:30 pm. A precious time for reflecting on Scripture and praying the Rosary in St Machan’s House. A good opportunity to prepare for Advent.
Sunday Collection
Thank you for your kind responsible stewardship of the parish £1,696.66.
Archdiocesan News
Diploma in Catechetics 2027 A 3–6 week course to help you teach the Catholic faith to children or adults, funded by the parish. Interested? Email: diploma@staned.org.uk
World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea – 2027
For young adults aged 18–35
- Dates: 1st – 9th August 2027
- Special Mass with Pope Leo
- Registration closes: 10th November 2026
- Total cost: £3,000 per person
To register visit bit.ly/archwyd
Retreat Day for Young Woman Are you a young woman thinking about a vocation to the religious life? Come to explore a retreat day to reflect upon God’s will for you. Saturday 16th November from 10am–7pm. Address 9 Upper Gray Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1SN. To register email Sr Miriam Hughes religiousvocations@staned.org.uk
The Teaching of the Catechism Para 675
‘The Church’s Ultimate Trial’
Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth will unveil the mystery of iniquity, in the form of a religious deception offering men and women an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. The supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist.
Saints Days This Coming Week
Monday 9th Nov – Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica The church is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. Of all the churches in the city and the world, this is the ‘Mother Church’ of them all.
Tuesday 10th November – St Leo the Great Memorial 4th-century Pope. He presided over the Council of Chalcedon that defined in doctrine that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man. Declared a Doctor of the Church and a great preacher.
Wednesday 11th November – St Martin of Tours 4th century convert and bishop. Renounced the life of a Roman soldier. Gave half his cloak to a naked beggar. Pacifist whose feast coincides with Armistice Day.
Thursday 12th November – St Josaphat Bishop and martyr. Early 17th century missionary in Ukraine. Clashed there with the Orthodox Churches. Bravely martyred for the faith.
Please pray for our parishioners who are sick/housebound:
Mary Ann Dougan, Gillian Kennedy, Jean MacKenzie, Mary McCormack, May McIlroy, Eleanor Gallagher, Beth Hughes, Robert Devlin, May McIvor, Isabel Melley, Rosemary Devine, Irene MacFarlane, Celia Sands, Isobel Frost, John Kimmett, Cecilia McConnell, Jack Brady, Connor Meechan, Robert McElhaney..
Last Update: 06/11/2026