ARCHDIOCESE OF

52 Saint Andrews Drive Glasgow, G41 5HF

Tel: +44 (0) 141 226 5898 Fax: +44 (0) 141 225 2600 E-mail: @rcag.org.uk www.rcag.org.uk 27th October 2020

Letter Ad Clerum

Dear Monsignor, Canon, Father Dear Rev. Deacon,

Here are a few matters I would like to put before you.

The Council of Priests The Council of Priests met on Monday 26th October 2020 by Zoom. The main theme of the meeting was The Experience of the Covid-19 Pandemic in our Parishes and Prospects for Recovery. Observations made covered the impact on the liturgy, the demographic at Mass, the importance of volunteer stewards, prospects for Christmas Masses, online Catechesis for the Sacraments, and the financial implications of the pandemic. The Council will undoubtedly re-visit these matters in future sessions.

Covid-19 Measures The Scottish Government, as you know, is not planning for the suspension of public worship again in the new 5-Tier gradation of anti-infection restrictions. This is a direct consequence of how seriously our communities have put in place anti-infection measures in our churches and at our public worship. I am grateful to you for organising and over- seeing the implementation of these measures. I am grateful to your volunteer stewards who have done a remarkable job. I am grateful to all your parishioners who have cooperated so generously to keep themselves and each other as safe as possible from the virus in church. I am sure you agree that, for everyone’s safety and for the protection of our freedom to worship, we need to continue to observe the regulations and to persevere with the diligent implementation of these measures until this virus is no longer a danger.

Participation at Mass Due to the pandemic, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still suspended. Numbers are capped at 50 and it is unlikely that this number will be increased in the short term. In these circumstances, however, grace is not lacking. Many have remarked that Masses and liturgies are simple, peaceful and prayerful. However, Mass is not for the few, but for the whole community of faith. We look forward to the day when we can welcome back to our churches families and children, young and old, who can freely enter and take their places around the altar of God. It will do no harm to remind our people gently that physical

The Archdiocese of Glasgow is a Designated Religious Body, Charity Number SCO18140 ARCHDIOCESE OF GLASGOW presence at Mass is the intended and best way to mark and celebrate the Day of the Lord. This is what we hope for, and must return to, when the time is right.

Mass for Deceased Clergy November is the month of prayer for the Holy Souls. I will celebrate the annual Mass for the Deceased , Bishops and Priests of the Archdiocese of Glasgow in St Andrew’s Cathedral at 1.00pm on Friday 13th November 2020. Due to the pandemic, I do not expect concelebrants at this Mass. The priests who have died since the 2019 Memorial Mass are the following: Canon Bernard Devine and Fr Dominic Doogan, who were well known to many of us. We have also been advised of the death of an Irish-born and trained priest, Fr Gerard O’Meara who was ordained for this Archdiocese in 1956, served in the Immaculate Heart of Mary until 1963, was thereafter incardinated in the Archdiocese of Boston and then served with the Society of St James. May they rest in peace.

The Sacrament of Confirmation Most of you have more or less completed the First Holy Communion Masses that had to be postponed due to lockdown. I know you put a lot of work into planning and executing these liturgies so that everyone could be safe. I am sure your parishioners and your local Catholic Primary School appreciated your efforts for the children. Some of you have also sought delegation to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on the candidates whose Confirmations had to be postponed during lockdown. These Masses of Confirmation are beginning around now. I am very grateful for your help in this sacred task. I will be confirming in St Matthew’s, (4 November), in St Joseph’s, Milngavie (16 & 17 November) and in St Peter’s, Partick (18, 19 & 20 November). If you need me or want me to celebrate Confirmation in your parish between now and Christmas, please contact [email protected] and Anne will organise a date for me to come to your parish.

Some Appointments I have transferred Fr Augustine Abayomi temporarily from the Cathedral to St Peter’s, Partick, while Canon McBride is on sick leave. I have appointed Fr Charles Randall CSsR as temporary Assistant at St Andrew’s Cathedral. I have appointed Deacon Eddie McDonald to St Thomas’ and St Bernadette’s Parishes. I am grateful to Fr Joseph McNulty for looking after St Joseph’s Milngavie while Father Patrick Currie is recuperating from illness.

Conclusion I am very conscious that this time of coronavirus and restrictions has been a time like no other. I am very grateful to you all for your fortitude, dedication and patience. Please keep safe and well.

Yours devotedly in Christ,

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ARCHDIOCESE OF GLASGOW

 Philip Tartaglia

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