DUNKELD NEWS Diocesan Newsletter of the of No. 23 June 2021

INSIDE THIS ISSUE - Tributes to the lifes of Bishop , Mgr John Harty & Sr Deirdre O’Brien Substantial savings declared and a new parish levy is announced Lawside closes as strategic review looks to future of the Addressing the clergy this week, Bishop Stephen revealed the perilous state of di- ocesan finances and the steps that are al- ready being taken to address the growing problem.

As the impact of the pandemic becomes clearer, there are still many questions in the Church about the ‘new normal’ and, in par- ticular, the Church’s future after lockdown with attendances at Mass still limited, not only by social distancing, but also insecu- rities about the effects of the virus in the FOR SALE - DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY longer term. At an early stage during lock- down, Bishop Stephen made a financial appeal, his first in 42 years as a priest, for support for parishes and the wider Church community. With the churches closed, col- lections have fallen dramatically and new methods were needed to be set up for on- line giving and contactless payments in our With sights set on a fairer and more sus- “The Immaculate Heart of Mary Sis- churches. tainable system, Bishop Stephen said, “the ters are also to move, from Lawside to the

Bishop Stephen said, “As you will know, Diocesan levy has not been touched for church house at St Mary’s Forebank, within the Diocese in recent years, for all sorts over twenty years and, due to the above- the city of .” of reasons, has been plunging deeper and mentioned increasing demands on finan- deeper into debt. Over the last twenty years cial resources, the annual deficit has be- “The activities normally carried on in the and more, both state legislation and the come unsustainable at around £350k-£400k Diocesan Pastoral Centre will also move Church have required the diocese to imple- over the past decade or so. to the extensive hall complex of St Mary’s ment a number of costly measures – seven- Forebank, Dundee, which will be equipped teen in all.” Bishop Stephen indicated that part of with the audio/visual equipment from the this deficit would be made up by making existing Pastoral Centre - together with These demands on the Church’s resourc- substantial savings at Diocesan level, in the the recently donated public address system es include - property repairs; OPAS (online Curia, and that these savings were already from St Joseph’s Chapel. Our live stream- parish accounts) and gift aid management; in hand. “We have made redundant several ing capability will be moved to St Andrew’s assistance with parish accounting; employ- posts in the Curia creating substantial an- Cathedral.” ment law; health and safety; insurance nual savings to the diocese. requirements; safeguarding; charity law; These moves will now mean that the Di- company law; GDPR (data protection); Bishop Stephen added, “I am deeply ocesan Pastoral Centre and Curial offices, human resources expenditure; payroll and grateful to these colleagues for what they formerly St Joseph’s Convent, Lawside, are pensions management; professional fees have achieved in the diocese in the past and now to be prepared for sale and a commer- and legal and accounting. thank them for their contribution”. cial property company has been engaged to market this valuable real estate. Traditionally these Diocesan Curial costs Further, “Plans are in place for this are met from a levy on the parishes which slimmed down Diocesan Curia to be trans- Fairer parish levy is set in proportion to each parish’s popula- ferred to the single storey building of St tion and potential income. The basis for the Anne’s on the edge of the current diocesan “Since this necessitates a discussion of vi- calculation of this levy has remained un- estate from mid-June 2021. This will also ability, and what that might mean, an audit changed for over 20 years - despite chang- give considerable further savings on util- of parish demographics, the physical state ing populations, falling roles, and other ity and maintenance costs over the present of parish properties and the affordability... demographics. Pastoral Centre and Curial building.” continued on p2 SCHOOL NEWS - PARISH NEWS - SSVP COMPETITION - PRO LIFE NEWS - FOCUS ON KINNOULL

©2021 - SCOTTISH CHARITY NO. SC001810 Tributes are paid to the life and service of Bishop Vincent Logan

ishop Emeritus Vincent Lo- Lawside to close as strategic review gan, former Bishop of Dun- keld, died at the age of 79 in St looks to future of the diocese... BMary’s Home, Monifieth, after con- - the number of practising parishioners; tracting coronavirus on Friday the ...continued from p1 the number of non-practising parishioners; 14th, a day after the passing of Arch- the overall parish income; the condition of ...and the appropriateness of making major parish property; the distribution of priests; bishop of Glasgow . repairs with little hope of sustaining unre- the viability of any Mass centres which may alistic debt burdens will need to be carried be attached to parishes; the changing popu- At his Requiem Mass in St Andrew’s out. These pieces of work will take time lation demographics in parishes, deaner- Cathedral, Dundee, on Tuesday 26th Feb- and will involve consultations of parishes, ies and across the diocese; any particular ruary, just 20 mourners were permitted to deaneries and the diocese itself. Sensitiv- pastoral challenges in individual parishes; attend due to the COVID-19 restrictions. ity, patience and flexibility will be needed provision of priests in parishes and across Among them was his successor, Bishop Ste- of course, but clearly, some hard decisions a deanery; and the population and age de- phen Robson with fellow Dunkeld priests, about future sustainability will need to be mographics of priests; the pastoral provision Mgr Aldo Angelosanto VG, Canon Kevin made.” of Masses and sacramental celebrations, in- Golden VG, Mgr Ken McCaffrey, Mgr Ken cluding any over-provision of Masses provid- Bishop Stephen added, “Some months ed for a particular town or area. McBride and Mgr Pat McInally as well as ago a financial sub-committee was con- lifetime friend, Fr Paul Capaldi (St An- vened to examine the problems thrown up Obviously, these cannot be the only cri- drews & ). Tom McPherson was by these extra diocesan financial burdens teria to be examined in the discussion of the Master of Ceremonies. brought about by increasing State regula- the future of a parish, as many other fac- tion and other mandatory activities.” tors have to be taken into account. But the For the Reception of Remains on the pre- physical state of parish property and the vious evening, Bishop Stephen was accom- “This major piece of work is now com- economic state of a parish can be an early panied by Canon Kevin Golden, Cathedral plete, and an attempt has been made to dis- indication that the long-term continuity of Administrator and Fr Andrew Clark. tribute fairly the extra expenses incurred a given parish community may be called over these years on the basis of the ability of into question. This is obviously a work in In his Homily at the Requiem, streamed a parish to contribute to them, rather than progress, and as a work in progress, the re- impose an ‘across-the-board’ levy increase.” sults will go before the various consultative to over 5000 homes, Bishop Stephen said: bodies for assessment and consultation, as Towards the future and when things become clearer. “At a Requiem Mass, the holy sacrifice is offered for our sins, not as a thanksgiving Beyond these immediate measures, the Bishop Stephen has called for prayers for all that we have achieved, not to laud diocese has set up a Strategy Group to ex- and reflection during the months ahead us, or to say what a great person we are. amine Pastoral provision across the whole whilst this research and consultation Not even to celebrate our life, as so many Diocese, and will bring their findings to takes place. outside the Church tend to do nowadays. parishes, deaneries and to the Priests’ We come before God alone, and humbly, Council for consultation. It was once said that ‘we stand on the seeking his forgiveness for our sins, as well shoulders of giants’. The history of the as implicitly acknowledging the triumphs Initially, the key concern of this Strategy Church in Dunkeld owes so much to the Group will be to conduct an audit examin- vision and foresight of its forebearers. We of his grace in us. Whatever good we have ing the viability of parishes, according to a owe it to them to pass on what we have done on earth is his work; whatever sins we number of criteria: received in a sustainable state.” have committed, is ours.” page 2 “As St Augustine so beautifully encapsu- “As for me, I can only stand in awe to- lates in his Confessions: ‘You have created day and admire a man who for 40 years as a us for yourselves, O Lord, and our hearts bishop has persevered as priest and bishop are restless until they rest in You’. God is the until death. A triumph that is due, though, “A great pastoral beginning and the end of all - who we are, to God alone, not to our own human and what we are. He has created us; we are strength. Like all of us, Bishop Vincent will Bishop much loved ‘God’s work of art’, as St Paul says, and as we have made his mistakes; for that he stands die and return to the Lord who made us, we before the judgement seat of God. But that’s by his priests....” are still an unfinished work of art.” surely true for each of us, and we entrust the soul of Bishop Vincent to the mercy of “Bishop Vincent understood this pro- God thanking God for all his blessings.” found truth. St Augustine, the bishop, knew what it was to live a life of grace, but also to Born in Bathgate, West Lothian, Vincent fall away in sin and perhaps we can all look Logan was put on the path to the priest- to him as a very good Saint for sinners, for hood at a young age when he was enrolled sinners we all are! We stand before God at for his secondary education at the junior + this Mass to pray for Bishop Vincent and for seminary of St Mary’s College at Blairs. He Bishop of , all of us, for the moment of our own death completed his education at St Andrew’s President of the is unknown to us. ‘Almighty God, you offer College, Drygrange and was ordained to Conference of us a steer through life, picking us up as we the priesthood in 1964. fall, and leading us always, as the Scriptures Fr Vincent went on to become a popular say: ‘with the leading strings of love’.” priest with a strong pastoral focus, becom- ing head of education in the Archdiocese The president of the Scottish Bishops’ of St Andrews and Edinburgh until 1981, Conference, Bishop Hugh Gilbert de- when he was installed as Bishop of Dun- scribed him as a “dedicated and energetic” “He was held in high keld, at the age of only 39, making him one colleague who had “a zeal in all he did”. of the youngest bishops in the world at the regard and was time. He founded Priests for Scotland, an He went on to say “The bishops of Scot- organisation that exists to serve the pasto- land offer our deep condolences and the nominated Bishop at an ral needs of priests and organise retreats. promise of our prayers to Bishop and all the clergy and people of extraordinarily young Bishop Logan only reluctantly stepped the Diocese of Dunkeld as they remember age in recognition of down in 2012 after thirty years dedicated to Bishop Vincent.” his diocese, citing ill health. He is survived his talents and gifts, by his one remaining brother, James, and by said of the late his nephews Joseph, Vincent, Gerard and bishop “He was held in high regard and especially in education.” Edward and his nieces Elizabeth, Margaret, was nominated bishop at an extraordinar- Lisa and Anne-Marie. ily young age in recognition of his talents and gifts, especially in education. + Leo Cushley Tributes to the former Archbishop of were immediate and heartfelt, with friend “He enjoyed a distinguished time as Bish- and fellow priest Fr Paul Capaldi recalling op and, as a priest of our Archdiocese, he St Andrews and Edinburgh him as “a great pastoral bishop, much loved is remembered with affection and respect. by his priests.” May he rest in peace.” (See also pages 8-13)

Diocese of Dunkeld Catholic Chaplains to Ninewells, Royal Victoria Hospitals and Roxburghe House Direct Line 07821 624124 Patients with foreknowledge of their admission to hospital should endeavour to seek the Sacrament of the Sick from their Parish Priest beforehand Please be aware that it is necessary to make an express request (using this number or via the staff) for a hospital visit, as admission lists are no longer passed on to the chaplain

NHS Tayside Switchboard 01382 660111 Use this number to request an emergency alert to be sent to the hospital pager of the priest on call www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk/hospital

page 3 it’s existence is not new. The current pan- vices delivered to a named SSVP contact St Vincent de demic has simply highlighted it. The inabil- in each LA area and that Conferences will ity to engage with digital technology due to have identified older people and families lack of finances to purchase a device and with children who would benefit from re- Paul champions Wi-Fi connection and the lack of personal ceiving a free iPad with 24 months of free support to learn the skills to use it, leaves wife connectivity.” someone digitally poor. help in the Although the programme to distribute When I first heard about the Scottish the devices ended earlier this year - the digital age Government’s initiative ‘Connecting Digi- Digital Champion initiative continues and tally’, being managed by Scottish Council SSVP is keen to help. Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), to pro- Patricia McCartney vide free iPad, internet connectivity and “To ensure the recipients are supported support to develop digital skills for older in the first 6 months of receiving their de- reports people and for families with children, I ap- vices it is a requirement that ‘Digital Cham- plied on behalf of SSVP Scotland. pions’ are identified from our SSVP mem- This time last year it would have been bers. These ‘Champions’ are not expected hard to imagine how much our lives Applications were to SCVO on a Local to be Digital experts, just someone who can would be impacted by another type of Authority basis. SSVP has Conferences in assist the recipient with using their new de- poverty which would rear its head and re- 27 LA areas, so applications were made in vice. Training and support for this will be quire action. Digital poverty. all for both the Older People and Families given by SCVO. By being generous with with Children programmes. I am pleased our time and ourselves, we will be able to As the pandemic deepened, social con- to report that 21/27 applications for Old- help families with children and older peo- tact and interaction for many people er People’s programme and 16/27 for the ple escape from digital poverty.” ceased. Families with children have strug- Families with Children programme were gled with home schooling due to lack of successful either in full or in part, giving us Patricia concludes, “Please contact me digital resources. Loneliness and isolation, a total of 231 free devices! for more information and to find out about especially for the elderly, increased. being a Digital Champion in your area.” “By the time you read this, hopefully all The term ‘Digital poverty’ is recent but grant agreements will be signed; the de- [email protected] New Catholic Education centre opens at the , Edinburgh In partnership with the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh, St Mary’s University, Twickenham will begin post- graduate courses in Catholic Education in the Gillis Centre this September, fol- lowing a delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Students at the centre will be able to fol- low a a taught programme in Catholic Edu- cation, School Leadership or Theology. St Mary’s, established in 1850, has a long his- tory of academic excellence, and students at the Gillis Centre will be able to access the same expertise throughout their studies.

The University and the Archdiocese have agreed arrangements for St Mary’s to oc- cupy part of the Gillis Centre. The Centre, located in central Edinburgh, was formerly “It’s an ideal location and is consistent with St Mary’s will provide invaluable St Margaret’s Convent and School. The an- with our Archdiocesan aim for the ad- means for Catholics to grow in the knowl- nouncement has been welcomed by the vancement of Catholic education. It will edge and love of their faith.” and Edinburgh, help support the Roman Catholic com- the Most Reverend Leo Cushley. He said, munity and give people the opportunity to “In this way we are also responding to “St Mary’s is the UK’s leading Catholic uni- study a fascinating range of subjects.” Pope Francis’ call to invest in the intellec- versity, so we’re delighted it has agreed to tual formation of the laity, and the evange- offer courses here.” “The arrangement that we have made lization of professional and intellectual life.” page 4 A recollection by Bishop Stephen Robson on the life of Sister Deirdre O’Brien, RSCJ 1931-2021

On the morning of 5th March 2021, I over by their experience, competence and received an email from Sr Margaret Pope dedication as women and as Religious, and RSCJ about the death of a very dear friend by their great zeal for the Catholic Faith. Sr and deeply valued Religious woman. The Deirdre was our Secondary RE Advisor and email read: ‘I bring you sad news - our Sister Sr Monica our Primary RE Advisor. Deirdre O’Brien died in the early hours of this morning, in Dublin. She had been strug- Further, once my term of office as Vicar gling with ill health really since she returned Episcopal for Education concluded in 1997, home from her mission in the Far East.’ and I was appointed to the Staff of the Pon- tifical in Rome, my friend- While I was deeply grateful to Sr Mar- ship with these Religious continued and garet for this news, it did not begin to de- deepened. scribe the half of this wonderful woman Religious. In 1995, I was surprised but delighted to hear that, at the age of 61, Sr Deirdre had Sr Deirdre and I first met many years ago, petitioned her Provincial Superior to spend When Sr Deirdre returned to Scotland in in the 1980s, along with another wonderful time in Communist China as a teacher of 2016, and our friendship was renewed. But Sacred Heart sister, Sr Monica MacDonald, English as a Foreign Language. It was to be- it was sadly one day at the Kilgraston ‘Gar- who is still happily with us in Dalkeith. The come Sr Deirdre’s crowning glory. den Cottage’ Retreat Centre, while we were Religious of the Sacred Heart are a much- sharing our recent experiences with each loved, once very large, Community of Re- She was to be in China for the following other, that Deirdre took a severe stroke in ligious women working in many countries, 15 years. Once her training was completed, my presence. She never really recovered but in Scotland especially in the of Deirdre left for China – inspired perhaps by from that. She was moved back to Dublin, St Andrews and Edinburgh and Dunkeld. an uncle who had been a Jesuit: it seemed but never really settled. It was in Cedar China was in her blood. She worked in the House, in her home city, that she returned Their wonderful and long-lasting con- City of Xian Medical School in the Shanxi to the good God she had served all her life. tribution to Catholic Life in Scotland was Province and quickly learned to know and And a part of her heart must be left in her to be particularly in the service of Catho- love the Chinese people. She had many beloved China too! lic Education. For many decades they Chinese correspondents up until the day trained generations of Catholic Teachers she died. Deirdre was born in 1931 in Dublin, the for both Primary and Secondary Schools in daughter of an Irish country vet and, if I Craiglockhart College of Education for the I shall never forget having the great privi- remember correctly, sister to several older Eastern Province of Scotland. Perhaps their lege to seeing her off at the airport in Ed- brothers. She entered the Religious of the greatest contribution was in the develop- inburgh. She had asked for something of- Sacred Heart in 1950 at the age of 19. She ment and promotion of Religious Educa- ficially strictly forbidden! She asked me for had spent many years in several Convents tion. a pyx with 30 consecrated hosts to serve and Colleges of the RSCJ in both Ireland her spiritual needs for the first month in and Scotland, mostly in the apostolate of My predecessor as Bishop of Dunkeld, her new land. She believed that it would Catholic Education. She died on 5th March Bishop Vincent Logan - recently deceased be difficult for her to survive in a strange 2021 at the age of 90. - also worked with the Religious of the Sa- land without the support of her Religious cred Heart - most especially with Sr Mary Sisters and her beloved Church. However, I cannot think of a more appropriate MacPherson and great pedagogues like she quickly discovered the underground ending to this very brief obituary about Mother Mary Blount and Mother Turnbull, locally, and managed Sr Deirdre than to quote from the Gospel: who in many ways paved the way for a re- quickly to get to daily Mass, celebrating ‘Well done good and faithful servant: enter newed catechetics in our Church since the with other persecuted minority clandestine the company of your Lord!’ Second Vatican Council. Catholics there. The ecclesiastical situation for Catholics in China was, and is, far more I do not believe we shall ever really ap- When I joined the RE Team as assistant complex than she and we had previously preciate the impact that the Religious of the Vicar Episcopal with Mgr Ally Lawson in understood. Sacred Heart have had on our little part of 1989, and then as Vicar Episcopal in 1991, the Lord’s Vineyard in the east of Scotland. it was Sr Deirdre and Sr Monica, together She had several breaks after Xian – with But I believe it to have been colossal. We with the great Dundonian, Teresa Gourley, the Sacred Heart Religious in the Philip- shall be ever in their debt in general, and in a former Vice Principal of Craiglockhart pines and finally, before returning to Scot- Sr Deirdre’s in particular. College and St Andrew’s College, Bears- land, with the various wonderful seminary den, who formed the archdiocesan RE Ad- communities she helped to teach English in visory team with me. I was simply bowled Vietnam. +Stephen Robson page 5 NEWS AND PICTURES FROM AROUND THE PARISHES Edwin’s Benemerenti at St Mary Magdalene’s, Perth Watching the pennies at St Bride’s During the months of COVID-19 lock- down, with church doors closed across the country, one highland parish found a way to ‘Keep The Sunday Collec- tion Going’.

Local landowner, Mr Thomas Steuart Fothringham, helped set up a crowd fund- ing page in support of his local parish, St Bride’s in Pitlochry which includes the churches of Our Lady of Mercy, Aberfeldy and St Columba’s in Birnam, near Dunkeld. In just one year, over £2000 has been col- lected through this system and, in addi- tion, more than £400 of Gift Aid has been received. Mr Steuart Fotheringham said, “We were unable to go to Mass in Pitlochry, Birnam or Aberfeldy during the lockdown. But now you can give to the Sunday Col- lection online instead. It’s great to be able to support our parish churches in this way during the lockdown.” Residential summer course invitation for teachers and catechists at Stoneyhurst A residential summer course exploring the relationship of faith with philosophy, science and culture. Particularly helpful for Parish worker, Edwin Carlon supported here by his wife Bridget and their family, was catechists and teachers fielding commonly- suprised and delighted to receive a Papal Award for his service to the Church at St Mary Mag- asked questions around Catholicism, be- dalene’s, in Perth. Canon Steven Mulholland presented the award after Mass on Easter Sunday. sides anyone wanting to deepen their un- derstanding of the Faith. Runs 5th – 8th Charity begins at home this year for St Mungo’s Deanery August. www.christianheritagecentre.com/ events/faith-and-reason/

In St Mungo’s Deanery, the parishes of St cause of the pandemic. The Gate is a charity Bernadette’s, St Mungo’s and St Serf’s have based in the disused Ludgate Church that taken on many projects for the Third World people in need can be referred to for basic over the past few years. This year it was de- food and house supplies. Each week, sup- cided to support a project nearer to home plies handed in at Masses are taken to the and that was under a lot of pressure be- Gate to be distributed. page 6 www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk @DunkeldDiocese NEWS AND PICTURES FROM AROUND THE PARISHES St Anthony’s, Kirriemuir re-opens after reparations

Fr Tobias Okorro, parish priest at St An- nations, to the realization of this project.” thony’s, Kirriemuir and St Fergus, Forfar, welcomed his parishioners back to the Kir- “Particular mention has to be made of riemuir Church at the end of lockdown. Jim Graham and Alan Draper who success- fully applied for donations from different There had been some developments in Charity Organisations, and arranged with their absence! Last November, work began the diocese for loans. I am most grateful to to replace rotten timbers in the 34 year old all of you.” building The church re-opened on Sunday April 11. Fr Tobias expressed special gratitude to three parishes that had loaned fund to help, Fr Tobias said, “My unalloyed gratitude namely: St John’s Perth (£50,000), St An- goes to all who have contributed in no small drew’s Cathedral Dundee (£10,000), and Ss measure, especially by making personal do- Peter & Paul’s Dundee (£10,000). Celebrating First Holy Communion and Mgr O’Sullivan Confirmation at St Stephen’s, Blairgowrie takes the Holy Family online

Bishop Stephen and Fr Gregory Ummuna with the First Communicants

Parishioners at Dunblane’s Holy Fam- ily parish were delighted to find their par- ish Mass was one of the newest to make its way online. Approaching his 65th priestly anniversary, Mgr Basil O’Sullivan, who sustained his parishioners with outdoor Masses through much of lockdown, has embraced the world of livestream to the joy of his parish - but also for many of his for- mer parishioners who can now easily ‘pop Headteacher Simon McKell and Fr Gregory with Confirmation candidates in’ for a visit page 7 A dedicated and energetic colleague who had a zeal in all he did... He loved the priests and people of Dunkeld

A personal Tribute by Sadly, because of Covid, only his neph- ews Joseph and Vincent were able to be Elaine Harrison at his funeral. The others all managed to Bishop Vincent, Bishop of this Dio- attend online, a modern miracle of which cese for 32 years, and Bishop Emeri- their beloved uncle, who was allergic to tus for eight, died on January 14th technology, would have been in awe. 2021, in our diocesan care home, St Mary’s - yet another victim of Covid 19. Faith and the parish of St Mary’s Bath- Vincent Paul Logan was born in Bath- gate were central to the Logan family life, gate on June 30th 1941, to Joseph and and he always gave thanks to God for the Elizabeth (nee Flannigan) Logan. He gift of faith handed on to him by his par- was the second youngest of five boys and ents. is survived by his eldest brother James, his other brothers, John, Joseph and Bishop Vincent often spoke of run- William, having pre-deceased him. He ning with his mother and brothers of Archbishop for interview. was a much-loved brother-in-law to Es- to 7.30am Mass every day after his father That was to be his first encounter with the ther, Maeve, the late Grace, and to Celia. had gone to work. With his innate sense of man who was to be such an influence in his fun, that never left him, he also recalled life. He was also a much loved uncle to his with laughter, ringing doorbells with his nine nieces and nephews, in Scotland, Eng- younger brother Wullie on the way home Archbishop Gray accepted Vincent just land and Canada. All have fond memories from Mass, and then running away, as the before his 12th birthday and so began his of being at Mass with him wherever he bemused, bleary-eyed resident would an- journey to priesthood. He loved Blairs and was serving, of playing football in back swer the door. He also recalled his moth- always spoke of his time at the junior semi- gardens, of playing board games with him, er’s wrath at their antics. nary with great fondness. After five years of him marrying them and baptising their there, he went to Drygrange, the seminary children. He loved them to visit with their Vincent wanted to be a priest from an for the Archdiocese of St Andrews and Ed- children, especially in his retirement when early age, never anything else. His brother inburgh. Six years later, he was ordained he had more time to spend with them, and Jimmy recalls that there were more “Mass- to the priesthood in St Mary’s Cathedral, was immensely proud of them all. es” the Logan household than in the rest Edinburgh, on March 14th 1964 by Arch- of Bathgate put together as, from the age bishop Gray. of seven, Vincent would “say Mass.” He made his brothers process to the altar - his As Bishop Stephen said in his hom- “As for me, mother’s sewing machine - his host a Rich ily at the Requiem, “Priesthood for Tea biscuit, and woe betide the brother who Vincent and central to his pastoral pri- I can only stand in awe rang the bell too loudly! orities, later as a priest, and then as a bish- and admire a man who op, was the centrality for the Catholic peo- He was desperate to be an altar boy. ple of the Mass. for 40 years as a Bishop Thus when parish priest Canon Davitt said has persevered as priest one of the Logan boys was next in line - it “The Eucharist, the daily celebration of should have been Joe -Vincent, who could the Sacrifice of the Mass and the celebra- and Bishop until death.” run faster, and got home to his mother first, tion of the other sacraments gave Bishop begged her to let it be him. He loved be- Vincent all the direction he needed for ing an altar boy and the priests in his parish his main pastoral priorities. were his inspiration. - Bishop Stephen Robson’s “Among those, was an intense com- tribute to his predecessor At the age of 10, he went to Canon Dav- mitment to Catholic religious education. in his homily at Vincent’s itt and told him he wanted to be a priest. Though he did not choose it - it was Cardi- Requiem Mass in St Andrew’s The Canon chased him, saying he was too nal Gray’s ambition for Vincent, he always Cathedral, Dundee. young. Undaunted, the young Vincent went said there was another priest more suited to back the following year. He was subse- the course, formation in catechetics was to quently summoned to the Edinburgh home be his next step.” page 8 In 1966 Cardinal Gray sent him to Cor- Bishop Vincent’s first appointment after It was my pleasure, in his retirement, to pus Christi College in London, in the heady ordination was as curate to St Margaret’s, celebrate Mass regularly with him, at his days of student and theological unrest, to Davidson’s Mains, a leafy Edinburgh sub- home.” obtain a Diploma in RE. Across the road urb. from him in Notting Hill, before it was Father Vincent was then appointed Chap- trendy, as he always said, lived some “la- He had parish responsibility for Muir- lain to St Joseph’s Hospital in Rosewell, run dies of the night” who loved the handsome house, a neighbouring sprawling housing by the Sisters of Charity of SVP, for those young priest to whom they could talk so scheme. He loved his time there and would young people and children with learning openly. often recount tales of some of the charac- difficulties. One of the laymen who worked ters whom he met. with him there recalled that he was “always Following on from this, he led success- so pastoral and wonderful with people with fully, in the Archdiocese, first the Reli- It was at the youth club he ran in the par- special needs. Indeed, he gave so much gious Education programme for the faith de- ish that he met a young Edinburgh busi- care, love and attention to us all.” velopment of the Catholic children of Saint nessman, Paul Capaldi. The young Paul Andrews and Edinburgh, and he then Di- was inspired by Father Vincent, and decid- In 1981, he was appointed Parish Priest rected the Religious Education Office for a ed to follow his vocation to the priesthood. by Cardinal Gray to St Mary’s in Ratho, further 9 years, becoming Vicar Episcopal just outside Edinburgh. It was a short-lived for Education in 1977. Father Paul, now retired, was one of the appointment, as that same year, he was concelebrants at Bishop Vincent’s Req- nominated Bishop of Dunkeld by Pope His collaboration at that time with the uiem. He says, “My vocation was inspired Saint John Paul II. religious of the Sacred Heart in Craiglock- by him. I wasn’t sure how he would react hart College of Education, especially Sister when I said I was thinking of Priesthood, Mary McPherson, for whom he had a great but he did everything to help and encour- At the age of 39 he was one affection, enabled him to build up the faith age me. of the youngest bishops in of Catholic teachers and schools, still very the world. much at a time of Catholic expansion. “We were friends for over 50 years. As Bishop Stephen said in his hom- ily, “Bishop Vincent’s pastoral priorities in Dunkeld remained remarkably similarly aligned to those skills he had acquired in St Andrews and Edinburgh: involvement with Catholic education; schools, univer- sities and colleges. Helping to form good Catholic teachers, and seeking always to improve the quality of religious educa- tion and pastoral formation of his people. These remained the ambitious high-wa- ter marks for his ministry here in Dunkeld.

“Vincent was far more interested in pastoral direction than in governance. He once wrote some eloquent interven- tions to be delivered by himself from the floor of the Synod Hall of the 2001 Syn- od of Bishops on the Episcopal minis- try. As he said then, ‘such pastoral - ity and concerns are far more important to the Bishop’s ministry than management of the Institution’.

His early episcopal ministry was char- acterised by great energy and zeal. He planned a Diocesan Congress in the Caird Hall, at Pentecost 1984 with a Ral- ly led by Cardinal Suenens. It was fol- lowed through with the Congress itself at Pentecost 1985. This movement illustrat- ed Bishop Vincent’s priorities as he tried to bring the people of God together to celebrate discipleship and ministry in the church, both lay and clerical. And indeed this also helped to shape his fu- ture ministry as Bishop. The fruits of the Diocesan Pastoral Congress resulted in the Bishop Vincent is received by Pope John Paul II adoption of the American Pastoral Renew- page 9 “It has been an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to serve the priests and people of Dunkeld as their bishop and I am immensely grate- ful to countless people who have supported me loyally throughout my ministry.”

his own community, but for all Dundee’s citizens.” A sentiment which was echoed across our diocese, for he loved every par- ish, every community.

Announcing his retirement, he said, “It has been an honour, a privilege and a pleasure to serve the priests and people of Dunkeld as their bishop and I am im- Bishop Vincent greets Pope Benedict XIV mensely grateful to countless people who al Process, known as ‘Renew’, which was 1996, and in Malta the following year. have supported me loyally throughout my launched in September 1988 and which ministry.” rolled onwards through three annual ‘sea- With his great friend Bishop Maurice sons’ until 1990. Taylor, he had episcopal responsibility for He was respected across the board, the Scots College in Spain, moving the col- by ministers of other religions and was a Bishop Vincent was also much inter- lege from Valladolid to Salamanca. friend to them all. Following his death, ested in Communications, using the media messages were received from across the to spread the Good News of the Gospel, The Scottish bishops also entrusted him Christian spectrum, from ministers of oth- among his initiatives being Dunkeld News. with organising the national event at Liv- er religions, from politicians, about how ingston, which brought 10,000 people from warm, welcoming and inclusive Bishop His years in Rosewell had nurtured his parishes across Scotland, to mark the Great Vincent was. Messages were received from natural empathy for those with special Jubilee of the Year 2000 Northern Ireland, from England, from needs. His family had a long connection Holland, from Australia, from America, with , and he continued that, lead- Though there were many highlights in from Rome, all paying tribute to a man of ing the Diocesan Pilgrimage to the shrine Bishop Vincent’s time as Bishop of Dun- whom one said, “his warmth and humility for 30 years. He was personally commit- keld, there were also low times, and, in par- were deeply rooted in him.” ted to its success, and to the spread of the ticular, the killing of 16 children and their devotion to our Blessed Lady, Health of the teacher in Dunblane 25 years ago. Bishop Vincent loved Rome, and could Sick, amongst the priests and people. not believe that “a wee boy from Bathgate Along with Mgr Basil O’Sullivan, the was walking the hallowed halls of the Vati- It would be a matter of great parish priest, he was among the first on the can.” One of his great joys in recent years scene after Thomas Hamilton invaded the was to meet Pope Francis at a Papal audi- joy to him that £6500 was primary school. The memories of that day ence. Bishop Vincent had sat with the Car- raised in his memory for never left him. From that day, there was a dinal Archbishop of Buenos Aires on a bus the Dunkeld Lourdes Fund. bond between him and Mgr O’Sullivan, every day for a month going to a Synod. He whom he held in the highest regard. Bish- had tipped him for Pope when others were In the Bishops’ Conference too, Bishop op Vincent said, “I offered to stand in for sceptical. Vincent was a great influence, particu- him, to try to help him, to try to take away larly on the Commission for Priestly for- some of his pain. He would not have it. He At the audience, when he went up to mation and formation for the Permanent was there for his people, all of the people greet the Holy Father, Pope Francis clearly Diaconate - but also in many other areas. of Dunblane. Basil was the embodiment of remembered his bus companion from that He was a Member, then Chairman of the the priesthood, selfless care, compassion Synod several years before and greeted Joint Commission between the Bishops and love.” him with obvious warmth. Conference and Conference of Major Re- ligious Superiors in Scotland. He was also Bishop Vincent loved the priests and Bishop Vincent was a cultured man. He Chairman of the Board of Governors of St people of Dunkeld. It broke his heart when loved art, particularly Matisse, poetry, es- Andrew’s College of Education, Bearsden he had to resign because of ill health. In his pecially that of the mystic St John of the from 1987-1991 and members of many time as Bishop he was the “go to man” for Cross. He was a very good gardener, and other national bodies and institutions. Dundee City Council, always willing to do he inherited a love of ornithology from his anything for the city, which he loved. On father, who nurtured his own love of nature The Holy See also appointed him a the announcement of his retirement, Lord in all five boys. number of times as Pastoral Visitor of Provost John Letford said, “Bishop Logan seminaries, both in the United Kingdom in had always shown concern, not just for Vincent loved travelling in Europe, espe- page 10 cially the south of France and, in particular, response to a plea from a distraught father Nice. He went there many times, but with- who said he had nothing for his family. Af- out doubt the standout occasion was when ter his death, so many stories of his good- he celebrated Mass in Matisse’s iconic ness and compassion came to light as so chapel in Venice, a few miles from Nice, many people spoke of the ways he had qui- for the ruby wedding of his brother and sis- etly helped them and been there for them. ter-in-law Joe and Grace. The chasuble he is wearing in the photograph on his Order As Bishop, he loved the priests and of Service is an original Matisse vestment, people of Dunkeld. He also cherished his a source of great joy to him. friends, and was always there for them. His Christmas card list had around 300 names! Another highlight of his time as Bishop, as for all of Catholic Scotland, was the In his last few years his health was fail- visit of Pope John Paul II in 1982. As the ing, and his mobility became increasingly youngest Bishop in the conference, Bish- restricted, a matter of great frustration to op Vincent was principal celebrant at the him. Mass for young people at Murrayfield. It He endured a nine-month spell in hospi- was, he said, a day he would never forget tal and care, throughout that time unable to and he was grateful to his brother bishops say his daily Mass. His emotion was tangi- who gave him the honour of celebrating the ble when, on his return home, he was once Mass. more able to do so.

Bishop Vincent was an excellent leader Latterly, he was looked after at home by and organiser, but he was, above all, a pas- wonderful carers who became friends. He tor, a shepherd of his beloved flock, a man also had very good neighbours. When his who had time for everyone, who never neighbours’ daughter-in-law was left fight- Bishop Vincent in his beloved stood on ceremony, who loved people in ing for her life following the premature Matisse vestments all their guises. birth of her son, Bishop Vincent was the first person they turned to for support. he greatly appreciated. And they loved him. No matter where he went, people stopped and spoke to him. It was matter of great joy to him, just I was privileged to have an indoor meet- Countless times, even lying on a hospital over a year later, that he was able to invite ing, sanitised, masked and behind a plas- trolley in Ninewells, people would ap- the family to his chapel where he blessed tic screen, in St Mary’s with Bishop Vin- proach him and say, “Oh, Bishop Logan the baby in a very moving service. cent on Christmas Eve, 2020, the last such you confirmed me; or Bishop Logan you meeting allowed before another Covid came to our class when I was in P5.” Bishop Vincent went into St Mary’s in lockdown. March 2020, just before the first Covid He was kind and generous, choosing lockdown. I asked him, “Would you do it all again?” to put others before himself. There were His answer? “In a heartbeat! I have loved several Christmas Eves when his tree, Sadly, he did not return home, but in the every minute of my life as a priest and I complete with decorations, went out the final months of his life he was cared for so would do it all again tomorrow. I have been door, along with whatever food he had, in well by the superb staff in the home, whom so blessed by God to be his priest.” Requiescat in Pace

Would I do it all again?

In a heartbeat!

I have loved every minute of my life as a priest and I would do it all again tomorrow.

I have been so blessed by God to be his priest. Bishop Vincent greets Pope Francis

page 11 PhotosPhotos courtesy courtesy of of Elaine Elaine Harrison Harrison PriestsPriests andand peoplepeople ofof DunkeldDunkeld celebratecelebrate BishopBishop Vincent’sVincent’s EpiscopalEpiscopal SilverSilver JubileeJubilee inin 20072007 page 12 A TRIBUTE IN PICTURES

Priests and people of Dunkeld celebrate Bishop Vincent’s Episcopal Silver Jubilee in 2007 pagepage 1313 “He never lost his common touch with the people he served.” Monsignor John Canon Harty (1950-2021)

In his Homily at the Requiem Mass for his life trying to walk with Jesus, talk with “John was born on November 1st, 1950, Mgr John Harty on Thursday 28th Janu- Jesus and spend his life service Jesus and the Feast of all the Saints, to Frank and ary 2021, Bishop Stephen said: preaching Jesus.” Mary Harty, parishioners of the Parish of Holy Cross, Dixon Avenue, in Glasgow. “I think the gospel of today’s Mass is a “John had a wonderful priesthood. He Frank and Mary produced a healthy fam- beautiful gospel and highly appropriate for was an unassuming, incredibly humble, ily of four: John’s three siblings being Jo- the funeral of a priest – appropriate also for simple, straightforward, no nonsense kind seph his brother and Maureen and Eileen the mourning family of a priest. The two of priest. A priestly priest, but not a cleri- here today. In 1955, the family moved from disciples walking with Jesus who are down- cal priest. He never lost his common touch Glasgow to Perth when Frank got a pro- cast, and for the priest himself who spends with the people he served.” motion as a manager in Robertson’s fac- tory. John was Five at the time. When the time came for secondary school, and be- ing bright, aged 12 in 1962, John travelled along with many other bright youngsters from Perth on the train to Dundee to Law- side Academy.”

“Shortly afterwards, receiving what he believed to be his vocation to priesthood, John was sent by Bishop Hart, first to St Vincent’s, , in 1963 and then, in 1965 at the age fourteen to in Aberdeen, our National Junior Semi- nary, for a further four years, where he was exact contemporaries with Archbishop Philip Tartaglia among others, who became priests and who have also since died, and with and John Connolly who is present with us here today.”

“He was sent to prepare imminently for the priesthood to Valladolid in the Royal Scots College from 1968-75. And in St John’s Perth, John’s home parish, John was eventually ordained priest by Bishop William Andrew Hart on 12th July 1975, almost 46 years ago. He ended up also in the same ordination year, and the same age withing a month of each other as Mgr Mar- tin Drysdale who had studied in Rome at the same time as John, also of this diocese and who is also happily here today.”

“John was proud of his time as a seminar- ian in Spain he loved Spain and regularly took pilgrimages of friends and parishion- ers later, too, while particularly in St Pius X parish in Dundee, as parish priest. He would take pilgrimages especially to the new location of the Royal Scots College in Salamanca. John loved the Spanish culture the food and the language.”

“Not long after I came here, after nomi- nation in December 2013, I recall having had a long conversation with Mgr John and I said to him something to the effect that his CV listings of his parish appointments, particularly in the early days under Bishop page 14 to a certain extent kept at a little distance at times. Perhaps it was a sibling thing; perhaps simply that he was self-sufficient as the manly priest he was, and we priests tend to become more independent and self-sufficient - dare I say sometimes even stubborn - as we get older! But however we are as priests, we all know that without the prayer and love of our people, and the love of our own families, we would find it so dif- ficult to thrive, and to survive for ‘no man is an island’.” Hart, looked a bit like my own CV; full of person, or at least, not the full story. How “And so, I think it was a great consolation moves and changes, mainly around some of can we encapsulate the great mystery of to both Mgr John’s family, Fr Mike – who the Dundee parishes.” a man, a priest, and a divine vocation in has been so good and kind to John also, Fr a few words? Or in a few offices and ap- Brian McLean - that Fr John so meekly and “So many moves, I commented, could pointments? John the priest was also John confidently accepted the wonderful nurses lead people to think a priest was unset- the man with a wonderful pre-story of his from the hospice, and then the care of the tled or always had itchy feet, was perhaps own; in his family, Mum and Dad, brother NHS staff when he was admitted to the dreaming of the green grass on the other Joe and sisters Maureen and Eileen. Their Forth Valley Hospital, once the end seemed side of the road. But this wasn’t the case spouses and his nephews and nieces: Kevin to be so clearly in sight.” with John, neither was it with me. With and Lisa (here today); Gillian (here today), characteristic straight forwardness, and not Lynn and Grant in Australia, and John An- “John did not say much about his illness. a little of his characteristically dry humour, drew (here today) - his closest relatives who We all found ourselves skirting around the John simply said, quite starkly, that when- miss him already and amongst his closest awkward questions – about what Mgr John ever the bishop wanted someone to say collaborators and friends.” really knew and understood; had he ab- yes to a move, he called on me! For John, sorbed the awful truth that he was dying? though his early priestly life was peppered “Many of his people found him shy and It was a balancing act, as indeed so often with moves, they were only because John unassuming, humble and a good worker. it is the case: respecting privacy and confi- was prepared to move. Not necessarily be- Most knew of his dry but great sense of hu- dentiality, but also worrying about him all cause he wanted to or was unsettled. When mour; his fanatical support for Celtic (23 the same.” he became a parish priest, he enjoyed long points behind Rangers - maybe why John service in places where he was happy and and Archbishop Tartaglia went off on the “Because sometimes, it is true, when we settled: Places like Montrose, St Leonard final road to heaven this week, to petition receive the end-of-life bad news, we can and St Fergus’, St Columba’s, St Clement’s for help!).” just become so numb, that what is said to and St Pius’ X in Dundee.” us by doctors and professionals doesn’t re- “Even though in the latter two or three ally sink in.” “During his time as a priest, the obedient years of his life John was able to do a lit- and obliging John also accepted a number tle less for the people of St Mungo’s and St “I know that John’s brother Joe and sisters of diocesan offices and did them well, such Serf’s he nevertheless was in his usual way Maureen and Eileen, were able to finally as diocesan vocations director 1988-2010; just as zealous for his people and attentive reach the truth with him about John’s true Dean on two occasions for Saint Andrews to their needs – just less and less able to condition; death and dying always leaves so deanery (1989-1990) and Saint Mary‘s carry his pastoral ambition out. There were many of the awkward questions unasked. deanery (1997- 2002); diocesan director of presages of his illness, but they never really It can be the elephant in the room nobody the permanent diaconate program (1999+), concerned him too much we can only sur- wasn’t to bring up, but sometimes it just and then also for a while, national director mise, but they were there all right.” needs someone we love to take control and of ongoing formation for permanent dea- remove the fear from the unknown – and cons.” “John was a very private man and he hat- ask the question our loved ones don’t want ed people fussing over him. It did not make to ask for themselves. And in the end John’s “In November December 2005, John was him less thankful for the care and solicitude brother and sisters spent almost every wak- nominated and appointed as a Canon of the that his family and parishioners showed to- ing – and some sleeping hours - with Fr cathedral chapter, and in 2017 was nomi- wards him, he was just unhappy with being John in his last week on earth. And so when nated by Pope Francis as a Chaplain of his fussed over – even by his loving sisters and the questions were asked, and properly un- Holiness the Pope, carrying the title of hon- brother! It was just the way he was!” derstood, the end came quickly.” our of Monsignor.” “Above all, though, John was a well- “John was appointed to what was to be- rounded man, a whole priest, a pastoral “May Mgr John, Canon John, Fr John – come his final parish in 2011, just over nine man, and a pragmatist. As I said earlier, whatever name you preferred to call him, and a half years ago. John was stable and John was unassuming, incredibly humble, rest in the sleep of Christ. A good priest, happy in all his parishes, but he was par- simple, straightforward, and no-nonsense a straightforward, no-nonsense priest, a ticularly happy here in St Mungo’s and St in his priestly ministry. As a friend, he was faithful and obedient priest, and a loving Serf’s - until his illness set in.” loyal and compassionate, but even then pastoral priest has now gone to God after also reserved and intensely private. I got the lifetime of his labours, and we pray “These particulars of the life-story of a the impression that even Joe his brother and mourn for him. May the Lord wel- priest tell us, though, little about John the and his sisters Maureen and Eileen were come you into his company.” page 15 NEWS AND PICTURES FROM AROUND OUR SCHOOLS St Paul’s Academy steps up the gears in their support for SCIAF

Pupils and Staff at St Paul’s Academy, Dundee, pedalled their way to raising over £500 for SCIAF during Lent 2021. Tradi- tionally ‘Cycle for SCIAF’ was a morning at Camperdown Park doing a few circuits but with this year’s restrictions things had to different and so it was up to the intrep- id cyclists to set their own challenges. St Paul’s headteacher, Mrs Teresa Little, said, “Routes were a bit limited this year but that did not stop an amazing sum to be raised in the month. A huge thank you to all the cyclists, their sponsors and supporters.” Outdoor classroom at St John’s dedicated in Allmeria’s memory

An outdoor classroom at St John’s Acad- vice of dedication for ‘The Allmeria’. It was Headteacher at St John’s Academy, Mr Seán emy, Perth, has been named after a pupil officially opened by Allmeria’s mum, Julie Hagney, thanked all who had given their sup- who died suddenly in December. P5 pupil, Steedman, and dad, Sherriff Oliver. port and said, “I am sure Allmeria will be Allmeria Oliver passed away on December glad that her name will be heard every day 11 at the age of just nine after an unexpected Mum Julie said, “Allmeria saw this class- in this playground. Allmeria was a young girl medical emergency. room being built and was looking forward to full of imagination, full of fun, and we miss the day it opened. She would be rolling about her tremendously. The ‘Allmeria’ is a place of In her memory, pupils at the school wished in joy at the thought of it being named in her learning, a place of fun and a place for the to name the school’s new outdoor classroom honour. She was a very special girl, and the imagination. I hope Allmeria Oliver will be in her memory. On May 12, Canon Steven children in her class are very special children. proud that we have named the outdoor class- Mulholland, the school chaplain, led a ser- I just wish I could have given them all a hug.” room in her memory.” page 16 NEWS AND PICTURES FROM AROUND OUR SCHOOLS Holy Week Assemblies in St Joseph’s Primary, Dundee

Open doors for prayer@ Kilgraston

Pupils at St Joseph’s Primary, Dundee, waving their Palm branches as they take part an online assembly in the school during Holy Week. School Mr Paul Allaker, chaplain at Kilgraston Learning about the Month of Mary at St Stephen’s School, Perth reports: “As with the during the previous lockdown, the closure of Kil- graston school’s buildings has not meant the closure of school, but rather some crea- tive responses to staying together as a com- munity – albeit digitally!”

“One of the benefits of online meetings is the ability to talk easily with those in other countries; one person I have stayed in touch with is my friend Sean, the chap- lain at a girls’ school in Dublin, Ireland. Not only have we been able to pray together for our school communities, but we have shared our experiences of chaplaincy dur- ing these times.”

“As well as the resumption of online as- semblies, one initiative that we have both Fr Gregory Umunna, chaplain at St Stephen’s Primary, Blairgowrie - tells the children about used is to offer a ‘prayers@...’ school email May Devotions and the special prayers the Church has to Our Lady during May. address, for any member of the school Perth’s Polish Community First Holy Communion community to send in prayer requests.” “At Kilgraston, when the school commu- nity is together in person, we have prayer request slips in the Lady Chapel, but nat- urally people cannot make use of these at present, so this seemed like a helpful way to encourage our school community to con- tinue to join together in prayer.”

“As the chaplain, I am residential in the school and so able to collate all the prayer requests during a week and then pray them in front of the Blessed Sacrament, on be- half of those who have sent them in. Staff and pupils alike have made great use of this opportunity – thanks be to God, who con- Fr Bogdan Palka SDS with the children who received their First Holy Communion tinues to invite us into a closer relationship at St John’s, Perth. with Him!” page 17 Joyful celebrations at St Thomas’, Arbroath as the church re-opens for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion

Photo courtesy of Eddie Mahoney

Photo courtesy of Eddie Mahoney P4 (lower left) and P5 (upper left) classes preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation at St Thomas’ in Arbroath with Fr Andrew Marshall and Principal Teacher, Mrs Ellie Leith - and then (upper and lower right) P5 on their First Holy Communion with their teachers, Fr Andrew Marshall and Aiden - master of ceremonies. Confirmation Day at Our Lady’s, Perth

Bishop Stephen with pupils from Our Lady’s Primary, Perth who received the Sacrament of Confirmation at Our Lady’s Church. - photo courtesy of Lisa Brown (depute headteacher) page 18 Scotland’s Bishops open ‘Care of Creation Office’ Scotland’s Catholic Bishops have an- nounced their intention to set up a ‘Care of Creation Office’ ahead of the COP26 meet- ing in Glasgow later this year. Comment- auline Bonnar, Scotland’s ing on the decision, Bishop , the and President of Youth Development Co-ordi- the National Justice & Peace Commission nator for the Society of St Vin- Pcent de Paul, has been working from said: “On Pentecost Sunday (23 May 2021) we mark the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si, home on projects that seek to engage Pope Francis’ encyclical letter on care for young people in the society’s work. our common home. Pauline told Dunkeld News, “Youth St Vincent de Paul members are be- It reminds all Catholics of their responsi- tween the ages of 12 and 17 (second- “In November this year, Scotland (Covid bilities towards one another and the world ary school age). There are members in willing) will host the COP26 Global Cli- we live. Inspired by the Pope’s letter and SSVP groups in schools, parishes as mate change Conference in Glasgow. Lead- in preparation for the COP26 conference well as in as Ozanam Clubs.” ers from around the world will gather to taking place in Glasgow in November, the discuss what we can do better to protect Bishops’ Conference has decided to set-up Within Dunkeld Diocese there are ac- the planet. As advised by Pope Francis in a “Care of Creation Office” this year.” Bish- tive young SSVP groups in Blairgowrie and Laudato Si, we must all play our part in car- op Nolan added: “The Office’s aim will be to Perth. They are doing fantastic work both ing for our common home.” give practical advice and guidance: helping directly through giving their time and indi- dioceses and parishes assess their carbon rectly, by organising appeals and fundrais- “How we react to climate change now will footprint and discern how to work towards ers. Youth SSVP groups around the country determine what the world will look and feel carbon neutrality, it will be headed by Fr groups have made a huge difference in their like for generations in the future. Indeed, Gerard H Maguiness the General Secretary communities. the very rule book that Blessed Frederic of the Bishops’ Conference. wrote when he started the first Conference, Pauline said, “Youth SSVP is all about and which we still use today says “The So- God has honoured us by giving humanity faith in action. Members meet together in ciety’s vision goes beyond the immediate the task of being a co-operator in the work prayer and friendship, where they discuss future, looking towards sustainable devel- of creation we hope our lives enhance and how they can help those in need in their opment and protection of the environment build-up that creation and pray that the communities and plan how they are go- for the benefit of future generations.” meeting of world leaders in Glasgow later ing to do that. Their projects have ranged this year bear fruit for our planet.” The an- from gardening at nursing homes and “As such, SSVP has launched a compe- nouncement of the new office coincides hospices to helping out at a soup kitchen. tition to tie in with COP26. Both St Vin- with a National Pastoral letter from Scot- Most Youth SSVP groups are in second- cent de Paul and Blessed Frederic Ozanam land’s Bishops being distributed to all par- ary schools, with staff members supporting shared a deep desire to care for the natural ishes for Pentecost Sunday (23 May 2021) and assisting them in their works.” world, reduce wastefulness and share re- on the theme of caring for creation. sources.” “I’m counting the days till I can restart The letter marks the Sixth Anniversary of visits to schools to see all the great work Under the title Wounded World, write Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter on the envi- a story, article, poem or prayer. You can you’re doing where possible, or planning ronment, Laudato Si’ and draws attention also submit a picture along with your en- for the better days ahead. I miss all your to the Christian message, that “we are all try but this is not essential. The best entry stories of the kindness you show to those part of one human family and that we share in each Vinnie grouping (Mini, Junior around you. It’s what makes the world that a common home, means that our earth’s and Senior) will be printed in the next little bit brighter! While I’ve been working resources must be shared and used for the edition of the Ozanam News which will from home, I’ve had time to look at how we benefit of all”. be just in time for the COP26 Conference. arrange our Youth. There seemed to be a They will also be published on SSVP Scot- gap between leaving primary as an enthu- land’s website and Social Media and a cer- siastic Mini Vinnie before becoming in- tificate will be sent to the winners. volved when reaching senior secondary. To address this, we’re now having three groups Get those keyboards clicking and send your entries across our schools: Mini Vinnies P4-P7, to [email protected] by Friday 30/07/21. Junior Vinnies S1-S3 and Senior Vinnies Please include your name, address, www.dunkelddiocese.co.uk/laudatio-si/ S4-S6.” age and school @youthSSVP page 19 FocusSt Mary’s on Monastery, Kinnoull, Perth he Redemptorist Monas- the Redemptorist Fathers have helped out Sunday Mass and people still come for the tery situated on Kinnoull in countless parishes when priests were Sacrament of Reconciliation. Hill in Perth has been there unwell, needed a holiday, or the parish was vacant. St Mary’s will open again at the beginning Tsince 1868. The church is the first of June with some priests and Religious church in the world dedicated to Within the monastery over all these years Brothers and Sisters, and some individual our Lady of Perpetual Succour, there has been a very regular prayer life and lay people who wish to come for a few days since the icon had been rediscov- for many years the novices of the Order, of quiet and recollection. We are also hop- ered only one year previously. and then the theology students, received ing that in July and the months following, their training here. the groups who have been coming here for many years will start to trickle back. We live To offer a history of the monastery would A great change came in the 1970s when by faith. fill a book. It was built in a time of sectari- it was decided to open the monastery to anism, which hopefully has diminished women, and to also to initiate some ecu- In these months the community has con- considerably in recent years. However there menical outreach. There also began the tinued faithfully to pray morning, noon and was huge opposition to the construction of ministry of welcoming parish groups, so- evening, and to have a focused community what was to be the first monastery in Scot- dalities, and groups such as the Legion of Religious life. We have lit candles for the land to be built since the . Mary and the St Vincent de Paul for resi- people of the diocese and for people from dential retreats. further afield, and we continue to hold you The land, after much negotiation, was and your families in our prayers - especially purchased from the Earl of Kinnoull. In the past 20 years the ministry has be- before the shrine of our Lady of Perpetual However when the townspeople heard of come international, with groups coming Succour. this they were enraged and sent a petition from all over the world, as well as individu- to Queen Victoria and also to Parliament als from many countries seeking renewal We look forward to the lifting of restric- protesting against this “papist” edifice. To and refreshment. Our recent refurbish- tions and the ability to welcome members make matters worse, the locals refused to ment, creating over 30 ensuite room, and of our diocese – and indeed people from all connect us to water, and so the commu- our beautiful grounds attract people from over the country - to experience the peace nity could not proceed with the building. A all faiths and from none. Many people have of our prayer spaces, the warmth of our novena was made to our Lady of Perpetual experienced this place as a haven of peace, community, and the beauty of nature in our Succour, and on the ninth day a spring ap- of healing and of new life. gardens and woods. peared in the garden which kept the mon- astery in water for the following 120 years. Of course this is why it has been so diffi- The community remains grateful for Visitors can still go to the shrine, and see cult since March 2020 when we had to close your prayers and your support. God bless the water, which has continued to run. This our doors due to the pandemic. This time the diocese of Dunkeld - the home of the is the reason why the church was named in has been, one may almost say, disastrous in Redemptorists in Scotland. honour of the Mother of God. terms of finance, apostolic outreach and so- cial interaction. We have continued to offer Fr Ronald J. McAinsh, C.Ss.R. Despite the opposition, the work of the Redemptorist Fathers and Brothers began to flourish, and our archives chronicle the many, many missions and retreats being given from Kinnoull to parishes through- out Scotland and on the Islands - from Uist to Shetland and further afield.

A very noticeable feature of the life of the monastery is the welcome extended to priests and lay men for retreats. Each year retreats were offered for the priests of every diocese in Scotland and were very well at- tended; and in addition at least two retreats for lay men and often three or four were preached.

Retreats to many of the Religious hous- es in Scotland were a common feature as well as Triduums and other celebrations in parishes. And, over the past 160 years, page 20 Confirmation Day at St Anne’s, Carnoustie

Bishop Stephen Robson with Mgr Aldo Angelosanto with the candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation at St Anne’s, Carnoustie. the world. The museum holds a large se- lection of his illustrations of the people Blairs Museum opens doors of Rome. He also worked on paintings in the churches of Rome, including various to Scotland’s Catholic History Stations of the Cross and ‘The Holy Fam- ily’ and ‘The Marriage of the Virgin’ at the The Blairs Museum in Aberdeen will Pius IX was elected). These colourful im- basilica church of Sant’ Andrea delle Fratte. reopen on Friday 30th April 2021, after ages all clearly depict real individuals and This church later became the titular church an extended period of closure arising give a lively impression of life in Rome at of Thomas Joseph Cardinal Winning.” A se- from the COVID pandemic. Blairs Muse- this time. Commenting on the reopening, lection of the relics and unusual liturgical um offers a unique insight into Scotland’s Museum Curator, Elinor Vickers said: “We items held by the museum are also newly Catholic history and heritage with spec- look forward to welcoming visitors back to exhibited this year. tacular collections spanning more than the museum this year and hope that they 500 years it is located on South Deeside find our new exhibition, on the artist Capp- The museum will also be displaying all Road, Blairs, Aberdeen, housed in part of aroni, is of interest. It is exciting to be de- the treasures from the Permanent Collec- the former national junior seminary. veloping our new website which should let tion, such as the world famous Memorial everyone, no matter where, enjoy the mu- Portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, the Blairs A special exhibition this year is titled seum and its collections.” Jewel, the vestment collection and the Jaco- ‘Capparoni and the Papal Court’. It com- bite portraits. As well as the cloth of silver prises a fascinating set of hand coloured Elinor Vickers added; “Guiseppe Capp- vestments of Cardinal Henry Benedict; engravings by the artist Guiseppe Capparo- aroni (1800-1879) is an artist who deserves Bonnie Prince Charlie’s brother. ni depicting the people of the Papal Court to be better known, whose speciality was and the religious orders in Rome between his illustrations for a massive series of This museum has received a significant 1823 and 1846 (the year in which Pope books on regional and local costumes of Recovery and Resilience Grant from Mu- seums and Galleries Scotland to develop a new website.

This will enable visitors to see the mu- seum in 3D walkthroughs if they are cur- rently unable to visit. The website we also bring together information on all the col- lections belonging to the Scottish Catholic Heritage Collections Trust, not just at the museum, but also those at the University of Aberdeen; and draw attention also to the Scottish Catholic Archive at Columba House in Edinburgh.

The new website will also host online re- tail and an online schools programme as well as providing a portal to visitor infor- mation and booking and online events. page 21 ate in Biblical Theology from the Pontifi- Bishop of Dunkeld: Clerical changes cal Gregorian University in Rome with the grade Summa cum Laude. The Rt. Rev. Stephen Robson in Dunkeld Diocese 30, Lawside Road, Dundee. DD3 6BJ Following the death of Mgr John Harty As from 21st March 2021, Canon Kevin Tel 01382 225453 earlier this year, Bishop Stephen Robson Golden, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Good [email protected] announced the following clergy changes: Counsel, Broughty Ferry, and Administra- tor of St Andrew’s Cathedral, Dundee to be Vicars General: Father Michael Carrie previously Par- Parish Priest also of Our Lady of Victories, Very Rev. Mgr. Aldo Canon Angelosanto ish Priest of Our Lady of Victories, Hill- Hilltown. 67 Newton Crescent Carnousitie, Angus. DD7 6JA town, and St Patrick’s, Stobswell, was [email protected] moved St Mungo’s, Alloa as PP, as from St Fillan’s, Newport, and Our Lady Star of 21st March, 2021. the Sea, Tayport will also be added to this Very Rev. Kevin Canon Golden cluster of parishes at this time with Canon 29 Westfield Road, Father Ninian Doohan, Parish Priest of St Golden as the lead Priest. Fr Louis Uwae- Broughty Ferry, Dundee. DD5 1ED Pius X, Douglas and coordinating chaplain zuoke, resident in St Fillan’s, Newport, to [email protected] to the Ninewells Group of hospitals, to be be assistant Priest also with Canon Kevin also Parish Priest of St Patrick’s, Stobswell; Golden, to this whole parish cluster. Father Diocesan Centre Traditional Latin Mass Community to Louis will continue to reside in St Fillan’s move from St Pius X to St Patrick’s church Newport. Chancellor: also, as from 21st March, 2021. Mr Malcolm Veal B.A. [email protected] Fr Jim Walls, Spiritual Director in the Vice-Chancellor: Father Andrew Marshall, Priest-in-resi- Fr Michael Carrie dence in Arbroath, to become Administra- Pontifical Scots College in Rome, to return Finance Administrator: tor of St Thomas of Canterbury, Arbroath. to the diocese, in the summer of 2022. Bish- Miss Melissa Walton, A.C.C.A. This appointment took place on 21st Feb- op Stephen said, “I am immensely grateful [email protected] ruary 2021. to Fr Jim for continuing to carry out this Director: Very Rev. Kevin Canon Golden important national role, assisting in the 30, Lawside Road Bishop Stephen congratulated Father formation of our future priests in Rome for Dundee. DD3 6BJ Andrew on recently gaining his Licenti- the past three years.” Tel 01382 225453

World Day of Prayer for Communications Safeguarding Mr John Smith Theme - Come and See [email protected] Episcopal Vicars: This year’s theme for Communications Philip found Nathanael and said to him, Day was ‘Come and See’ (Jn 1,46). Com- ‘We have found Him of whom Moses Very Rev. Mark Cassidy municating, encountering people as and in the Law and the prophets wrote, Jesus (Vocations) Immaculate Conception where they are.World Communications son of Joseph, from Nazareth’. Nathanael 41 High Street Lochee, Dundee. DD2 3AP Day, the only worldwide celebration said to him, ‘From Nazareth? Can anything Tel 01382 611282 called for by the Second Vatican Coun- good come from that place?’ Philip replied, cil (“Inter Mirifica”, 1963), is marked in ‘Come and see’. Very Rev. Michael Freyne (Mission, Justice & Peace) most countries, on the recommendation The Presbytery, St Bernadette’s of the Bishops of the world, on the Sun- A message accompanying the theme’s an- Baingle Brae, Tullibody. FK10 2SG day before Pentecost. nouncement stated: ‘In the epochal change Tel 01259 213274 we are experiencing, in a time that obliges Mgr Ken McCaffrey, Ss Peter and Paul’s, us to social distance due to the pandemic, Very Rev. James High (Laity and Lay Organisations) Dundee, took up the theme in his parish. communication can enable the closeness 23 Market Street, Montrose. DD10 8NB He said “the words ‘Come and See’ are cen- that is necessary to recognise what is essen- Tel 01674 672208 tral to the Gospel. Before the Gospel is pro- tial, and to truly understand the meaning claimed, prior to words, there are “looks, of things.’ Very Rev. Steven Canon Mulholland (Ecumenism and Interfaith Relationships) testimonies, experiences, encounters and St John the Baptist’s, 20 Melville Street, closeness. In a word, life!” ‘We do not know the truth if we do Perth. PH1 5PY not experience it, if we do not meet Tel 01738 259371 “These words, from the Gospel of John people, if we do not participate in their Very Rev. Mgr. Basil Canon O’Sullivan JCL (1, 43-46) were chosen by Pope Francis, joys and sorrows. The old saying “God (Clergy) with the subtitle “Communicating, en- meets you where you are” can be a guide St Clare’s, Claredon Place, countering people as and where they are”. for those engaged in media or communi- Dunblane. FK15 9HB cations work in the Church. In the call of Tel 01786 822146 “Here is the full Gospel passage: ‘The the first disciples, with Jesus who went to Very Rev. Thomas Canon Shields next day, after Jesus had decided to leave encounter them and to invite them to fol- (Education) for Galilee, He met Philip and said, ‘Follow low Him, we also see the invitation to use The Presbytery, St Fillan’s me’. Philip came from the same town, Beth- all media, in all their forms, to reach people Ford Road, . PH7 3HN Tel 01764 653269 saida, as Andrew and Peter. as they are and where they live.’ page 22 Dundee Pregnancy and Parenthood Support are in search of new premises Dundee Pregnancy and Parenthood Support, DPAPS, was officially launched only 18 months ago but the number of pregnant women, parents and families who have been helped by the fledgling Joanne said, “Our aim was to make the The group are appealing for help in group is well into the hundreds. Set up service as easy to use as possible. When light of the Diocesan strategic review. as a pro-life support centre, the volun- you’re pregnant and struggling the last “We desperately need to find new prem- teer organisation offers practical help to thing you need is a load of hoops to jump ises now that the Lawside Road buildings families with clothes and equipment for through. Most requests come through Fa- are to be sold”, said Joanne. babies and children. cebook but DPAPS also has a dedicated phone line and people enquire via text, Furlough, job losses and closed busi- “It’s quite incredible how quickly the pro- WhatsApp and email. The service is also nesses may mean a growing need for the ject has grown” said Joanne McCourt who used by the Family Nurse Partnership, support that DPAPS can offer to families heads up the service. “A few of us had been health visitors and social workers when in the city. ‘Hopefully someone will come talking for some time about being able to clients are struggling for prams, cots and forward with the offer of a few spare rooms offer practical support for women facing clothing for new babies and children.” so that we can continue with the work that crisis pregnancies in Dundee. We were we’ve built up over the past 18 months’. hoping to do something along the lines of “Our Facebook posts are the main source With the Church’s teaching that every hu- the Cardinal Winning Initiative run by the of communication with the public’ said man life has intrinsic value and is deserving Sisters of the Gospel of Life in Glasgow.” Joanne, “and we’re reaching over 3000 of equal love and protection at the core of views per post. We had to put out an appeal its work, DPAPS is surely only set to grow. With Bishop Stephen’s backing and the for cots at the start of December because donation of premises the group set up the we’d run out. We ended up with over 10 CONTACT 07453 784295 prolife centre in Lawside Road late in 2019. cots in a few days.” [email protected] ‘We were quite busy from the start and were devastated when it looked like things would www.gofundme.com/f/ As restrictions have eased, the project dundee-pregnancy-and- come to a standstill because of lockdown. has also seen an increase in volunteers with parenthood-support Luckily, we had enough family members regular drivers to pick up and deliver dona- who were sharing a ‘bubble’ that we’ve nev- tions and a team of people to sort, wash and www.facebook.com/Dundee-Pregnancy-and- er had to close our doors’. store donated items. Parenthood-Support-2321535578123737 SPUC White Flower Appeal On Saturday, 22 May 2021, at , the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (Scotland) displayed 14,000 white flower images, one for every child lost to abortion in Scotland in one year, creating a ‘carpet of flowers for the un- born’. Bishop Toal blessed the physical display.

It’s not too late to donate - If you would like to sponsor a virtual flower, please visit www.whiteflower.org.uk or call SPUC Scotland - 0141 221 2094

page 23 Walking on the road to justice Fr Jim’s 290 mile pilgrimage to help Calais refugee workers Dunkeld’s Fr Jim Walls, at present the along the way for the spiritual support of Spiritual Director at Scots College, Rome, the refugees, as well as raising sponsorship plans to walk from Iona to Lindisfarne for the St Maria Skobstova House of Hos- this summer, in solidarity with all those pitality for Refugees in Calais. The house is vulnerable people who flee their homes an informal meeting place and a commu- and are treated abysmally in Europe and nity for people from Calais with a heart for Sponsorship link the UK whilst seeking sanctuary. refugees, volunteers, people from the par- https://www.justgiving.com/ ishes and refugees. crowdfunding/in-solidarity Linking the spiritual hearts of the mis- sions of St Columba and St Cuthbert, Fr Fr Jim became passionate about this pro- visiting with a local Monifieth man, Alex Jim’s pilgrimage will take 20 days, sup- ject after learning about the plight of the Holmes who is a regular volunteer at the plying in local parishes and offering Mass refugees in ‘the Jungle’ at Calais and then Calais House. Please show your support!

The Scottish Bishops added to ensure that our asylum system embodies those who are selected for organised reset- their voices to those of the values Pope Francis speaks of and pro- tlement routes.” vides a generous response to those driven England and Wales on behalf of from their homes by the many challenges Community Sponsorship the Catholic Church concerning facing our world today, such as poverty, and resettlement the New Plan for Immigration conflict, or the climate emergency.’ Pope Francis has called on Catholic com- and consequent implications munities to host refugee families and, in re- We cannot ignore our own role in this sponse, parishes across the UK have been at for the human dignity of people displacement, particularly through mak- the forefront of welcoming people through seeking sanctuary in the UK. ing significant cuts to the aid budget, Community Sponsorship. We are encour- “In his message for the World Day of which are falling upon the world’s poor- aged by the government’s commitment to a Migrants and Refugees, released this week, est people, and our status as one of the new UK Resettlement Scheme and ensur- Pope Francis calls on each of us to move largest exporters of arms, which fuel con- ing that more people can enter through the ‘towards an ever wider we’, drawing on the flicts around the world. As Pope Francis Community Sponsorship route. However, deep interconnectedness of humanity and reminds us, all of humanity is intercon- we also recognise that the impact will be recognising that all refugees and migrants nected.” limited without ambitious targets or proper are made in the image of God. He urges us support for civil society groups and urge to ‘break down the walls that separate us “Across the UK, Catholic organisations you to incorporate these into resettlement and build bridges that foster a culture of such as Caritas, the Jesuit Refugee Ser- policy as it is developed. encounter’. vice, St Vincent de Paul Society, and the Santa Marta Group, as well as many smaller Human trafficking “This year, being the 70th anniversary of groups of volunteers, are supporting our There are many shortcomings in our the UN Refugee Convention, it is especially refugee sisters and brothers. They speak society’s response the evils of human traf- pertinent to reflect on our history of wel- from a position of experience, drawing on ficking, not least in identifying victims, coming, protecting, promoting, and inte- their daily encounters. We share the con- providing them with the right support, and grating refugees. It is also a time for action cerns they have expressed about the New prosecuting those responsible for exploita- Plan for Immigration and encourage you to tion. However, these will not be solved by DUNKELD NEWS thoroughly consider submissions they have tougher border security and a less gener- made to the accompanying consultation.” ous asylum system, measures which risk Coming editions driving more people into the hands of “In particular we would like to draw your criminals. We believe in tackling trafficking 5th September 2021 attention to three areas: through combining a strong response to 28th November 2021 organised crime, with the opening of more 27th February 2022 The two-tier asylum system safe and legal routes to sanctuary, while en- Creating arbitrary divisions based on suring that victims are never criminalised.” Email your stories people’s method of entry will have pro- and photos found implications for those who need our “How we respond to those in need has support most. We know that many families profound implications for our society. We Photos need to be high resolution .jpg and individuals have no choice in the route must keep in mind that welcoming succes- [email protected] that they take and to penalise them on this sive generations of refugees has greatly en- on Twitter @DunkeldNews basis dangerously undermines the princi- riched our communities. It is therefore im- Editor - Andrew Mitchell ple of asylum. We oppose any move to treat perative that we continue to make room for differently those forced to risk their lives or people who seek safety and a home among CALL or TEXT 07806 789791 make difficult journeys to reach safety and us in the UK.” page 24