Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, East Kilbride

17/06/2026

A giant among bishops.

Today, we remember in prayer, Cardinal Thomas Winning, a son of our Diocese who died on this day 25 years ago.

Born in 1925, he grew up in St Patrick’s Parish Craigneuk and attended Our Lady’s High Motherwell. He was ordained a priest for our Diocese in 1948 and served in St Aloysius’ Chapelhall, St Mary’s Hamilton, Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral and as parish priest of St Luke’s Motherwell. In 1971 he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Glasgow and then Archbishop in 1974, succeeding Archbishop Donald Scanlan, a previous Bishop of Motherwell.

His Episcopal motto was 'Caritas Christi Urget Nos' - we are spurred on by the love of Christ.

In 1994 Archbishop Winning was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope St John Paul II. He died on 17th June 2001.

May he rest in peace. Amen.

📷 Cardinal Winning (right) with Bishop Joseph Devine.

16/06/2026

Today we celebrate the Feast of All Saints of Scotland.

Across the centuries, countless men and women have helped shape the story of faith in our nation. Some are known throughout the world, while others are known only to God. Their lives of faith, courage and devotion continue to inspire us and remind us of the rich Christian heritage of Scotland.

May their example encourage us to live our faith with confidence and joy, and may their prayers renew the Church in Scotland for generations to come.

All Saints of Scotland, pray for us.

16/06/2026

15/06/2026

Next Sunday, the Catholic Church in Scotland joins with the Church in England and Wales and Ireland in marking Day for Life.

This annual day of prayer and reflection invites us to celebrate the gift of human life and to recognise the dignity of every person from conception to natural death.

This year's theme is The Wonder of the Child in the Womb.

15/06/2026

Welcome to our newest parishioners , all baptised this weekend.

15/06/2026

14/06/2026

Take part in this years National Pilgrimage to Whithorn in honour of St Ninian on 29th/30th August accompanied by Bishop Toal. Contact Jim McKelvie at [email protected] for more info!

14/06/2026

Seeing the crowds, Jesus is moved with compassion because they are searching for hope and guidance, reminding us that God never looks on us with indifference. He calls ordinary people to share in His mission, showing that the work of building God’s Kingdom belongs to every disciple. As we pray for labourers for the harvest, may we also be ready to answer Christ’s call with generosity, faith, and courage.

13/06/2026

The Saltire proudly flies during a breezy sail to Islay last year. I love the Scotland flag! I look forward to seeing it on Sunday morning at the World Cup, something I took for granted as a youth but increasingly doubted I would ever see again.
We have all been horrified at the recent violence and intimidation unleashed on migrants by masked hooligans who claim to be ‘defending’ their nation or community. Last night this happened in several Scottish cities and towns. A rich few rewrite the ‘truth’ on social media and/or through political sound bites. Assaulting people on the basis of their ethnicity is always wrong and is no way to solve any complex issue. Most Scottish Catholics are themselves immigrants or descended from immigrants. Our history alone should form our conscience, never mind the Gospel. Christians are called to be leaven for the world and we enrich our society by witnessing to the Gospel. As your bishop I ask you to please dialogue with those you hear encouraging any form of racism and sectarianism, including within your family or social circles. Listening and honest sharing is invaluable for growth.
Back to our national flag. I wonder if those who wish to hijack the Flag of St Andrew realise that St Andrew was a foreigner from the Middle East and that our flag’s central image recalls that he gave his life in a foreign land witnessing to Jesus Christ and the universality of God’s love, a beautiful reality we are all called to share in.
+Brian