Motherwell Diocese

12/09/2026

A wonderful witness from Katie, a young person from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in East Kilbride, here in the Diocese of Motherwell.

Katie shares how her faith has given her joy, peace and a real sense of purpose, and how excited she is to help other young people discover how deeply they are loved by Jesus through The Mark 10 Mission.

Please keep Katie and all involved in The Mark 10 Mission in your prayers as they continue this important work with young people.

Hi, I’m Katie, I’m from a small town called East Kilbride in Scotland and my parish is called Our Lady of Lourdes.

Jesus is so special to me because he has been with me through the good times in my life, and the most difficult. I love knowing that I can turn to Him in everything! Jesus gives me so much joy, peace and a sense of purpose in my life, and I want to share that joy and love with so many others!

I am really looking forward to being part of The Mark 10 Mission because I’m excited to continue growing my own faith whilst helping others, especially young people, to believe that Jesus loves every single one of them for who they are!

10/09/2026

Join Care for Creation for a screening of the much-discussed People's Emergency Briefing film. Following the film there will be discussion about what actions we can all take together. Come along, watch the film and join the conversation about what kind of society and world we want to leave for future generations.
No booking required.

📆 14th September 2026
🕑 7-9pm
📍St Ninian’s Church Hall, Hamilton, ML3 9TS

05/09/2026

05/09/2026

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞 – 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 🕊️

This Sunday marks the National Pilgrimage at the Grotto — the highlight of our year and one of the most important days in the life of our beloved National Marian Shrine.
Catholics from across Scotland will gather here in our little village to celebrate Holy Mass together, share in fellowship, and honour our Blessed Lady.

🌟 This year's pilgrimage has a special significance: we commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, a saint whose love of Christ, devotion to poverty, and reverence for all creation continue to inspire the faithful worldwide.

Holy Mass will be celebrated at 3pm at the shrine of Massabielle.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Fr Jim Grant
(Guardian of The Grotto)

03/09/2026

Fr Jim Grant, Guardian of Carfin Grotto, invites any young people involved in the Caritas Award to volunteer as stewards at the National Pilgrimage to Carfin Grotto this Sunday, 6th September.

🏫 Caritas Pupils in S6 from any High School in full school uniform
📆 Sunday 6th September 2026
🕑 Report to St Francis Xavier’s Church at 2pm

03/09/2026

𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻: 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱

I note with concern the Scottish Government’s response to a recent parliamentary question on abortion law and access to later-stage abortion services. While the Government has indicated that it has no immediate plans to reform abortion law in 2026–27, it has also reaffirmed its intention to consult on the recommendations of the abortion law review advisory group and to establish a nationally commissioned later-stage abortion service in Scotland.

The advisory group, which excluded prolife voices and which adopted a principle of “non-regression” on abortion provision, lacks both legitimacy and credibility. It has made radical recommendations to the Scottish Government which, if implemented, would effectively permit abortion up to birth for any reason and remove the current requirement for two doctors to approve abortions up to 24 weeks. It is astonishing that the report also recommends that future legislation should make no reference to s*x-selective abortion, paving the way for unborn babies to be aborted simply because they are deemed to be the wrong s*x.

I recognise the real fear, pressure and hardship that can accompany an unexpected or crisis pregnancy. Women in such circumstances deserve compassion, practical assistance, emotional support and the assurance that neither they nor their children will be abandoned. A truly caring society must respond to vulnerability by offering hope and help, not by making abortion more readily available at later stages of pregnancy.

The establishment of later-stage abortion provision in Scotland, alongside proposals to weaken existing legal safeguards, raises grave moral and social questions. Every unborn child is a unique human life deserving of protection, and every mother should be supported in ways that uphold her dignity and the dignity of her child. I therefore make a direct appeal to all elected representatives who recognise the inherent dignity of every human life, to reject any further liberalisation of abortion provisions in Scotland and to oppose measures that would remove essential safeguards or further weaken protection for unborn children.

I urge the Scottish Government and all MSPs to prioritise policies that expand support for women and families, reduce the pressures that lead to abortion, and foster a culture in which every life is welcomed and protected from conception to natural death. Scotland should aspire to be a nation where compassion means standing with both mother and child.

Bishop John Keenan
President of the National Office for Marriage, Family and Life, Bishops’ Conference of Scotland

01/09/2026

COMING UP ACROSS SCOTLAND

▪️𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Saturday, 5 September 2026, 10.00am–3.00pm
Eyre Hall, Archdiocese of Glasgow Offices, Clyde Street, Glasgow, G1 4JY

The Bishops’ Conference Care of Creation Office invites you to a day of inspiration, reflection, and practical action. Dr Lorna Gold, Executive Director of the Laudato Si’ Movement, will deliver the keynote address, alongside workshops exploring how parishes, schools, and communities can care for our common home.

Register: https://bit.ly/SeasonofCreation26

▪️ 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗳𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼
Sunday, 6 September 2026, Holy Mass at 3.00pm
Carfin Grotto, Carfin

Catholics from across Scotland are invited to gather at Scotland’s National Marian Shrine for the annual National Pilgrimage. This year’s celebration will mark the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis of Assisi. Archbishop William Nolan will be the principal celebrant and homilist.

▪️𝗦𝗣𝗨𝗖 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗴𝗼𝘄 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Saturday, 19 September 2026, 10.00am–4.30pm
Destiny Church, 1120 Pollokshaws Road, Shawlands, Glasgow, G41 3QP

Join SPUC for a day of inspiring talks and practical guidance on standing up for unborn children and defending human life. The conference offers an opportunity to connect with others, share ideas, and become better equipped to support the pro-life cause.

Tickets cost £30 and include meals and access to all talks, workshops and seminars.

Book your place: https://spuc.org.uk/event/glasgow-one-day-conference-2026/

▪️𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲
Sunday 20 September 2026, 12.30pm–5.30pm
St Patrick’s Church, Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1NA

The annual Venerable Margaret Sinclair Pilgrimage brings people together to pray for her Beatification. Margaret is entombed within the Sacred Heart Chapel at St Patrick’s Church.

The day will include refreshments, a Holy Hour and Benediction, a reflection from Canon Jock Dalrymple, and Holy Mass celebrated by Archbishop Leo Cushley.

Find out more about Venerable Margaret Sinclair: https://www.margaretsinclair.scot/

▪️ 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗯𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮
Thursday, 24 September 2026, 7.00pm
Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell

The Diocese of Motherwell will welcome Archbishop Rino Fisichella to Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral for the celebration of Holy Mass. All are warmly invited to attend this special diocesan celebration.

▪️𝗣𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱: 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗪𝗲 𝗗𝗼 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲?
Saturday 3 October 2026, 10.30am–4.00pm
The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB

This event will explore the reality of poverty in Scotland through talks from speakers working on the frontline. Participants will hear what is already being done, discuss how parishes and communities can respond and consider practical ways to do more. It will also offer an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and inspire further action.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/poverty-in-scotland-can-we-do-more-tickets-1998209395091?aff=oddtdtcreator

▪️𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝘇𝗮: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘆 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀
Thursday 22 October 2026 at 7:00pm
Immaculate Conception Church Hall, 2049 Maryhill Road, Glasgow G20 0AA

SCIAF’s annual Romero Lecture, delivered by peace mediator Oliver McTernan, followed by questions, discussion and refreshments. Admission is free.

Register: https://sciaf.beaconforms.com/form/32f88aa5

▪️𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Saturday 24 October 2026
St Augustine’s Parish Centre, 12 Dundyvan Road, Coatbridge, ML5 1DQ

Catholic families from across Scotland are invited to a special day organised by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland’s Marriage, Family and Life Office. The conference will include talks for adults, catechesis for children and young people, Holy Mass, Eucharistic Adoration and a ceilidh to conclude the day.

Book your place: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/4EAU3ueKgU

▪️𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲
Saturday 31 October 2026, arrivals from 9.30am
Conforti Institute, Calder Avenue, Coatbridge, ML5 4JS

Join the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland’s Committee for Interreligious Dialogue for a one-day conference exploring the Church’s commitment to interreligious dialogue and how this can be lived out within our parishes and communities. The day will include talks, discussion, practical guidance, and opportunities for reflection.

The conference is free to attend, and a light lunch will be provided.

Register: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/Ai8qdDPULb

31/08/2026

Pope Leo’s prayer intention for September 2026

For the Care of Water
Let us pray for a just and sustainable management of water, a vital resource, so that everyone may have equal access to it.

30/08/2026

Sunday Reflection with Bishop Toal: 30 August 2026

29/08/2026

Walking Together in Hope – Why the Catholic Church Engages in Interreligious Dialogue

Join the Committee for Interreligious Dialogue of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland for a special one-day conference exploring the Church’s commitment to interreligious dialogue and how this can be lived out in our parishes and communities.

The day will include talks from Fr John Gannon, Fr Jim Lawlor and Joe Sikora, covering the history and importance of Nostra Aetate, the place of interreligious dialogue in parish life, and practical guidance for parishes wishing to take their first steps in this area.
There will also be opportunities for questions, discussion and reflection throughout the day.

📅 Saturday 31 October 2026
📍 Conforti Institute, Coatbridge
🕤 Arrivals from 9.30am
🎟️ Free to attend
🥪 Light lunch provided

Register now: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/Ai8qdDPULb