St Brigid's Parish

27/05/2024

Pope Francis appoints new Bishop of Dunkeld

At 12 noon today (27th May 2024) in Rome (11am BST) it was announced, that Pope Francis had nominated Fr. Andrew McKenzie as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld. Following the sad passing of Bishop-elect Martin Chambers he will succeed Bishop Stephen Robson who was Bishop of Dunkeld from 2013 to 2022 when he retired on health grounds, since when it has been administered by Canon Kevin Golden.

Reacting to his appointment, Fr. Andrew said:

“I am humbled by the trust that Pope Francis has placed in me by inviting me to be the next Bishop of the Diocese of Dunkeld. With faith in God’s guidance, and with some nervousness, I accepted his invitation.

I look forward to getting to know the priests and people of the diocese and to joining them in the work of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I take courage in the understanding that I will not be working alone, for each of us has a role to play in the work of evangelisation.

I have good memories of the diocese from a previous role as Director of Priests for Scotland when I was a regular visitor to Dundee at the invitation of Bishop Vincent Logan. I look forward to reconnecting with people and places.

I know that this has been a difficult time for the Diocese of Dunkeld with the unexpected death of Bishop Elect Martin Chambers. We remember him and continue to pray for his eternal rest.”

Responding to the news Diocesan Administrator Fr. Kevin Golden said:

The Diocese of Dunkeld joyfully receives the news of Fr. Andrew McKenzie being nominated as the Bishop of Dunkeld by our Holy Father Pope Francis. The priests, deacons, religious and lay people of Dunkeld look forward to welcoming him and the leadership he will exercise as our Shepherd. We ask of the Lord many blessings for him, and we shall keep him in our prayers each day.

Welcoming the appointment of Fr. McKenzie, the administrator of his Cathedral, Archbishop Nolan of Glasgow said:

May I congratulate Fr Andrew McKenzie on his appointment as Bishop and may I also congratulate Dunkeld Diocese who now acquires a fine priest as their leader and guide. In his 36 years of priestly service the Archdiocese of Glasgow and the wider Church in Scotland have benefited from his talent, his commitment, his perseverance, and the high standards he has set in a variety of ministries. He has shown care for parishioners and care for his fellow priests, with a devotion also to the worthy celebration of liturgy and the praise and worship of God.

Born 15th October 1964 in Glasgow. Educated at Our Lady of the Rosary Primary School (1969 – 1976); Lourdes Secondary (1976–1982); St. Peter’s College Newlands (1982-1985); Chesters College Bearsden (1985-1988).

Ordained Priest Our Lady of Lourdes 31st October 1988

Appointed assistant priest St. Michael’s Dumbarton and school chaplain to Our Lady & St. Patrick’s High School (1988-1994); Appointed assistant priest Holy Cross Croy and school chaplain to St. Ninian’s High School Kirkintilloch and to St Maurice’s High School Cumbernauld. (1994-1998)

Further study, MA Liturgical Studies St. John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA (1996-1998)

Appointed assistant priest St. Andrew’s Cathedral (1998-1999)

Appointed to the seminary staff of Scotus College (1999-2004); Visiting lecturer (2004 -2009); Director of Priests for Scotland (2004-2012).

Appointed Parish Priest St. Joseph’s Tollcross (2012-2022) and Administrator St. Joachim’s Carmyle (2013-2022); Administrator of St. Andrew’s Cathedral Glasgow (2022 – present day).

Chair of the Council of Priests (2019-2021)

Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies (2012-present day)

01/05/2024

28/04/2024

Please pray for the repose of Bishop-elect Martin, who’s funeral will take place tomorrow. A poignant sermon indeed.

21/04/2024

Announcement of New Appointments for Motherwell Clergy.

The following appointments were announced at Masses this weekend:

▪ Fr Kryzsztof Garwolinsk, PP of St Patrick’s, Shieldmuir, and St Thomas’, Wishaw, and Administrator of St Ignatius’, Wishaw, will become PP of Holy Family, Mossend.
Fr Kryzsztof will continue to minister to the Polish Community in Motherwell Diocese and will celebrate the weekly Polish Mass at Holy Family.

▪ Frs Ricklan Mallya and James Flynn of the Spiritans (Holy Ghost Fathers), at present at St Bernadette’s, Motherwell, will minister in St Patrick’s, Shieldmuir, and St Brendan’s, Motherwell, with Fr Ricklan as PP of both parishes. They will continue also as Chaplains to Wishaw University Hospital.

▪ Fr Kevin Lawrie, at present PP of St Teresa’s, Newarthill, will become PP of St Ignatius’ and St Thomas’, Wishaw.

▪ Fr Kieran Hamilton, at present PP of St Brendan’s, Motherwell, will become PP of St Teresa’s, Newarthill, and Chaplain at Taylor High School.

▪ Fr Alex Stewart, at present PP of Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Glenboig, will become PP of St Bernadette’s, Motherwell.

▪ Fr Michael Brown, at present PP of Holy Family, Mossend, will become PP of Our Lady and St Joseph’s, Glenboig.

▪ Fr Christopher Morris, who has been ministering in recent times in St Ignatius’, Wishaw, will become Administrator of St Patrick’s, Strathaven. Fr Christopher will continue as Chaplain at Our Lady’s High School, Motherwell.

The Appointments above will take place on the Weekend of 8th/9th June 2024

▪ Fr Emmanuel Ikpa, at present Administrator of St Patrick’s, Strathaven, is required to return to his own Diocese, the Archdiocese of Jos, Nigeria, and will leave Strathaven after Pentecost.

▪ Fr Michael Briody, PP of St Michael’s, Moodiesburn, for 29 years, has requested to step down as PP and to take a break from Parish Ministry. Fr Michael will leave St Michael’s after Pentecost Sunday. His Successor at St Michael’s will be announced in due course.
A special word of thanks is due to Fr Michael for his many years of ministry as priest at St Michael’s and in his earlier parishes.

▪ Deacon David Harper, also of St Michael’s, Moodiesburn, will move to St Francis Xavier’s, Carfin, on 1st May 2024.

▪ Deacon Kevin Kirby, who has been ministering in Our Lady of Lourdes, East Kilbride, since his ordination on December 8th was recently appointed to St Joseph’s, Blantyre.

▪ Fr Jim Clarke of the Xaverian Missionaries at the Conforti Centre, Coatbridge has recently been appointed as RC Prison Chaplain at HMP.
Fr Jim will succeed Deacon John Nevans, and a special word of thanks is due to Deacon John as he retires from Shotts Prison.

I thank all the priests and deacons preparing to move for their willingness to do so, and I ask God’s blessing on them and the people they will serve in their new parishes and chaplaincies.

+Joseph Toal

21/04/2024

19/04/2024

Funeral arrangements for Fr Martin Chambers, RIP have now been confirmed. Both liturgies are open to all and will also be livestreamed here on our page and YouTube channel (youtube.com/)

10/04/2024

It is with deep sorrow that we advise you of the death of Fr Martin Chambers, a priest of Galloway Diocese and Bishop-elect of Dunkeld Diocese.

Fr Chambers was to be ordained as Bishop of Dunkeld on 27th April.

Bishop Dougan of Galloway said:

“It was with a heavy heart and the deepest sadness that I learned today of the death of Fr. Martin Chambers, a priest of the Diocese of Galloway and the Bishop-Elect of the Diocese of Dunkeld. I know his family and the people of Galloway diocese who knew him and loved him will be deeply shocked and dismayed at his untimely death. Together we give thanks for the selfless service he gave to our diocese; we recognise the enormous contribution he made to support some of the poorest communities in Ecuador and we pray for the repose of his soul.”

“To know Martin was to know a man of love, enthusiasm, humour and a deep faith which enlivened all that he did.”

Bishop Dougan added:

“On behalf of the Dioses of Galloway I offer our deepest condolences and the promise of our prayers to Martin’s family as they come to terms with his loss, our prayers too are with the people of the Diocese of Dunkeld, who were preparing to welcome him as their bishop in two weeks’ time on 27 April. We give thanks to God for the great service of a selfless priest and pray for his eternal rest.”


Our Lady, Queen of priests, pray for him

May his soul rest in the peace of the Lord.

10/04/2024

A reminder that our Mass times change this week. Please join us at Mass this weekend. All are welcome!

31/03/2024

Easter Sunday: Parish Bulletin

31/03/2024

He is Risen! Alleluia, Alleluia!!

A very happy Easter to you. May the joy of the risen Lord fill you with peace and happiness in your life.

Have a wonderful Easter Sunday.

31/03/2024

Bishop Toal’s Easter Message – 2024.

I wish everyone a very Happy Easter and pray for the blessing of the Risen Lord upon us all and our world. We pray especially that the peace offered by Christ as he appeared to his disciples at Easter may reign everywhere, especially among the peoples of his own land. May new hope spring up, even among the debris of war and the awful reality of human suffering and death.

The Wellspring Project, which I recently initiated in our Diocese, seeks to encourage a new vision and a desire for growth and participation in the life and mission of the Church here in Motherwell. The Scriptures frequently use the image of water and the new growth it brings. The Easter Liturgies highlight water also, and invite us to renew our baptismal promises, revived in the new life in the Spirit poured out upon us in the Sacraments. The Wellspring Project invites our parishes in particular to respond with fervour to our baptismal calling, and to continue to celebrate our faith and to form communities of faith, hope, and love in the great mission entrusted to us by the Lord Jesus. The joy and enthusiasm of Easter does offer an opportunity to welcome and promote participation in our Parish and Diocesan Life. Easter is the time for new beginnings and fresh hope, trusting in the Lord’s abiding presence and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This Easter I ask for your support, and especially your prayers, for the Wellspring Project, as we all strive to serve the Lord with thanksgiving in our hearts and fresh vigour in our actions.

With renewed Easter greetings,
Yours in Christ,

+ Joseph Toal