St Vincent de Paul Parish

Golden Jubilee of Church 1960-2010

 Redemptorist Parish Mission

18^th September – 24^th September 2010

Building on the success of the inspirational Papal Visit to Scotland, Fr. Gerry Hill of St Vincent de Paul parish invited the Redemptorists to lead a Parish Mission in Thornliebank leading up to the feast of St. Vincent de Paul on Monday 27^th September. This week of Renewal was also part of the celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the Church.

As well as an early morning Mass and a reflection given at a later Mass, there was a Mission service each evening covering a different aspect of faith and life. The people were especially touched by a service of Healing on Monday evening which proved a gentle reflective time for a packed church.

The family celebration of Wednesday attracted a large congregation of young and old. Both St Vincent’s and Our lady of the Missions Schools were also involved in this Mission event with masses being celebrated for both school communities. The excellent choir of Our Lady of the Missions sang part of their “St. Ninian Cantata” which they proudly performed at the Papal mass at belahouston park. Some of the families attending the event said it was a great boost to their faith coming on the back of the Pope’s Mass. Each family was blessed at the end of the night with the Blessed Sacrament, and reminded that we are all called to witness to a broken world through the grace of our Baptism.

The parish event has been lead by two Redemptorist Fathers. Fr Thomas MacCarte CSsR who is based in the Redemptorist Monastery, Retreat and Spirituality centre in Perth. Many parish groups can also spend a few reflective days retreat there. Fr. Kieran Brady CSsR is based in St. Patrick’s church on the Cowgate in Edinburgh, the home of the National Shrine of the Venerable Margaret Sinclair. In fact Fr Kieran began this Mission just after a National pilgrimage to the Shrine attracting people from all over the UK. 

A Mission is a special time of Renewal for the whole parish. St Vincent’s and associated schools certainly feel they have been given a spiritual boost by the occasion. Other parishes are also preparing for this celebration of faith, Fr Kieran said the Redemptorist team were now heading to St Quivox in Prestwick to organise an event in November.

If you would like information on parish missions or becoming a ‘friend of Margaret Sinclair’ contact Fr. Kieran Brady CSsR, St Patricks Church, South Grays Close, Edinburgh. If you would like to find out about the work of the Redemptorist retreat centre or to book a few quiet days, contact St Mary’s, Hatton Road, Perth.