Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On behalf of all my family, I would like to thank all who have offered sympathy and prayers on the death of our mother, Mary, and my brother John’s wife, Eilidh. Thank you also for the Masses offered for the repose of their souls.
It was especially appreciated by the family, and indeed the parish community, that so many priests came to concelebrate our mother’s Requiem Mass. Thank you to all who travelled to Roy Bridge – Priests, Religious, and Lay Faithful. It was a lovely day and a worthy tribute to our mother and granny.
I am aware that others would have liked to have come to the Requiem Mass but had other commitments. At the Mass I spoke of our mother’s support of and prayers for priests and seminarians, and how she passed away on the Feast of St John Vianney, Patron of Parish Priests. A possible way to remember her again will be to attend, and for priests to concelebrate, our Annual Vocations Mass in the Cathedral on Thursday 31st August at 7pm. I think that will be a most fitting remembrance of our mother and her support for the Priesthood in Scotland, and the continued need to pray for Vocations.
On this the Feast of St Clare I send my best wishes to the Poor Clares in Bothwell, and I am sure you join with me in praying for them as they prepare for the move to St Anthony’s.
I wish the Syro-Malabar Community a very Happy Feast Day this weekend. I am sorry that I will not be able to attend as planned, but my thoughts will be with them during Sunday’s Mass and Procession at St John Ogilvie’s.
I am sorry to hear that Fr Paddy Gaffney is ill and will not to be able to celebrate his 60th Anniversary of Ordination as planned on August 15th. We pray for his speedy recovery.
Having listened to the priests who travelled to Roy Bridge I will remain with my family until after my Sister-in-law’s Funeral on Thursday. I will be back therefore for next weekend. I had arranged previously to go to Ireland for a week from 23rd to 30th August, so I will return in time for the Feast of St Aidan, the Vocations Mass, and the National Pilgrimage to Carfin.
With my prayers and best wishes, Yours in Christ, + Joseph Toal
