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- October 2009
October 2009
- By Website Editor
- Published 26/10/2009
- News from Bishop Joseph
- Unrated
Renovations to the Cathedral:
The proposed renovations to the Cathedral have been under discussion for more than a year, and a strong team of advisors has been brought together to prepare and manage the work to be undertaken. The major concern has been the need to renew the heating system, and in addressing this it is also prudent to try to make the Cathedral more wind and watertight through re-pointing the stonework. It is also proposed to upgrade the current lighting system so that the Cathedral is lit more efficiently. With the approval of the Diocesan Finance Board the next stage will be to draw up a schedule of work and to look for tenders. The projected costs will be in the region of £500,000. Grant aid will be available for the outside work but not for the heating and lighting. The Cathedral parish are starting a programme of fund-raising, and I hope others will contribute also to this necessary upgrade of our beautiful Cathedral.
Year of the Priest:
The next special day of prayer I proposed to mark the Year of the Priest is the Feast of St Martin of Tours, Wednesday November 11th. St. Martin found his vocation to priesthood after his military career – a number of our priests, and of those preparing for or thinking about the priesthood, have had a previous career and bring their experience of work and civil society to their priesthood. We should recognise thisin the context of praying for future priests.
National Youth Event/Advent Youth Retreat:
A National Youth Event has been organised by Catholic Youth Service Scotland at the Gartmore House Activity Centre, near Stirling – from evening of Friday 13 November until after lunch on Saturday 14 November. Bishop Toal will be main celebrant at the final Mass at 2pm on Saturday. The theme of the gathering is: “We have set our hope on the living God” (1 Tim 4:10). The gathering includes prayer, discussion, workshops socialising, and it is for 16 – 35 year olds from across Scotland. The cost is £43 and includes Dinner, B&B, and lunch on Saturday. If you are interested please contact Fr John Paul MacKinnon ( 01871 810267) for further information.
There will be an Advent Youth Retreat at Craig Lodge, Dalmally from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November with Fr Gary Tomlan. The cost is £55 or a donation for students. Contact mail@craiglodge.org or 01838200216.
With regard to youth activities some mention is already being made about the next World Youth Day in Madrid in August 2011, so it may be good to see what interest there is in going to this and in letting Fr John Paul MacKinnon know of those who would like to take part. It would be good to gather a group together and to prepare well over the next year and a half before going to Madrid.
With my best wishes and prayers,
Yours in the Lord,
+Joseph
Rt. Rev. Joseph A. Toal
Bishop of Argyll & the Isles
The proposed renovations to the Cathedral have been under discussion for more than a year, and a strong team of advisors has been brought together to prepare and manage the work to be undertaken. The major concern has been the need to renew the heating system, and in addressing this it is also prudent to try to make the Cathedral more wind and watertight through re-pointing the stonework. It is also proposed to upgrade the current lighting system so that the Cathedral is lit more efficiently. With the approval of the Diocesan Finance Board the next stage will be to draw up a schedule of work and to look for tenders. The projected costs will be in the region of £500,000. Grant aid will be available for the outside work but not for the heating and lighting. The Cathedral parish are starting a programme of fund-raising, and I hope others will contribute also to this necessary upgrade of our beautiful Cathedral.
Year of the Priest:
The next special day of prayer I proposed to mark the Year of the Priest is the Feast of St Martin of Tours, Wednesday November 11th. St. Martin found his vocation to priesthood after his military career – a number of our priests, and of those preparing for or thinking about the priesthood, have had a previous career and bring their experience of work and civil society to their priesthood. We should recognise thisin the context of praying for future priests.
National Youth Event/Advent Youth Retreat:
A National Youth Event has been organised by Catholic Youth Service Scotland at the Gartmore House Activity Centre, near Stirling – from evening of Friday 13 November until after lunch on Saturday 14 November. Bishop Toal will be main celebrant at the final Mass at 2pm on Saturday. The theme of the gathering is: “We have set our hope on the living God” (1 Tim 4:10). The gathering includes prayer, discussion, workshops socialising, and it is for 16 – 35 year olds from across Scotland. The cost is £43 and includes Dinner, B&B, and lunch on Saturday. If you are interested please contact Fr John Paul MacKinnon ( 01871 810267) for further information.
There will be an Advent Youth Retreat at Craig Lodge, Dalmally from Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November with Fr Gary Tomlan. The cost is £55 or a donation for students. Contact mail@craiglodge.org or 01838200216.
With regard to youth activities some mention is already being made about the next World Youth Day in Madrid in August 2011, so it may be good to see what interest there is in going to this and in letting Fr John Paul MacKinnon know of those who would like to take part. It would be good to gather a group together and to prepare well over the next year and a half before going to Madrid.
With my best wishes and prayers,
Yours in the Lord,
+Joseph
Rt. Rev. Joseph A. Toal
Bishop of Argyll & the Isles