Fr. Michael J Kane @FrKane

I was born into a sternly Presbyterian culture. Politically, I’m more Orange than Donald Trump’s skin tone. But today I am on my knees giving thanks to the Pope. He has produced the most powerful political document of the year, taking on the greatest challenge of our times. His first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, deals with the changes which will be wrought to all our lives by artificial intelligence in the months and years ahead. AI will transform our economies and societies massively and irrevocably; it will change what it means to be human; it may even mark the end of humanity itself. If it takes the Pope to alert us to this revolution then perhaps the Reformation wasn’t such a good idea after all. ✍️ Michael Gove Article | spectator.com/article/the-po…

The Bishops of Scotland warmly welcome Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, as a timely and insightful contribution to one of the defining questions of our age. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes human life, this important document calls us to place the dignity of the human person at the heart of every technological advance. We encourage the faithful, our schools and parish communities to read, study and pray with this landmark text. To support this, the Office of Communications and Evangelisation will soon publish a parish study guide and other resources for small groups and parish use, helping communities to reflect more deeply on the opportunities and challenges of new technologies and their impact on human life. Bishop John Keenan President of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland Full text of Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Letter Magnifica Humanitas: vatican.va/content/leo-xi…

We look forward to welcoming you to St Augustine’s this weekend as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday. Weekend Masses: Saturday Vigil — 4.00pm Sunday — 10.00am, 12 noon & 5.00pm Come Holy Spirit.

Could God be calling you to the priesthood? Young men who are considering a vocation to the priesthood are invited to attend a Vocations Information Evening this Sunday evening at Cathedral House beginning at 7.30pm. The evening is an opportunity to pray, ask questions and meet others who are discerning their vocation.

A reminder of today’s opportunities for prayer at St Augustine’s. 🙏 Holy Rosary — 9.30am ✝️ Holy Mass — 10.00am ⛪ Adoration — after Mass until 7pm ❤️ Divine Mercy Chaplet — 7.00pm All are welcome throughout the day.

Please keep our young people in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation next week at St Augustine’s. Over the past months, they have been preparing through school and our parish Ignite Club, growing together in faith, prayer and understanding of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We look forward to celebrating this special occasion with them and their families.

Quietly serving our local community every week. Through our People’s Pantry, Clothing Bank, Furniture Project, Kairos Café and warm meal initiative, St Augustine’s continues to support individuals and families across Coatbridge with practical help and a warm welcome. If you or someone you know could benefit from support, please get in touch by emailing [email protected] Thank you to all of our volunteers who make this possible each week.

Join us tonight at 7.00pm for our Marian Devotions at St Augustine’s Church. During this month dedicated to Our Lady, we gather each Tuesday evening for Holy Rosary and Benediction before the Blessed Sacrament. All are welcome to come and pray with us.

We are looking for four parish representatives from St Augustine’s to attend the National Festival of Synodality at Glasgow Caledonian University on Saturday 6 June. The day will focus on listening, discernment, and Conversation in the Spirit, with speakers from across the Church sharing their experience of synodality in action. The parish will cover the cost of attendance. If you are interested in representing the parish, please email: [email protected]

One of the biggest public acts of faith in Coatbridge returns this June. The Corpus Christi Procession will take place on Sunday 7 June, beginning at 2.00pm from St Mary’s, Whifflet, and processing to St Augustine’s, Dundyvan. All First Communicants and altar servers are invited to lead the procession, and everyone is most welcome to come along. We are also looking for stewards to help guide the procession on the day. If you can help, please contact Ken Boyle on 07803 231666.

This Sunday at St Augustine’s we celebrate First Holy Communion at 12 noon. Please keep our children in your prayers as they prepare to receive the Eucharist for the first time. Their journey has taken place through school and our parish Ignite Club, and we look forward to this joyful celebration as a parish family. All are welcome to join us.

The Church is not a club turned in on itself. It is called to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News. In this powerful reflection for Communications Sunday, Bishop Frank reminds us that every Christian is called to be an evangeliser through our words, our witness, and the way we live our faith each day. From stained-glass windows to television and the digital world, the Church has always used every means possible to share the Gospel with those who need to hear it. This weekend, there will be a special collection at Masses across Scotland for Communications Sunday, supporting the work of the Office for Communications and Evangelisation. Please keep this mission in your prayers and, if you are able, support the collection at Mass or donate online via the link below. Donate here: bit.ly/CommsSunday

Tomorrow, Thursday 14 May, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, a Holy Day of Obligation in the Catholic Church. Holy Days of Obligation are days, apart from Sundays, when Catholics are called to participate in Holy Mass. Please make every effort to attend one of our Masses today.

Today, our S1 young people set off on their pilgrimage to Lourdes, a journey they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. We ask you to keep our young pilgrims in your prayers throughout their time in Lourdes that it may be a joyful and faith-filled experience for all. Thank you to everyone who has supported them on this journey.

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We’re really sorry to share that we’ve had to cancel this Saturday’s family fun day. Due to the weather, we’re unable to safely run the bouncy castle and other planned activities, especially with limited space in the hall and additional bookings upstairs. As always, health and safety has to come first. While this is disappointing, our young people are still preparing to travel to Lourdes in just a couple of weeks, and there’s still a lot to do to reach our fundraising target. If you can, please help by sharing and supporting our online efforts. Every bit of support makes a real difference. One of our pilgrims, Harrison, is taking on an incredible challenge running 5k every day to raise funds for the pilgrimage 🙌 You can support her here: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/j… Thank you so much for your continued support!

𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲: 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 The Bishops of Scotland today renew their urgent appeal to political leaders across the world to pursue peace with courage, determination, and sincerity. In a time marked by deepening conflict and human suffering, particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine, Sudan and South Sudan, the need for dialogue and diplomatic solutions has never been more pressing. War brings devastation, loss, and division. It leaves lasting wounds in families, communities, and nations, and it disproportionately harms the innocent. The Bishops call on all those in positions of authority to reject the path of escalation and instead commit themselves to meaningful dialogue, patient negotiation, and the difficult but necessary work of peacebuilding. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲. 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. Reflecting on the Holy Father’s recent Vigil for Peace held last Saturday, the Bishops highlight his powerful words: “Let us silence the weapons, so that the voice of humanity may be heard. Let us choose encounter over confrontation, and the courage of peace over the illusion of power.” The Bishops of Scotland invite Catholics across our country to join the Holy Father in this appeal. In parishes, homes, and communities, we continue to pray fervently for an end to violence and for the triumph of justice and reconciliation. The Bishops urge all people of goodwill to stand together in hope. Peace is not beyond reach - but it requires genuine humility, courage, and a shared commitment to the dignity of every human life. As the Holy Father begins his apostolic journey to several countries in Africa as a missionary of peace, we assure him of our continued prayers and solidarity.

El Papa León XIV es un hombre de bien, forjado por años de oración, estudio y cercanía con los pobres. Ello ha formado en él un corazón que se inclina ante el desvalido. Prefiere obedecer a Dios antes que a los hombres. Su valentía le viene de sus convicciones más profundas, de Dios, y no de las pasiones. Tenemos un líder coherente que nos traza un camino sin retorno: promover la paz siempre y bajo toda circunstancia.

Congratulations to all those who were baptised and recieved sacraments at our Solemn Easter Vigil tonight. Welcome into the family of the Church! Alleluia!

Lumen Christi, Deo Gratias!