Archdiocesan medals for Fife trio

Congratulations to Aileen Brown, Colin McAllister and David Brown who were presented with Archdiocesan medals by Archbishop Cushley at the weekend.

For many year Aileen Brown, of Leven, has volunteered on a weekly basis to do the finance work, including the year-end accounts, for the parish of St James in St Andrews.

Aileen (79), a former bookkeeper, retired from this role in 2021 but continued preparing the annual accounts until 2024.

She was also a member of the Fabric & Finance Committee up until September last year.

David Brown, of St Andrews, was baptised at St James’ in 1945 and attended Mass there as a child. He moved to London in his twenties before returning in 1975.

Since them he has served faithfully as sacristan and passkeeper at the Saturday Vigil Mass.

David is a retiring man and everything he does or donates to the church he does so quietly in the background.

Colin McAllister, of St Andrews, was born in the town and also attended university there.

Since 1990 Colin has single handedly tended the gardens at St James, buying plants and shrubs and keeping the garden in a beautiful state - the parish has frequently won the annual Best Garden Competition run by the town council.

He attends Mass daily and is well known throughout the town.

The Archdiocesan Medal is awarded by the Archdiocese to recognise outstanding service to the Catholic Church. The medal was established in 1975 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray.

Parishioners recognised for outstanding service

Congratulations to John Lawrence McCulloch, Anne Marie Mitchell and John Watson who each received the Archdiocesan medal from Archbishop Cushley on Thursday.

The medal recognises their outstanding service and dedication over many years at St John the Baptist Parish in Fauldhouse, West Lothian.

The trio were nominated by Fr William McQuillan who highlights their good work over many years, below.

John Lawrence McCulloch

"Lawrence was born here in 1933 has been a faithful and dedicated member of the parish his entire life.

"A much respected member of the community in Fauldhouse, with a career in finance, he dedicated his talents to the financial aspects of the parish, and indeed other parishes in the Archdiocese.

"Until recently he has administered the accounts of St John the Baptist for many parish priests over the years until he retired last year. He is still an active member of the finance committee.

"Over the years he has been a leader in fundraising activities, and obtained grants from trusts to finance parish initiatives, especially the new parish hall.

"Until recently he was also a member of the Parish Council helping arrange social functions for the parish and local community.

"A faithful gentleman, he attends daily Mass with his devoted wife, and the awarding of the medal is a great recognition of his life of service."

Anne Marie Mitchell

"Since her arrival in Fauldhouse in 1971, there is virtually no ministry or parish activity Anne Marie has not been involved in.

"Her dedication to supporting the liturgical, pastoral and social life of the parish is recognised by all.

"Presently she is one of the parish sacristans and expert flower arranger; she organises the rotas for readers and communion ministers, and is a communion minster herself.

"Her career was as a teacher in St Mary's Primary in Polbeth and she has led youth groups and youth choirs, been involved in RCIA and has organised parish pilgrimages nationally and internationally.

"She is known to many in the Archdiocese for her work at the baths in Lourdes, where she works faithfully for several weeks every year. She is a very worthy recipient of this award."

John Watson

"John has given lifelong service to the parish, especially through his incredible skill and experience as a carpenter and a craftsman.

His workmanship is visible in every part of the church and sacristy spanning back decades.

"Working with others when Canon McKeon was parish priest, he carried out major renovations to the church ceiling, and over the years has continued to enhance the beauty of the church.

"He has constructed a beautiful setting for the Christmas crib and a striking cross set outside the church during Lent and Easter; he recently redeveloped the church stall and contributed to the new crucifix above the altar.

John, a man of deep faith and prayer, combines his great skill and attention to detail with a spiritual beauty and insight to all he does, and recognition by the Archdiocese is very much deserved."

The Archdiocesan Medal for Outstanding Service to the Church was established in 1975 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray, Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Over those 43 years, only 100 or so medals have been awarded for “outstanding voluntary service” to the Church at a local level.

Moira McCrae awarded Archdiocesan Medal

Congratulations to Moira McCrae who received the Archdiocesan Medal from Archbishop Cushley yesterday (Tuesday 13 February).

She was presented with the award for her outstanding service to the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and its Fife Furniture Project.

Archbishop Cushley visited Dunfermline and was joined by Fr Syriac Palakudiyil of St Margaret's Parish and Haydn Carr, Archdiocesan President of the SSVP, along with husband Ian, family and friends to celebrate!

Moira, of Kingseat, leads the Fife Furniture Project with David Hunter, who also received the Archdiocesan Medal recently. She said she was "surprised and delighted" to receive recognition.

*Left, Moira and fellow medal recipient David Hunter get ready to cut the cake and, right, holding her certificate with Archbishop Cushley.*

Archbishop Cushley said: "So many of us in the Archdiocese are aware of the work of Moira and David in leading the brilliant work of the SSVP's Fife Furniture Project.

"They have helped a staggering number of people in need over the years, providing furniture and white goods, items which for years she crammed into her garage in Kingseat ahead of distribution by David and fellow volunteers. Congratulations to them both."

There's a great cameraderie in working together to help others...it can really move mountains.

Canon Brian Gowans, who nominated them, said: "David and Moira have helped so many families and I have called upon them often to help families in need.

"I nominated them in my capacity as Archdiocesan Vicar Episcopal for Caritas, Justice and Peace but also in my role as the Archdiocesan Spiritual Director for the SSVP. I know how humbled they are in receiving this award and I'm delighted that my nominations were accepted as they both richly deserve the Archdiocesan Medal."

"Moira added: "We need more young people to rally and come forward to help with the Fife Furniture Project. There's a great cameraderie in working together to help others...it can really move mountains."

The Fife Furniture Project supports people who have been homeless or are in need. Volunteers collect and deliver furniture and white goods to homes across Fife at no cost.

The Archdiocesan Medal for Outstanding Service to the Church was established in 1975 by Cardinal Gordon Joseph Gray, Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh. Only 100 or so medals have been awarded for “outstanding voluntary service” to the Church at a local level.

David Hunter awarded Archdiocesan medal

Congratulations to David Hunter who received a special honour at Ss John & Columba in Rosyth at the weekend.

He was presented with the Archdiocesan Medal (St Andrews & Edinburgh) from Archbishop Cushley on Saturday morning for his outstanding service to the Society of St Vincent de Paul's Fife Furniture Project.

*Archbishop Cushley presents the Archdiocesan Medal to David Hunter during Mass at Ss John & Columba in Rosyth.*

Archbishop Cushley said: "Congratulations to David. We thank him and all who volunteer for the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP) and charities in the Archdiocese who help the those in need."

David leads the Fife Furniture Project with Moira McCrae, who will receive the Archdiocesan Medal shortly.

They were both nominated for the award by Canon Brian Gowans, the Vicar Episcopal for Caritas, Justice & Peace, and Archdiocesan Spiritual Director for the SSVP.

He said: "David and Moira have helped so many families and I have called upon them to help families in need pver the years.

"David genuinely loves his work and seeing how people can move on with their lives after receiving furniture or white goods.

"I am delighted that my nominations were accepted as David and Moira richly deserved the Archdiocesan Medal."

Fr Andrew Kingham, parish priest, said: "David is a humble and modest man who devotes so much of his time to the Church. Today we recognise his work for the SSVP of which he has been a stalwart for so many years.

Haydn Carr, President of the SSVP for the Archdiocese, said: "This is a richly deserved award for such a humble and hard-working man. David epitomises everything that is good about the SSVP."

The Fife Furniture Project supports people who have been homeless or are in need. Volunteers collect and deliver furniture and white goods to those in need across Fife at no cost.