National Youth Pilgrimage to Perth
This annual event takes place in Perth on Saturday 20 September, meeting at South Inch Park.
A full day of activities includes historic site visits, talks, and Holy Mass with Archbishop Cushley.
Schedule
12:30pm: Meet at South Inch Park (PH2 8AN), just behind Perth bus and train stations. There is parking available and public toilets nearby.
1:00pm: Opening prayer.
2:00pm: Walk to St John’s Kirk, commemorate 1750 anniversary Nicean Creed.
3:00pm: Walk to North Inch, Liturgy of Baptism.
4:00pm: Holy Mass with Archbishop Leo Cushley and Bishop Andrew McKenzie (Dunkeld Diocese) at St John's Church, Melville Street. Refreshments after Mass in hurch hall.
If you wish to join fellow pilgrims (18+) from the Archdiocese travelling by train to Perth from Stirling, Falkirk and Edinburgh please contact Sr Isabelle Dufaux FSO at youth.office@staned.org.uk
Archbishop celebrates Mass for trainee Deacons
Archbishop Cushley visited St Mary's Monastery in Kinnoull, Perth, to offer support and encouragement for men training to become deacons.
He celebrated Mass with permanent deacons, trainees and aspirants (those who have expressed an interest in joining the training programme).
Deacon Peter Traynor, of St Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Edinburgh, said: "It's an opportunity to gather as a band of men, all with one faith and one purpose - to prepare for the diaconate and to serve the Church of God.
"It's a wonderful thing to get a group of men who all sing together, who all give praise to God and you can hear it in the timbre of their voices - it's wonderful."
Archbishop Cushley said: "There's was a great spirit among the brethern at the celebration of Mass."
A permanent deacon in the Catholic Church is an ordained minister who assists the bishop and priests in service, liturgy, and charity.
He can preach, baptise, witness marriages, and perform funerals, but does not consecrate the Eucharist or hear confessions. Often married, a permanent deacon bridges the Church and the community through both spiritual and practical service.
There are nine permanent deacons serving in the Archdiocese (two retired).
The training and formation of Permanent Deacons within Scotland is overseen by the Diaconate Commission for Scotland, part of The Bishops' Conference of Scotland.
Intellectual formation is carried out in conjunction with St Mary’s University, (SMU), Twickenham, and the other pillars of formation i.e. Spiritual, Human and Liturgical formation sessions are carried out in St Mary’s Monastery, by students attending Summer Schools and residential weekends
If you want to find out more about becoming a permanent deacon please contact Deacon Ronnie Macaulay at St Joseph's in Whitburn at macaulay_ronnie@yahoo.co.uk