Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I wish to express my thanks to everyone who was involved in the preparation for and participation in the Pastoral Visit of His Excellency Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, Papal Nuncio to Great Britain, to the Diocese of Motherwell last weekend. I recognise that a lot of work went into the celebration of the Eucharists in the Cathedral and at Carfin, and at the Wellspring Gathering in St Bride’s Centre, and the visit to Lanark on Sunday morning. I am very grateful to you all, and hope that you enjoyed the experience.
His Excellency Archbishop Maury Buendia was most appreciative of the reception he received and was impressed by what he saw of the Scottish Catholic Church, both in Motherwell and in Paisley Dioceses. He was delighted to notice the participation of younger people and asked that we strive to include them as much as we can in the Church’s worship and mission, particularly in working for the benefit of others. He was delighted also with the gift of the silver pectoral cross in a celtic design which we presented to him.
During the Mass of Welcome in the Cathedral, Archbishop Maury Buendia blessed a statue of St Peter, which has its niche now in the Cathedral. It commemorates the visit of the Holy Father’s ambassador to Motherwell, and signals our continual prayer for Pope Francis and his successors in our Cathedral and in all our churches. Our prayer unites us in the great communion of faith with Catholics across the world, and inspires us to be living and joyful missionaries of the Lord in all we do.
At the National Pilgrimage Mass at Carfin, we were looking ahead to the Holy Year in 2025 as Pilgrims of Prayer and Hope, and we intend therefore to participate as a Diocese in the Jubilee, again emphasising our communion with Christ in his Body on earth and with the saints in heaven.
With my grateful thanks and prayers
Yours in Christ,
+ Joseph Toal
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