Many thanks for last weekend's collections which realised:

• Offertory £1,998.

Upcoming second collections:
Next weekend — Vocations.

Offertory Collection
As you will be aware our local bank in Clarkston closed some time ago and we are now required to deposit our cash collections further afield. If you are able to set up a standing order, with your bank's on-line banking facilities, this would be of great benefit to the volunteers who deal with the weekly collections.

For bank details please email Michael O'Connor.

Email Michael O'Connor →

If you pay income tax, please consider signing a Gift Aid form, if you have not already done so, in order that the parish can claim an extra 25% on your contribution.

For further information please email Michael O'Connor.

Email Michael O'Connor →

The Charities Trust is a useful additional way of giving to your parish. It allows parishioners and visitors to parishes to make a one-off donation.

Click here to donate to Saint Joseph's now.

Donate online now →

When making a will, please consider leaving a legacy to our parish or diocese. A gift in your will, however modest, can make a lasting difference to the life of Saint Joseph's and its mission for generations to come.

Please come along and support our after Mass coffee mornings. These run on the first Sunday of the month after 10:15am Mass, with children's craft activities, and on the second and fourth Sundays of the month after 12 noon Mass with lovely home baking.

Please get in touch if you would like to help, or to start your own! Email wjohnstone3@yahoo.co.uk.

Get in touch to help →

The latest school newsletter (March 2026) is available here. Keep up to date with all the wonderful activities and achievements of our parish primary school children.

Read the March 2026 newsletter →

If you or someone you know would benefit from financial assistance or a visit from a friendly face please get in touch.

To find out how your contributions to the SSVP boxes in the church helped others this Christmas please visit our page on the parish website.

Visit the SSVP page →

We are the Saint Joseph's Justice and Peace parish group. Our aim is to work within the Justice and Peace structure to formulate a response to justice issues locally and globally. We aim to do this by encouraging parishioners to take action through prayer, letter writing and/or appropriate non-violent actions. As the Care of Creation deanery group, we aim to work with neighbouring parishes to improve our Care of Creation. Inspired by the Laudato Si encyclical by Pope Francis.

Our main current focus are the Assisted dying bills currently going through Holyrood and Westminster. We encourage all parishioners to write against the bills to their MPs and MSPs.

For more information about all our current issues and meeting times, visit our page on the parish website.

Visit our Justice & Peace page →

If you are a parishioner at Saint Joseph's, or even an occasional visitor, it helps us a great deal if you register with us. This allows us to contact you about parish events and other relevant business. For this reason please remember to update your profile if your contact information changes.

Please access the online registration form on the Saint Joseph's Clarkston parish website here. If you require assistance email website@stjosephclarkston.com or call Chris McLaughlin on 07957644546.

Register online now →

Please email bulletin notices directly to the parish (stjosephclarkston@rcdop.org.uk) rather than use Facebook or by replying to this email. Deadline for inclusion is Thursday evening.

Email your notice →

As Father Dan is away Holy Mass will not be possible. There will be lay-led Liturgies of the Word with Holy Communion on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at 9:30am.

The Justice and Peace Group has arranged a hustings in the church hall on Monday 27th April at 7pm — an opportunity to meet and cross-examine the candidates, all of whom have been invited to attend. Entry will be on a first come basis.

Small church meeting room, Tuesday 28th April at 7:30pm. All welcome.

Do return your Wee Boxes as soon as you can, but please — no foreign coins! We have no way of changing them, they jam the counting machine and they cause problems at the bank. Thanks.

Saturday 2nd May 10am to 12 noon, Saint Joseph's church hall. £15 or whatever you can afford. Proceeds to Aoibheann Crumlish's trip to Lourdes helping sick pilgrims with Saint Margaret's Youth Group.

To book contact Lyn on 07771855472 or Aoibheann on 07419332120.

There were four £100 prizes in the draw for March. The lucky winners were Julia Rae, Beth Reilly, Ann McVey, and Martin Gault.

The parish lottery has raised £63,000 since 2022 for the upkeep of the parish buildings and grounds. Click here to join the lottery now on the parish website or contact Chris McLaughlin by phone, text, or WhatsApp on 07957644546.

The latest lottery newsletter for April can be read here.

Join the parish lottery →

For the Holyrood elections. We pray for the upcoming Holyrood elections, that the candidates may prioritise the common good. May the voters be guided by wisdom and discernment as they choose leaders who will serve Scotland with justice and compassion.

If you are a new volunteer, or one who completed Part 1 training more than two years ago, you are invited to sign up for one of the following training sessions. Please contact Sarah Jane Colhoun at the Safeguarding Office to register. Telephone 01418476138 or email safeguardingadmin@rcdop.org.uk.

• Tuesday 21st April 7pm — Diocesan Centre Paisley.
• Saturday 16th May 10:30am — Saint Mary's Greenock.
• Tuesday 9th June 7pm — Diocesan Centre Paisley.

Register for safeguarding training →

As this is the day when the Church encourages us to pray for Vocations, any men who may be discerning a Vocation to the Priesthood are invited to pray the Liturgy of the Hours together in church. This would involve reciting the Psalms and Prayers of Solemn Evening Prayer at 5pm on Sunday 26th April in a church to be confirmed.

If you would like to attend, please email the Vocations Director, Father Eoin Patten.

Email Father Eoin Patten →

The young adults talks series on the Doctors of the Church continues on Wednesday 29th April at 7pm in the Diocesan Office, with a talk on Saint Thérèse of Lisieux by Father Bernard Mournian. All young Catholics 18 to 35 are welcome.

For more information contact Father Joe McGill or Father Paul Laverty.

Email Father Joe McGill →

Bishop John invites all the faithful of the diocese to pray and fast for life on the first Fridays of the month.

The most powerful prayer gifted to the Church by our Lord is the Mass. You are warmly invited to join your priests at these Masses to pray for the culture of life and the protection of the unborn child.

The next Mass in this year's Novena will be offered in Saint John's, Port Glasgow, on Friday 1st of May at 7pm; Holy Mass will be preceded by some time for Adoration and Confessions from 6pm.

S4 to S6 pupils are invited to the next Acutis Evening for catechesis, dinner and prayer on Friday 1st May. It will take place in Saint James's church and hall (Greenock Road, Paisley) from 6pm to 8pm.

Please note that one-time registration for these events is necessary. Parents and guardians should click here.

Email Father Ryan Black for more info.

Email Father Ryan Black →

Bishop John and the Marriage, Family, and Life Commission warmly invite you to join families throughout the diocese for an afternoon of celebration and fun in honour of Mary our Mother!

The day will begin at 2pm in Saint Francis of Assisi — Port Glasgow parish hall on Sunday 17th of May, and will include prayer, games, activities for children, and refreshments for all. We will conclude with Holy Mass at 4pm, celebrated by Bishop John.

The focus of this Family Day will be: Our Lady of Fatima, Catechesis for children and families, Home baking and refreshments, Holy Rosary, and Holy Mass.

The diocesan Youth Commission invites children in P4 to P7 to a Retreat Day on Sunday 24th May from 1:45pm to 5pm. The theme is "Our Friends, the Saints: The Children of Mary." The Retreat takes place in Saint James' church and hall on Greenock Road in Paisley (PA3 2LD). It will include Holy Mass. A light dinner will be provided.

Registration is necessary — click here. Email Father Ryan Black for more info.

Email Father Ryan Black →

Bishop John Keenan warmly invites all engaged and married couples, along with their families and friends, to Saint Mirin's Cathedral Paisley on Sunday 31st May, The Solemnity of The Most Holy Trinity, to celebrate the gift of marriage! The celebration begins with Mass at 11am, followed by a reception in the Cathedral Hall. Children and family members are most welcome!

The details of those celebrating any significant anniversaries this year can be emailed to Rebecca Harrison at the Marriage and Family Office.

Email the Marriage & Family Office →

To listen to Holy Mass by phone on Sundays and holy days of obligation call 01414734869.

The Diocese of Paisley has a WhatsApp channel where you can keep up to date with all diocesan news and announcements. Due to the algorithms employed by social media companies like Facebook and X, even if you follow us there, you are likely to see only around 10% of our posts. By contrast, following our WhatsApp channel guarantees that you will see all of our communications. Follow the channel here.

Follow the WhatsApp channel →

Our Marriage and Families Commission asked us to pass onto you this resource for children attending Sunday Mass. Each week it gives the narrative on the Gospel for the day and a storyboard of the life of a Saint with a feast that upcoming week. It is free but donations welcome.

Visit https://thekidsbulletin.com/

Visit thekidsbulletin.com →

For priests in crisis: Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

A retreat will be held in Glasgow from Friday 24th April to Sunday 26th April. This confidential, supportive retreat is powerful for anyone who has been affected by their own or someone else's abortion experience.

For more information, please email Sister Andrea or call/text her on 07816942824. For more details, see Rachel's Vineyard.

Email Sister Andrea →

Join us for a Lasallian Projects Ceilidh celebrating 40 years of Lasallian community and impact. Enjoy live music, ceilidh dancing and a relaxed, welcoming evening together. Saturday 25th April from 7:30pm at Christ the King Church Hall. The ticket price includes food at the event.

Buy tickets here.

Buy tickets →

Friday 1st May to Sunday 3rd May. Pluscarden Benedictine Monastery, Elgin. Arrivals from 5pm on Friday 1st May and leaving after 12:00 noon lunch on Sunday 3rd May.

Take time to pause and reflect on your faith journey in the beautiful surroundings of Pluscarden Benedictine Monastery. This residential retreat is designed for those who have been through RCIA. The weekend will include opportunities to try different ways of praying, exploring some of the Ignatian (Jesuit) and Benedictine traditions, and sharing with others on living a reflective life. We will have time together as a group, as well as periods of silence and personal reflection.

https://www.pluscardenabbey.org/

Visit Pluscarden Abbey →

A retreat for singles, dating and engaged couples who want to think more deeply about relationships and the call to marriage. A relaxed weekend with input, prayer, discussion and social, as well as the opportunity to meet like-minded others! This year's retreat will have as its theme masculinity and femininity. Runs from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 3rd May, with the option of staying Friday night.

Click here for more information and to book.

Find out more and book →

Join the inaugural Stella Maris Lourdes Pilgrimage: Monday 25th May to Saturday 30th May 2026.

We warmly welcome serving or retired seafarers, fishers and their family members or carers to spend six grace-filled days of prayer, healing, and fellowship in the beautiful sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.

This pilgrimage will be fully funded (including travel, accommodation, and meals).

To register your interest, or request further information please contact:
John Fogarty: john.fogarty@stellamarismail.org — 07986723015.
Hugh Ramsay: hugh.ramsay@stellamarismail.org — 07432654032.

Email John Fogarty to register →

This August, Michael Riddoch will be taking part in "The Drop", a 15-mile navigation challenge which will involve him trying to find his way home with no phone, electronics, map, or compass.

He's raising funds for the Diocesan Youth Commission, which supports young people in our community, providing them with opportunities for growth, faith, and community involvement.

To sponsor Michael click here.

Thank you!

Sponsor Michael →

Saturday 6th June. We invite YOU to the National Festival of Synodality at Glasgow Caledonian University, a day inspired by Pope Francis' call to be "witnesses to synodality." The Festival will focus on Conversation in the Spirit, a simple and powerful way of communal discernment rooted in listening, conversion and mission.

The day will celebrate the fruits already flourishing in the Church in Scotland and include input from Bishop Alan McGuckian SJ, Father David McCallum SJ and Sandra Chaoul. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience Conversation in the Spirit firsthand. Lunch is included.

All are welcome, especially those involved in parish and diocesan life, pastoral councils, schools and faith organisations.

Tickets £65. Parishes and dioceses are encouraged to support those wishing to attend.

Tickets available here.

Buy tickets →

Two summer courses exploring faith, ethics and leadership for sixth form students, offered by the Christian Heritage Centre at Stonyhurst.

Join us for 6 days in the beautiful Ribble Valley to explore themes linked to The Common Good (S5, Monday 10th August to Saturday 15th August) and The Human Ecology (S6, Sunday 5th to Friday 10th July).

Meet new friends, discuss and share with peers, tutors and academics, learn new skills, develop your relationship with Christ, build your character.

Click here for more information and to book.

Find out more and book →

Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) Scotland are excited to invite you to the Camp Out for Hope! This will be a powerful event to show solidarity with our suffering and displaced Christian brothers and sisters around the world. Come along for an all-night prayer vigil, opportunities to learn how you can make a real difference in the lives of others, and time to relax and build new friendships!

Join us on Saturday 30th May to Sunday 31st May at Carfin Grotto from 8pm to 8am. Click here to sign up. Spaces are limited, so signing up is essential! Signing up is free, and there is a special fundraising element woven into this event. Every bit helps — but the more we raise the more lives are changed! £50 is a great starting point.

Email ACN Scotland or telephone 01698337470 for more information. Note that you must be age 16+ to participate.

Email ACN Scotland →