Monday 11th May 2026. Please read on for a selection of items from this week’s parish newsletters in the Diocese of Dunkeld, offering a snapshot of life around our diocese.
Diocesan Synodality Event – Journeying Together
To a packed Hall in St Mary’s Forebank Hall on Saturday 9th May, well-known author, papal biographer and Tablet correspondent, Austen Ivereigh, gave a first-class history of Journeying Together in Faith, known as Synodality, outlining its roots in Pope Francis’ participation, as Cardinal from Argentina, in the Latin American Bishops’ Conference, 20 years ago in Aparecida in South America. This was followed by the groups experiencing Conversations in the Spirit and the topics and themes gathered for reflection. A great day for all.
St. John the Baptist, Perth
Due to technical issues, the parish phone number at St John the Baptist, Perth has had to be changed. The new number is 01738 718473. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
Musical afternoon in the church hall on Tuesday 19th May from 1.30pm-3.30pm. Refreshments served. Donation £3. All welcome.
St. Thomas of Canterbury, Arbroath
Many thanks to all who celebrated Mass over the weekend. Congratulations again to those who were confirmed by Bishop Andrew on Tuesday. We look forward to the celebration of First Holy Communion on Saturday coming.
St. Mungo, Alloa and St. Serf, High Valleyfield
We will welcome Bishop Andrew to St. Mungo’s on Sunday 17th May as he joins us to celebrate Confirmations at the 9.30am Mass. Please pray for our young people who will receive this sacrament. Next Sunday, Mgr. Drysdale will say the Mass in St. Serf’s.
St. Fergus, Forfar and St. Anthony, Kirriemuir
Notes from the liturgical calendar: Our Lady of Fatima – The apparitions to the three children of Fatima took place in the summer of 1917, beginning on the 13th of May, when the ‘Lady’ asked them to pray for sinners and an end to the World War. In the final apparition on the 13th of October, the ‘Lady’ identified herself as Our Lady of the Rosary and called for prayer and conversion.
St. Fillan, Newport-on-Tay
All welcome to stay after the Sunday Mass at St. Fillan’s for tea/coffee and a chance to chat with fellow parishioners. Volunteers to join the rota are always welcome. If you would like to help occasionally, please talk to one of the team at the back of the church. Donations are always welcome and will help to keep this channel of communication open.
SS Leonard and Fergus, Dundee and St. Columba, Kirkton
Diocesan Structures: we are proposing a meeting on Tuesday, 12th May at St Columba’s Church Hall at 6.30pm, using the ‘Conversation in the Spirit’ method as suggested by the Bishops’ Conference. The following three questions will be used to focus discernment:
- Where do we see good examples of mission in our parishes, deanery, diocese and country?
- Where does mission need to develop or even begin? What are the barriers to better mission and what can encourage it?
- Does the present structure of eight dioceses in Scotland support mission? Does our diocese already have all that it needs? Would it help if we were to share resources with another diocese or dioceses? Would it help if our diocese merged with another diocese?
Please note, other parishes are also holding meetings on this topic this week – please check the newsletter for your own parish for further details.
Alpha Courses
Session 3 of the Alpha Course continues at St. James, Kinross – Thursday 21st May, 6.30-8.00pm. This course runs fortnightly and all are welcome! For course details, please visit:
https://alpha-course.app.link/go?course=gb-84693
Session 1 of the Alpha Course will begin at Our Lady of Lourdes, Perth – Wednesday 3rd June, 6.30-8.00pm. This course will run weekly and all are welcome! For course details, please visit:
https://alpha-course.app.link/go?course=gb-88459
For further information on either of these courses, or if your parish is interested in running Alpha and would like some help getting up and running, please contact Paul Allaker at:
paul.allaker@dunkelddiocese.org.uk