Welcome to St Andrew's Parish, Rothesay
The Diocese of Argyll and the Isles has many parishes in some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Mountains, glens, lochs, rivers, and the sea give a dramatic background to our heritage, both past and lived. Many lives continue to give witness to our faith and how it is celebrated here.
Among the Highlands and the Islands is the Isle of Bute with its main town Rothesay and just a few hundred yards from the ferry terminal, is the magnificent Catholic Church of St. Andrew’s. Now just shy of being one hundred years old, St. Andrew’s continues to be the centre of Catholic worship in Bute.
On this website we hope to introduce you to our beautiful Church and parish, showcasing our long history and highlighting some of the many things we do today.
Feel free to browse the menu and explore the site.
4th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Today’s readings invite us to follow a lifestyle focused on humility, righteousness, integrity and mercy, challenging the worldly ways of success and happiness. They encourage us to trust in God’s protection and the promise of reward in heaven.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches the Beatitudes, revealing his own core attitudes and values. He expects his disciples to have these same qualities, which lay out the way to follow him.
Zephaniah (First Reading) urges people to be humble and do what is right; to be people of integrity and humility. The Lord will protect those living honest and just lives.
The Psalmist celebrates the Lord’s faithfulness and concern for the poor and oppressed. God acts by giving food, freedom, sight, and hope, bringing justice and lifting up those bowed down.
The Second Reading reminds us that God’s ways are different from human ways. God often works through those who seem unimportant, for human strength and status do not matter to God. Real wisdom comes from following Christ. St Paul reminds us to ‘boast in the Lord’, not ourselves.
This week, I pray for a greater trust in the Lord, asking God to help me remember always that true happiness comes from following the ways of Jesus. I also continue to remember those impacted by conflict, poverty and hunger throughout the world.
(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)
ARTWORK
From the Collection of the Artist
Click here for a short video of the artist, who is quadriplegic and paints with her mouth, describing how the painting came about.
Pope Leo's January Prayer Intention
For prayer with the Word of God.
Let us pray that praying with the Word of God be nourishment for our lives and a source of hope in our communities, helping us to build a more fraternal and missionary Church.
Visit the website of Pray With the Pope
