Scottish Catholic Observer

The Mass—which was attended by Lord Provost Sadie Docherty of Glasgow, George Black, leader of the council, and many councillors and staff from across the city—was celebrated by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia, Archbishop Emeritus Mario Conti, Mgr Paul Conroy, vicar general of Glasgow Archdiocese, Mgr Chris McElroy, administrator of St Andrew’s Cathedral, clergy and religious from the archdiocese (all pictured right).

At Sunday’s Mass, Archbishop Tartaglia called on Catholics to use the period of Advent ‘to improve their prayer life, return to Confession and give more to charity.’

“The Church is invited to come to an increased spiritual awareness during the time of Advent as we prepare for Christmas,” he said. “Very often we are put on our guard against the trivialisation and excessive commercialisation of Christmas as merely a winter festival or party season, so as to maintain its essentially Christian and religious character.

“Christmas cards and postal stamps with a religious theme are especially welcome during this time. Catholics would be encouraged to go to Confession before this great feast, to pray more, and to give to charity, so as to celebrate and genuinely enjoy Christmas with a greater faith in Christ and a greater love of God and an enhanced goodwill to all men. Advent is a time when we really look forward in Faith and hope to the wonder and to the joys of Christmas.”

The archbishop also took the opportunity to say ‘thank you once again to the Lord Provost and to the City Council for the most generous and most enjoyable reception which was provided for a multitude of people’ on the day he was installed as Archbishop of Glasgow.

In addressing the members of the council, the archbishop added that he is ‘very pleased to say that relations between the archdiocese and the council are cordial and cooperative, and this is to the benefit of this great city of Glasgow.’

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—     PIC: PAUL McSHERRY