FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 8th – 15th SEPTEMBER 2024
Father Frank’s Log returns this week after a slightly longer break than usual. This is partly because I spent most of that period traversing backwards and forwards from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) where my brother had a couple of lengthy stays after taking unwell, getting home, then taking unwell again. Thankfully he is back home again and very slowly picking up to try and get back to where he was before. I was very grateful for all the prayers, concern and support I received from the parishioners both of St Mungo’s and St Roch’s, and I know the prayers will continue. I was reminded that one of my father’s jobs after he was made redundant from the Anchor Line shipyard in the 1950’s was to work on the Clyde Tunnel, and I certainly got the benefit of that tunnel on those daily journeys to and from the hospital, as did other family members. If there was a positive side to it all, we had plenty of opportunities for good family catch-ups sitting around the hospital bed.
I then decided to take some time off during the last two weeks of August so as to clear my head, catch my breath, and gear myself towards the Annual Novena in St Mungo’s to Our Lady of Sorrows which begins this weekend. I didn’t go away anywhere. I just stayed in Bishopbriggs and established a little daily routine. This consisted mainly of lying on slightly longer in bed than normal, then heading out somewhere for a nice long walk. In the late afternoons I would head to my brother for my caring duties, share a meal with him, and then head home, where I would enjoy a quiet night of reading. Due to circumstances, this has been my pattern for the last few years and I quite enjoy it. I don’t miss going further afield, and especially not the travelling, except that I don’t see friends in Ireland as often as I would like.
As always, Schoenstatt was a regular destination for me. On a number of occasions, I would head off there, an easy car journey from where we live, and start my day with a bit of prayer time in the little chapel, and by lighting a few candles for my various intentions. I would then set out into the Campsies, or perhaps take one of the walks along the John Muir or Thomas Muir Trails, or along the old Strathkelvin Railway Path. Mugdock Park has also become a favourite walking place, with nice options for a coffee and a tasty snack. I also walked the start of the West Highland Way from Milngavie. I’m blessed to have all these beautiful places within easy distance of where I live, and also not too far from my brother’s house.
One day, however, I went in a different direction and headed to Balloch. It had been many, many years since I had gone there and walked the country park and around the shores of Loch Lomond. On my arrival, I found a nice little place that had a lovely selection of breakfasts. I treated myself to Eggs Florantine (poached eggs on a toasted muffin with cooked spinach and hollandaise sauce). I washed it down with a pot of tea and I was well set up for trekking. On leaving the café, I noticed that St Kessog’s Church was open. I went inside only to discover that the 40-Hours Adoration was on. As I hadn’t been to Schoenstatt that morning I was delighted to have this opportunity for some prayer time. The parish priest there is someone whom I knew from my time in Rome in the early 1980’s. He was ordained in 1982, just a wee while before me. I noticed in the recent clergy news from the Archdiocese that some of the guys from around that time in Rome are now retiring, but I think that will still be a long way off for me. My visit sparked the memory of a mission I gave in St Kessog’s in 1986 with Father Michael Doogan. On the opening day of the mission Celtic won the league on goal difference by beating St Mirren 5-0 at Love Street, while Hearts, only needing a draw, lost 2-0 to Dundee at Dens Park. This unlikely course of events guaranteed a very successful and well attended mission. So now my break is over, the Log is back, the Novena is about to begin, and I hope it will be a very blessed time, as always, for those who attend.
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
Father Frank’s Log returns this week after a slightly longer break than usual. This is partly because I spent most of that period traversing backwards and forwards from the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) where my brother had a couple of lengthy stays after taking unwell, getting home, then taking unwell again. Thankfully he is back home again and very slowly picking up to try and get back to where he was before. I was very grateful for all the prayers, concern and support I received from the parishioners both of St Mungo’s and St Roch’s, and I know the prayers will continue. I was reminded that one of my father’s jobs after he was made redundant from the Anchor Line shipyard in the 1950’s was to work on the Clyde Tunnel, and I certainly got the benefit of that tunnel on those daily journeys to and from the hospital, as did other family members. If there was a positive side to it all, we had plenty of opportunities for good family catch-ups sitting around the hospital bed.
I then decided to take some time off during the last two weeks of August so as to clear my head, catch my breath, and gear myself towards the Annual Novena in St Mungo’s to Our Lady of Sorrows which begins this weekend. I didn’t go away anywhere. I just stayed in Bishopbriggs and established a little daily routine. This consisted mainly of lying on slightly longer in bed than normal, then heading out somewhere for a nice long walk. In the late afternoons I would head to my brother for my caring duties, share a meal with him, and then head home, where I would enjoy a quiet night of reading. Due to circumstances, this has been my pattern for the last few years and I quite enjoy it. I don’t miss going further afield, and especially not the travelling, except that I don’t see friends in Ireland as often as I would like.
As always, Schoenstatt was a regular destination for me. On a number of occasions, I would head off there, an easy car journey from where we live, and start my day with a bit of prayer time in the little chapel, and by lighting a few candles for my various intentions. I would then set out into the Campsies, or perhaps take one of the walks along the John Muir or Thomas Muir Trails, or along the old Strathkelvin Railway Path. Mugdock Park has also become a favourite walking place, with nice options for a coffee and a tasty snack. I also walked the start of the West Highland Way from Milngavie. I’m blessed to have all these beautiful places within easy distance of where I live, and also not too far from my brother’s house.
One day, however, I went in a different direction and headed to Balloch. It had been many, many years since I had gone there and walked the country park and around the shores of Loch Lomond. On my arrival, I found a nice little place that had a lovely selection of breakfasts. I treated myself to Eggs Florantine (poached eggs on a toasted muffin with cooked spinach and hollandaise sauce). I washed it down with a pot of tea and I was well set up for trekking. On leaving the café, I noticed that St Kessog’s Church was open. I went inside only to discover that the 40-Hours Adoration was on. As I hadn’t been to Schoenstatt that morning I was delighted to have this opportunity for some prayer time. The parish priest there is someone whom I knew from my time in Rome in the early 1980’s. He was ordained in 1982, just a wee while before me. I noticed in the recent clergy news from the Archdiocese that some of the guys from around that time in Rome are now retiring, but I think that will still be a long way off for me. My visit sparked the memory of a mission I gave in St Kessog’s in 1986 with Father Michael Doogan. On the opening day of the mission Celtic won the league on goal difference by beating St Mirren 5-0 at Love Street, while Hearts, only needing a draw, lost 2-0 to Dundee at Dens Park. This unlikely course of events guaranteed a very successful and well attended mission. So now my break is over, the Log is back, the Novena is about to begin, and I hope it will be a very blessed time, as always, for those who attend.
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
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