FATHER FRANK’S LOG: 14th – 21st SEPTEMBER 2025
Since last Sunday, in St Mungo’s, we have been celebrating our annual novena to Our Lady of Sorrows. This novena has, for well over 50 years, been a special time in St Mungo’s. It started off very simply, all those years ago, with just a short reflection on each of the seven sorrows, once a day, at the altar of Our Lady of Sorrows. This took place after the evening mass. The Novena would then close with the celebration of Masses for the feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is on the 15th of September and so, no matter what day of the week it is, the novena always begins on the 7th of September, allowing for the nine days, which of course is what novena means. In later years the novena would have a much bigger feel to it, almost like a parish mission, with two sessions a day, and guest speakers, mostly Passionists, giving lengthy sermons for the nine days. I was a guest preacher myself about 25+ years ago. At some point, a period of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was added after the weekday evening sessions, culminating with the night prayer of the church. Now, in recent times, it has returned to a much simpler format again, with the realisation that, what lies at the heart of the novena is really the setting, the atmosphere, the prayerfulness, the quiet, the petitions, and the very beautiful statue of Our Lady of Sorrows being brought from the side altar to take a prominent place on the sanctuary - Mary drawing near to us in our sorrows, as we draw near to Mary in hers. All of these elements remain, except that we don’t go seeking guest speakers any more as, especially with regard to Passionists, we are too thin on the ground and far too stretched. Now, instead of big sermons, we have simple reflections, and we just do them ourselves, followed by the Novena Prayers. Since it has become simplified, I find myself entering more into it, and I find it an enormously grace-filled experience.
Last June we Passionists held our Provincial Chapter in Larne, which unfortunately I missed because of poor health. Following on from that Chapter there are a number of changes afoot in St Patrick’s Province, including St Mungo’s. As a result of my health concerns, the Provincial has asked that I take a step back from responsibilities for now to focus on, hopefully, getting my health sorted out, and then, at an appropriate time, to take a sabbatical for rest and renewal, and, just in case anybody asks, I am definitely not retiring. For one reason or another, after 50 years in religious life and 42 years of priesthood, I have never had a sabbatical, and so I appreciate the Provincial’s genuine concern and compassion, and it is probably something I need, although I never really expected it to happen, given how stretched we are in terms of numbers to sustain our present ministries, and so, I appreciate the sacrifices made by other province members to facilitate this break.
Father Gareth, once he is approved by the archbishop, will become the new parish priest of both St Mungo’s and St Roch’s. Father Gareth breaks the mould in most things, and no doubt he will break the mould in being a parish priest as well. I have no doubt he will do a great job. Father Tom Scanlon will come from Crossgar to be the new rector of the Passionist community. Father John will move on too, and his replacement will be announced in due course. Brother Conor will return to Ireland to prepare for his pending ordination as a deacon.
I expect to be still around for some time, with Father Gareth and Father Tom’s blessing, to continue medical treatment, and also to help see through the essential works here in St Mungo’s, and the house move for the Passionists from Bishopbriggs to Provanmill. Both of those things are well down the line. I ask your prayers for God’s blessing on these changes and on the two parishes going forward. I’m sure everyone will give Father Gareth and Father Tom their full support, but, as I say, I look forward to being around for a good while yet.
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
Since last Sunday, in St Mungo’s, we have been celebrating our annual novena to Our Lady of Sorrows. This novena has, for well over 50 years, been a special time in St Mungo’s. It started off very simply, all those years ago, with just a short reflection on each of the seven sorrows, once a day, at the altar of Our Lady of Sorrows. This took place after the evening mass. The Novena would then close with the celebration of Masses for the feasts of the Exaltation of the Cross and Our Lady of Sorrows. The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is on the 15th of September and so, no matter what day of the week it is, the novena always begins on the 7th of September, allowing for the nine days, which of course is what novena means. In later years the novena would have a much bigger feel to it, almost like a parish mission, with two sessions a day, and guest speakers, mostly Passionists, giving lengthy sermons for the nine days. I was a guest preacher myself about 25+ years ago. At some point, a period of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament was added after the weekday evening sessions, culminating with the night prayer of the church. Now, in recent times, it has returned to a much simpler format again, with the realisation that, what lies at the heart of the novena is really the setting, the atmosphere, the prayerfulness, the quiet, the petitions, and the very beautiful statue of Our Lady of Sorrows being brought from the side altar to take a prominent place on the sanctuary - Mary drawing near to us in our sorrows, as we draw near to Mary in hers. All of these elements remain, except that we don’t go seeking guest speakers any more as, especially with regard to Passionists, we are too thin on the ground and far too stretched. Now, instead of big sermons, we have simple reflections, and we just do them ourselves, followed by the Novena Prayers. Since it has become simplified, I find myself entering more into it, and I find it an enormously grace-filled experience.
Last June we Passionists held our Provincial Chapter in Larne, which unfortunately I missed because of poor health. Following on from that Chapter there are a number of changes afoot in St Patrick’s Province, including St Mungo’s. As a result of my health concerns, the Provincial has asked that I take a step back from responsibilities for now to focus on, hopefully, getting my health sorted out, and then, at an appropriate time, to take a sabbatical for rest and renewal, and, just in case anybody asks, I am definitely not retiring. For one reason or another, after 50 years in religious life and 42 years of priesthood, I have never had a sabbatical, and so I appreciate the Provincial’s genuine concern and compassion, and it is probably something I need, although I never really expected it to happen, given how stretched we are in terms of numbers to sustain our present ministries, and so, I appreciate the sacrifices made by other province members to facilitate this break.
Father Gareth, once he is approved by the archbishop, will become the new parish priest of both St Mungo’s and St Roch’s. Father Gareth breaks the mould in most things, and no doubt he will break the mould in being a parish priest as well. I have no doubt he will do a great job. Father Tom Scanlon will come from Crossgar to be the new rector of the Passionist community. Father John will move on too, and his replacement will be announced in due course. Brother Conor will return to Ireland to prepare for his pending ordination as a deacon.
I expect to be still around for some time, with Father Gareth and Father Tom’s blessing, to continue medical treatment, and also to help see through the essential works here in St Mungo’s, and the house move for the Passionists from Bishopbriggs to Provanmill. Both of those things are well down the line. I ask your prayers for God’s blessing on these changes and on the two parishes going forward. I’m sure everyone will give Father Gareth and Father Tom their full support, but, as I say, I look forward to being around for a good while yet.
As ever, protect yourself, your loved ones and others, and protect Christ in your lives.
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