The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour’
On this Marian feast day, we celebrate Our Lady, assumed into glory through the saving power of her Son.
At the heart of today’s liturgy is the joy of that beautiful moment of Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth (Gospel). These two women, who had no expectation of pregnancy, both carry babies who will in time bring about the kingdom of God on earth. Mary’s prayer of gratitude for this great blessing prefigures the Beatitudes that her Son, Jesus, will both proclaim and live.
The First Reading is part of the revelation to St John. In his vision, a crowned woman gives birth to a son. This child is taken up to God’s throne, and the salvation of Christ is proclaimed to the nations.
The Psalm is entitled a ‘song of love’, and for the Christian it poetically describes the love of God for his people. It invites us to listen, and to turn our hearts towards God.
In the Second Reading, we return to the theme of the salvation of Christ, also proclaimed in John’s revelation. In Christ all shall be made alive.
In both of our opening readings, there is an air of triumphalism about God overcoming evil in the world. By contrast, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth in the Gospel reveals how our salvation is brought about through humility and simplicity of heart. The powerful will be brought low and the weak and humble will be raised up.
Let us pray for a joyful spirit of gratitude for God’s saving love, so that we, too, can proclaim with Mary, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord.’
(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)
ARTWORK
Master of James IV of Scotland (Flemish, about 1541)
The Getty Center, Los Angeles
Welcome
Welcome to the website of St Ninian’s Catholic Church in Knightswood, Glasgow. I hope and pray this will be a resource for spiritual nourishment for you who visit, that it will be a source of inspiration for parish outreach, allowing us to be the heart and hands of Christ for those around us, and that it will make a contribution to community building for the entire Knightswood area.
As we make our way through the year, let God’s light lift up our Spirits and our faith. May we have the courage to meet and embrace the challenges and the encounters of life with a renewed sense of purpose in the weeks and months ahead.
Thank you for visiting our website and our thanks to David Gray for permission to use his wonderful photographs of our Church.
Fr. Paul
Pope Leo's Prayer Intention for August
Click the image above to play the video
For evangelization in the city
Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community.
Visit the website of Pray With the Pope
Visit the website of Pray As You Go for a reflection on this month's video.
Latest Edition Now Online
In 2027, St. Ninian’s will celebrate 100 years of faith, worship, and service. This centenary will give us an opportunity to give thanks for our history, celebrate our parish life today, and look forward with hope to the future. To mark this occasion, a programme of events is being planned throughout the year. The Parish Centenary Group is seeking volunteers to help with planning and organisation. Any time, ideas, or skills you can offer would be most welcome.
If you would like to help, please click here complete a short questionnaire online or click here to download a copy to fill in by hand. Alternatively, send your details using the parish email address stninian@rcag.org.uk, or speak to Fr Paul, and he will pass your details to the Centenary Group. Together, let us make this centenary a joyful and faith‑filled celebration for our whole parish community.
Diocesan Structures
Click here for an important statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland about upcoming consultations on the structuring of our Scottish dioceses.
Mass Times at St Ninian's
Sunday Mass
Saturday Vigil Mass 5pm;
Sunday 11.00 am (with Children’s Liturgy) & 5.00 pm
Weekday Mass Mon - Sat:
10.00 am
Confessions
Saturday 10.30 am; 4.15 - 4.45 pm
St Ninian Mosaics
Mosaics (Opus Sectile) in the high altar above the tabernacle. The right-hand panels depict St Ninian building the White House at Whithorn, and the left-hand panels depict him preaching the Gospel to the Southern Picts.