Page 14 - LOTN Autumn Issue 54 2023

DIOCESE

Providing community First Holy Communions

service with a smile at St Anne's, Thurso

St Columba’s Parish, Banchory have been providing a
monthly community meal for the disadvantaged in St
Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen since 2016.
Now, a joint project between members of the Banchory
Parish and the Companions of the Order of Malta,
distinguishable by their distinctive green aprons with
Maltese Cross, has been established, and the first shared
event took place on Thursday 13th July at the Cathedral.
Over 30 guests were present, who were served with pasta Beth and Matthew from St Anne's Thurso received
followed by chocolate pudding. Sounds delicious!
the Eucharist for the first time on Sunday 4th June, the
Solemnity of the Holy Trinity.

Diaconal community meeting in Elgin

ravelling to Elgin, Moray, on a grey winter’s morn,
provided an opportunity to recall the many previous
Tgatherings of the diaconal community that had
occurred over the past 35 years since the introduction
of the permanent diaconate to the Diocese of Aberdeen
in 1988. The small community of permanent deacons
who, with the full support of their wives and families,
have willingly served Christ and His Church within and
outwith this vast geographical area, wherever their
bishop had sent them. Many have now gone to their
eternal reward, some are now sick or retired, others are
currently ministering in various parishes, chaplaincies or
on other assignments, often unseen and unheralded, yet
vital to the life of the Church.
The parish church of St Sylvester’s, Elgin was packed
with worshippers of differing ages and nationalities
as we mingled anonymously amongst them. It was a Permanent deacons from the Diocese of Aberdeen met
joyful celebration of Mass with an engaging homily by together in Elgin for the first time since the pandemic
Father Colin Stewart about utilising our gifts and talents we met with parishioners for refreshments whilst raising
appropriately in the service of Christ and all people – a money for the SCIAF Middle East Appeal. Hopefully their
theme which our diaconal community discussed later valiant efforts raised a substantial amount of money for this
during lunch. After Mass, we were warmly welcomed as most worthy cause.

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