The 13th May Fatima Celebration at Carfin
A Week of Events to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima

“The Fatima Devotion encourages us to be Procession-jpeg
devoted to Jesus; it is a heartfelt devotion
where Jesus and Mary fill you with the spirit
of Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta” Bishop Joseph
Toal in his sermon at the Mass at Carfin on the
Feast of Our Lady gave these stirring words
of encouragement to the 400 children, staff,
parents and Fatima Devotion people gathered
to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
on May 13th.

The Bishop – on one of the first engagements since being appointed Bishop of Motherwell—reflected on the many Sacraments of Confirmation he had conferred in recent months. He drew the Children’s minds back to when they chose a special name at their Confirmation in order to centre on the life of that Saint in order to model their lives upon that person. He reminded the Children that like the apostles, they are called to be Christians and so have to witness to Christ.

Primary Schools from the Motherwell Diocese included, Our Lady and St Francis School Carfin, whose Pupils brought up the Offertory gifts, St Teresa’s Newarthill and St Vincent’s East Kilbride who did the Readings. They were joined at the Mass by 6th year Pupils from Taylor High who were on Retreat at Carfin that day.

Music for the Mass was a family affair in that John Pitcathley was at the organ and his Daughter sang the very joyful Psalm. The bidding Prayers were offered by St Paul’s Shettleston. One of the Concelebrants at the Mass was Father Joe McAuley who was there with St Lucy’s Primary Schhol. Also concelebrating was Fr Hugh O’Donnell mhm who often welcomes the Fatima Team to the Mill Hill Missionaries House at Cardonald.

One very proud School Chaplain was Father Edmund OFM who watched the Primary 7 class from the local St Francis School in the Gorbals present an hour long Play, “Our Lady Speaks at Fatima” on the Sanctuary after Mass. He said afterwards, “It has a certain memorable resonance to hear the message of Fatima articulated by children. I think many people, like myself, would have had a slight tinge of conscience to hear Nadia as Our Lady entreat us on each of her 6 apparitions to pray our Rosary every day. It also brought home to us what Bishop Toal had pointed out to the children in his sermon at Mass that each time he stands at the tomb of the 3 children in Fatima, he is touched to realise that so many Saints are young people, specially chosen to pass on the message of the love of Jesus and Mary for us all and the request for Prayer and Penance as an expression of our love for God.

Bidding Prayers

–that our Holy Father Pope Francis and all the Bishops of the world will guide the Church with loving concern for everyone. Lord hear us

–that Our new Bishop, Bishop Toal, who is here with us to-day, will take strength from the love and the support of all the people in our Diocese of Motherwell. Lord hear us

—-that our Parents, Teachers and Friends and all who have come to honour Our Lady to-day will feel the warmth of Our Lady’s welcome, and of her love for them. Lord hear us

— that as we celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, we will listen to and respond to Our Lady’s special request for Prayer and Penance for Peace. Lord hear us

—that peace with justice will come soon to the war-torn countries of Ukraine, Russia, Syria and Afghanistan.
Lord hear us

Following a perfect day for a picnic in the sun-filled grounds of Carfin, people gathered for Rosary and Benediction with Father Joe McAuley who later blessed over 100 roses which were distributed by the Children to Teachers, Parents and Friends present.

Parish Priest, Fr Francis McGachey and Co-ordinator of Our Lady’s Grotto at Carfin speaking to members of the Fatima co-ordinating Team afterwards thanked them for organising such a day of Prayer and Learning, remarking that it was an introduction to Carfin for many of the Children present, one which they would want to recall to their Families , encouraging them to come back to the National Shrine to Our Lady in Scotland.

Frank Gallacher and Mary Cassidy from the Fatima Team both agreed, “We are immensely grateful to Fr McGachey for the warmth of his welcome and his generous support for our Day’s Programme. DV we will be back again next Year!”

A day with our Lady jpeg

Children with sheep jpeg