Welcome to St Andrew's Parish, Rothesay
The Diocese of Argyll and the Isles has many parishes in some of the most beautiful parts of Scotland. Mountains, glens, lochs, rivers, and the sea give a dramatic background to our heritage, both past and lived. Many lives continue to give witness to our faith and how it is celebrated here.
Among the Highlands and the Islands is the Isle of Bute with its main town Rothesay and just a few hundred yards from the ferry terminal, is the magnificent Catholic Church of St. Andrew’s. Now just shy of being one hundred years old, St. Andrew’s continues to be the centre of Catholic worship in Bute.
On this website we would like to introduce you to our beautiful Church and parish, showcasing our long history and highlighting some of the many things we do today.
Feel free to browse the menu and explore the site.
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
'Invite to the wedding feast as many as you find’
Today we’re shown a foretaste of salvation and how God desires the inclusion of everyone.
In the Gospel, the parable of the Wedding Banquet shows God’s eagerness to offer salvation to all, yet how easily all kinds of reasons can get in the way of our response.
The prophet Isaiah (First Reading) affirms that the enemies of humanity – death and despair – will be overcome. The Lord will provide an abundant banquet for all, of every nation. It is a scene echoed in the Psalm, which shows a shepherd overcoming death and preparing a banquet for his flock.
St Paul intimately knows Christ, the Good Shepherd of the Psalm and, though writing from a Roman prison, he wants for nothing (Second Reading). His secret is that his consolation rests not with external circumstances but with Christ. Through Christ’s strength and presence, Paul can live with much or little and endure any hardship or persecution.
This week, let’s pray that we feel ever more strongly the presence of Christ and, by doing all things through his strength, we might willingly share the troubles of others. Amen.
(With thanks to St Beuno's Outreach)
ARTWORK
Gospel - Matthew 22:1-14
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
Dionisius - Russian Orthodox Fresco 1502
Ferapontov Monastery, Russia
To see more of the beautiful frescos of Dionisius click here to take a tour of the the Ferapontov Monastery on YouTube.
Pope Leo's Prayer Intention for October
Click the image above to play the video
For mental health ministry
Let us pray that the mental health ministry be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome the stigma and discrimination of persons with mental illnesses.
Visit the website of Pray With the Pope
Visit the website of Pray As You Go for a reflection on this month's video.
