Please click on the PDF link to see the full Bulletin – new items listed separately. Please note, if using a mobile device, you may need to click the refresh (reload) to open the bulletin.
Sacrament of Confirmation, 2026 – Bishop Hugh will be visiting St. Mary’s next year, to bestow the Sacrament of Confirmation upon our young people. If your son or daughter is of the appropriate age to receive this Sacrament (approx. P7 or S1), please speak to Bridget or Maria, or Fr. Domenico, to register your interest. Many thanks.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – Tuesday 8 July, from 7.00pm-8.00pm, concluding with Compline (Night Prayer of the Church).
“The Margaret Sinclair Story”: Thursday 24 July at 7.30pm, in St. Columba’s Culloden – marking 100 years since the death of Venerable Margaret Sinclair, AGAP – a Catholic professional theatre company based in the Archdiocese of Glasgow – is offering a preview performance, before taking it to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The play depicts the true story of the Edinburgh factory girl who could be Scotland’s next canonised saint; an ordinary life lived with cheerful holiness amidst the challenges of her time, proving that saintliness is something to which we can all aspire. This is a one-woman play, performed by an actual relative of Venerable Margaret Sinclair. Tickets: £10/£7/£5 (Pay What You Can – you choose) from https://www.agap.org.uk/tickets/ or call 07495 347884.
Saturday 21 June: First Holy Communions 2025 – Congratulations to Elena and Emma, on making their First Holy Communion! May they always be filled with reverence and love for the Blessed Sacrament, and for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. With prayers and blessings for them both.
St. Mary’s Christmas Lunch – Marie Cruickshank is organising a Christmas lunch at the ‘Classroom’ restaurant on 12 December, at 1.00pm. Any parishioners who would like to get together for a festive meal are invited to express their interest by speaking to Marie, or by writing their names on the poster, attached to the church noticeboard. Menus and costs will be available by early August. Many thanks.
Happy Fathers’ Day! – Congratulations to all our Dads; thank you for your vocation as Husbands and Fathers. God bless you!
Safeguarding Reminder: please note that any parishioner who carries out a ministry or duty, as a representative of the Church, and has contact with minors or vulnerable adults is required to undergo a safeguarding PVG check. If you do not have one, please speak to Mags Smith, our Parish Safeguarding Coordinator, or to Fr. Domenico.
Very many thanks to Thomas Ward for his organisation and energy in putting together the ecumenical concert at the Old Parish Church last Sunday; it was a highly successful evening, and everyone enjoyed it! Sincere thanks also to our parishioners who volunteered their time and efforts to assist; their contributions are greatly appreciated! In terms of donations, we raised £1,515 – absolutely fantastic!
Next Saturday, 21 June: First Holy Communions 2025 – Please note the following arrangements for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi; the Saturday Vigil Mass will be focused on Emma and Elena, our ‘Delightful Dynamic Duo’, who will be making their First Holy Communion; the Sunday Morning liturgy at 11.30am will be our Parish Mass for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Many thanks.
Sunday 29 June 2025: Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage, to Pluscarden Abbey – the timings for the day are as follows:
12 noon onwards: refreshments tent, picnic on the lawns, and self-guided tours around the abbey.
1.00pm-2.30pm: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Lady Chapel); Sacrament of Confession in the new St. Benedict’s Retreat House.
2.30pm: Everyone to be seated; Holy Mass and Procession at 3.00pm, with Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB.
If anyone wishes to go, and does not have transport, car-sharing will be available. Please inform Fr. Domenico or John Dolan.
Please note there will be no Adoration, Confession and Holy Rosary on Wednesday 11th June. There will be Holy Mass at 10am.
Wednesday 11 June: Parish Pastoral Council Meeting – if you would like a particular issue raised at the forthcoming Council meeting, please speak to John Dolan or Fr. Domenico. Thank you.
Saturday 21 June: First Holy Communions 2025 – Please note the following arrangements for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi; the Saturday Vigil Mass will be focused on Emma and Elena, our ‘Delightful Dynamic Duo’, who will be making their First Holy Communion; the Sunday Morning liturgy at 11.30am will be our Parish Mass for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Many thanks.
Sunday 29 June 2025: Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage, to Pluscarden Abbey – the timings for the day are as follows:
12 noon onwards: refreshments tent, picnic on the lawns, and self-guided tours around the abbey.
1.00pm-2.30pm: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament (Lady Chapel); Sacrament of Confession in the new St. Benedict’s Retreat House.
2.30pm: Everyone to be seated; Holy Mass and Procession at 3.00pm, with Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB.
Welcome to Fr. Bernard! – Fr. Bernard Fox MHM is making the Annual Missio Appeal on behalf of the Mill Hill Missionaries.
Monday 2 June at 7.30pm: Justice and Peace – The Justice & Peace Group will be meeting again on Monday 2nd June at St. Columba’s at 7:30pm. Everyone is warmly welcome. For anyone who was unable to attend last month’s meeting, and did not see the film entitled ‘The Letter’, you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rps9bs85BII
Sunday 8 June at 4.00pm: Annual Scalan Mass in the Braes of Glenlivet. The site will be open for an hour before and after the Mass. The postcode for Scalan is AB37 9JS, which leads to Chapeltown of Glenlivet. All are welcome!
Sunday 8 June at 7.00pm: Ecumenical Evening of Music at the Old Parish Church – this event, organised by one of our parishioners, Thomas Ward, promises to be a popular and highly entertaining evening, involving musicians from a number of different churches and denominations. The evening is completely FREE, although any donations offered will go towards Nairn Schools’ Breakfast Clubs, as well as our own church repairs. Our sincere thanks to everyone involved in this evening.
This Sunday, 25 May: Children’s Rosary for Mary’s Meals – Today more than 2.6 million precious children will eat life-changing school meals in 16 of the world’s poorest countries, served by Mary’s Meals. During this month of May, Mary’s Meals invites you to join us in praying for the hungry children who rely on our nutritious school meals. The children of our parish will lead anyone wishing to join them in a Rosary, in our church, for this cause on Sunday, 25th May at 4.00pm. The children will meet at 3.30pm to prepare.
Sunday 25 May: Children’s Rosary for Mary’s Meals – Today more than 2.6 million precious children will eat life-changing school meals in 16 of the world’s poorest countries, served by Mary’s Meals. During this month of May, Mary’s Meals invites you to join us in praying for the hungry children who rely on our nutritious school meals. The children of our parish will lead anyone wishing to join them in a Rosary, in our church, for this cause on Sunday, 25th May at 4.00pm. The children will meet at 3.30pm to prepare.
10-12 June: Pluscarden Pentecost Lectures 2025 – this year the lectures will be delivered by Professor Tracey Rowland, an eminent theologian and academic who has published ten books and over 150 articles, many of which have focused on the theology of Joseph Ratzinger. Professor Rowland will be talking about “Trinitarian Anthropology: What Does it Mean for all of Creation to be Marked by the Form of the Trinity?” The four talks are FREE, and take place in St. Scholastica’s Retreat House, at the bottom of the main drive of Pluscarden Abbey, at the following times: Tuesday 10 June at 3.00pm; Wednesday 11 June at 10.30am, and at 3.00pm; Thursday 12 June at 10.30am.
Welcome to our visitors! Next to the church is our hall (entrance at the back of the building). There is a toilet available, and we also have live transmission of Mass, via our TV screen. After Mass, we gather in the hall for FREE tea/coffee and cakes. Everyone welcome!
SCIAF Wee Boxes – last chance: please return your full (!) boxes to the Sacristy as soon as possible, so that the donations can be counted, and sent off to SCIAF, together with our Special Collection. Many thanks.
Men’s Rosary Group: meets every Thursday morning, at 6.00am onwards. All men welcome!
Sunday 8 June at 4.00pm: Annual Scalan Mass in the Braes of Glenlivet. The site will be open for an hour before and after the Mass. The postcode for Scalan is AB37 9JS, which leads to Chapeltown of Glenlivet. All are welcome!
Sunday 8 June at 7.00pm: Ecumenical Evening of Music at the Old Parish Church – this event, organised by Thomas Ward, promises to be a popular and highly entertaining evening, involving musicians from a number of different churches and denominations. The evening is completely FREE, although any donations offered will go towards Nairn Schools’ Breakfast Clubs, as well as our own church repairs. Our sincere thanks to Thomas, to Rev. Alison and the community at the Old Parish, and to the other local churches taking part in this evening.
Monday 5 May at 7.00pm: Justice and Peace – On Monday 5 May, the J&P Group will be showing the film ‘The Letter’, which gives a good insight into Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical, Laudato Sì. This is the tenth anniversary of the encyclical, and a timely reminder of how Pope Francis used his position to bring people together and work for a better world. We will meet at St. Columba’s in Culloden, and start at the earlier time of 7.00pm, so that we can watch the entire film together. Everyone is welcome. A trailer can be found here:
Tuesday 6 May, from 7.00pm: Evening Adoration. Everyone welcome.
Men’s Rosary Group: meets every Thursday morning, at 6.00am onwards. All men welcome!
Sunday 8 June at 7.00pm: Ecumenical Evening of Music at the Old Parish Church – this event, organised by Thomas Ward, promises to be a popular and highly entertaining evening, involving musicians from a number of different churches and denominations. The evening is completely FREE, although any donations offered will be kindly received, and will go towards Nairn Schools’ Breakfast Clubs, as well as our own church repairs. Our sincere thanks to Thomas for his hard work and organisation, to Rev. Alison and the community at the Old Parish, and to the other local churches taking part in this evening of music.
Parish Car Park: parishioners have had some difficulty accessing the car park due to inattentively-parked vehicles. Please: if you use the car park, always park your vehicle responsibly, and with consideration for other drivers. Thank you!
Bulletin 27th April 2025 (PDF)
Highland Foodbank: March & April items – Highland Foodbank would appreciate donations of the following items: longlife/diluting juice; UHT milk; crackers/oatcakes; tins of fruit; tins of vegetables; tins of ham; sugar; shower gel.
2025 Jubilee Year: Diocesan Pilgrimage Sites – during this Jubilee Year, three different locations have been designated as official pilgrimage sites in the diocese. These are: St. Mary’s, Beauly; Pluscarden Abbey; and St. Mary’s Cathedral, Aberdeen. By making a pilgrimage to any of these churches, attending the Sacrament of Confession, receiving Holy Communion, and praying for the intentions of the Holy Father, a plenary indulgence may be obtained.
Bulletin 20th April 2025 (PDF)
Easter Blessings! Fr. Domenico, Fr. John, and Fr. Cameron would like to wish you and your families a Happy and Joyous Easter. May the peace and glory of the Risen Christ fill your hearts with every grace and blessing.
SCIAF Wee Boxes: please return your full (!) boxes to the Sacristy as soon as possible, so that the donations can be counted, and sent off to SCIAF, together with our Special Collection. Many thanks for your understanding.
St. Mary’s Fashion Show: this event was a huge success! So much hard work went into this event, and Fr. Domenico is extremely grateful to all concerned for their efforts; particular thanks to Marie Cruickshank. The total sum raised for the parish was an incredible £4,483.50!!
Monday 5 May at 7.30pm: Justice and Peace – The Justice & Peace Group will be meeting again on Monday 5th May at St. Columba’s at 7:30pm. All warmly welcome. For more information contact: jill.kent@justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk.
Bulletin 13th April 2025 (PDF)
Today’s Second Collection: The Holy Places – Every day, young Christian families in the Holy Land try to live upright lives, centred on the teachings of Jesus, just as we do. These Christians, living where Christ walked and taught, lived and died, still live in a land of war, death and destruction. The work of the Franciscan Friars for these native Christians, for the poor, and for the pilgrims who come to visit, depends greatly on your support. Please be as generous as you can to the people of the Holy Land, and to the Friars who preserve the Shrines and Holy Places.
Today’s Second Collection: this is to assist us in purchasing flowers for Easter Sunday and the Eastertide season. “I understood that every flower created by Him is beautiful, that the brilliance of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not lessen the perfume of the violet or the sweet simplicity of the daisy. I understood that if all the lowly flowers wished to be roses, nature would no longer be enamelled with lovely hues. And so it is in the world of souls, Our Lord’s living garden.” (St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Autobiography of a Soul)
Monday 7 April at 7.30pm: Justice and Peace – The Justice & Peace Group will be meeting again at St. Columba’s at 7:30pm on Monday 7 April. We will be looking at the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults bill currently being considered in the Scottish Parliament. We will have a local GP with us to explain what is being proposed, and the concerns about the legislation All warmly welcome. For more information, contact: jill.kent@justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk
Lenten Station Masses 2025 – the final Station Mass takes place on Friday 11 April at St. Peter & St. Benedict, in Fort Augustus, beginning at 7.00pm. The Principal Celebrant will be Bishop Hugh.
Bulletin 30th March 2025 (PDF)
Lenten Station Masses 2025 – Masses take place each Friday in Lent at 7.00pm, at the following locations:
4 April: St. Anne’s, Thurso; 11 April: St. Peter & St. Benedict, Fort Augustus (Principal Celebrant: Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB).
Coach for Thurso Station Mass – St. Mary’s in Inverness is organising a 49-seater coach for the Station Mass at Thurso on 4 April. For further details, including booking a seat, and pricing, please contact St. Mary’s office on: 01463 233519.
This Wednesday, 2 April: Day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – from 11.00am until 8.00pm. Will you spend one hour with the Lord? See the sign-up sheet at the back of the church; at least two people are needed to cover each slot.
Friday 11 April: St. Mary’s Fashion Show! – At Nairn Community Centre, in aid of the parish building & repair fund. With models on the catwalk, courtesy of Brambles, with wine and nibbles, and a raffle with great prizes. Bar also available ‘on the night’. See the poster on the noticeboard for tasks. Tickets on sale now, priced £18 (exact amount appreciated)!
Bulletin 23rd March 2025 (PDF)
Lenten Station Masses 2025 – Masses take place each Friday in Lent at 7.00pm, at the following locations:
28 March: St. Ninian’s, Inverness; 4 April: St. Anne’s, Thurso; 11 April: St. Peter & St. Benedict, Fort Augustus.
** NB. Bishop Hugh will be Principal Celebrant at Fort Augustus **
Bulletin 16th March 2025 (PDF)
Lenten Station Masses 2025 – Masses take place each Friday in Lent at 7.00pm, at the following locations:
21 March: Christ the King, Brora ** ; 28 March: St. Ninian’s, Inverness; 4 April: St. Anne’s, Thurso; 11 April: St. Peter & St. Benedict, Fort Augustus. ** NB. Bishop Hugh will be Principal Celebrant at Brora and Fort Augustus **
Coach for Thurso Station Mass – St. Mary’s in Inverness is organising a 49-seater coach for the Station Mass at Thurso on 4 April. For further details, including booking a seat, and pricing, please contact St. Mary’s office on: 01463 233519.
Thursday 20 March at 7.00pm: Parish Pastoral Council Meeting – any AOCB items to Fr. Domenico, please.
Lenten Station Masses 2025 – Masses take place each Friday in Lent at 7.00pm, at the following locations:
14 March: St. Mary’s, Inverness; 21 March: Christ the King, Brora ** ; 28 March: St. Ninian’s, Inverness; 4 April: St. Anne’s, Thurso; 11 April: St. Peter & St. Benedict, Fort Augustus. ** NB. Bishop Hugh will be Principal Celebrant at Brora and Fort Augustus **
Coach for Thurso Station Mass – St. Mary’s in Inverness is organising a 49-seater coach for the Station Mass at Thurso on 4 April. For further details, including booking a seat, and pricing, please contact St. Mary’s office on: 01463 233519.
Saturday 15 March: St. Patrick’s Night at St. Mary’s, from 7.15pm – come and join us for a taste of the Emerald Isle, in our parish hall! With live music, entertainment, raffle, bar, and food, including Irish stew! Tickets priced £12; all proceeds to our repair and renovation fund.
Wednesday 2 April: Day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – from the end of Mass on Wednesday morning, 11.00am until 8.00pm. Will you spend one hour with the Lord? See the sign-up sheet at the back of the church; at least two people are needed to cover each hour.
Friday 11 April: St. Mary’s Fashion Show! – At Nairn Community Centre, in aid of the parish building & repair fund. With models on the catwalk, courtesy of Brambles, with wine and nibbles, and a raffle with great prizes. Bar also available ‘on the night’. See the poster on the noticeboard for tasks. Tickets on sale now, priced £18 (exact amount appreciated)! NB. Volunteers needed for ‘behind the scenes’
St. Moluag’s Coracle – we are Scotland’s only national Catholic magazine producing articles on faith history, culture and more, all with a Scottish twist. Every fortnight you will receive a new article straight to your inbox with a selection of other shorter reads. Our writers live and worship here in Scotland and include Priests, Bishops, academics and others with something designed to provoke some thought and hopefully encouragement as we journey in our faith today. Subscribe for free, or if you wish to support us, donate £4.99 a month. You can find the magazine online, at the following address: www.stmoluagscoracle.com
Monday 3 March: Inverness Justice & Peace Group – Meeting at St. Columba’s Culloden, at 7.30pm. The aim of the group is to learn, discuss and pray about issues related to Catholic Social Teaching, specifically related to justice and peace. All welcome!
Wednesday 5 March: Ash Wednesday: Day of Fasting and Abstinence – Mass, with the Distribution of Ashes, will take place at 10.00am at St. Mary’s, and at 7.30pm at St. Columba’s Culloden. Both Masses will be preceded by the opportunity for the Sacrament of Confession.
Friday 7 March: World Day of Prayer – Service of Prayer at St. Ninian’s Church of Scotland at 2.00pm, followed by refreshments.
Saturday 8 March: St. John Ogilvie Mass – at St. Thomas’, Keith, from 2.00pm. Main Celebrant: Bishop Hugh. All welcome.
Bulletin 23rd February 2025 (PDF)
Friday 11 April: St. Mary’s Fashion Show! – At Nairn Community Centre, in aid of the parish building & repair fund. With models on the catwalk, courtesy of Brambles, with wine and nibbles, and a raffle with great prizes. Bar also available ‘on the night’. See the poster on the noticeboard for tasks. Tickets on sale now, priced £18 (we would appreciate the exact amount)!
Bulletin 16th February 2025 (PDF)
Saturday 15 March: St. Patrick’s Night at St. Mary’s, from 7.15pm – come and join us for a taste of the Emerald Isle, in our parish hall! With live music, entertainment, raffle, bar, and food, including Irish stew! Tickets priced £12; all proceeds to our repair and renovation fund. If you intend coming along to this event, please speak to Fr. Domenico after Mass, to give us an idea of interest and viability. Thanks.
Wednesday 2 April: Day of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – from the end of Mass on Wednesday morning (c. 10.30am) until 8.00pm. Will you spend one hour with the Lord? See the sign-up sheet at the back of the church; at least two people are needed to cover each hour. Please speak to Eric for further details.
Saturday 31 May: St. Mary’s Church Fayre, 12 noon-3.00pm – open to all children of primary school age. All money raised is for the breakfast clubs at our schools in Nairnshire. We are looking for volunteers to help with planning, as well as for ‘on the day’. Please speak to Maria Macpherson, Mags Smith, or Eric Hanna for further information.
First Holy Communion June 2025: Children of P3 age or above are invited to prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Please speak to Bridget Gordon or Maria McPherson for further information.
Bulletin 9th February 2025 (PDF)
Today: World Day for Marriage – today, we are asked to pray particularly for all married couples that God may daily give them the strength and energy to support one another and their families. We especially pray that those who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship may seek help, either from diocesan marriage counsellors, or from organisations such as Retrouvaille www.retrouvaille.org.uk
Bulletin 2nd February 2025 (PDF)
Men’s Rosary Group: meets again, from Thursday 6 February at 6.00am onwards. All men welcome!
Evening Adoration: on Tuesday 11 February , from 7.00pm, and thereafter on every second Tuesday of the month. All welcome.
Bulletin 26th January 2025 (PDF)
Friday 21 February at 7.00pm: Inter-Church Quiz at the URC – Teams of 4 players. If you would like to enter, could you please let Catherine Delaney know by 14 February at the latest.
Bulletin 19th January 2025 (PDF)
The Inverness Justice & Peace Group will begin meeting again on Monday 3rd February – the group will meet on the first Monday from 7:30-8:30 in the parish room at St. Columba’s in Culloden. For the first meeting, Anne-Marie Clements from the National Office of Justice & Peace will lead the discussion and help to plan future topics. All welcome! For more information, contact Jill Kent – please see the bulletin for contact details.
Friday 11 April: St. Mary’s Fashion Show! – This will take place in the Nairn Community Centre, in aid of the parish building & repair fund. With models on the catwalk, wine and nibbles, and a raffle with great prizes. Bar also available ‘on the night’. More details to follow.
90 Club: 2025 fees now due – £30 for the year. Fees can be handed in anytime from next Sunday onwards. Please place in an envelope with your name and contact phone number. Thank you!
Bulletin 12th January 2025 (PDF)
Today’s Second Collection: SPUC White Flower Appeal – this year’s appeal is entitled ‘Every Life Matters’. Organised by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, it calls for the UK Government to support all life, however small, vulnerable, or marginalised, in accordance with the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child. Please support today’s Second Collection for the work of SPUC.
Bulletin 5th January 2025 (PDF)
Welcome to our visitors! Next to the church is our hall (entrance at the back of the building). There is a toilet available, and we also have live transmission of Mass, via our TV screen. After Mass, we gather in the hall for FREE tea/coffee and cakes. Everyone welcome! Why not join us?!
New to the Parish? Please introduce yourself to Fr. Domenico, and fill in a Parish Register Form (on the table, at the back of the church).
Today’s Second Collection: Justice & Peace – The National Commission for Justice and Peace advises the Scottish Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in matters relating to social justice, international peace and human rights, and promotes action in these areas. For further information, see the J&P website: www.justiceandpeacescotland.org.uk
The Inverness Justice & Peace Group are looking to restart at the end of January. We plan to meet monthly to learn, discuss and pray about issues related to justice and peace, as promoted by Pope Francis and the Catholic Church. If you would like to be involved please contact Jill Kent – please see the bulletin for contact details.
First Holy Communion June 2025: Children of P3 age or above are invited to prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Holy Communion. Please speak to Bridget Gordon or Maria McPherson for further information.
2 New Bible Studies for the New Year! Join other members of the Diocese of Aberdeen in a 6-week Zoom study on either the wonder of the Mass (Thursdays at 7pm, starting 23 January) or the Virgin Mary (Wednesdays at 7pm, starting 15 January). Register at https://ogilvie.rcda.scot/events/ or email Sr. Mary Gianna at ogilvie@rcda.scot.
90 Club: Christmas Draw Winners! – First Prize: Joan Cameron; Second Prize: Harry Swann; Third Prize: Eleanor Ross. Congratulations to all our winners! Would you like to have the chance of joining them? Speak to Elaine de Ste. Croix!
