Scottish Catholic Observer

The last two remaining brothers in the Lanarkshire town—Br Livinus Lalor and Br Terence Kay—are heading south to England having long passed retirement age, and leave behind them parishioners grateful for their years of work.

A packed congregation attended the Vigil Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph Toal in his first official engagement at the parish since being installed at Motherwell Diocese. The bishop spoke in his homily in praise of the De La Salle community, saying they had been a great and very much appreciated asset to the parish, and made reference to the sense of gratitude and the affection for the brothers in St Augustine’s.

The two departing brothers were presented with Papal Bene Merenti medals (above) in honour of their service. A reception was held after Mass attended by many parishioners. A third brother, Br Oliver Kierran, who spent 14 years in the Coatbridge De La Salle community, had left a few weeks prior to the Mass of Thanksgiving due to ill health.

Canon James Foley, parish priest at St Augustine’s, said the Mass was splendid and praised the work of the De La Salle brothers.

“They played a very significant part here,” he said. “They were always available for the various ministries: Eucharistic ministers, readers, they held retreats for parishioners in their own community chapel, a whole range of things—they cared and ministered for the sick and were strongly for youth.”

Canon Foley explained that the brothers were now leaving Coatbridge as a result of their age.

“They will be very much missed,” he added. “

The De Salle community was founded in Coatbridge 1974 and is part of the worldwide Catholic order founded more than three centuries ago.

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— Pic: Tom Eadie

– Read the full version of this story in August 1 edition of the SCO in parishes from Friday.