Scottish Catholic Observer

THE Archbishop of Glasgow has spoken of his excitement at being able to say Mass at the home of his boyhood heroes.

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia was the special guest at Celtic Park on Saturday for the annual national conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul (SSVP).

“I think the work of the Society of St Vincent de Paul is very important for parishes,” he told the SCO.

“In a particular way it tunes in with the Year of Mercy. They really focus on the charitable work that needs done in parishes and make a special effort to reach out to those who are poor and needy.

“It’s a real lay association of the faithful and the bishops very much appreciated it.”

Asked about saying Mass in the football club’s Kerrydale Suite, he smiled and said: “It was unusual and quite exciting—I was delighted to be here for the annual conference.”

Hundreds of SSVP members enjoyed presentations from the Ozanam Club, the Space Project (Govanhill) and the Rendu Group, which promotes sign language for the deaf Catholic community.

The keynote address was delivered by Brian O’Reilly, a former international vice president of the society.

“Here in Scotland, many of those we help live in a period of uncertainty and despair,” he said. “Life can be a constant struggle to live with dignity.

“The Good News of Jesus is ‘you belong.’ We have to communicate that good news.

“St Vincent himself said many times: ‘Go to the poor: you will find God.’ We must be a witness to them of the good news of justice, compassion and mercy.”

—This story ran in full in the November 4 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.