Our Parish
St Mary’s proudly claims to be the “Mother Church”, not only of Greenock, but of the whole area of Lower Clydeside. Established in 1808 as the Greenock Mission, its early priests served a wide area, stretching from Dumbarton to Ayrshire. Several of the parishes in the surrounding district were founded directly from St Mary’s.
Today, St Mary's has an active parish community, with many people assisting in Welcoming, Music, Children's Liturgy, Readers, Altar Servers, Eucharistic and other ministries. Not only parishioners and local Greenockians attend services and activities in the church each week but visitors arriving at the nearby docks often call in.
For the wider Inverclyde community St. Mary's provides a quiet place for all. An outreach philosophy ensures it serves the housebound and nursing homes, welcomes student study groups and is active in local ecumenical initiatives.
1808 – St Mary’s Parish Bicentenary – 2008
It was in the closing weeks of 1808 that Rev. John Davidson was sent to open the new Greenock Mission, which became St Mary’s Parish. But what better day to hold the official celebration than 15 August, Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Blessed Lady and our  patronal feast day?
Parishioners and friends from near and far gathered for Mass with Bishop Philip Tartaglia and Parish Priest Mgr John Tormey, along with priests from the Diocese of Paisley and elsewhere. Also present in the packed congregation were representatives from other churches, Inverclyde councillors and MSP.
In a beautiful Mass we gave thanks for the last two hundred years, and asked for God’s continued blessing on our Parish.
Afterwards all enjoyed a sumptuous buffet supper, provided by parishioners.
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News from Tanzania
Fr Calistus reports that with help received from St Mary's he has been able to make a large quantity of bricks for his new school building in Sabuko Parish.
For news on this and other news from Tanzania please click here. |
Saint Mary's Catholic Church, 14 Patrick Street, Greenock, PA16 8NA, Scotland. UK
