Lent is a season for repentance, for turning from our old ways of life and opening ourselves to new experiences of God. While this is particularly true of those preparing for baptism, it also a call to us.

Lent is the time when we remember Jesus in the wilderness.  In the desert Jesus struggled with temptation and defeated the power of evil.  The church believes that this defeat is made complete on the Cross, when Jesus accomplishes his mission to save humankind.

Over the last 18 months the Catholic Church in Broxburn(along with its linked parish in Winchburgh) has experienced the ministry of a number of priests from different parts of the world and from different religious congregations.

Fr Johannes Naihati SVD from Indonesia *
Fr Maurice Lwanga from Tanzania
Fr Isidore Aayang Dongyeru from Ghana *
Fr Leszek Niewdana SVD from Poland
Fr Rafal Holubowski from Poland
Fr Cyprian Tellis SJ from India

Each brought with them their own unique insight into faith as it expresses itself in different countries and cultures.  They along with other visitors to our parish have opened up a much wider perception of ourselves as Christians in the Universal Church.

Parish Mission 26th May – 10th June 2006

On the feast of Pentecost this year a team from the Sion Community will come to invite each one of us deepen our faith and guide us towards mission.  The Mission will last for two weeks ending on Corpus Christi.  On the middle Sunday Cardinal O’Brien will join us as the principle celebrant at the 10.00 am mass.

Over the next 5 years the Catholic Community will be undertaking a parish renewal programme leading up to its 150th anniversary in 2012

This renewal programme will progress under 5 general headings:

• Worship and Spirituality
• Community Outreach
• Children’s and Youth Ministry
• Adult Education
• Stewardship

Each will play a particular part in fulfilling our parish’s general mission which is, to make Christ present in so tangible a way that his message is heard and his loving forgiveness available to the people of this community.

In 2006 a priest from the diocese of Yendi in Northern Ghana, Fr Isidore Ayang Dongyeru, served for 11 months in St John Cantius Parish.  As part of our response to his ministry with us the Parish Pastoral Council agreed to raise the funds to build a Primary School in his new parish.  The fundraising began in mid October 2006 and so far has reached just over £10,000 towards a target of £15,000.  The first funds have been sent out to Ghana and a plan for the new school drawn up.  It is our hope that the fundrasing will be completed by Easter and the school built by the end of this year.  Fr Isidore sends his thanks and offers his prayers for the parishioners who have so generously contributed.