ST MIRIN'S REFURBISMENT APPEAL E~NEWS UPDATE ISSUE 1 ~ OCTOBER 2011 (PLEASE READ THEN CIRCULATE & PASS ON THIS EMAIL TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE ~ THANK YOU)

St Mirin's Cathedral & The Paisley Diocese needs your help to assist them by circulating the details of this email to all of your contacts on your email distribution list & address book. Please also ask your contacts and friends & family to also help out by forwarding this email on to all their contacts and them to theirs and so on etc etc..... Your assistance & help in this matter is much appreciated. If you have any skills or talents or ideas that may help the fundraising committee at the Cathedral we would love to hear from you or to hear your feedback or fund raising ideas or suggestions so please get in touch, we are waiting to hear from you ~ 'Many hands make light work' & from 'little acorns BIG oak trees grow'!!!

The Cathedral requires refurbishment as it will shortly celebrate 80 years since it was built. This restoration of this historic building is necessary to return it to the splendour expected of a important iconic and historical building that is the Mother Church of the Paisley Diocese and centre that hosts many important masses and services that take place throughout the year in the Diocese. The necessary improvements and restoration work required includes retiling the roof, refreshing the paintwork in the interior of the Cathedral, rewiring, refurbishing the halls and hopefully installing solar panels to make the buildings more energy efficent and help to reduce future energy bills and landscape, improving the paving of the exterior entrance and access and improve the disabled entrance into the Cathedral. The current target for the project is £1.2 million which we hope to reach by 2014. St Mirin's Cathedral is a historic building of local and national signifigance. Paisley Diocese deserves a Cathedral to be proud of, and fit for the purpose of holding the many special celebrations and Diocesan Masses & events that it regularly hosts. The Bishop has also recently announced that all the children throughout the Diocese in the future will make their Holy Communion & recieve the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral.

Please show your support of our project by being involved in some way either by joining in the social activities, giving some of your time or talents to help in raising funds or by giving a donation of some kind to the many ways and projects that we have for helping to assist us in raising funds. It is a very BIG target of over £million pounds that we have to reach and will need the support from all St Mirin's Parishioners and all the many parishioners who live throughout the Paisley Diocese and everyone in the wider community. We are also happy to speak to corporate and buisness partners, who may be wiiling to support and help us, about the variety of ways that they can become involved in the project. Please speak to Mgr Tormey about details of how you can be involved. Also please remember to pray for the success of the project and that we will reach or hopefully even exceed our fund target and goals as soon as possible, hopefully before the end of 2014.

FUNDRAISING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

15th October ~ CAR BOOT & TABLE TOP SALE There will be a Car Boot Sale in the car park of St. Mirin's Cathedral on Saturday 15th October from 9am till midday. In the hall there will be a large amount of tables also available for a Table Top Sale. There is also a tombola. A stall where items will be for sale to raise funds for the Cathedral Restoration Fund and there will be a wide selection of gifts, books and crafts for sale. Teas and Coffee along with snacks, tuck shop, rolls and sausage will also be available to help us raise funds. Please come along and browse or take a car or table & book a pitch, please also tell all your family, friends & colleagues about the event & encourage them to come along or take part. If you have new or good quality gifts or crafts that can be sold on the Cathedral Table for funds for the appeal they will be most welcome. Als god quality books of general interest and that are suitable for all age groups are also wanted to sell in aid of the appeal. Your support in this endeavour & spreading the word is much appreciated. To reserve a place for a car or table which costs £5 please call Alec on 0141~581~0089

4th November ~ FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY A Family Halloween Party will be held in St Mirin's Church Hall on Friday 4th November from 7pm till 10pm, this event is suitable for all ages from children to OAP's. Join us for a great night out, Bring Your Own Bottle. There will be a children's entertainer & games, activities & music & dancing. Duck for apples, tuck shop, Irish bingo & raffle etc etc.... Fancy dress is optional but costumes are encouraged as there are prizes for the best dressed children & adults. Tickets are £4 per adult and £2 per child and this price includes a hotdog snack. Please reserve your tickets quickly so you are not disappointed, as this is sure to be a very popular evening. Call Stephen on 07825 084753 to book your tickets.

6th November ~ PAISLEY PHILHARMONIC CHOIR CONCERT Sunday the 6th November at 7.30pm. Ticket Minimum Donation £5. Seventy members of Paisley Philharmonic Choir will be performing an evening of concert classics in the beautiful surroundings of St Mirin's Cathedral with its excellent acoustics. With a special performance from their guests ~ pupils from Notre Dame High School in Greenock. It is sure to be a memorable, rousing, inspirational & popular evening, so be sure to buy your tickets early so you don't miss out in attending this important event in this year's social calander. Tickets are available now for this much anticipated Choral Performance of the Paisley Philharmonic Choir. Please inform your friends, family and colleagues and we are looking forward to entertaining you at what will be a magnificent evening of entertainment in very special surroundings. (Disabled access is available at side door of the Cathedral beside the Cathedral House) The proceeds will be donated to the Cathedral Restoration Fund Appeal. Tickets can be obtained from St. Mirin's Cathedral following Mass or by asking the priests in the Cathedral or by calling 0141~204~2404. If you can sell some tickets in your own Parish or to your family, friends or work colleagues please get in touch for an allocation of tickets for you to distribute on our behalf. Tickets if they are still available will be for sale at the door on the evening, however this is a much anticipated evening of uplifting and popular music recitals, please don't be disappointed by booking your tickets as soon as you can.

19th November ~ St MIRIN'S CATHEDRAL TABLE TOP & CAR BOOT SALE Details as above. Takes place regularly on the 3rd Saturday of every month. Cars & Tables cost £5 per place. Call Alec 0141~581~0089 to ensure you reserve your pitch.

DECEMBER ~ THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF DECEMBER DEDICATE A STAR OF HONOUR FOR SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT OR SPONSOR A LIGHT ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE. Please join us at our special Service of celebration in the Cathedral. Whether you wish to celebrate the life of someone special in your life who has died or just wish to dedicate a Star to honour someone in your life who is important to you. It could be your homehelp, teacher, nurse, doctor or priest etc etc.... It could be a family member or friend or maybe you wish to commenerate a star for one of life's many special occassions such as anniversaries, birthdays, birth of a beloved child or grandchild, or wedding. Maybe you will be seperated from your family this Christmas, it could be due to work or maybe they live a distance away or live abroad. Then why not dedicate a Star of Honour to let them know you will be thinking of them at this vey special time of year. A Card to commemerate your dedication will be sent to you which you can forward to those loved ones that you have honoured in this very special way. There will also be a special Service where the Stars will be dedicated & Blessed & a Pre Christmas Carol Concert, followed by seasonal refreshments in the Church Hall of Mulled Wine, Shortbread, Mincepies & Snowballs. We hope you can join us for this very special pre~Christmas preparation & Service that will help you and your family take some time out from the hustle and bustle of Christmas and find some spiritual focus at this important time of year. Please pick up a leaflet which you can return with your details for sponsoring a light or your personal dedications or please call into the Cathedral after Mass to complete & write your own personal dedication on the Stars you have sponsored. You also have the opportunity to sponsor and dedicate an individual light on the Christmas tree. Cost of dedicating each personalised Star is £5. Please remember to Gift Aid Your Donations if you are a UK Tax payer.

January ~ BURNS NIGHT (Provisional Date 21st January) Join the parishioners of St. Mirin's Cathedral & Paisley Diocese & the wider community in celebrating Scotland's favourite Bard's Birthday. It is sure to be a great social evening that you won't want to miss. Raise a glass to Robert Burns on this special day in his honour. It is a great Scottish tradition and a night of music, dancing, poetry, fun, laughter and enjoyment. We hope you will join us in an evening with a strong Scottish flavour. The details & tickets will be on sale soon.

February ~ VALENTINE'S NIGHT CELEBRATION (Provisional Date 11th February) Saint Valentine is honoured by being associated as the Saint of those in love every where. Whether you are young at hear or not so young and a golden oldie or attached or unattached then please join us in this social evening of fun, love, laughter & chat. Help us spread the love by joining us on this night you definately will not want to miss. Love is in the air and all around!!! Come along and enjoy all the music based on the theme of love on this special day in the social calender that is associated by focusing on how important love is around the world regardless of your age, creed or nationaility....... they say love makes the world go round. The details about tickets will follow soon but check in at the Cathedral, look out in the bulletin for more information and keep checking the Cathedral website.

March ~ ST PATRICK'S NIGHT EVENT (Provisional Date 16th March) Saint Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland and we hope that you and your friends & family will join us in this fun night including excellent Irish entertainment. It is sure to be great 'Crack and a night of shamrocks and leprecons and lots of Irish dancing, fun and laughter. Ensure you don't miss out in buying your tickets for what will be a memorable entertaining & enjoyable evening suitable for all the family to enjoy and join in the fun. The full details of this event will be coming soon.

March ~ MOTHER'S DAY TREAT & PAMPER EVENT (Date near to Mother's Day to be announced)

Whether it is your Mum, Wife, daughter, or Sister or that special lady in your life then please show them just how much you care by buying them a ticket for what is sure to be a great day of treats and pampering. Enjoy a glass of wine (alcoholic or non~alcholic) our special cakes & treats & tea from our fantastic selection of nibbles and of course chocolate..... every girls favourite treat. Be pampered by paying to have your hair styled or curled, have your nails painted or have a relaxing hand massage. Have the opportunity of getting a massage, facial, or your make~up expertly applied. A selection of complementary & holistic therapies will be on offer along with a variety beauty treatments that you can purchase. Also the opportunity to purchase gifts from our selection of stalls who will be selling original and bespoke gifts and crafts that are suitable for that special woman no matter her age. An assortment of special treats all under one roof. Make sure you are not placed in the 'bad books' by ensuring you buy all those special ladies in your life a ticket for what will be an indulgent night that is sure to give them a special treat and night to remember and give you some brownie points.

More details about this event will be available shortly.

OTHER FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

Sponsor the refurbishment project ~ Sponsor a tile, window, make a donation towards some paint or make a contribution towards a solar panel or improving the disabled access at the Cathedral. You choose what you would personally like to support and make a financial contibution towards and sponsor. Have your name placed on the model where you have made a donation to show your support of the project.

Book of Remembrance ~ ensure your loved ones have a dedication and are remembered for prosterity in this Cathedral Remembrance Book.

Become A 'Friend' of St Mirin's Cathedral ~ Complete your membership form and become a Friend of the Cathedral and show your support to this iconic and historic prominent Cathedral located in the heart of Paisley town centre. The Cathedral has a place in the hearts of many in the Diocese and beyond to far shores due to memorable personal events such as christenings, First Holy communion, Confirmation, weddings, funeral and ordinations as well as Diocesan masses and services and spiritual events that have taken place over the years, and are signifant memories.

By becoming a Friend of the Cathedral you can show your support of this iconic and historic Church and the community it supports.

Single, Couple, Family and Life Membership is available. Please ask and complete the membership form. Standing orders are available.

Other Possible Events for the Future ~ Other possible events if we get enough support and interest could include a Race night, Plant Sale, Art & Craft Fair, BBQ, Celidh, Multi~Cultural Event, Ladies Night, Sports Dinner, St Andrew's Night, 60's, 70's & 80's themed Disco, Alternative Highland Games, It's A Knockout Team Event, Quiz Night, Bingo Evening, Family Evening, Activity Day & Events, Charity Lunch, Tribute Act Evening, Big Band Evening, Treasure Hunt, Golf Tournament, Football Tournament, St Mirin's Parish has Got Talent, Paisley Diocese has the X Factor, Charity Fundraising Ball. These are just a few possible ideas but we need to know which ones you are interested in and would support and attend. We would appreciate also if you and your family and friends can take time to please get in touch with all of your suggestions and ideas about the social events you would be interested in attending and other ways that we may be able to raise funds for the restoration appeal.....all your ideas and feedback are really important to us and we welcome your views both positive and negative so we can help to meet the needs of everyone in the extended community. Your ideas and suggestions are valued. Please contact anyone from the Team involved with the Refurbishment appeal or Call Stephen Thomas the Chairperson on 07825 084753 or email stephen.thomas45@yahoo.co.uk or speak to Mgr Tormey.

CAR BOOT/ TABLE TOP SALE ON EVERY 3rd SATURDAY IN THE MONTH Remember the St Mirin's Cathedral Car Boot Sale takes place regularly on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Please ensure you put the dates in your diary so you don't forget. 15th October, 19th November, 17th December, 2012 ~ 21st January, 18th February, 17th March, 21st April, 19th May,16th June, 21st July,18th August, 15th September. Call Alec on 0141~581~0089 to book your place so you don't miss out on this popular event, make sure your not disappointed by booking in advance to ensure your pitch. £5 per table & car.

TEA/COFFEE MORNING FOLLOWING 10am & 12midday MASS ON A SUNDAY Dates for refurbishment committee Tea/Coffee Mornings: 30th October, 18th December, 19th February,8th April, 27th May, 15th July 2nd September. A variety of groups associated with the Church take their turn to host the Tea/Coffee Morning in the Church Hall following Mass on a Sunday. Cheapest cup of tea/coffee and selection of cakes and nibbles in Town. Rolls and sausage, home~baking & tablet when available. Books for sale, raffle with all funds being donated to the refurbishment fund. Please come along and bring your friends and enjoy the social and friendly chat a chance to catch up with & make new friends. All welcome to join us, a friendly welcome awaits you.

KEEP IN TOUCH ~ Keep in touch and up to date with the project in Person or read the newsletter or check the Web, Facebook, & Twitter. More details of further social events and activities will be announced soon. To ensure your kept upto date with all that is going on so you stay in the know and don't miss out, keep checking the Cathedral Refurbishment Page on the St Mirin's Parish website www.saintmirins.org.uk to find out all the latest news and events. Call into the Cathedral regularly and check out the notice board in the porch, read the Cathedral weekly bulletin to check for updates and announcements. Also read the newsletter published by the refurbishment committee with all the latest appeal news and information about forth coming events and ways you can be involved directly in helping the project with your time or skills or the variety of ways you can help by donating to the project or joining in with the parish community and taking part in the social events.Circulate the e~monthly update to all your contacts and help spread the word and gain further support of the appeal within the wider community. Check out our Facebook and Twitter feeds & updates and make sure you make us a friend and spread the word about the events and the restoration among your contacts and people in your address book. Please encourage them to support the St Mirin's Refurbishment appeal and offer assistance for the restoration project and try to be involved and come along to our various events or make a donation.

IMPORTANT GIFT AID INFORMATION

Remember if you are a UK Tax Payer ensure that you GIFT AID all your donations to the Cathedral. A special GIFT AID envelope is available where you provide us with your name and address and you can insert your cash or cheque donations to the Restoration Fund. We do the rest for you and the Cathedral are then able to reclaim 25pence for every £1 donated directly from the Tax Man. This helps us to substantially increase the amount of funds that are donated to the appeal so please remember to ask for and complete a GIFT AID ENVELOPE every time that you purchase a ticket or give a donation to the Cathedral Refurbishment Project. The Cathedral depends on GIFT AID donations to help to administer the Cathedral effectively and if all those eligible for the GIFT AID scheme complete their details we will reach our designated target so much quicker. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter and if you have any questions about the GIFT AID scheme then please do not hesitate to ask and we will do our best to explain.

CONTACTS

Saint Mirin's Cathedral Website: www.saintmirins.org.uk
Mgr John Tormey Parish Priest of St Mirin's Cathedral Telephone: 0141~889~2404
Stephen Thomas, Chairperson St Mirin's Cathedral Refurbishment Committee Tel: 07825 084753 or email: stephen.thomas45@yahoo.co.uk
Donations can be made by sending a cheque (Remember to Gift Aid your donation if you are eligible) to: St Mirin's Cathedral Refurbishment Appeal, St Mirin's Cathedral, Cathedral House, Cathedral Precincts, Incle Street, Paisley. PA1 1HR.

We welcome everyone regardless of their age, ethnic origin or religion. A warm and friendly welcome awaits all.

Thank you for your cooperation & reading about the St Mirin's Restoration Fund Appeal ~ please do not forget to forward on this email and ask all your friends and associates to keep doing the same, that way we will help to get the word around & gather support !!!

Cathedral Restoration Project

THE RENOVATION OF ONE OF PAISLEY'S MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS

Our Fund Target is:

£1,200,000

Our Funds, including Diocesan and Parish Funds as well as a confirmed grant from Heritage Lottery Fund for up to £125,000, stand so far at: £500,000

Phase One : the work on the roof and restoring the ceiling and windows can now start at the end of August 2011. As funds progress we hope to complete Phase One and move to Phase Two : new ramps and entrance, which will start when funds are sufficient (we are aiming to finish for 2014)

The Work Needing to be done

St Mirin's Parish was founded in 1808. A new and bigger church was needed by the turn of the 20th Century. When it opened in 1932, it won the admiration of the whole town of Paisley.

Today nearly 80 years later, due to wear and tear from its age and the Scottish weather, it is necessary to embark on this restoration project.

The Church of St Mirin has served the Diocese of Paisley as a Cathedral since 1948 and is the see of our Bishop, Right Rev Philip Tartaglia. It is a bustling and busy parish, served by four priests at present, providing Sunday and Weekday Masses for about 2000 people each week. We celebrate around 90 Baptisms a year, about 25 Weddings and 60 Funerals. The Cathedral hosts a number of Diocesan and Parish special events throughout the year. We also open as a venue for Musical Events for Musicians and Choirs both locally and from as far afield as Russia and the USA, since its acoustics are superb.

We are calling on the whole community to help us in the restoration project of this beautiful church. The type of work needing done includes restoring the roof slates with new nails as well as replacing broken slates, damaged lead, cast iron gutters and down pipes. The interior ceiling needs replastering and painted and windows which are warping or have rotten timber frames need restored. Full rewiring also is required.

New Entrance

A new ramped entrance to the Cathedral will assist easy wheel chair access. The doors will be redesigned to allow easier access, and the front of the Cathedral entrance will be paved, which will enhance the look that the Cathedral presents to the whole town.

How Can I Help ?

A new fundraising committee has been set up to assist in this mammoth task. It is made up of many people who are ready to give their time and effort to make this project successful. You can help by

How Else Can I Help?

To find out more: Please contact our website www.saintmirins.org.uk Or contact us at : Phone: (+44) 0141 889 2404 E-mail: stmirinscathedral@rcdop.org Saint Mirin Pray for US

Forthcoming events

September: Car Boot Sale: Saturday 17th September: Parish Car Park Time 9am - 12pm & Every third Saturday of the Month
November: Halloween Family Party: in the Parish Hall, Friday 4th November 7pm to 10pm: Tickets £5.00 or £10 per family
Paisley Philharmonic Choir on Sunday 6th November at 7.30pm in the Cathedral. Tickets: £5.00 Each
December: Light up the Tree: Dedicate a Star to someone you care about this Christmas.
January: Burns' Supper January 21st
February: Valentine Event: February 11th
March: St Patrick’s Night : March 16th
Mother's Day Treat (To set date.)

Before

After