The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

The Church is not a club turned in on itself. It is called to go out into the world and proclaim the Good News.

In this powerful reflection for Communications Sunday, Bishop Frank reminds us that every Christian is called to be an evangeliser through our words, our witness, and the way we live our faith each day.

From stained glass windows to television and the digital world, the Church has always used every means possible to share the Gospel with those who need to hear it.

This weekend, there will be a special collection at Masses across Scotland for Communications Sunday, supporting the work of the Office for Communications and Evangelisation.

Please keep this mission in your prayers and, if you are able, support the collection at Mass or donate online via the link below.

Donate here: https://bit.ly/CommsSunday

The Church’s mission to proclaim the Gospel continues in today’s digital world, and each of us has a part to play.

Communications Sunday, celebrated on 17th May, is an opportunity to reflect on how we share the message of Christ through media, technology, and communication. From livestreamed Masses and social media to videos, podcasts, news, and parish outreach, these platforms allow the Gospel to reach people wherever they are.

As Catholics, we can and must contribute to this effort by supporting the Church’s mission of evangelisation and by using our own voices to witness to faith, hope, and truth in the world around us.

A second collection will be taken up next weekend in support of the Office of Communications & Evangelisation of the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland. Your support helps continue this important work across Scotland and beyond.

What does it mean to “Be a Public Catholic”?

It means living our faith not only within the walls of our churches but also in the everyday moments of life: in our conversations, online presence, friendships, workplaces, and communities.

Communications Sunday, celebrated on 17th May, reminds us that every Catholic is called to witness to the Gospel in the world around them, including in the digital space. A simple post, message of encouragement, prayer, or act of kindness online can help someone encounter Christ in a new way.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Christ’s Ascension marks the fulfilment of His victory over death. Forty days after Easter, the risen Lord returns to the Father, taking with Him the human nature He assumed for our salvation. Seated now at the right hand of the Father, Christ reigns over heaven and earth, opening the way for humanity to share in His glory.

During the forty days after the Resurrection, the disciples’ faith was strengthened. Having witnessed Christ’s suffering, death, and burial, they struggled at first with fear and doubt. Yet through His appearances to them, the Lord transformed their uncertainty into unshakable faith. By the time of the Ascension, the apostles were no longer sorrowful but filled with joy and hope.

The Ascension is not simply Christ departing from the earth; it is the exaltation of human nature itself. In Christ, humanity has been raised above the heavens and brought close to the throne of God. As St Leo the Great teaches, where the Head has gone, the Body is called to follow. Christ ascends not for Himself alone but for the whole Church.

Through baptism, we are united to Christ and become members of His Body. His triumph becomes our triumph, His inheritance our inheritance. The Ascension reminds us that our true home is with God and that, even now, we are called to live with our hearts fixed on heaven.

Christ Himself assures us: “I go to prepare a place for you.” Our task, then, is to remain united to Him through faith, prayer, the sacraments, and life within His Church. The more deeply we remain in Christ, the more confidently we can hope to share one day in the glory of His Ascension.