‘Mass’ transit redefined with service to be held on bus

In their attempt to fulfil a recent command by Pope Francis to “Go out to the people and take the Church to them”, the Friends of Divine Mercy Scotland will take the ‘Mercy Bus’ from Paisley, through to Coatbridge, Greenock, Barrhead and Glasgow on a week-long tour

The bus tour organiser Helen Border said:

 “Everyone is welcome; we hope passers-by will come on board, where they can say a prayer or just chat. Today, so many people are angry and upset, often because they’ve made the wrong choices and want to change. Stepping on board the bus, could be the first step in changing their lives for the better. We hope they’ll come aboard!”

As well as giving tea & cakes to passers-by, Mass will be celebrated at 2pm daily by Bishop John Keenan, the Bishop of Paisley.

Commenting on the initiative, Bishop Keenan said:

“This is a fantastic initiative and a wonderful example of evangelisation, which takes the church out into the world. I wish the venture every success and hope it will be the first of many similar initiatives which offer people a route back to a relationship with God.”

The bus together with a driver, has been donated, for a week, by Sir Brian Souter. Commenting on the launch, Sir Brian said;

“This is an innovative idea to bring faith issues to the high street and I hope people will find help and meaning through this initiative.”

The special bus will set off on its opening tour from the cenotaph at Paisley Cross at 1pm on Monday 31st July returning to Paisley on Saturday August 5th with the aim of being in a different town daily.

For the first time, a Scottish bishop will celebrate Mass on a double-decker bus.