Rich diversity celebrated at colourful international Mass

This piece first appeared in The Flourish.

A congregation in the north of Glasgow have come together to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures which makes up their Parish. 

The Immaculate Conception in Maryhill has a congregation made up of 27 different nationalities and this rich diversity was at the heart of their International Mass on 13 September. As well as this, there was an international buffet where families from around the world brought food, faith and stories to the table. 

Fr Jim Lawlor said:

“My sense, especially on days like this is that Glasgow, Scotland is a far richer country when we embrace the diversity of all the people who made this their home. For whatever reason they’ve ended up here, as new Scots they enrichen us – they are not refugees or asylum seekers, they are a blessing. 

“Many of us have roots in Ireland, many of us are here because of hunger, because of the Famine; people fleeing, looking for food and stability. This Parish was founded for just that reason in 1851 and we proudly want to continue to be the Parish that acknowledges our roots by welcoming the new refugees. Together we can make a better world when we are together acknowledging our sisters and brothers.” 

The Mass was supported by SCIAF, as charity close to Fr Jim’s heart and those of his congregation. 

“Here we call ourselves a SCIAF Parish. As a community here we are committed to what SCIAF does here in Scotland, but SCIAF touches the whole world. We are really proud that through our international aid agency we can send our love and our fraternity and solidarity to all the people of this planet.” 

The international buffet was also a hit. 

Fr Jim said:

“It all became quite competitive. Our burritos are better than your haggis pakora and our chicken biryani is better than your empanadas! It was lovely to see and really, really tasty.” 

One parishioner also shared how joyous the day was.

Margaret said:

“Celebrating diversity touches the heart. Celebrating a day like today, meeting so many people and sharing a meal, we are all as one all happy. I have encountered SCIAF’s work in Uganda; it’s wonderful in supporting people in tragedies. Today, together, we having been bringing faith to life.”