The Bishops' Conference of Scotland

The World Cup is down to the last 16, and football fever is still gripping the nation.

Scotland may be out, but there’s still another trophy to play for this summer, the SCIAF Shield.

As SCIAF, we’re present in the world’s most difficult places. We work with people in the hardest circumstances, so they can overcome their daily struggles and the structures of injustice that make and keep them poor.

Ben Wilson, SCIAF’s Director of Public Engagement, said, “Last year was our first ever SCIAF Shield, so we’re hoping to build on last year and make 2026 bigger and even better. As before, it’s a football tournament to raise money for the world’s poorest people, so get ready for a day of fun, football, and fundraising!”

The SCIAF Shield is a tournament for 5-a-side football teams promising an exciting afternoon of community and sport – all in support of SCIAF's life-changing work overseas.

With four groups of four teams, the tournament will kick off with a group stage, followed by a thrilling knockout round to crown the champions of the SCIAF Shield.

Last year a team made up of parishioners from The Sacred Heart in Salsburgh and St Aloysius in Chapelhall won and was led by parish priest Father Mark O’Donnell.

It will be held on Saturday, 1 August at Goals on Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow at noon. It’s £125 to enter a team, which includes entry, a minimum of one hour of football, lunch and a welcome pack for every player. There will also be music, a bouncy castle, face-painting and more!

Ben said: “Everyone is welcome, and it promises to be a great day, so why not join us in entering a team of up to eight players? All abilities are welcome!”

https://www.sciaf.org.uk/get-involved/events/799-the-sciaf-shield

Pax Christi Scotland invites you to join Stella Maris for an online event ahead of Sea Sunday.

More than 20,000 seafarers are currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Stella Maris supports seafarers, fishers and their families around the world, offering practical help, pastoral care and peace of mind during times of uncertainty and crisis.

Join us to hear more about the vital work of Stella Maris and the difference it makes to those who keep global trade moving.

📅 Tuesday 7 July 2026
🕖 7.00pm
💻 Online via Zoom

A short presentation will be followed by an opportunity for questions and discussion.

Register here: https://shorturl.at/f0VGY

Sunday Reflection with Bishop Toal: 5 July 2026

Tomorrow, Sunday 5 July, you are invited to gather for the celebration of Holy Mass, for the people of Venezuela, in St Leonard’s Church, East Kilbride, at 12 noon.

Celebrated in Castellano (América Latina), the Mass will be a special opportunity to pray for all those affected by the recent earthquake and to stand in solidarity with those suffering its consequences.

As we come together in faith, let us entrust the people of Venezuela to the Lord’s care and continue to keep them in our prayers.

Gospel
Matthew 9:14-17
‘Can they mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them?’

At that time: The disciples of John came to Jesus, saying, ‘Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus said to them, ‘Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. No one puts a piece of unshrunken cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.’