Celebration in Coatbridge to mark Xaverians' 75th anniversary

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A special celebration is to be held in Coatbridge to mark the 75th anniversary of the presence of a missionary movement in the UK.Xaverian Missionaries first established their province in the country in 1948 when four priests were welcomed to Glasgow, with their bases subsequently growing to include their existing Lanarkshire location plus London and Preston.They established a junior seminary in Coatbridge in 1958; and after it closed three decades later, built new retreat the Conforti Centre on the Calder Avenue site which continues to be used for school, faith and community work.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Now the mission is preparing to mark its anniversary with a thanksgiving mass next week at nearby St Mary’s church in Whifflet, which will be celebrated by Bishop of Motherwell Joseph Toal and Archbishop of Glasgow William Nolan.Around 400 guests will attend the mass including mission members and friends from its bases in Glasgow and in England, while the mission’s longest-serving priest Father Eugenio Montesi, ordained six decades ago, will preach at the service.Dignitaries including local politicians have been invited to share the occasion, and the mass will be followed by a reception at the Conforti Centre – described as the Xaverians’ “most permanent of presences in those 75 years”.