SS John Cantius and Nicholas, Broxbirm

Introduction

Holy Mass was once more celebrated in 1860 and the Broxburn Mission established in 1862.

History

The community first met for Mass in a 'miserable thatched cabin', and thanks to the Countess of Buchan a Chapel-School was built in 1868. The present church was begun in 1880 and completed for worship in 1881, thanks to the Countess's support. In 1883 a conference of the St Vincent de Paul Society was established to care for Irish immigrants coming into the area as shale miners. In 2012 the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Broxburn Mission was celebrated.

Architecture and furnishings

The fifteenth century font, engraved with I.H.S and Sta ecclesia Nicholia, was given back to the Catholics of Broxburn by the Earl of Buchan in the nineteenth century. The church's pipe organ was once the practice instrument in Yorkminster.

Music and liturgy

The Broxburn Silver Band performs at Mass once a month. New hymns and other pieces are first taught to the choir, then introduced to the congregation. The choir rehearses weekly, and new members, organists, or other instrumentalists are always welcome. Mass in Polish has occasionally been arranged to help Polish emigrants settle in.

Parish life

The parish has a ministry of Holy Communion visits to the sick and housebound. The parish offers volunteering opportunities including children's Liturgy, reading at Masses, music, bringing Holy Communion to the sick, and other roles.

Sacraments and pastoral care

The priest does sick and housebound visits on Fridays. Baptism classes are scheduled every two months on Monday evenings.

The priest will guide couples through the marriage process from the initial meeting to the wedding day. The parish has a policy of no secular or pop songs during funeral rites. After meeting with the funeral director, the priest will guide the family through the funeral process. The parish's altar servers receive basic training before starting.