Parish People
Our Parish Priest
The Archbishop of Glasgow is Most Rev. Mario J. Conti KCHS PhL STL DD FRSE
Fr. Kilbride was ordained in St. Matthew's Parish, Bishopbriggs, in 1996.
After a year in St Roch's Parish, Garngad, Fr Kilbride returned to further studies at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. In 1999, he was appointed assistant priest at St. Andrew's Cathedral, and chaplain to St. Ninian's High School in 2000. In 2002 he was moved to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Cardonald, where he remained until coming to Our Lady of Good Counsel in November 2008. From 2004, he was also extra-mural lecturer in New Testament at Scotus College, the National Seminary in Scotland, until its closure in June 2009
Born in Elgin, Moray, on 20th March 1934, he studied at the Pontifical Scots College, Rome, and was ordained priest for the Diocese of Aberdeen on 26th October 1958.
In 1977, he became bishop of Aberdeen, and was translated to the Archdiocese of Glasgow on 22nd February 2002.
Besides being Parish Priest at Our Lady of Good Counsel, he is also Director of the Religious Education Department of the Archdiocese. He is also involved in the work of developing the Ongoing Formation of Clergy as a member of both the Archdiocesan "Ministry To Priests" team and National Task Group on Ongoing Formation under "Priests for Scotland", and is a member of the Archdiocesan RCIA Commission.
Fr. Mathew Thottathimyalil BSc MTh PhD STD (Hospital Chaplain, in residence)
Mgr. T. Joseph Chambers
Fr Mathew hails from the diocese of Kothamangalam in the state of Kerala in South India, and has been active in the Archdiocese of Glasgow since 2007.
Ordained in 1989, Fr Mathew studied in the Catholic University in Leuven (Louvain), where he gained doctoral degrees in Sacred Scripture and Theology. During this period, he often came to Glasgow to offer summer supply for priests, beginning a relationship with us which continued after he completed his studies. He has served periods as assistant priest in Sacred Heart parish in Cumbernauld, and latterly in St. Helen's, Langside. In May 2010, the Archbishop asked him to take on the role of Chaplain to Glasgow Royal Infirmary, one of the biggest hospitals in Scotland. Since it lies within walking distance of our parish, it seemed obvious that he take up residence here at Our Lady of Good Counsel, where he also assists at weekends and on other occasions.
Parish Priest at Our Lady
of Good Counsel since
1992, Mgr Chambers
retired due to ill health in
October 2008.
His impact on the parish was enormous, and the whole parish family wishes him well, and will long cherish his ministry as a dedicated and wise pastor.
Born in Belfast, Fr. Chambers was ordained priest in 1967. He served in the parishes of St. Brendan's, Yoker and St. Alphonsus' in the city centre and was chaplain to St. Gregory's Secondary School, Cranhill.
As director of the Religious Education Centre of the Archdiocese, he was responsible for the faith formation of children and adults alike, and an integral part of the Church's educational work, becoming vice-president of the Catholic Education Commission and representing the church on Strathclyde Regional Council and Glasgow City Council Education Committees.
He has been an influential defender, promoter and champion of the quality and character of Scotland's Catholic school system, and was recognised for his great contribution by being named a Prelate of Honour ('Monsignor') by the Holy Father in 2006.
