The Lord moves in mysterious ways.. on double decker
Touring Mercy Bus is Britain’s first church on wheels
BRITAIN’S first church on wheels has hit the open road – with a bishop celebrating Mass on a double-decker bus. The idea is to take the church out into the world and get people to change their lives for the better. Over the next week, people can hop on board and confess their sins or just chat to a priest over a nice cup of tea. There’ll be a music group playing on the lower deck and worshippers will be out on the streets giving candles to people and inviting them to pray. The Mercy Bus – the brainchild of the Friends of Divine Mercy Scotland, set off on its opening tour from Paisley yesterday.
Organiser Helen Border said: “Inspired by the call from Pope Francis to ‘go out to the people and take the Church to them’, we’ve decided to do just that – with a church on wheels.
“There will be priests hearing confessions on the top deck of the Mercy Bus and literature, tea and coffee available downstairs.
“Everyone is welcome. We hope passers-by will come on board where they can say a prayer or just chat.
“Today, so many people are angry and upset, often because they’ve made the wrong choices and want to change. Stepping on board the bus could be the first step in changing their lives for the better. We hope they’ll come aboard.”
The Mercy Bus will be out and about in Paisley, Coatbridge, Greenock, Barrhead and Glasgow all week.
And on Saturday, Bishop John Keenan will celebrate Mass on board the bus on Paisley High Street.
He said: “This is a fantastic initiative and a wonderful example of evangelisation, which takes the church out into the world.
“I wish the venture every success and hope it will be the first of many initiatives which offer people a route back to a relationship with God.”
The bus and driver were donated by Sir Brian Souter, co-founder of the Stagecoach Group. He said: “I hope people will find help and meaning through this initiative.”