Parish Clergy

Father McGachey meets Pope Benedict XVI in the Apostolic Palace

REV. FRANCIS McGACHEY

Father Francis McGachey was born on 5th January 1973. He completed his primary education at Saint Barbara's School, Muirhead and his secondary education at Saint Ambrose High School, Coatbridge. In 1989 he began his studies for the Priesthood at the Royal Scots College, Salamanca, Spain. There he attended the Pontifical University of Salamanca and gained two degrees: an STB (Bachelor of Sacred Theology) and an STL (Sacred Theology Licenciate) which he completed at the end of his final year, having specialised in Sacramental Theology.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on 9th July 1997 in his home parish of Saint Barbara's. Father McGachey took up his appointment at Saint Bridget's, Baillieston on 30th August 1997. In December 2000 he succeeded Father Colin Hughes as Chaplain of Saint Ambrose High School, Coatbridge. He was appointed Diocesan Master of Ceremonies and Director of the Motherwell Diocesan Liturgy Agency in 2003.

In 2008 he was sent to Rome to undertake Doctoral studies in liturgy and sacramental theology at the Benedictine Pontifical Athanaeum of Sant'Anselmo. While in Rome he resided at the Pontifical Scots College. He hopes to defend his doctoral thesis in November 2011.

He was appointed as parish priest - the youngest in the Diocese of Motherwell - of Saint Francis Xavier's, Carfin on the 11th February 2011, Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.

  REV. JIM AITKEN

Deacon Jim on his Ordination Day at Holy Family, Mossend

Deacon Jim Aitken was born on 16th July 1950 in Lanarkshire and attended Our Lady's High School, Motherwell. He was ordained on 19th June 2007 in his home parish of Holy Family, Mossend.  In his studies for the Permanent Diaconate, he achieved an Honours Degree in Applied Theology. 

He retired from his career as a housing manager after 39 years working for the Local Authority and Housing Association sectors. At present he works for the Xaverian Missionaries in the Conforti Institute in Coatbridge.
 
He has been married to his wife, Maureen, for 38 years.

He is Assistant Director of the Diocesan Permanent Diaconate Programme.