- When in sorrow . . . . . . . call John 14.

- For how to get along with others . . . . . . . call Romans 12:3-21.

- When you want peace and rest . . . . . . . call Matthew 11:25-30

Help me in my weakness, Lord. Do not let my fears, terrors and anxieties conquer me. Let me find that strength that you promise to those who suffer for the sake of righteousness, and let me boast only of the cross of your Son.

- from Saint Paul: Called to Conversion

The Highland Capital made Church history this week when the rapid growth of the immigrant Polish population in and around Inverness was officially recognised with the arrival of Scotland’s first ever Polish nuns.

The nuns, Sacred Heart Sisters Marzena, Joanna and Brygida will be based in the former convent next to St Mary’s in Huntly Street.

They will join Polish chaplain Fr Ryszard Swyder, also based in St Mary’s, who celebrates Mass in Polish and ministers to the Polish community.

St Mary’s parish priest, Fr Michael Savage, said the three nuns would complement the work of the five Polish priests who now serve the Diocese of Aberdeen.

They will take catechism classes for local children and travel to other places with Polish communities such as Invergordon and Fort William.

Fr Savage said: “Bishop Peter Moran of Aberdeen is anxious that the Polish community will be made to feel welcome in the Highlands and that the new arrivals will also work with our own local Catholic community.”

It is estimated that the Catholic community in Inverness has tripled in the last three years to around 7,000, and Bishop Moran is hoping that, as well as ministry to the Polish newcomers, the Polish priests and nuns will be able to help boost the numbers of Scottish clergy.

The arrival of the Polish priests and nuns follows a visit last year by Bishop Moran to Poland where he had talks with Archbishop Zycinski of Lublin and Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow.

He told them: “The percentage of Catholics in and around Inverness was three per cent of the population, but with the arrival of Polish immigrants that is now increasing.

“I have come to Poland because the Polish Catholics in the Highlands need pastoral care. I also need priests for our own Catholics. I heard there are some priests in Poland who would be happy to work in Scotland for a number of years.”

The sisters, including their order’s provincial bursar, visited St Mary’s earlier this year where they first met Bishop Moran and Fr Savage.

- Courtesy of The Universe