St Bride’s in Monifieth celebrated a devoted parishioner as Bishop Vincent Logan arrived in the parish to present him with the Benemerenti medal. Brian McEwan, who has been a committed member of the parish for many years, was chosen to receive the award in hon-our of the work he has done for the church in Monifieth during his life of service to the priests and parishioners of St Bride’s.
Though principally serving as a sacristan, Brian’s roles in the parish today include the organisation of the daily adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, a programme which he masterminded for the parish, opening and closing the church, writing the parish magazine and bulletins and serving as the church caretaker.
Among the large congregation of friends and family who shared in Brian’s celebration were many people from the parish who have benefited over the years from his devoted work bringing the Blessed Sacrament to the sick and housebound, setting up the altar, laundering the altar linen and polishing the brass throughout the church.
Described as ‘a first class member of the lay Faithful’ Brian has led Liturgies of the Word in the absence of priests or deacons and looked after priests visiting the parish, contributing greatly to the smooth running of St Bride’s.
Brian is pictured on the altar after Mass receiving his Benemerenti medal from Bishop Vincent Logan,