St. Mary's Church
&
The Thomas Bagnall Centre
Visitor's Comments.
"Here is a gift from us all to say thank you for the use of the house - it is wonderfull...".
(Kathleen and Keith and family. Essex. {with this card was a brand new microwave oven})
"To John & Team, Thank you very much. May God bless you in all your good work."
(Lily, Owen, Theresa, Alex. Saint Constantine's Parish, Glasgow) 04.01.05
"Dear John, ... We enjoyed the day and valued the resources. With every blessing, David."
(Reverend David Norwood. Convenor Galloway Regional Chapter, Scottish Episcopal Church) 02.04.05
"To one and all, Many thanks for the warm welcome you gave to myself and my family. Thanks for the prayerful, faith filled liturgies each day. The house is steeped in history, faith and prayer; along with its beautiful location it makes it a very restful and energising place. We all thank you very much and wish you all the best in your good work - visionary work, that will maintain a Catholic and Eucharist centered presence in the village. All the best and thanks again."
(Father John G Campbell, Saint Paul's, Shettleston, Glasgow) 15.04.05
"Dear John, Just a wee thank you for a wonderful weekend at the Thomas Bagnall Centre."
(Tony and Alice Brown, Louise, Stephen and baby Owen. Glasgow) 02.04.05
"Dear John, ... We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and this house made it that much more special. Thanks again."
(Nicola and the girls. London) 06.06.05
"We would like to thank the congregation of St. Mary's for the warmth of the welcome we received into the community on our first visit to New Abbey. We hope you will welcome us again."
(John, Tricia, John, Kathryn and Danielle McGoldrick. Airdrie) 13.07.05
"... it was like home from home - very inspiring. ... Thank you so much and God Bless to all."
(Tom & Fiona McCartney. London) 23.08.05
" Thank you, all of you, for a wonderful week in your delightful little haven (or is it Heaven!). God bless you all."
(Father Tony Furlong, Colegio Rosmini, Rome. Jenny & Mike Bickerstaff, Swansea) 04.09.05
"... a very enjoyable & peaceful week... The house is very comfortable and I hope to return one day. PS. enjoyed the library!"
(David Robinson, Scotscalder, Caithness) 17.09.05
"John, ...thank you for the warm welcome you gave us... & the fantastic opportunity afforded so many of us to continue our spiritual journey".
(Kate Cooper, Wishaw and Julie Connell, Hamilton) 09.10.05
"John, ...thank you very much ...It (the Thomas Bagnall Centre) proved to be an ideal location for the Quiet Day and we found the premises in very good order and warm. The opportunity to use the Church was much appreciated."
(David Rose, Chairman, Annandale Group of Episcopal Churches) 03.12.05
"The best Christmas ever! Thank you so much for decorating the house for the kids and for joining us after mass on Christmas morning. It made the day extra special for us all. A great Mass followed by great company. Once again many thanks."
(The McGoldricks, Airdrie.) 25.12.05
"To People of St. Mary's, Many, many thanks for letting us stay in your lovely retreat centre. We all felt so at peace here. An amazing place to spend quality time together! With best wishes".
(Celia and Co.)
"Another wonderful break. Great Service on Easter Sunday".
(Tom & Fiona McCartney, London) 18.04.06
"Good to be back. Thanks to John for arranging the sunshine!".
(Father Tony Furlong. Porta Latina, Rome) 10.05.06
"Thank you so much for our stay in your lovely house ... hope to return next year".
(Ronnie & Charlie Lambert, Liverpool)
"Thank you to John and the congregation of St. Mary's for a wonderful study break amid such stunning scenery. Particularly enjoyed the uniquely "spiritual" atmosphere of this lovely house. Have felt very priviledged and hope to come back soon. God bless".
(Jean McLaughlan, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear) 17.05.06
"So pleasant to meet you all again in such pleasant surroundings".
(Josephine, Pauline & Patricia, Dublin) 23.05.06
"Many, many thanks. We have been so blessed to have found you! The children do not want to leave and neither do we! Thank you for making us welcome and thank God for this beautiful place, house and church. Thank you for being a part of preserving this important and very special part of our history. Every blessing and long may this sacred place last".
(Rhodes family: Kay Marie, Jacinta, Isaac, Giovanni, Kelly, Michael, Frome Sommerset) 02.06.06
"A tranquil haven for a truly holistic break. Thanks to all".
(Jan and John Woodside, Mount Carmel, Banff) 18.06.06
"It was a delight to spend time in this beautiful place and we feel blest to have been here. Thank you".
(John & Cathie McNally, Mandurah, West Australia) 29.06.06
"Thanks again for your kindness and concern. Your love for your parish is inspiring and your desire to keep a Catholic Presence in New Abbey is prophetic".
(John G Campbell, The Presbytery, Shettleston Road, Glasgow) 08.07.06
"A most enjoyable weekend at a very special place - many thanks to John Hampson and his team".
(Hugh Gillies, Victoria 3097, Australia) 30.07.06
"Dear all, thank you for the opportunity of staying in this unique and beautiful house".
(Alison, Ian, Alice and matthew Johnstone, Gillingham, Kent.) 01.09.06
"Very nice house; very quiet. People very pleasant and friendly. Lovely church for my daughter's wedding".
(Linda Kiernan, Wakefield, West Yorks.) 22.09.06
"Home away from home really...the climb up Criffel was wonderful. A beautiful place, St. Mary's, and a great idea. We hope to be back and promise more scones after Mass".
(Shogren Family, Durham.) 07.01.07
"A wonderful, peaceful place where one can recharge batteries both spiritualand physical. Enjoyed every moment of our stay. Hope this place and the church will remain open always".
(Sisters Aurora, Santina and Palma. Comboni Missionary Sisters. Glasgow.) 27.04.07
"Wonderful to be back again at St. Mary's and to experience once more the extraordinary sense of peace, calm and serenity it bestows".
(Jean McLaughlin. Tyne and Wear.) 24.05.07
"3rd visit. Looking forward to the 4th!".
(Fr. Tony Furlong. Collegio Rosmini, Rome.) 04.09.07
"Thank you all at St. Mary's for your hospitality. May this great facility continue. God bless you all. See you again".
(Jenny and Mike Bickerstaff. Swansea.) 04.09.07
"Grateful to have been brought here by good Glasgow friends. Can't wait to come back. Thank you, John and the rest of you for having us here".
(Mike and Jeni Caswell. San Diego, Ca.) 08.09.07
"Shalom and God's blessing. Peace and serenity everywhere".
(Wilma Smart and Ray Jamieson. Glasgow.) 08.10.07
"It was so nice that you welcomed us into your Parish Community. Many thanks to all our new friends and to John who was especially helpful. A wonderful church, community, and a wonderful house. Hope to come back soon. God bless".
(Fr. Marius, Kevin, Caroline, Abigail and Thomas Galea. Malta.) 03.01.08
"Thank you so much for the use of this fantastic home. Such a wonderful place to bring all the family together with love and blessings."
(McGoldricks, Airdrie) 13.02.08
"Had a lovely time. Thanks for letting us stay in your peaceful home".
(Joyce, Vera and family. Liverpool.) 08.03.08
"Thanks, John for a very enjoyable stay; a great gathering of the family, and at such a nice place".
(Hugh Gillies. Australia.) 25.03.08
"We had a very pleasant stay, and it was good to see the family".
(The Gillies Family. Glasgow.) 24.03.08
"John, we are having a wonderful time. Thanks for all you do but above all for what and who you are".
(Sisters Aurora, Santina and Kathia. Comboni Missionary Sisters. Glasgow.) 14.08.08
"Thank you for a wonderful, peaceful stay in this welcoming house. The girls remarked how 'it felt like being at home'. A lovely house, gardens, and church, and surrounding area. We wish everyone involved all the best of luck!".
(Clint, Jan, Emily and Kaliah Barker. Edinburgh.) 19.02.09