St John Vianney
St John Vianney's
40 Fernieside Gardens Gilmerton
Edinburgh
EH 17 7HN
Tel No 0131 658 1793
Web address: web@SouthEdinburghrc.org.uk
Parish Profile
September 2004
Mission Statement
As a worshipping Catholic Christian community of faith am hope, we, the people of St John Vianneys try to share our joy in living the gospel of Jesus Christ by loving service to one another and to the wider community.
History of the parish
The parish was founded from St Columba’s Upper Gray Street. It was established as a parish in 1951 and the church was built in 1952. We celebrated our Golden Jubilee in November 2002.
The parish comprises of the areas of Hyvots, Gilmerton, Moredun, Fernieside, Ferniehill and Danderhall. The New Edinburgh South East Wedge project will impact the parish in the future.
In 2003 the Parish joined St Catherine’s, Gracemount and St Gregory’s, the Inch in the South East cluster grouping. The two Priests – Fr Michael Fallon (Parish Priest of St Catherine’s) and Fr Gordon Muchall (Parish Priest of St John Vianney’s and St Gregory’s) share the pastoral work of the cluster and the three parish committees do together whatever can be done together.
The Sacred Heart Sisters established a community in the parish in 1980 working along with the priests and parishioners. It closed in August 2000.
The Good Shepherd Sisters also reside within the parish and serve as a powerful prayer house for the work of the parish community.
There are around 450 families registered in the parish. Average Sunday Mass attendance is 300. In the past year there were twelve baptisms, five first communions, twenty five confirmed, four couples prepared for marriage, one adult received into full communion, forty two on the housebound list and thirteen funerals.
Sunday celebration of the Eucharist 10.30 am
Monday and Thursday “ Eucharist 9.00 am
Wednesday Rosary and “ Eucharist 7. 15 pm (From October to April this reverts to 9.00 am)
Individual celebration sacrament of reconciliation on request.
Rite 2 reconciliation services are held in Advent and Lent .
PARISH POLICIES
Baptism
Parents meet with Fr Gordon and undertake a course of preparation. Baptisms are celebrated by arrangements at the Community Eucharist on Sunday at 10.30 am or at 12 noon.
R C I C—Rite of Christian Initiation of Children
The parish supports the local Catholic primary, St John Vianney’s, in delivering the Catechetical programme for confirmation, first Eucharist and reconciliation. At present this is a two year programme beginning with an Enrolment ceremony for children in P3, with reconciliation in P3 and confirmation and first Eucharist in P4.
Child Protection
All volunteers working in the parish need to adhere to the guidelines set down by the Bishops Conference with regard to working with children. Contact Eileen Lewis (666- 0787 or Charlie Clark (258 5554).
Marriage
Six months notice is required as well as a preparation course. A couple normally registered with Fr Gordon, go to the course run by Scottish Marriage Care, return to discuss that experience, complete pre-nuptial inquiry material and plan their wedding service. A rehearsal takes place a few days before the wedding.
Housebound
Initial contact should first be made with Fr Gordon... He visits and assigns a Eucharistic Minister who will bring the Eucharist on a regular basis. The housebound have a personal visit from Fr Gordon and an opportunity for the sacrament of reconciliation and anointing before Christmas and Easter each year.
Death and bereavement ministry
Families should contact Fr Gordon before they contact the undertaker. Having met with the family he can then discern the best way to celebrate the Rites of Christian Burial. If he is unavailable families should contact Fr Michael Fallon, St Catherine’s (664 1596).
PARISH ORGANISATIONS
Altar Servers
After having completed their sacramental initiation both boys and girls are invited to join as servers for the Community Eucharist on Sundays.
Contact Fr Gordon and Ann Carruthers (664 0404).
Altar Clothes
Fresh supplies of altar linen are in constant demand.
Contact Ena McCann (258 6011).
Bereavement Group
This operates across the cluster and is to help the bereaved of the parish. They organise an annual Mass in November for all the dead of the Parish. Contact Norma Dodds (663 4458).
Car Pool
Organizes parishioners to bring the infirm and elderly to join in the Sunday Eucharist.
Contact Frank Quinn (258 0018)
Children’s Liturgy
A team of six helpers prepare and conduct the Liturgy of the Word for children every Sunday.
Contact Maureen Quinn (258 0018)
Church Cleaners
There are four teams who work on a Rota. Some on Saturdays after 10 am Mass others on weekday evenings.
Contact Ena McCann (258 6011)
Holy Rood Deanery Pastoral Council
Meets three times a year offering the opportunity to meet with other local parishes and share and support each other in pastoral strategies.
Contact Kathie Duffy (664 6513) Charlie Clark (258 5554).
Eucharistic Ministers
Help to distribute the Eucharist and minister to the housebound. Sunday Rota.
Contact Hugh White (664 0884).
Finance
Each week the collection is counted and banked.
The monthly parish schedule and annual accounts are prepared.
Contact Kathy Duffy (664 6513) and John Murphy (664 4531).
Flowers
To enhance the liturgical environment we use flowers to beautify the church.
Contact Ethel Ferguson (664 6614) or Maureen Burns (666 0912).
Fresh Start
Collected the last Sunday of the month for the homeless.
Contact Pasty Cameron (663 6745).
Gift Aid
Those who wish to contribute to the upkeep of the parish through the Gift Aid Scheme that enables the parish to reclaim tax on donations should contact – Ethel Ferguson (664 6614) or Val Hynd (664 6567).
Handymen
Doing all sort of things all the time. Contact Willie De Luca (664 1804) or Gerry Blyth (620 5586).
Ladies Guild
Meets each week on Wednesdays at 8pm except in the winter. They undertake a variety of activities and support the work of the parish. The committee changes each year. Agnes Prior (468 2399) Ethel Ferguson (664 6614) Patsy Cameron (663 6745).
Music Ministry
Provide music for our liturgies. Contact Hilary Stokes (258 3235),
Bill Hynd (664-6567) Vincent McCann (258 6011).
OFF Group (Ongoing Faith Formation)
Adult group meeting in the cluster for formation and information about our faith meets in St Catherine’s House, 2 Captain’s Row, on Mondays at 7.00 pm.
Pass-Keepers
At the Sunday celebration and major events they provide welcome, support and practical advice at the back of the church. Contacts Sam McKean (664 2297) Michael McKean (664 2297) Frank Quinn (258 0018).
Parish Pastoral Council
Meets every month to discuss all the areas of pastoral and spiritual care, finance, fabric and social activities.
Fr Gordon, Parish Priest
Lorna Lorimer (664 7890) President, Ena McCann (258 6011) Secretary,
Charlie Clark (258 5554) Vice President, Kathy Duffy (664 6513) Finance with Fr Gordon, Ann Carruthers (664 0404) Liturgy, Willie De Luca (664 1804) Fabric, Carol Mulvenna (666 2463) Social.
Readers
Proclaim the scripture each Sunday. Sunday Rota contact Hugh White (664 0884).
Schools
Primary - St John Vianney’s Head Teacher Ian Mooney (664 1742)
Secondary - Holy Rood High, Head Teacher Lesley Carroll (661 5871)
For those in the Danderhall area:
Primary - St David’s Dalkeith, Head Teacher- Ann Hepburn (663 2002)
Secondary - St David’s Dalkeith Head Teacher Marian Docherty (663 1961).
Scouts/Cubs/Beavers
Meets Tuesday in the parish hall. Contact Jacqui and Brian Phillips (07887974308).
South East Edinburgh Churches Acting Together
(SEECAT)
Is the local ecumenical grouping to meet members from other churches and to participate in joint worship and projects together. Contact Anne Carruthers (664 0404).
Stall Holder
The stall at the back of the church opens before and after Community Eucharist on Sundays. Contact - Kathy Duffy (664 6513).
Society of St Vincent de Paul ( S VDP)
Meets every two weeks on a Sunday to continue their work of prayer, support for the vulnerable and charitable works. Contact Jimmy Malone (663 8033).
Vocations Promotion
Every week the rosary is said for vocations and collection boxes emptied twice a year. Contact Agnes Prior (468 2399).
200 Club
Generates income for the parish. All parish raffles should be registered. Contact Charlie Clark (258 5554) .
PARISH SUPPORT SYSTEMS
Training and support
Parishioners are alerted to training courses and opportunity for spiritual growth regularly via the newsletter. Financial help for the costs is available from the Parish. There are child protection training evenings. On occasions retreat evenings are offered for readers and Eucharistic ministers, teachers and others.
Adult Faith Formation opportunities
Parents are encouraged to take full part in the initiation of their children. This often leads to a desire for further information and the OFF Group (Ongoing Faith Formation) meets fortnightly to develop all aspects of Christian Catholic faith.
Personal accompaniment
Fr. Gordon is available to see individual parishioners who wish to deepen their faith or explore their spiritual growth.
What do parishioners value about life in St. John Vianney’s?
- Community spirit
- Friendship
- Support
- Sense of belonging
- Social aspect
- Welcome received
- Leadership
- Working together as a team
- Accepting diversity
- Catholic schools
- Availability of Mass
- Being with like minded people (Lent 2000)
When the priest is absent
Pastoral emergencies to Fr. Mike Fallon in St. Catherine’s (664 1596)
Key holders Church Ethel Ferguson 664 6614 daytime
Michael McKean 664 2297 Sundays
“ “ House Kenny Lorimer 664 7890 evenings
Kathy Duffy 664 6513 daytime
Isabel Davidson 664 1456 daytime
“ “ Hall Charlie Clark 258 5554 evenings
Ena McCann 258 6011 daytime
Ethel Ferguson 664 6614 daytime