Cluster News
15/16 August

Live streamed Masses here
Dear Parishioner,
We hope that this finds you and your families well. Welcome to this week's Cluster News. If you would like to share any news or comments, let us know.      southedclust@btinternet.com   We are conscious that we are not reaching every parishioner since lockdown and many may not even see this news. We would encourage you to share/discuss this information with anyone you know or suspect may not have internet access. Let's stay connected!
Let's continue to pray for one another and especially those who are experiencing any difficulties during this challenging time.
With our prayers, best wishes and blessings,
Fr Mike and Fr Alex.
Prayer resources for adults:
The Assumption of Our Lady
Children's resources:
The Assumption of Our Lady

Preparing to implement Phase 3: reopening our church buildings.

The first of our buildings reopens this weekend with a Vigil Mass in St Gregory’s on Saturday 15th August at the usual time of 6pm. For this first Mass we are going to have a capacity of 35 including stewards.

The following weekend, in addition to the St Gregory's Vigil Mass, we are planning to have a Mass in St John Vianney's on Sunday 23rd August at 9.30 am.  We plan to add a third Mass at St Catherine's on Sunday 30th August at 11 am.


To be able to attend your respective Mass, please do one of the following:

St Gregory's:

a) complete an online booking form  (preferred option)  or b) phone  07401 071 732 [Voicemail]


St John Vianney's:

a) complete an online booking form  (preferred option) or b) phone 07898 170 282 [Voicemail]


This means that your name has been put on a list. You will receive an automated acknowledgement that you are requesting to attend, but you must wait to receive a notice of confirmation that you have been allocated a place before considering coming to the Mass. 

You will be contacted either online or by phone and if you do not receive confirmation then you are not on the list for those coming that weekend. You do not need to rebook however, as your name will be moved up on the waiting list for the following week. 

On-line and telephone bookings can be made from Monday mornings through to Fridays at 5pm. This will give booking staff time to finalise the list and to send a notice of confirmation to those on the list. You must receive a notice of confirmation in order to attend that weekend.

It is important that you read and understand what is required of you before, during and after attending Mass. We have prepared some guidelines about this and they can be found here.

We are conscious that we are not reaching every parishioner since lockdown and we would encourage you to share this information with anyone you know or suspect may not have internet access. Let's stay connected!

Fr Mike and Fr Alex.
Hymn of the Week:  
  "I arise today "
Chosen by Clare Roller a while ago for the powerful words and beautiful arrangement.

The Alpha Course returns - online this time

Coming in the week beg. 21st September, Alpha returns. The Alpha team have prepared a short video to encourage you to do the course - from the comfort of your own home! Click on the picture.

 Canticle of the Turning: the world is about to turn

The joy of pregnancy and new possibilities captured both in image and in song, following the gospel reading for today.

Based on the Magnificat, Rory Cooney wanted his lyrics to capture “the revolutionary spirit of the canticle, that cosmic tables are being turned over… the ‘revolution’ is both interior (a change of heart-self) and corporate and visible (a new way of living together). It is, in fact, against the prevailing set of values in society, a revolution. But I want to emphasize that it is a peaceful revolution, a revolution of action, persuasion, and justice.”

Click here but don't expect your feet to resist tapping! 

Views from the Pews

Jacqui and Brian Phillips write:

Thank you for being here for us all we really appreciate it if there is anything you need please just ask. Forever in our prayers.



Rebecca Fonseca writes:
Well done father Mike we will miss you.  Great that you are going back to where you were born at Walter Scott Avenue. Good luck with your retirement, well done. You were brave - well done for not crying, all the best.

Justice matters: Quietly shrinking Palestine

Cremisan valley - referred to in the letter (see below) and photographed in February 2017. It shows the then-half-built barrier that now controls access to the valley for the people of Bethlehem. ( photo by MJM)

See: Netanyahu's unclear plans for large-scale annexation had kept  international attention away from Israel's daily taking of Palestinian land and rights.  The violence against Palestinians by Israelis in the West Bank, the small land-grabs for illegal settlements, detentions without trial, and demolitions of many homes and other structures  have all increased in recent weeks in many hotspots of oppression. BTSelem is an Israeli organisation advocating justice for all.

Reflect: You might wish to read the communique from English-speaking bishops written early this year and calling for international law to be respected. Palestinian Church leaders have written a letter urgently calling for hope and help to the worldwide church.    The Cremisan may not yet be annexed, but it is under control of Israel, now behind the Barrier.

Act: Please pray for a just future for all in that land. An option is to join others to pray, in a zoom meeting for 20 minutes any Tuesday or Friday at 6:30pm.  The icon is of Mary weeping as she looks into Bethlehem, from the Barrier dividing it from Jerusalem. (also my photo).

Mike Mineter
You are held in prayer
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick:
Rachel Witte
Victor Julio Rodriguez
Kathleen Boyle
Iain Cusick
Elaine Hepburn
Cecilia Glancy
Annette Sibbald
Nancy Murray
Fiona Scott
Scott Fraser  
Ferne
Irene 
Javier Molina Vasquez
Roney Fernandes
Christopher Browne
Xaverina Rodrigues
Derek Morgan
Anne and Helen
I am the Resurrection and the Life
We remember in love:
Jane Hazelton
Sr Evelyn Gallagher
Billy Hill
Charlotte Farrell
Robert Donaldson
May Thomson
Mary McDaid
George Smith
Maureen Henderson
Alan Cuthill
Winifred Murray
Vincent Brady
Ena McCann

Anniversaries  
Hermina Faith Doughty
Margaret Waugh
Canon Stephen Judge
Molly Mary McGlone
Daniel O'Donnell (Snr)
May they rest in peace.

For those without internet access

Dial 0131 357 6463  to hear our

Lockdown Liturgy (available on Sunday).

United in prayer: Tues 2.45 & Weds 7pm
Our Prayer Foundation invite us all to join in 30 min of silent prayer. For prayer requests email clare.roller@icloud.com
Faith in Action
Help for those struggling financially
If you are struggling on reduced wages or benefits at this time (or know someone who is), please contact us confidentially and we can forward that information to those who can help.
The relevant food bank for the cluster is: 47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353
Email edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org
You can donate by online bank:
Name: Blythswood Care
Sort Code: 80-91-26
Account no: 10413664
Reference: S.E. Edinburgh Foodbank
Items needed this week
  • Tinned fruit, mince
  • Corned beef, beans
  • Tinned carrots
  •  Shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel
  • Tinned custard
  • Rice
  • Fruit
  • Jars of baby food
  •  Chocolate, Sweets, Mars/Twix bars
  • Crisps, Snacks, Biscuits
  • tin foil, cling film, eggs
  • tinned potatoes, hot chocolate
Thanks for the cash donations handed in. They were greatly appreciated.
Rosie and the team

The July winner was no. 75. Thanks again to all participants- 50% of proceeds go to the St Gregory's Finance fund with the remaining 50% to the winner. Currently £43 each as there are 17 spare numbers.

Delighted to hear our Cluster churches are now preparing to reopen. Stay safe. Ann Callaghan
Finance
To find out how you can donate to the cluster at this time contact Fred, one of our cluster accountants, who will be happy help you with this. fredmcconnell@btinternet.com

Black Lives Matter Mural Trail

Festival Flavours is a new Zoom lecture series with some lively chat about spirituality and the arts. On 18 August at 7.30 pm, Wezi Mhura will discuss the BLM Mural Trail which she initiated and produced with Scottish Black and Asian artists. Wezi is a freelance producer working with widely diverse artists and genres. Click here for login details.

Journeys of Faith in Israel and Palestine

There is a zoom event at 7:30pm on Wednesday 26th August, hosted by the Israel-Palestine Working Group of the Caritas, Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese. Details here.

Claverhouse Conversations

Saturday 29 August at 9.30am

John Sturrock's guest is Jo Berry, international peacebuilder and founder of Building Bridges for Peace, whose father, Sir Antony Berry MP, was killed in the Brighton hotel bombing in 1984.  Jo has spent the past 20 years in public conversations with Patrick Magee, the IRA member who planted the bomb. Please feel free to invite a friend or other guest.  For Zoom access details, email clare.roller@icloud.com or phone her on 07762299633.