Cluster News

15/16 May

Our Weekend Masses

For details of days, times and how to book please go to our dedicated page.

Live streamed Masses here

Brothers and sisters,

The readings today reflect upon the antagonism that people of faith may face in this world, but more especially on Love, which is more powerful than hatred because it comes to us from God. Jesus reveals God's love for us by creating the Church - a community of people called, and given grace, to love God and one another. Wishing you a peaceful and restful weekend.

Fr. Alex

Lockdown Liturgy:

Seventh Sunday of Easter B

Children's Liturgy:

Seventh Sunday of Easter B

St. Andrew’s Children’s Society and Foster Care Fortnight, 10th -23rd May 2021

There are many children across Scotland who need stable, loving families to care for them because their birth families are not able to provide the nurturing or safe environment that would allow them to flourish and become confident and well balanced adults. Could you provide the stability and love these children deserve? Would you like to hear more about whether fostering a child could be an option for you?

Contact us on 0131 454 3370 or info@standrews-children.org.uk

We are holding a Virtual Fostering Information Evening on Wednesday, 19 May from 6.30pm to 8pm as part of Foster Care Fortnight™ 2021.

COP26 Climate Conference Glasgow 1-12 Nov

Stitches for Survival

Stitches for Survival are organising the creation of a 1.5 mile banner, representing the 1.5% target in the Paris agreement, for display during the COP 26 event. The sections (60 x 100mm) can be knitted, crocheted, woven or sewn in colours of green and blue design up to the creator. The sections will afterwards be repurposed into blankets for refugees.
Anyone who would like to take part or donate wool/ material should email Anthea Donaghue for details or phone 0131 664 7642. Recycled or new as well as odds and ends welcome. Anthea can collect material donated or provide to anyone needing it.

Here is simple guide to what's involved.

Update from the Strategy Group

The feedback from Holy Week Services had been very positive. Church services had been well attended and people had taken full advantage Zoom and Facebook to watch other services online. The variety on offer had been much appreciated.

Next stage of the Pastoral Plan had involved looking at the leadership structure of our almost unique “3 parish cluster” arrangement. Danny Friel, with extensive professional and pastoral experience of this, has been working with some members of the Strategy Group and a proposed way forward has been submitted to the three PPCs for discussion.

Various Preparations

An email sharing some further information about the celebration of the Sacraments will be coming out to you in the next week.  Please get in touch with us here at school or Fr Alex if you have any questions.  Contact the School Office is 0131 6641742 or admin@st-johnvianney.edin.sch.uk

Pupils have been continuing to work on our Health and Wellbeing Resilience Unit of ‘Look on the Bright Side’.  They have been thinking about what they are grateful for and asking themselves when something happens ‘Is it a big deal or a little deal?’

Our Primary 7 pupils have a busy term ahead before they move into S1, letters were sent out to parents and carers earlier this week sharing information about our De Gaulle Medal Project and the P7 Epic Day.  Even though restrictions are easing outwith school, we still need to follow strict guidelines in school, but will try to do our very best to ensure that our P7 pupils and all other pupils have a great transition and final term. 

Aisling Christie, depute headteacher

What’s a hug worth? 

If you had asked anyone that question 18 months, I am sure you would have a variance of answers. From Monday 17th May, what is a hug worth now?

How many of us have sat outside in the rain or stared through a window visiting family. I, for one, have visited my mum and saw the upset look on her face, but her knowing that what we are doing is for the best.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. I know this has been a recurring theme of my writings of late, but let’s not lose sight of how many have given so much to get where we are now. This includes our friends, and our families – AND US!

Positive mental health, looking after family is so important, in the new normal, remember this always. Now, how much is a hug worth?

You can find out more about Mental Health Awareness Week here.

God Bless,

Paul Hunter, headteacher

Justice Matters: “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world…”

These words from the gospel, jumped out at me as I was thinking about Laudato Si' week.  People may know that Laudato Si', written by Pope Francis, 5 years ago and now added to by Fratelli Tutti, has begun a worldwide movement of people working to care for all of us and our common home.  Laudato Si' week begins on the 16th May, marking the end of a special Laudato Si Anniversary year.  It is however not the end of concern and the movement continues. Pope Francis tells us that “we know that things can change” (Lsi 13).  The gospel words suggest how this may come about.  We need to believe we are essential to that change, we need to be moved to change and we need to have the courage to witness to that change. It is our continued call to be missionary disciples.

See:  At this time we are being warned by scientists that climate disruption is so serious that we need to act. We are being told by scientists and the church alike, that climate disruption is already destroying the lives and life chances of many in our world who have done least to contribute to climate change.   Disturbingly, it seems that many do not understand this. The picture above shows the many different dimensions we need to embrace to address the crisis.  

Reflect:  How much do we feel "sent into the world to witness" and what does that mean?  Do we need to mention Christ to be a missionary or is it rather that we need to live as Christ has taught?  How would Christ act in the face of the harm being done by humankind's mistreatment of the earth? 

Act:  This week, it is all about Laudato Si' week. There is much on offer from photo competitions  to webinars on economy and divestment.  People will be talking about their ecological conversion - how they began to see things differently and what that has meant to their lives.  Register here. Please watch this video which guides you through Laudato Si' week with suggestions for each day.  Finally you are warmly welcomed to come to our eco circle held weekly on a Tuesday at 5.30pm.

Tricia Kaminski
You are held in prayer

Please remember in your prayers

those who are sick:

Lynn Richmond, Hana Rowan Curry,

Betty Dickinson, Annette,

Peter Lindsay, Catherine Hart,

Karen Devlin, Vo Van Tu,

Scott Fraser, Thea Maung,

Maureen McEvoy, Helen McCann,

Anne Doig, Sr May Lewis,

Jessie and George Ritchie, John Skinner,

John McGinley, Fr Eugen,

Evelyn Levine, James Duffy,

Ronan Boyle, Hazel Martin,

Maureen Phillips, Mary Boyle,

Mary Dias, Catriona McAuley,

Elaine Hepburn, Lorraine,

Marie, Sophie,

Roney Fernandes, Christopher Browne,

Xaverina Rodrigues, Anne and Helen,
Sacred Heart sisters in Avigliana, Italy, in Algorta, Spain and in Dalkeith

I am the Resurrection and the Life

We remember in love

Those who have died recently:

Monsignor Tony Duffy,

Josephine (Jo) Haddock Stewart,

Hugh Costello.


Anniversaries

St. Gregory

Rita Gibbons

St John Vianney

Patrick Fogarty, Patrick Martin,

Jean Macarthur, May Ross,

Mary Barr, Mary Manderson,

Eileen Weir, Margaret Ramage,

Sarah Thomson White, Frances Gallagher,

David Wilson, Bill Craigens,

Henry McGhee Andrew,

Kathleen O'Hanlon, Margaret Skey,

Catherine Thomson, David Marshall,

Steve Cooney, Brendan Boyle,

Margaret Kane, Bob McBride,

Basel Mohammed Jaser

St Catherine

Alison Moffat.

Our Remembrance Gallery  is in memory of the loved ones we have lost during the pandemic. If you wish a loved one to be included, go here to find out how. You will also find information on what help our Cluster Bereavement Group offer for anyone who has been bereaved.

For those without internet access

If you know a parishioner without internet access please tell them about our podcast. For the cost of a local call,  0131 357 6463  they can 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 an example of an opening prayer see here.

For prayer requests email clare.roller@icloud.com

South Edinburgh Foodbank

The relevant food bank for the cluster is: 47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS

Phone number 664 9353      Email: edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org

  • Drinking Chocolate,
  • Sponge Puddings,
  • Packets of super noodles,
  • Tinned Custard,
  • Tinned Carrots,
  • Jars of Mayo,
  • Fresh potatoes


  • Shower gel for men

Entitlements Page

What help are you entitled to?

There are many benefits and grants to which people are entitled. Please check our entitlements page. Let us also know of others. Scottish Child Payment: £10 a week paid monthly for each child under 6.

Useful help resources

 NHS 24 has a dedicated COVID mental health support service (Dial 111)
 Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87,

Samaritans 116 123
 SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) 0344 800 0550
 Citizens Advice Edinburgh Telephone Helpline 0131 510 5510 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)

  • If anyone would like to give a gift then there are three ways this can be done:

    1. Use Online Banking:

    Account name - R.Arch of St A St Cath 2

    Account Number - 00693806

    Sort Code - 80 02 73

    Reference - Father Fallon

    2. Use a special collection offertory envelope and leave in collection box - marked, Father Fallon

    Use any envelope and leave in collection box - marked, Father Fallon

    3. If none of these are suitable for you then please contact Fred McConnell - fredmcconnell@btinternet.com or 07901 964 100 for alternatives.

    Please make sure that it is clearly marked, Father Fallon.

The Fund has been set up to help Fr Eugen in Romania. If anyone would like to give a gift, click on the down arrow above for details

Kirkgate Café reopens indoors

The Kirkgate Café has now reopened indoors in the Kirk Centre (with outdoor seating in the courtyard). Opening hours are again as normal Mon to Thu, 9am to 2pm. This is a Fairtrade café with a selection of Fairtrade products on offer.

The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre

The new lectionary

Mon 17 May, 6–7pm. The Bishops’ Conferences of England & Wales and Scotland have chosen a new Bible translation for use at Mass that translates women out of Scripture.

Does this matter, and how do we respond?

Talk and Q&A by Liz Dodd, Home News Editor for The Tablet, on the issues surrounding the New Lectionary. To register go here

Canonball Conversions

Tue 18 May @ 7.30pm. A talk on St Ignatius of Loyola's conversion following the Battle of Pamplona in 1521, by James Hanvey SJ, the Jesuit Superior General's Secretary for the Service of the Faith. Zoom details here

Scottish Laity Network

Pentecost Retreat: An Outpouring of Empowerment 

Fri 21 May, 7-8.30pm and Sat 22 May, 10am-12.30pm. Facilitated by Sr Mary Rose Fitzsimmons, Sr Margaret Ann Minnards, Rosa Murray and Sr Anna O’Connor. To book email Scottish Laity Network