Cluster News 16/17 May
Dear Parishioner,
We hope that this finds you and your families well. Here is our latest update.
Prayer Resources of various kinds
Here are this week's resources for the children.Please let us know how useful these materials are and of any suggestions you may have.
Our weekend Prayer Resource for adults
continues.
Please let us know if you find these useful and we welcome any feedback
Please let us know if you find these useful and we welcome any feedback
Hymn of the week
Hello Everybody,
My name is Pat and I belong to St Catherine’s Church. I would like to sing and play one of my favourite songs. It’s called ‘The Pollen of Peace’. Let me explain why I love this song.
I was born in Belfast and in the 1960’s witnessed the pain and suffering of a province torn apart by violence and hatred. But just ahead of what became known as the Northern Ireland “Troubles”, the Corrymeela Community was formed in 1965, on the beautiful North Coast. Over the years it has become a place where people from both sides of the divide and those who have lost loved ones through violence, can meet, get to know and understand one another. There are thousands of stories of changed hearts and where reconciliation and peace has taken place, against all the odds, from the experience of being involved with the Corrymeela Community.
The song, “The Pollen of Peace’ came out of that community and it reminds me of the strength of hope and the good that does come out of pain and suffering. During this pandemic there are no borders, there is less pollution, there have been calls for cease fire in areas of conflict and we are discovering the need for interdependence. My hope is that, during this time of Lockdown, we will all find the inner peace that will enable us to spread peace and reconciliation within our families, friends and communities and that this becomes viral!
‘The Pollen of Peace’
Chorus
Let us spread the pollen of peace throughout our land,
Let us spread the pollen of peace throughout our land,
Let us spread the pollen of peace and make all hatred cease,
Let us spread the pollen of peace throughout our land.
Verse 1
Christ has sown the seeds of love,
Christ has launched the winged dove,
Let us make the flower grow,
And let the people know,
That Christ has sown the seeds of love.
Chorus
Verse 2
All it needs is our love to make it grow,
All it needs is our hopefulness to show,
And tell those that are choked with fear,
That the Prince of Peace is here,
All it needs is our love to make it grow.
Chorus
My name is Pat and I belong to St Catherine’s Church. I would like to sing and play one of my favourite songs. It’s called ‘The Pollen of Peace’. Let me explain why I love this song.
I was born in Belfast and in the 1960’s witnessed the pain and suffering of a province torn apart by violence and hatred. But just ahead of what became known as the Northern Ireland “Troubles”, the Corrymeela Community was formed in 1965, on the beautiful North Coast. Over the years it has become a place where people from both sides of the divide and those who have lost loved ones through violence, can meet, get to know and understand one another. There are thousands of stories of changed hearts and where reconciliation and peace has taken place, against all the odds, from the experience of being involved with the Corrymeela Community.
The song, “The Pollen of Peace’ came out of that community and it reminds me of the strength of hope and the good that does come out of pain and suffering. During this pandemic there are no borders, there is less pollution, there have been calls for cease fire in areas of conflict and we are discovering the need for interdependence. My hope is that, during this time of Lockdown, we will all find the inner peace that will enable us to spread peace and reconciliation within our families, friends and communities and that this becomes viral!
‘The Pollen of Peace’
Chorus
Let us spread the pollen of peace throughout our land,
Let us spread the pollen of peace throughout our land,
Let us spread the pollen of peace and make all hatred cease,
Let us spread the pollen of peace throughout our land.
Verse 1
Christ has sown the seeds of love,
Christ has launched the winged dove,
Let us make the flower grow,
And let the people know,
That Christ has sown the seeds of love.
Chorus
Verse 2
All it needs is our love to make it grow,
All it needs is our hopefulness to show,
And tell those that are choked with fear,
That the Prince of Peace is here,
All it needs is our love to make it grow.
Chorus
Anyone can choose their favourite hymn and it would be good to hear from you the parishioners. If you would like to share your reflections about a hymn that means something to you, please contact Alisa alisa.winters@hotmail.co.uk
Prayer Foundation
Our Prayer Foundation
would like to invite us all to be united (in spirit) in prayer on Tuesdays at 2.45pm and Wednesdays at 7pm. A small group has been meeting regularly for 30 minutes of silent prayer at these times. Some of the Prayer Foundation have been ‘doing’ this for the past couple of weeks and thought it would be good to invite everyone in our cluster and beyond (who wishes to do so) to be united in prayer during this time of separation and isolation. You should contact Clare if you want more information (clare.roller@icloud.com)
Bethany Trust
And if any of our volunteers are able to join our team in June please contact Joe Murray on 07725 582599. Many thanks.
Our Cluster volunteers managed the night shelter last Monday and have committed to cover another emergency night
which is Wednesday 10th June.
Anyone wishing to help buy the food for the night shelter in June should contact Jane Watson on 07787 184524.And if any of our volunteers are able to join our team in June please contact Joe Murray on 07725 582599. Many thanks.
ONE FOR THE YOUNGSTERS, ONE FOR THE GROWN UPS
YOUNGSTERS - MOROCCAN ‘SOUQ’ CAKE Download
a printed version
300g Ground Almonds
250g Caster or Golden Caster Sugar
2tsp Baking Powder
5 Large Eggs
200ml Sunflower Oil
2tsp HoneyZest from 1 large Orange
Zest from 1/2Lemon
Syrup
Handful of cloves (approx. 90)
2tsp Ground Cinnamon
100g Caster or Golden Caster Sugar
Juice from 1 Large Orange
Juice from 1/2 Lemon
2tsp Ground Cinnamon
100g Caster or Golden Caster Sugar
Juice from 1 Large Orange
Juice from 1/2 Lemon
- Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Grease the base and sides of a 20cm springform cake tin and line with baking parchment. Mix the almonds, golden caster sugar and baking powder in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, sunflower oil, 2 tsp honey and both zests. Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and combine together.
- Pour the mixture into the tin and bake for 1 hr 10 mins until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. If the top looks like it is going to burn – usually after about 40 mins – cover with foil, being careful not to press onto the cake. Allow to cool slightly while you make a syrup.
- Put the, orange and lemon juices, cloves, sugar and ground cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 mins until the syrup thickens.
- While the cake is warm, drizzle the syrup over and allow it to seep in. If it is not all absorbed, set it aside to drizzle over later. Before serving, pile the cinnamon sticks and cloves on top.
- Cook's Tip Just watch the Cake does not burn. Although do not worry if it looks dark it is supposed to. Drop the oven temperature and cook a little longer if you are not sure.
You can also ask for recipes or request particular dishes and he will provide them for you as long as you send him a photograph of your attempt GOOD or BAD! Send to southedclust@btinternet.com
GROWN-UPS –
(South Edinburgh Cluster ‘SANGRIA’)
Ingredients
A Bottle of Rioja
100ml Cognac
1Orange
1Apple
1Lemon
Ice Caster Sugar (Optional)
Method
1. Cut each of the fruits into Eighths (1/8) Then place in a Large Jug – enough to hold the wine & Fruit
2. Add the 100ml Cognac then stir everything well mixing well
3. Chill for ½ an hour or longer
4. Now Serve in a wine glass full of ice, then garnish with chunks of apple, Orange and Lemon
If you wish it sweeter, then just add caster Sugar - ENJOY!
Views from the Pews
Maureen Martin writes:
Take care, keep safe & May God bless you all.
Frances Inglis writes:
Suzanne Blair writes:
The link you kindly sent has worked perfectly. I would also like to express my thanks for all the online material and hard work that has obviously went into making all this possible. I did worry at the beginning how unconnected I might feel with the parish and cluster through lockdown.
I am truly blown away with how well everything has been managed and appreciate it doesn’t happen magically!! So well done and god bless you all.
The Christie family’s poem to Sr Mary was amazing. I loved this week’s hymn which is also a favourite of mine so great choice Maureen. I especially enjoy Fr Mike & Fr Alex’s gospel reflections.
“Feeling very blessed” Stay well and safe everyone.
Kathleen Thomson writes:
Just wanted to say that the Cluster News is brilliant. It is so good to read the articles the parishioners have written. It brings everyone to mind and the pictures make it all more meaningful.
Well done. Take care of yourselves, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Maureen Martin writes:
I have used the website today and have found it easy to manage & it’s obviously more visual which is great. I appreciate all the hard work & dedication of those of you working together to put these resources in place. I find them very informative as well as spiritually enriching. Love the recipes from Fr Alex!!
This week I really enjoyed reading the poem from Gerard Christie on Sr Mary Steedman. A very fitting tribute to her. I also enjoy listening to people’s favourite hymns & of course it was mine this week. Thanks for playing it.
It is great to hear news from the pews. I feel the whole experience uplifting & spiritually connected to the parishioners in our cluster parishes. I have an alarm set on my phone for the 2 prayer groups to remind me to stop what I’m doing & pray for an end to the coronavirus. It’s a great way to have our own intentions offered up too. I have sent in a few & my prayers have been answered through the group & also individual people I asked. I am extremely grateful for having these links & the website whilst in lockdown. It helps stay connected spiritually with everyone if not physically.
Many thanks for this wonderful service you are providing.Take care, keep safe & May God bless you all.
Frances Inglis writes:
I look forward to receiving the email every week. I find the content comforting and helpful during this crisis. I particularly appreciate to links to online Masses and the reflections Fr Alex gives on the Gospel each week. As suggested, I used the link to the cluster web site and it worked very smoothly. Thank you to everyone involved and hope all are well and safe.
Suzanne Blair writes:
The link you kindly sent has worked perfectly. I would also like to express my thanks for all the online material and hard work that has obviously went into making all this possible. I did worry at the beginning how unconnected I might feel with the parish and cluster through lockdown.
I am truly blown away with how well everything has been managed and appreciate it doesn’t happen magically!! So well done and god bless you all.
The Christie family’s poem to Sr Mary was amazing. I loved this week’s hymn which is also a favourite of mine so great choice Maureen. I especially enjoy Fr Mike & Fr Alex’s gospel reflections.
“Feeling very blessed” Stay well and safe everyone.
Kathleen Thomson writes:
Just wanted to say that the Cluster News is brilliant. It is so good to read the articles the parishioners have written. It brings everyone to mind and the pictures make it all more meaningful.
Well done. Take care of yourselves, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Help for those struggling financially
We know that there must be people who are struggling on reduced wages or benefits at this time. Help is available If you are in this situation (or know someone who is) please contact us confidentially and we can forward that information to those who can help.On the other hand, if you want to contribute in some way to helping people, food banks are even busier than usual. You may want to hand in food or make a donation.
The relevant food bank for the cluster is:
47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 0131 664 9353
email edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org
Opening times Monday and Thursday 11am - 2 30pm
Rosie and the team send a heartfelt thank you for all your donations.
As you can imagine we are even busier just now for people in need of our help we have managed to help 70 families just this week.
We are in need of the following items Tinned Meatballs, Corned beef, Tinned fruit, Toothpaste, Diluting juice any flavour.
We also accept any cash donations this is a huge help to us.
Thank you once again for your generosity.
Rosie.
We are in need of the following items Tinned Meatballs, Corned beef, Tinned fruit, Toothpaste, Diluting juice any flavour.
We also accept any cash donations this is a huge help to us.
Thank you once again for your generosity.
Rosie.
Finance
Some of you have been asking about donations to the cluster since lockdown. We think the best people to give advice should be our cluster accountants, one of whom is fredmcconnell@btinternet.com who will be happy to help you with this.
Some of you have been asking about donations to the cluster since lockdown. We think the best people to give advice should be our cluster accountants, one of whom is fredmcconnell@btinternet.com who will be happy to help you with this.
Some invalid email addresses
We have been getting some messages about invalid email addresses and are trying to rectify these.
Rosa M and Maureen R, we think we have sorted yours. However here are some which we can't identify.
If you have an idea to whom these incorrect email addresses belong can you contact them please and let them know?
<servenetster@gmail.com> <lincassidy140@hotmail.com> <marion.ims@hotmail.co.uk>
Other Resources you might find helpful
Our Holy Father continues to celebrate Mass each day in Casa Santa Marta
St Ninian’s in Restalrig have links to a wide variety of resources both local, national and international. Have a browse and learn about something you didn't know!
Get the latest information from the Archdiocese
Please feel free to forward this email to any parishioners you are in contact with.
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 Easter blessings.
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 Easter blessings.
Fr Mike & Fr Alex