Live streamed Masses here
Dear parishioner,
I and the team hope that this edition of our Cluster News finds you well. This month the church moves into that solemn but hope-filled month of November when we remember what is at the heart of our faith – Communion, Community, Remembrance and Resurrection.
Through our prayer and remembrance, those who we have loved and lost, are still alive to and with us . Those bonds forged whilst with us on earth are still there. We are still a community in communion with our brothers and sisters in heaven and November gives us the chance to remember and celebrate that. Remembrance and prayer are powerful ways of reminding us of that connection.
Things may be dark and somewhat chaotic at the moment, even in the world around us, but the Christian message is HOPE-FILLED. The boat may being tossed around by stormy waves, but we should take heart, Christ is right there amongst, even in the midst of the storm.
TAKE HEART.
Alex
Prayer resources for adults:
Feast of All Saints
Children's resources:
Feast of All Saints
Mass available in our three parishes
We would encourage you to make use of the phone option only if you are unable to book online. This will make things easier for those who are managing the booking system.
On-line and telephone bookings can be made from Monday mornings through to Wednesday at 5pm. You must receive a notice of confirmation in order to attend that weekend. We have prepared some guidelines about this and they can be found here.
We would encourage you to share this information with anyone you know or suspect may not have internet access. Let's stay connected!
Children's Liturgy on Zoom 8th November
Hello to all our children and your mums, dads and guardians. It's been such a long time since we were able to come together for children's liturgy.We hope in the mean time you have been enjoying our weekly online liturgy.
We have decided to try and bring us together online and we are going to have a Zoom online Children's Liturgy. We wondered if you would like to join us?
It will be just like Children's Liturgy but from the comfort of your own home.
We will be doing this on Sunday 8th November at 11.30am.
If you would like to join, then ask mums/dads/guardians to e-mail to Fred below and she will guide them through the process. We are really looking forward to seeing you on the 8th.
Children's Liturgy Team
Email: fredmcconnell@btinternet.com
Feast of All Souls Monday 2 November
The video
can be seen
here.
Thank you time...
Our digital email/Cluster News started on 21/22 March and our first liturgy was on Good Friday. Since then, each week, there has been a steady stream of resources both prayerful and informative, making every effort to make you feel connected with our faith communities. Masses, too, are now available in each parish at the weekend. As you will suspect, this requires the cooperation and dedication of many parishioners. Without naming each and every one, it is important to record our gratitude for all they do for us on a regular basis.
We would like to start this week with our Scripture readers. Using a rota system, a reader from each parish is selected every week who sends us a video of their recording of their reading. It means that we get to see and know quite a few people from one of the "other" parishes as time goes on. Sincere thanks to all those who read for us each week!
Happy 80th birthday Anne Carruthers!
During Advent there is a plan to hold weekly sessions in the run-up to Christmas. The sessions will probably run on
Monday evenings but, if people agree to them being recorded, then they will be available at any time with the appropriate link.
Jeff Bagnall (former RE lecturer at Craiglockhart) has agreed again this year to help us benefit from his extensive Scriptural knowledge. More details to follow. If you would like to be there on zoom, please contact
cluster.alpha@outlook.com with the heading “Advent”.
Recipe for Cornflake Chicken
is still available!
Views from the pews
Maureen Quinn writes:
I wish to say a big thank you to all the people who continue to work so hard in our cluster bringing us the news each week and to those who continue to work in the various ministries. It is comforting to know that so many people are praying and visiting and supporting the vulnerable in our archdiocese and abroad. A special thanks to those who provide financial assistance too, enabling those in need to support their families. God Bless.
Justice matters: A Sign of hope in the Future
There is a swirl of leaves outside where I live. Almost every leaf blown along the road seems to end up in just one pile, thanks to an eddy in the wind, and it’s at my door. I suppose I should pick them up, and I do now and again, but I like to swoosh my feet through them. Trees keep drawing my attention…. In part it’s the beautiful colours, the variety of shape and texture but it’s more than that. A tree may be planted in remembrance, or for beauty, or to provide shelter, wood or fruit, but it’s more than these too. Planting anything that grows – garden or a tree – is a sign of hope in the future. It’s a symbol of connection, to the earth, to the air, to the sunlight, to creatures that will live and rest upon it. In the light of the climate emergency, it’s also a statement of shared responsibility for the earth.
See: In recent days trees have been in the news for good and bad reasons. China has tonight been reported as planting so many trees that it is offsetting its carbon emissions. Building of HS2, the fast railway extending the reach of London, is cutting its swathes through old woodland damaging precious ecosystems. In the Holy Land olive trees are symbols of family and of peace as well as source of income. In recent weeks during the olive harvest in the West Bank both owners and trees have been attacked by people from the illegal settlements and outposts.
Reflect: You might like to reflect on the trees you have enjoyed and their symbolism for you. Do watch this video in which a West Bank farmer from near Bethlehem describes his experience at the farm “Tent of Nations” and about recent events at Tent of Nations
Act: Are there places in SE Edinburgh where trees might be planted, or a community garden created? Does such an idea catch your imagination? Let us know if so!
You might like to use leaves and fruit to create a work of art – such as the one in the photo.
Find a tree you like and spend a few minutes with it. Close your eyes and let your fingertips “walk” the bark…. Some trees feel to have dramatic gorges and rough terrain, others smooth desert plains,…..
Catch a falling leaf and remember that the words play and pray can be very close in practice as well as spelling.
M.Mineter
You are held in prayer
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick:
Gerrard Salvona
Avril
Jacinta Flockhart
Mary Love
Maureen Phillips
Colin Johnston
Dermot Homan
Liz Price
Mary Boyle
Rachel Witte
Mary Dias
Catriona McAuley
Elaine Hepburn
Annette Sibbald
Lorraine
Roney Fernandes
Christopher Browne
Xaverina Rodrigues
Anne and Helen
Mary Love
Maureen Phillips
Colin Johnston
Dermot Homan
Liz Price
Mary Boyle
Rachel Witte
Mary Dias
Catriona McAuley
Elaine Hepburn
Annette Sibbald
Lorraine
Roney Fernandes
Christopher Browne
Xaverina Rodrigues
Anne and Helen
I am the Resurrection and the Life
We remember in love:
Rodger Leggatt
Mary Meehan
Kathleen Jones
Danny Byrne
Mrs. Catriona McKinnon
Kathleen Jones
Danny Byrne
Mrs. Catriona McKinnon
Anniversaries
St John Vianney Margaret Barstad, Kathleen Sinclair,
John Murphy, Catherine Thomson,
David McIntee, William Craven,
John Candlish Brown, Anthony Martin,
James Neilson, Manus Dennison,
Anne McCann, Tom Pringle,
Robert McMillan White.
St GregoryMolly Crawford
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) and how to phone to make a booking to attend Mass.
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
The relevant food bank for the cluster is:
47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353Email 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
Sort Code: 80-91-26
Account no: 10413664
Reference: S.E. Edinburgh Foodbank
Items needed this week
- Eggs, beans, rice, corned beef, fruit, jars of baby food.
- disposable nappies size 4,5,6.
- Tinned items: Tuna, veg., peas, carrots, mince, fruit, custard.
- Tubs/packets of Smash, chocolate spread.
- Jars of jam any flavour, jars of mayonnaise, packets of super noodles, packets of pasta sauce, tomato ketchup, diluting juice (1 litre).
- Chocolate treats, crisps, snacks, biscuits, hot chocolate.
- Women's and men's shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel
Rosie and the team
Donation box at St Catherine's
There will be a box in the porch at St Catherine’s for donations for the food bank in Southhouse. This will be collected weekly and taken to the shop.
6. Why and how should I read the Bible?
Mondays 7pm on Zoom. Please pray for them as they seek to take the next steps on their faith journey. Send them a message of encouragement.
Email: Cluster.alpha@outlook.com
Mobile: 079 4766 0766
Twitter: @ClusterAlpha
If anyone would like to give a gift then there are three ways this can be done:
- Use Online Banking:
Account name - R.Arch of St A St Cath 2
Account Number - 00693806
Sort Code - 80 02 73
Reference - Father Fallon
- 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
- 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 Scottish Government is seeking views on the future arrangements for early medical abortion at home which has been happening during the time of COVID-19 restrictions. All the details can be found here. It closes on 5 January 2021. For more information visit the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children website.
SLN Open Conversations
LGBTI People in the Church
Thu 5 Nov, 7-8.30pm. An evening of informal discussion and theological exploration with Fr James Alison about the experience of being a member of the LGBTI community in the Church today. For details email: slaitynetwork@gmail.com
Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service
Safeguarding in a pandemic: How virtual lives create more challenges for the Church
Sat 14 Nov, 11am - 1.30pm. The webinar will focus on safeguarding and online risks in the pandemic both internationally and locally here in Scotland.
For details email Tina Campbell, National Safeguarding Coordinator
