Cluster News 20/21 June

Our buildings are closed.
Our church is open.

You are welcome.

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

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

Children's resources

NEW: For parishioners without internet access

Phone service 0131 357 6463
Our dedicated phone number allows people to listen to our Prayer Resources and the latest version becomes available on Sunday. Please dial the complete number. After a short introductory welcome and a pause, you will hear everything that is on the Prayer Resources video. The charge is the equivalent of a local call.

Prayer Foundation

United in prayer: Tue 2.45pm & Wed 7pm

Our Prayer Foundation invite us all to be united in prayer on Tuesdays at 2.45pm and Wednesdays at 7pm.

A small group has committed to 30 minutes of silent prayer at these times.

Everyone in our cluster and beyond is invited to join in prayer during this time of separation and isolation.

For more information or prayers requests please contact Clare Roller clare.roller@icloud.com

Happy Father's Day

Wishing all fathers in our cluster a happy day today. No doubt you will be treated with lots of care and attention and with thoughtful acts of kindness. [What's new? :) ]

We want to highlight, though, two Fathers today - Father Mike and Father Alex - so please go here.

Connect Groups

Mary Durie writes:

I would recommend that everyone think about joining a connect group. Our little group meets every week via zoom and we all look forward to our time together. All 3 parishes in the cluster are represented and we have all made new friends.

We chat about our week, pray for each other's intentions and discuss the following Sunday's readings. You do not have to be an intellect or a theologian!
You have nothing to lose and new friends to gain! Give it a try. All replies please to: cluster.alpha@outlook.com

Hymn of the Week:

Sweet Heart of Jesus

Ellen Salvona writes:
“My whole life I have had a very strong devotion to the Sacred Heart.” The feast day was celebrated on 19th June and our own Sacred Heart sister Christine has recorded a special version, with Helpers of the Holy Souls sister Jeannette joining forces with her.

Music for meditation
We have had a great response both from our community and musicians to our hymn choices. Marissa Rodriguez, from St Catherine’s music group, has recorded her own version of Sweet Heart of Jesus on the guitar. It is a lovely reflective piece of music to sit in contemplation and prayer for a few moments...

The Scottish Government has today announced that Places of Worship may open for individual prayer or contemplation from Monday 22nd June.

The Scottish Bishops have given comprehensive guidelines about the safety measures that need to be in place for this to happen. You can find their guidance here: https://www.bcos.org.uk/COVID19

It has not been the practice for very many years for our three Church buildings to be open other than for Public Worship during the week and at weekends. The main reason for this was one of security. Sadly, they have a history of being vandalised.

We are of a mind at present not to open the Church buildings for private prayer but will keep the matter under review.

Prior to the Pandemic a number of other Church buildings in the City were open during the day for Prayer and we expect that they will be reopened from Monday 22nd June. In next week’s Cluster News we shall let you know where you will be able to visit a Church building to pray.

Views from the Pews

Sr Christine writes:

82 civil society organisations from across different sectors of Scottish life have written to the First Minister calling for a radical response to the coronavirus recovery that puts people before profit.

https://foe.scot/resource/just-green-recovery-letter-first-minister/
Please can you support this and pray for a great outcome.

Maureen Martin writes:
Another beautiful presentation from the cluster parishes. It is so easy to follow & beautifully illustrated. I thought the picture on the second verse of the psalm was truly amazing - the hands gently holding the cross of light. It was just so beautiful & meaningful. Nice again to see & hear parishioners from the three parishes speaking & reciting the readings & gospels. Lovely to see & hear from Gerry. As ever a thought-provoking homily from Fr. Mike & Fr Alex. People are putting a lot of thought into their chosen hymn. Catherine’s one was well sung & her talk was great. Well done everyone involved in putting the resources together. Each week’s presentation seems to be better than the last one!! I very much appreciate all your hard work in bringing us together each Sunday Spiritually. Keep safe & God Bless.

Faith in Action
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.

The relevant food bank for the cluster is:

47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353
Email edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org
Opening times:

Mon & Thu 11am-2.30pm

You can donate online by visiting their website: https://edinburghse.foodbank.org.uk/

The cluster contact name is Rosie.

Items needed this week

Tinned fruit, mince
Corned beef, beans
Tinned carrots
Shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel.

We also need Tinned Custard, Rice, Fruit. Jars of baby food.

Rosie writes:

Since the 23 March our numbers have reached 98% increase - lots more families are struggling. The mother of the premature baby is at home again and feeling much better and thanks you for all the baby milk. Without all the donations we would never manage to help all the families so thank you again for all your support.

Rosie and the team

Covid-19 Bereavement Support

PETAL (People Experiencing Trauma and Loss) is offering time-limited bereavement support to anyone bereaved by Covid-19, as well as their usual services for those bereaved through murder and suicide.

Click here for details

Bethany Trust volunteers

For parishioners who wish to help with the cost of food for the homeless please contribute through the Cluster Bank account.

The name of the account is
J.WATSON (BETHANY)
Sort code:- 80-46-47.
Account No. 12633665

If you would be interested in becoming a volunteer or want to know more about Bethany please contact Joe Murray on 07725 582599. Many thanks.

200 Club winning numbers

The winning numbers for March, April and May were 79, 92 and 8 respectively. Winners notified and received their Pay Out at the relevant time. Continued thanks to all participants for their support for this fundraising initiative and to those who pay monthly who have found ways to get their monies to me. For those who haven't managed that, don't worry, your credit is good ! Ann Callaghan

You are held in prayer

Parishioners who are unwell

Please remember in your prayers those who are sick:

Josie and Baby Ronin,
Gerry Mulvenna,
Nancy Murray,
Ranier Carpo,
Roney Fernandes,
Christopher Browne,
Xaverina Rodrigues,
Annette Sibbald
Derek Morgan.

June Jamieson and son Alex

Alan Cuthill, son of Janet and Alan

I am the Resurrection and the Life

We remember in love

Please remember in your prayers those who have died:

Susan Guiney,
John Michael Murray,
Richard Lynch,
Frank Tracy,
May Liddle,
Fr. Tommy Greenan,
Rustom V.Carpo,
Ena McCann,
Sr Mary,
Winnie Callaghan,

Joyce Flynn (anniversary).

May they rest in peace.

Finance
How you can donate to the cluster

Some of you have been asking about donations to the cluster since lockdown.

For more information contact Fred, one of our cluster accountants, who will be happy help you with this. fredmcconnell@btinternet.com

Further resources

Lockdown from Lauriston

"The Holy See's Response to the Pandemic"
A series of talks via Zoom and Facebook. The next one is by Augusto Zampini on Tue 23 June at 7.30 pm. Click here for details.

Journey of Discernment

In this series of talks by Zoom which is asking "What is the future of the Church after a time of pandemic?", Vice-Chair of the Global Catholic Climate movement Lorna Gold speaks on Thu 25 June. For details please email slaitynetwork@gmail.com

Archdiocesan information

The latest information from the Archdiocese can be found here:
https://archedinburgh.org/update-coronavirus/