Our Weekend Masses
For details see the section in this week's news and go to
our dedicated page.
Live streamed Masses here
Sisters and brothers,
This weekend we welcome back Fr Mike, who will be celebrating Mass in our three parishes
while Fr Alex is on his well-deserved holiday.
Lockdown Liturgy:
21st Sunday B
Children's Liturgy:
21st Sunday B
Communion Services will resume at St Gregory's every Wednesday at 9.30 am. No need to book but your details will be taken for Test & Protect purposes.
Changes to our Arrangements for Mass
With Scotland moving "beyond level 0", there is no longer a legal requirement to have limits on the number of people that can attend Mass and other services in our churches. Therefore, with effect from Saturday 21 / Sunday 22 August 2021 we will make the following changes:
You will no longer have to book for Mass. We will continue to keep a register of those who attend (name and contact number) for Test & Protect purposes.
There is still a requirement to wear a face covering in indoor public places (with an exception for those who are exempt) and this will continue at Mass along with hand sanitisation when entering the church building. Children under the age of 12 now need not wear a face mask.
We will continue to ensure windows that can open are opened to ensure good ventilation in our churches.
You can choose to sit where you prefer in the church. However, many people are still concerned about coronavirus. We would therefore ask everybody, where space allows, to maintain a respectful distance from one another, or one family from another.
Congregational singing is allowed (with face masks remaining in place). For the time being, this will involve singing along to hymns that we will play using the screens in each of our churches.
Communion will revert to the place it was normally distributed during Mass. You will be invited by our stewards to move forward to receive Communion and then return to your seat for the concluding parts of the Mass.
At the end of Mass, to try to avoid people getting caught up in large groups at the exits, you will be invited to leave by the stewards. As you leave, you will have the opportunity to sanitise your hands.
We are continuing to explore live music, children’s liturgy and teas and coffees after Mass, and will update you in due course.
In making these changes we want to ensure as many people as feel able can come to Saturday/Sunday Mass, while at the same time adhering to the Scottish Government’s advice to “... continue to act carefully and remain cautious.” We hope this paints a clear picture of what you can expect when you come to Mass. It is important to conclude by saying that we fully understand that there will be people across our faith communities who won’t yet feel able to come to Mass.
All of this will be kept under review and we will continue to watch out for any further Scottish Government guidance or advice.
If you have any questions, please email southedclust@btinternet.com
Alpha Is Back!
Alpha will be running in the cluster this autumn. It starts on the week beginning Monday 13th September and will run online. It would be great to have you join us. If you have already attended an Alpha perhaps you know of someone you could invite to come along? Every week we watch a film about what it means to believe in Jesus then we get together and chat about it. There’s no pressure or expectation and anything goes!
If you or someone you know is interested in joining please contact us on cluster.alpha@outlook.com
Survey of Cluster Buildings
Towards the end of 2020 the Archdiocese asked a company of Charted Building Surveyors to carry out a survey of every church, hall, and parish house throughout the Archdiocese. Please go here for an important update on how our Cluster will be impacted by the results.
Crosstalk August 2021
Copies of ‘Crosstalk’, the SEECAT quarterly magazine, will be available at church from this weekend, for anyone who would like a copy.
However, if you can't make it to Mass as yet you can read a copy of it here.
Synod of Bishops 2021-2023
Scottish Laity Network
The Synodal Church -
A Kairos Time
In preparation for the synodal consultation, the SLN warmly invite you to participate in their new series of Zoom events, Towards a Synodal Church. The first talk is on Thu 26 Aug @ 7pm by Massimo Faggioli, Professor in the Dept of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University, Philadelphia, USA. Register here.
For more info. slaitynetwork@gmail.com
Scottish Laity Network
The Synodal Church -
Synodality in Practice
9.30-12.30pm In the second talk of the series, on Saturday 4th September Brian Grogan SJ a well known author spiritual director, will facilitate a practical exploration of a synodal way of listening and discerning. Register here.
For more info. slaitynetwork@gmail.com
For a copy of the entire series of talks go here.
International Day Against Nuclear Tests 29 August
Justice for the victims of nuclear testing 29 Aug @ 7pm by Zoom. Clause 6 of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons seeks compensation for the victims of nuclear weapons tests, and reparation for lands damaged by radiation. People and territory are still suffering because of the effects of nuclear testing. Our speakers are each expert because of their experiences, their research, and their work to achieve justice for all affected. Register here.
Trustee (voluntary)
We are seeking new trustees including a new treasurer to join the small charity, Transition Edinburgh South (TES), that runs Gracemount Community Garden. We are looking for trustees of any age or any background as long as they are passionate about building local community and environmental sustainability, particularly in and around Gracemount and its neighbouring areas. Please get in touch through the contact form on our website https://www.transitionedinburghsouth.org.uk/
Safeguarding Training in the Archdiocese
Induction Part 2 Training (Duration approx. 90 Mins)
Please note that Induction Part 2 Training should be done approx. 18 months after Level 1 or Induction Part 1 Training has been completed - thank you.
Trainer: Joanne Aitken - Joanne.Aitken@staned.org.uk
Tuesday 31 August 2021 at 7.15pm
Wednesday 8 September 2021 at 7.15pm
Trainer: Julie Brechin - julie.brechin@staned.org.uk
Saturday 25 September 2021 at 10am
Please book direct with either Joanne or Julie via the email address above. 30 places available for this session and must be pre booked to obtain the joining details. Please also provide your parish and role within the parish when booking - thanks.
There's a new publication called The Scottish Catholic being launched this autumn. Click on the image for a sample edition.
The magazine will come out every two weeks at the very reasonable price of £2 from October.
More details to be found in the sample edition.
Oberammergau 2022
The famous Passion Play in Oberammergau; Bavaria was postponed from 2020 to 2022. I am trying to organise a group from Parishes in South and South East Edinburgh to attend then get a Traveling Agency to undertake management of the tour. I have contacted Alba Tours in Motherwell and Tailored Travel in London. Both are willing to undertake management of the tour with specific requirements for us if I get enough numbers. More details from Agatha Kai-Kai, Parishioner at St Columba's here.
Justice Matters:
“Who shall we go to? You are the Holy One of God”
It’s impossible not to mention Afghanistan and the terror of its people; facing life under the Taliban. Less visible this week are other countries, where there is also acute pain; caused by injustice of many types. Peter’s words above, seem as relevant now, as, in Christ’s time. There is someone to turn to.
SEE: We see the devastation of Afghanistan and any pretence of the interventionist war being successful has been shredded. There were temporary gains especially for women but this article describes how the surge to war after the 9/11 atrocities did not result in any meaningful long term policy in Afghanistan. A year after invasion “ it was already clear the west had neither the political will, financial generosity nor the attention span to match the windy rhetoric that breezed us there.”
REFLECT: We are faced here, with the failure of the military response. We can reflect that we did our best and it really isn’t our responsibility. This seems to have been the reaction of the disciples who left Jesus, finding his message “intolerable”. We can reflect that there is nothing we can do – it is hopeless. Such thoughts might take us to the place Judas found himself in at the end of his life. However we could look to Peter. When asked by Jesus, do you want to leave? Peter said “you have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’ Peter didn’t say that he understood but that he trusted Jesus’ guidance. If we apply that approach should we have acted differently in Afghanistan? What should we now be doing?
ACT: It’s important to believe there is always an “act”, no matter how small it might appear. Learn more about how the situation will fuel the flow of refugees, adding to those dispossessed by of war, poverty and climate change. Evidence shows us that most refugees are “hosted” by countries local to themselves, less able to bear the cost of such an extra burden. Our response to asylum seekers is to create legislation which in effect makes them illegal if their means of arrival is not legal. The situation in Afghanistan throws into stark detail how difficult it is to leave a country in an orderly fashion whilst also terrified for your safety. How we deal with refugees is increasingly important. We need to contact our MPs to ensure that our Christian message of love thy neighbour is heard loud and clear. We can also support charities and groups that seek to support and advocate for refugees and Refugee Survival Trust.
Tricia Kaminski
Please remember in your prayers
those who are sick:
Elizabeth Napier, Laurence Friel,
George Pringle, Donna Buchan,
John and Angela Mcintosh,
Jorge Rodriguez, Sr Veronica,
Katharine, Ashley Hammond,
John, Jennifer,
Christopher Mackinnon, Gilmour Forrest, Maureen Lawson, Bailey Bruce McCann, Grettel Calvo Mendez, Betty Dickinson, Annette, Catherine Hart,
Karen Devlin, Vo Van Tu,
Scott Fraser, Thea Maung,
Anne Doig, Sr May Lewis,
Jessie & George Ritchie,
John Skinner, Fr Eugen,
Evelyn Levine, James Duffy,
Ronan Boyle, Hazel Martin,
Mary Boyle, Mary Dias,
Catriona McAuley, Elaine Hepburn,
Marie, Sophie,
Roney Fernandes, Christopher Browne, Xaverina Rodrigues, Anne and Helen, Sacred Heart sisters in Uganda
I am the Resurrection and the Life
We remember in love
Those who have died recently:
Mary Malone
Mary Campbell,
Patrick,
Ester Rodriguez,
Leah Gunn,
John McGinley.
Anniversaries
St John Vianney:
Michael Gormley, Rev. William Boyle,
Michael Gilroy, Philip Colvin,
Sarah Anne Byrne, William Glenwright (Jnr),
Marie Taylor, Anne Carlin,
Margaret Young, Tom Stewart,
Catherine O'Neill, Francis Murphy,
Hector Gallagher, Anne Prior,
John Gallagher, Beatrice MacDonald,
Thomas Mann, Michael Cullen,
William Gallagher, Catherine McVey,
Ann Stokes, James Thomson,
Scott McDonald.
St. Gregory:
William Moir, Phil Boyle.
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
Praying with the Pope in August
Church on the way
Join Pope Francis in his particular intention selected for August: "Let us pray for the Church, that it may receive from the Holy Spirit the grace and strength to reform itself in the light of the Gospel”. Read more
Ask your MP to stop the £20 cut to Universal Credit
The relevant food bank for the cluster is:
47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353
Needed this week:
Are you struggling? We are here to help
If you, or anyone you know, is in need of financial support or a friendly telephone chat, call our SSVP in the Cluster:
St John Vianney's 07922 675196,
St Gregory's 07757 845673,
St Catherine's 07539 266411.
If you would like to make a donation go here
Entitlements Page
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.
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
St Joseph’s Services in Rosewell has a vacancy for a
Pastoral Coordinator. You will realise how important such a post is in a project like ours where we wish to stay true to the values and pastoral ethos of St Vincent de Paul. Information on the above post together with contact details can be downloaded
here.
Edinburgh Churches Together
Their August Newsletter is available here.
Anyone for cricket girls?
Cricket Scotland are running Girls Only Dynamos at Inch Park. This FREE programme is an amazing opportunity for ALL 8-11 year old girls to get active and try cricket in a fast, fun way! No equipment or experience is necessary – we will provide everything, with activators and mentors on hand to give you the best experience possible. Session details can be found on the attached poster, along with a sign-up link. If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to get in contact via the same link.
Katie McGill Regional Development Officer - East
mob: 07540 113363
£15.90 to feed a child
for a whole school year
with Mary's Meals!
Become a monthly giver
before 31 August 2021 and your first three donations will be tripled thanks to a group of generous supporters, who have promised to make funds available up to £100,000. Help us access all the funds by setting up a Direct Debit today and the impact of your kindness will go three times further.
Drama: Paddy the Cope
West Lothian meets West Donegal as shale miner Patrick Gallagher (John McColl) returns to his native sod imbued with the co-operative principles he’s learned in Scotland to spread social revolution in cahoots with the Fairy Fiddler of Cleendra (Sue Muir) and Father Tom Finlay SJ taking on the Gombeen merchants, Dublin Castle, the British Army and the Black and Tans in the process.
For dates, times and booking details go here.
Thanks to Mary Thomson
