Cluster News

22/23 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,

Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and the whole Church. We are empowered to receive the truth and to bear witness to it. Wishing you a happy, holy and peaceful Feast of Pentecost.

Fr. Alex

Lockdown Liturgy:

Pentecost Sunday B

Children's Liturgy:

Pentecost Sunday B

Fr Alex's Silver Jubilee

As you may know, Fr Alex will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of his ordination, his Silver Jubilee, on 21 June this year.  In those 25 years Fr Alex has come “full circle” – he spent the year leading up to his ordination in St John Vianney’s, working alongside Fr (now Bishop) Stephen Robson.  So there is something appropriate about this Anniversary occurring whilst he is ministering to the three parishes in our Cluster.

Under normal circumstances, we would have wanted to mark and celebrate this important milestone on or around the date of Fr Alex’s Silver Jubilee.  However, because of the Covid-19 restrictions, at this stage we simply don’t know what will be permitted, both in terms of numbers at Mass and social celebrations, come 21 June.

We have discussed this with Fr Alex and feel it is better if we postpone the celebrations until later in the year when, hopefully, we can gather in larger numbers to celebrate his Silver Jubilee.  

“Care of Creation Office”

A “Care of Creation Office” is to be established ahead of the COP26 meeting in Glasgow later this year. Bishop William Nolan, the Bishop of Galloway and President of the National Justice & Peace Commission said: 


“On Pentecost Sunday we mark the 6th anniversary of Laudato Si' which reminds all Catholics of their responsibilities towards one another and the world we live.

The Office’s aim will be to give practical advice and guidance: helping dioceses and parishes assess their carbon footprint and discern how to work towards carbon neutrality.

The announcement of the new office coincides with a National Pastoral letter ( in video format or as a letter) from Scotland’s Bishops being distributed this Pentecost weekend.

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 odds and ends of wool/ material should email Anthea Donaghue for details or phone 0131 664 7642. Anthea can collect material donated or provide to anyone needing it.

Here is simple guide to what's involved.

A new single phone number for the Cluster: 07877 121 402

With one parish priest serving the South Edinburgh RC Cluster, of St Catherine’s, St Gregory’s and St John Vianney’s, we now have a single new phone number which will act as the first point of call for all three parishes. It is now live.

The old numbers for the parishes will be decommissioned, with the exception of the Mass Booking numbers which will continue meantime.

From Fr Alex's Savoury to a Sweet...

...and from a Sweet to a real Sweetie - it's Ronin

Someone would like to say Hello and thanks to everyone in PF for all the prayers that helped get him through his early days. Susanne Lackie xx

Justice Matters: Global Vaccine Inequality

See Sometimes a picture paints a thousand words. The chart shows the % of people vaccinated. Although this is only a selection, the divide between rich and poor nations could not be more stark - even when these nations live side by side as do Israel and Palestine. 

Reflect Right now, given the health resources available to the richest countries, a jag offers good protection; but in the poorest countries that jag almost certainly saves a life. What's its best use?

Act The US has started to talk about waiving Covid patents but the UK has not formally agreed whilst Pope Francis has backed the move. Sign the petition to urge our government to waive these patents. 

Watch this 5 minute video about the virus surge in India. 
You are held in prayer

Please remember in your prayers

those who are sick:

Grettel Calvo Mendez, Leah Gunn,

Hana Rowan Curry, Lynn Richmond,

Betty Dickinson, Annette,

Peter Robinson, 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, 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

Margaret Heavey and Jim Mullen.


St John Vianney

 Paul Abbot, Mary Hancock,

John Allan, Mary Ann Diver,

Hugh Nicol, Edward Calvey,

Ann More, Ronnie Coleman,

Tommy Brock, Mark Buchanan,

Catherine Crate, Patrick McCann,

James Dickson, William Glenwright,

James Stritch, Father Gerard Prior.

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

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

Phone number 664 9353      Email: edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org

  • Sponge puddings,
  • Multi packets of crisps,
  • Tinned sweetcorn,
  • Tinned custard,
  • 1litre bottles of diluting juice any flavour,
  • Nappies size 4,
  • Fresh potatoes

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

First Communions, Confirmations and - Lego...

We are approaching an exciting two week period where we see a large number of our pupils celebrating their Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

These are usually a great occasion where wider families gather together to celebrate these great milestones in a child’s life. The joy and happiness will still be there if the large gatherings are not.

Please pray for all our pupils who will be celebrating at this time. I also want to thank them for all the hard work they have put in to get here.

On a slightly different note, alwe are looking for some donations of Lego. Yes, the small building bricks. Can you help? Any donations, large or small would be gratefully received and can be given to Fr. Alex or handed into the school.

Thanks again everyone,

Paul Hunter, headteacher

Everything and everyone is connected

Mon 24 May @ 7pm by Zoom. An evening of reflection on Laudato Si', the climate crisis, the G7 summit and COP26. Speakers will talk about their hopes and prayers for the year ahead and how their faith inspires them to take action to respond to the climate crisis. Register here

Ecological conversion - Cooperation between the UK and the Vatican

Tue 25 May @ 7pm. A talk by Sally Axworthy, British Ambassador to the Holy See. Zoom details here.