Cluster News 26 April
Dear Parishioner of the South Edinburgh Cluster,
We hope that this finds you and your families well. Here is our latest update.
We hope that this finds you and your families well. Here is our latest update.
Prayer Resources of various kinds
The Children’s Liturgy
teams in each of our three parishes have come together to produce materials for use by the children and their parents whilst they cannot attend their normal sessions during Mass.
This looks set to become a regular feature whilst we are in social isolation.
Please let us know how useful these materials are and of any suggestions you may have.
Our Weekend Prayer Resource
for adults continues.
There is no fixed format but the hope is to provide the readings for the relevant weekend, then a gospel reflection by Fr Mike and Fr Alex and then our Prayers of Intercession and our closing Cluster Prayer.
Please let us know if you find these useful and we welcome any feedback.
Hymn of the week
This week Clare Roller has chosen a lovely one called “I can’t see your face” sung by herself. She has a lovely voice and I know you will enjoy listening to her. You might want to join in. Clare writes:
“For me the words reveal the humanity of God in Jesus and encourage me/us to trust even though God can’t be “seen" (last Sunday’s Gospel "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" especially in times of trouble and uncertainty (like now).
God will guide us (But you lead me wherever I go) and comfort us through these dark times and stand alongside all who are suffering.
God is in this with us and suffers with us (But you cry when I am hurting) and will always be with us no matter what, In joy or in sorrow."
“For me the words reveal the humanity of God in Jesus and encourage me/us to trust even though God can’t be “seen" (last Sunday’s Gospel "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe" especially in times of trouble and uncertainty (like now).
God will guide us (But you lead me wherever I go) and comfort us through these dark times and stand alongside all who are suffering.
God is in this with us and suffers with us (But you cry when I am hurting) and will always be with us no matter what, In joy or in sorrow."
The Bethany Trust
Joe Murray writes:
“You know that the cluster has a number of volunteers who help out at the Bethany Trust shelter for homeless people, taking responsibility for organising all aspects of a meal for approximately 70 people on a given night – and that includes the washing up!
“You know that the cluster has a number of volunteers who help out at the Bethany Trust shelter for homeless people, taking responsibility for organising all aspects of a meal for approximately 70 people on a given night – and that includes the washing up!
You may not have been aware that Bethany Trust and Edinburgh City Council have come together to care for homeless people at this difficult time by booking rooms at the Waverley Hotel in Princes Street.
On Monday night, it will be our cluster volunteers who are preparing and serving a meal to them. Well done to all involved! Read about this here.
We hope to give you a report of how they get on next week.
Keeping in touch with those who have no internet
Maureen Wallbanks writes:
“We are continuing to make telephone contact with our parishioners to keep them updated with Parish News and will spend time discussing any worries they may have at this time. During one of the calls a parishioner asked about receiving a hard copy of the Cluster Newsletter which I explained we are unable to do.
I then called her back and suggested I could play Fr Mike’s tribute regarding Gerry Mulvenna's condition over the phone. She was delighted with this and I then played Fr Mike and Fr Alex's reflection on the Sunday gospel. It’s a simple effective way of letting people know that the cluster continues to care for them.”
“We are continuing to make telephone contact with our parishioners to keep them updated with Parish News and will spend time discussing any worries they may have at this time. During one of the calls a parishioner asked about receiving a hard copy of the Cluster Newsletter which I explained we are unable to do.
I then called her back and suggested I could play Fr Mike’s tribute regarding Gerry Mulvenna's condition over the phone. She was delighted with this and I then played Fr Mike and Fr Alex's reflection on the Sunday gospel. It’s a simple effective way of letting people know that the cluster continues to care for them.”
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)
Our Alpha course
continues... … Alpha Update 24.04.20
Everyone who has attended Alpha will be invited to provide feedback to the Alpha team on the course as well as share experiences of their spiritual journey. These evaluations will enable the team to develop and enrich the Alpha programme.
We also hope to provide an opportunity for those members of the group who have not been able to join our virtual Alpha to complete the course in the future. At this difficult time, our virtual Alpha course has enabled us to stay connected and continue to practise our faith with our community.
Jane Watson on behalf of the Alpha team.
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