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,
Today's gospel seems to be more focused on the second coming of Jesus than the first. The important thing for us is that in every Advent we get the chance once again to prepare for the Lord who came into the world for our sakes. Let's prepare personally and as a community to welcome the Lord into our hearts. Let me wish you, Church-wise, a very happy New Year!
Fr Alex
Prayer Resources:
1st Sunday of Advent C
Children's Resources:
1st Sunday of Advent C
Communion Services will resume at St Gregory's every Wednesday at 9.30 am. Details will be taken for Test & Protect.
Christmas Weekend Masses
We want to do everything we can to ensure that as many people as possible, given government restrictions, can come to Mass over the Christmas period. Therefore, those who wish to attend are invited to choose one of the Masses that will be celebrated over the three-day period, 24 to 26 December:
| Friday 24th Dec | Saturday 25th Dec | Sunday 26th Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|
| St John Vianney | 6 pm. | 9.30 am. | |
| St Catherine | 8 pm. | 11 am. | |
| St Gregory | 10 am. |
A dedicated online booking system for the Masses over these three days will open on Wednesday 8th December and close on Tuesday 14th December. Parishioners will be invited to indicate their first and second choice and, following the close of bookings, will be informed which Mass they have been allocated a place at. To book, use this link, which goes live on 8th December: booking form. Those who normally book for Mass by telephone will be contacted by one of the Team, you do not need to phone to book a place for Christmas Mass.
Obligation to attend Sunday Mass reinstated for January
Scotland’s Catholic bishops have announced that with effect from Sunday 2 January 2022 the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holydays of obligation will be reinstated. The requirement was dispensed at the beginning of the pandemic and although churches opened and communal worship resumed, attendance was not obligatory.
In a pastoral letter, to be made available at all Masses across Scotland this weekend, the bishops say: "Thanks to the effort and good sense of so many, our churches have proven to be safe places. So, saving any serious worsening of the situation, we believe that Christmastide provides an opportune moment to restore the obligation."
Crafty Refreshments
St Gregory's are having tea/coffee after Mass on Sat. 4th December. There will also be a table sale of crochet & knitting crafts. Come and get some original Christmas presents. All profits from the sale will be given to Pregnancy Counselling & Care ( Scotland).
Advent Sessions 2021 continue
Our Advent sessions from 7pm to 8pm every Monday evening on zoom.
Our chosen charity is Pregnancy Counselling and Care (Scotland). If you would like to make a donation, the details are here. If you would like to join us, please register on cluster.alpha@outlook.com. Everyone is welcome.
The Cluster Alpha Team
Keeping your data up to date in the Parish Register
Under the terms of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we must do everything we can to ensure that the data held on our Parish Register is accurate and kept up to date.
If you have shared your details for the Parish Register, and have moved house, changed your telephone number, or got a new email address in the last 12-18 months, could you please let us know about these changes by emailing: southedclust@btinternet.com.
Registering If you haven’t yet had an opportunity to complete our Parish Registration Form, you can do so here. Having your details on the Parish Register allows us to keep you up-to-date with everything that is happening in our parishes.
Gerry Mulvenna
Christmas Toys Appeal
Once again, we are calling on our generous parishioners to consider those families in the cluster who will be struggling financially to make Christmas special for their children in terms of presents. It has been a tradition for us to organise presents to be bought and wrapped for children (indicating whether for a boy or girl and suitable for what age).
The gifts can be delivered in a number of ways. Either bring them to one of the Churches at a Mass time, or take them to Mary Thomson (9 Mortonhall Park Drive EH17 8SS) or phone this number(07801 271 860) to arrange for them to be uplifted. In order for them to reach the children for Christmas the deadline for this appeal is Sunday 12th December.
If you would prefer to make a donation towards this, we suggest the easiest way would be to put money in an envelope marked “toys” and post it through the door of St Catherine’s Parish House or hand to Father Alex.
We appreciate that there are many calls on your generosity at this time of year and we know that you will give what you can to the various appeals. Your actions will help to bring some Christmas cheer to others and will not be forgotten by the God who wishes you “Peace and good will to all!”
Christmas Raffle at St John Vianney's
St John Vianney’s are having a raffle with prizes of Christmas hampers. Tickets are £1 and will be on sale from this Sunday at the back of the church.
The draw will take place in the hall after Mass on Sunday 12 December at our Christmas coffee morning. In the meantime, donations of ladies and gents toiletries, small children’s toys and non-perishable food items would be much appreciated. All monies raised will go to the St John Vianney's Fabric fund.
Susanne Lackie
Christmas Raffle at St Gregory's
We have kindly been donated a hamper to raffle for Christmas to help us raise some funds for the parish. Any other donations of prizes would be most welcome.
We suggest you put a donation of what you can afford in an envelope marked St Gregory’s raffle, your name and contact number on it (you could be the winner). Envelopes can be dropped of either at Mass, through my letterbox at 59 Walter Scott Avenue just along the road from St Gregory’s or Fr Alex is happy to receive them also. The draw will take place Saturday 18th December after Mass. Thank you again for your support.
Jacinta Flockhart
Christmas Concert
is being held on Tuesday 14 December from 7.30 pm in St Catherine's Church and we would love it if you could come along a join us. We hope this will help make you feel a little Christmassey with a sing-a-long with friends. There will be refreshments in the hall afterwards.
The cost will be £5.00 and the proceeds will go to the Cluster fund. Please give your names and money to StG’s: Jacinta or Sr Jeannette, StJV’s: Suzanne L or Kathleen T, StC’s: Suzanne or Linda.
Please come along and enjoy some Christmas cheer and support our lovely singers. See you there
Catherine Homan
Cluster Seniors' Christmas Party
We would love to provide our Seniors with a wee Christmas party and dinner on Sat 11 Dec, 12.30-4.30pm in St Catherine’s church hall. We can accommodate up to 60 parishioners. Won’t it be great to be together again. Laughing, catching up with friends, good food and fingers crossed, a little dancing and singing too. Please give your name and contact number to Janet Logan (StC), Carol Mulvenna or Susanne Lackie (SJV) and Jacinta Flockhart (StG). We will ask you nearer the time if you require transport or if you have any dietary requirements. We can’t wait to see you, Ho! Ho! Ho! 🎅🤶 Love from Santa’s Helpers xx
Cluster social team
Justice matters: The Continuous Coming of Christ
The first Sunday of Advent and the readings are surprisingly, not about the imminent arrival of a new born, an occasion full of excitement. The gospel this week takes us instead, to the signs of the second coming, a happening that many of us view with trepidation as much as excitement. So why are we led in this direction? Perhaps it is so that we are led to look differently at the Christmas story, to see it as a continuous coming of Christ into the world and continuous call to trust him enough to look outwards to where others are struggling.
See: Today we see much disturbance of nature. With COP 26, fresh in our minds, we see that there is a lack of courage in our leaders to lead us in the radical change our scientists and some of our religious leaders say needs to happen
We see people trapped in injustice all over the world. But as we begin our Advent journey to Bethlehem, let’s consider those who live there today. Bethlehem, five miles from Jerusalem, is surrounded by illegal Israeli settlements, Israeli checkpoints and Israeli-only roads. It is bounded by the Barrier which denies Palestinians, access to most aspects of life without Israeli permission. Prospects for a 2-state solution are undermined by Israeli policy which is defended on the basis of security. However there are physical gaps in the “Security Barrier” even years after its construction began. It is the commuter routes used by Palestinians that are blocked by the barrier and checkpoints. The Barrier is far from the Green Line (viewed internationally as the West Bank/Israel border). The effect is to take Palestinian agricultural land and water sources and some illegal settlements to the Israeli side of the Barrier thus further fragmenting and dividing Palestinian land.
Reflect: Can we begin to understand that Jesus is not just the baby in the manger, not just the suffering servant but also the Lord of all creation present in the suffering world? In the second reading, Paul gives us all the advice we need “May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race..” What would the world look like if we took that advice?
Act: Tomorrow is the International day of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The UN have such days to try and promote knowledge and understanding of issues that so effect peoples’ lives. Look at the cry for hope website and they are asking us all to sign their call for decisive action to unlock this unjust situation.
Perhaps sign up for an advent calendar with a difference. Go to Traidcraft’s website for details or send a card to Boris Johnson asking him to make sure the promises that were made at COP 26 are not quietly forgotten.
Tricia Kaminski
You are held in prayer
Those who are unwell
and in need of our prayers:
Bill and Marlene Bonnar,
Stevie Donald, Kathy Duffy, Mary,
Verdiana and Donati Kweka (Tanzania),
Mary Thomson, Macy Whitehead,
Eammon McKelvey, Nancy Barta,
Alex McGinnity, Belén Rodriguez,
Patricia Simmons, Elizabeth Napier,
George Pringle, Angela Mcintosh,
Jorge Rodriguez, Sr. Veronica, Katharine,
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, 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:
John McIntosh,
John Allan,
Kathleen Clark,
Bridget Coyle,
Danny Coyle,
Mary McConville.
Anniversaries
St Gregory’s:
Grace O'Donnell, Steven Gilhooly,
Philip Lee, George Stewart,
Tress, & Michael Witte.
St John Vianney's:
James Hughes, Ellen McNeill,
Charles Clarkin, Irene Boynes, Edward Gay, Eric Innes, Betty Brock, Thomas Allan, James Grimley, Madge Hall,
Joseph O’Rourke, Mary Lightly,
Ann Blackwell, Fiona Harrold,
Patrick Sibbald, Freda Bowman,
Margaret Topping, Evelyn Robson,
Robert Robson (Jnr), Betty Curran,
Marie Williams, Father Albert Gardner, James Maxwell Ingram, Mary Ellen Pearce, Miranda (Pandy) Campbell.
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.
Gracemount Winter Warmer
Everyone is very welcome to come to the Gracemount Community Gardens and join us on Friday 3rd December between 12 and 3pm for free food and activities. Bring the children or come on your own - there should be something for everyone to enjoy. Download the attached flyer.
SEECAT Quiet Morning on Zoom
You are warmly invited to the SEECAT ‘Quiet Morning’ on
Saturday 4 December on Zoom.
The morning will be led by members of the Contemplation Group.
(This meets every Tuesday at 2:30 to 3:30 in Liberton Northfield Church hall and also on Zoom, and all are welcome.)
The format will be five short reflections or readings, followed by a time of silence after each one for personal reflection and prayer. Having a lighted candle next to you could be an aid to this.
We hope it will be a peaceful, prayerful space prior to what can be a very busy month. We would love to see you there!”
For Zoom details:
pat.jax10@icloud.com
The relevant food bank for the cluster
47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353
Items requested 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.
Our Playgroup is back again on Tuesdays at St Gregory's church hall at 10 - 11.30 am. Ages 0 - 5. It begins on Tues 21st Sept. For further details contact Lauren on 07789934818.
There is an information poster available here.
Want to tell us about something that's of interest to the cluster? Send us the info at southedclust@btinternet.com. If you were able to include an image with your request for a notice, that would be greatly appreciated by our small team. Thank you!
After COP26: What now for people of faith?
Alastair McIntosh
‘One of the world’s leading environmental campaigners’ BBC TV
Mayfield Salisbury Church, Edinburgh
Sunday 28th November at 7pm. All welcome - to book your free place, register here
School Feastday 25th Nov.
This week saw us celebrate the Feast Day of St. Catherine in school. As with last year, a very slim down version of what we would normally have.
This did not dampen the spirits of the children and the staff, who enjoyed a nice afternoon of treats and some fun time. It is important that we have those times in our lives.
It is really apt that St. Catherine is also the Patron Saint of teachers and students! She certainly shone on us on the 25th and we had a great day.
On behalf of all the school, we also want to wish all of the Parish of St. Catherine a very Happy Feast Day and we hope that it was as equally relaxing and enjoyable for you all too. God Bless,
Paul Hunter
Advent Journey 2021
Mary of Nazareth:
Companion in our Journey
Evenings of Conversation – Reflection – Prayer
7.00 pm – 8.30 pm
Thursday 25th November
Mary a Woman of Discernment
Companion - Gemma Simmonds
Gemma is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus. After a career in teaching she worked as chaplain in the University of Cambridge and at Heythrop, where she also co-ordinated student support services. She is currently Director of the Religious Life Institute at Heythrop and President of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain.
Synod 2021-23: Planning underway
Since the period of consultation at diocesan level has been extended, we are not under the same time pressure as before. A planning team has been identified and it will now be looking at how our Cluster can be part of the synodal journey, "walking together on the same road".
This is a synodal consultation across the world, giving everyone a voice, especially those who find themselves on the margins. Keep up to date on the Archdiocesan website and social media. More about the Synod here.
Going on an Advent - ure
