Live streamed Masses here
Dear parishioner,
As we begin this Season of Advent, we ask God to prepare us for change - change in our lives ... so that we may be ready to greet the child Jesus when he comes in Bethlehem at Christmas. As we open our hearts and recognise our sins, let's also be confident of God's grace within us and ask for God's mercy this day. As usual, this week's news is full of information - and opportunities. A good way of staying connected is to get involved.
Take Care and Stay Safe,
Fr. Alex
Prayer resources for adults:
First Sunday of Advent B
Children's resources:
First Sunday of Advent B
Mass available in our three parishes
We would encourage you to make use of the phone option only if you are unable to book online. This will make things easier for those who are managing the booking system. Special arrangements for Christmas Weekend bookings. See below.
On-line and telephone bookings can be made from Monday mornings through to Wednesday at 5pm. You must receive a notice of confirmation in order to attend that weekend. We have prepared some guidelines about this and they can be found here.
We would encourage you to share this information with anyone you know or suspect may not have internet access. Let's stay connected!
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 four-day period, 24 to 27 December:
| Thurs 24th Dec | Fri 25th Dec | Sat 26th Dec | Sun 27th Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Catherine's | 8 pm | 11 am | ||
| St Gregory's | 10 am | 6 pm | ||
| St John Vianney's | 6 pm | 9.30 am |
A dedicated online booking system for the Masses over these four days will open on Wednesday 9th December and close on Tuesday 15th 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 9th 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.
Christmas Eve Service for All Ages (Zoom)
In addition to the Masses over these four days, we will be offering a Christmas Service for all ages at 4.00 pm on Christmas Eve. We will host the service on Zoom but are also exploring how parishioners without internet access may be able to take part by phone. More details next weekend.
There will be carols and the telling of the Christmas story by our children, a homily by Fr Alex and time for prayer, and more... We are aware that in "normal" times we would get many visitors at Christmas time who are less familiar with our faith tradition. This is a family-friendly service that is meant for everyone, regardless of their faith background. So tell your family, friends and neighbours. Invite everyone you can find to the banquet!
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 13th December.
What gives me hope this Christmas?
This Christmas will be like no other before. In our Christmas Eve Zoom service, we will explore the hope that our faith offers us. We invite you all to bring your experience of hope this year to the service. Tell us “What gives me hope this Christmas?” in a very short and simple 20 second video clip and we will include them in the service, or during the Christmas season. Children, families, young people, working adults, pensioners - we would love to hear from all ages and from the vibrant cultural diversity of our cluster. Invite others, too, to share their hope and be part of today's Christmas story!
Send your video clips by 17th December to
southedclust@btinternet.com, with the subject line “HOPE”.
This First Sunday of Advent coincides with the International Day of Solidarity with
Palestinian People. Our Justice matters features this important issue here.
St Gregory’s traditional Christmas raffle
Hi, this has been a difficult year for all and we realise although some people haven’t managed to attend Masses yet, you want to continue to support the parishes in any way you can. We have kindly been donated a hamper to raffle for Christmas to help us raise some funds for the parish.
Due to the current restrictions and guidelines we will have to be inventive as to how to do it this year. Our thoughts are that if you want to join in 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, my address 59 Walter Scott Avenue just along the road from St Gregory’s (just pop it through the letterbox) or Fr Alex is happy to receive them also which we thank him for!
Community has always been at the heart of what we do in St Gregory’s and we thank you in advance for any donations you can afford. Help us keep the parish financially viable.
Draw will take place on the Saturday 19th December.
Jacinta - St Gregory’s
Views from the pews
Kathy Duffy would like to thank the two parishioners for their cash donations towards St John Vianney's offertory collection.
Thank you to those who compose
our Prayers of Intercession
Each week someone from a small team has to compose prayers that are topical, readable - and prayerful! This is not an easy thing to do yet we are blessed with people who choose to do it - and do it so well -
this week is such an example in our lockdown liturgy. If you feel called to give this a try - there's support available so email us. But to those who do - we thank God for what you do!
Hymns of the week:
Two for one offering this week. Go here
Next Level Steak & Ale Pie
Apple and Gin Cocktail
Each Monday evening in Advent at 7pm
we are going to host
a zoom gathering to prepare us for the coming of Jesus at Christmas.
Jeff Bagnall (former RE lecturer at Craiglockhart) has agreed again this year to help us benefit from his extensive Scriptural knowledge. He will give a short talk and we'll go into breakout rooms for discussion. As well as this there will be input from parishioners about their favourite Advent prayers/reflections and their memorable pieces of art which relate to Advent and a favourite Advent hymn. Each session will last about an hour. If you would like to take part, please reply to
cluster.alpha@outlook.com with the heading “Advent”.
We look forward to seeing you!
The Alpha Course has ended. Read the report
You are held in prayer
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick:
Hazel Martin
Paul Brennan
Maureen Phillips
Colin Johnston
Dermot Homan
Mary Boyle
Mary Dias
Catriona McAuley
Elaine Hepburn
Annette Sibbald
Lorraine
Roney Fernandes
Christopher Browne
Xaverina Rodrigues
Anne and Helen
I am the Resurrection and the Life
We remember in love:
Sr Barbara Farquharson
Kuriakose Joseph
Irene McKay
Maria O’Neil
Maureen McMahon
William (Billy) Alges
Frank Cronin
Sr Ethel
Carmel McKeever
Anniversaries
St Gregory
Tress Witte, Michael Witte,
James Coyle.
St Catherine
Anne Boyle
St John Vianney
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, Mary Dodds,
Margaret Risi.
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) and how to phone to make a booking to attend Mass.
United in prayer:
Tues 2.45 & Weds 7pm
Our Prayer Foundation invite us all to join in 30 min of silent prayer. For prayer requests email
clare.roller@icloud.com
An urgent request for prayer from Sr Christine
Today we received news that in our community in Avigliana Italy, one of our sisters has died of Covid, three are seriously ill with it and six are infected. One sister is a doctor and is looking after them and another Polish sister working in Italy has gone to help her.
Twelve out of 23 Sisters are affected in this community of elderly sisters.
Many thanks Christine.
The relevant food bank for the cluster is: 47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353
Items needed this week
- Eggs, rice, corned beef, ham, fruit, jars of baby food,
pot noodles
- disposable nappies size 4,5*,6 .
- Tinned items: Fray Bentos pies, Tuna , veg. , peas , carrots , mince, fruit, custard*.
- Jars of
jam any flavour , jars of mayonnaise, packets of super noodles, packets of pasta sauce, Mac cheese, ravioli, tomato ketchup, diluting juice (1 litre
).
- Chocolate spread*, Chocolate treats, crisps*, snacks, biscuits, hot chocolate .
- Women's and men's shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel
(Asterisk items are in very short supply)
Donation box at St Catherine's
There will be a box in the porch at St Catherine’s for donations for the Food Bank in Southhouse. This will be collected weekly and taken to the shop.
If anyone would like to give a gift then there are three ways this can be done:
- Use Online Banking:
Account name - R.Arch of St A St Cath 2
Account Number - 00693806
Sort Code - 80 02 73
Reference - Father Fallon
- 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
- 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.
SJV PS News
Congratulations to Noah, Kayden and Ethan who received the Sacrament of Eucharist last Saturday. Good luck to Andrew, Liston, Riley, Melo and Shay who will receive the Sacrament on Saturday 28th November. We hope to have small celebration for all these pupils in school in the coming weeks. Our P5 class will also share in Mass with Fr Alex later in December.
Another congratulations to our P4 pupils who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation in school on Wednesday, they were all fantastic and enjoyed a small celebration afterwards.
Children's Winter Coats
If any parent or guardian is in need of a good winter coat for their child, could they get in touch with us through our email address: southedclust@btinternet.com . This request will be managed in the strictest confidence.
Double the love:
the government will match your donations!
From today until 31 Jan 2021 public donations made to our Double The Love appeal will be matched by the UK government, up to £2 million. A basket will be in the front porch or at the back of St Gregory's and St John Vianney's for this.
Sending Christmas cards this year? Here is the link to look at those from Mary's Meals.
The Emancipation of Catholics in Scotland since 1945
The inaugural event is on 30 Nov at 7.30pm with guest speaker Professor Sir Tom Devine. Zoom details here
The SEECAT Justice and Peace AGM and planning meeting will take place by Zoom on Wednesday 2 December at 7pm. Please register here
All are warmly invited. We will review the last year and plan what we will do in the next year.
SLN Advent Journey
Forced to Leave ~ Singing in a Foreign Land Thu 3 Dec at 7 pm. Speaker Professor Alison Phipps holds the UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow and is Co-Convener of Glasgow Refugee, Asylum and Migration Network (GRAMNET). To book email slaitynetwork@gmail.com