Live streamed Masses here
Dear Parishioner,
We are conscious that we are not reaching every parishioner since lockdown and many may not even see this news.
We would encourage you to share/discuss this information
with anyone you know or suspect may not have internet access.
Let's stay connected by contacting others in the cluster and discussing all the news!
Let's continue to pray for one another during this challenging time.
Let's continue to pray for one another during this challenging time.
With our prayers, best wishes and blessings,
Fr Mike and Fr Alex.
Fr Mike and Fr Alex.
Prayer resources for adults:
22nd Sunday of the Year A
Children's resources:
22nd Sunday of the Year A
Phase 3: re-opening our church buildings.
This weekend we shall have all three parishes offering Mass at their usual times. To be able to attend your respective Mass, 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 our volunteers who are managing the booking system.
St Gregory's:
a) complete an online booking form (preferred option) or b) phone 07401 071 732 [Voicemail]
St John Vianney's:
a) complete an online booking form (preferred option) or b) phone 07898 170 282 [Voicemail]
St Catherine's:
a) complete an online booking form (preferred option) or b) phone 07869 473 068 [Voicemail]
This means that your name has been put on a list. Those booking online will receive an automated acknowledgement that they are requesting to attend, but they must wait to receive a notice of confirmation that they have been allocated a place before considering coming to the Mass. However, it is advisable to check your "spam" folder in case it goes there.
You will be contacted either online or by phone and if you do not receive confirmation then you are not on the list for those coming that weekend. You do not need to rebook however, as your name will be moved up on the waiting list for the following week.
On-line and telephone bookings can be made from Monday mornings through to Wednesday at 5pm. This will give booking staff time to finalise the list and to send a notice of confirmation to those on the list. You must receive a notice of confirmation in order to attend that weekend.
It is important that you read and understand what is required of you before, during and after attending Mass. We have prepared some guidelines about this and they can be found here.
We are conscious that we are not reaching every parishioner since lockdown and we would encourage you to share this information with anyone you know or suspect may not have internet access. Let's stay connected!
Fr Mike and Fr Alex.
Big Thank you to our parish teams!
The successful re-opening of our Cluster Churches to weekend communal worship has called for a collective involvement of parishioners from across all our faith communities.
Inevitably, under these challenging constraints, the smooth, prayerful and welcoming experience of the celebration of the Eucharist at Mass is achieved by much hard work behind the scenes.
We owe a special vote of thanks to our three parish teams, a veritable army of willing parishioners who have given of their time, skills and talents to ensure that church buildings have been appropriately prepared, parishioners are fully informed and reassured, processes and mechanisms are in place for a safe and secure return to Church.
Central to this huge effort are our Cluster Covid Co-ordinators, namely Gordon Jackson and Maureen Wallbanks in St Gregory’s, Susan Blaney in St John Vianney’s, and Anne Moore and Alex Thomson in St Catherine’s. Their planning, logistical, co-ordination and communication skills have been vital to the smooth operation of this work.
Our volunteers now have been arranged into one or more of the following teams:
Booking and Place Management Team
Welcoming and Stewarding Team
Cleaning and Disinfecting Team
We therefore sincerely thank our Covid Co-ordinators and their Teams for their sterling efforts in getting us to the position of having all three parishes open for Mass and for their commitment to continue supporting these unprecedented arrangements as long as is necessary.
From the Cluster Strategy Group
Hymn of the Week:
This week Gordon Jackson chooses a modern Scottish hymn based on Psalm 139.
It is called "Were I to Cross".
The New Scottish Hymns Band write new folk songs for the church. Although their line-up reflects most modern bands, with guitars, vocals, bass, drums and keyboards - their musical roots extend down to the great hymn writers of Scotland’s past. The lyrics are poetic, hopeful, and unapologetically Christian, invoking former ages in church music, when songs were used to teach as well as challenge and inspire.
A better way to stay connected
Our time of lockdown has shown how critical it is to be able to get in touch with as many parishioners as possible. Unfortunately, our parish registers are out of date. We are starting to compile new ones so that we can stay better connected to you all.
Go here to find out how we are going about this process and how you can play your part.
Views from the Pews
Dear Fr Alex, we wish to thank you and the team for a wonderful welcome back to St John Vianney’s on Sunday last. It was all very strange but these are the times we live in just now. It was evident the amount of time, effort and planning you all carried out to make our return a joyful and well organized occasion. Thanks, Fr Alex, for a lovely Mass and homily. We appreciate all your hard work. Kind Regards, Maureen and F rank Quinn
Justice matters: See, Reflect, Act and Laudato Si’
Over the last weeks we have been using the words SEE, REFLECT, ACT in our short paragraphs about justice. We thought it was a good idea to explain a little more why we have chosen these words. They echo through the church’s social teaching and are to be found in Pope Francis’ beautiful and challenging letter to us - Laudato Si (Praised Be To You). This letter concerns climate and social justice – increasingly urgent and far reaching emergencies.
Pope Francis has chosen to use these words to shape this letter. They are a call to us to see with our eyes, our brains and our hearts. To reflect in a manner that uses our God given abilities. To act in a way which we believe will be pleasing to God and bring about a plan for justice and peace.
See: What do you know about climate disruption, sometimes called climate change?
Reflect: Do you want to learn more? Do you understand why Pope Francis sees this as a matter of both social justice and ecological justice? Does this crisis demand a response from you?
Act: Perhaps commit to read/ find out more about Laudato Si. You could watch the talks from the SEECAT 16 July event. On that same page you are invited to engage with Eco-Circle which meets weekly for 40 minutes via zoom, to learn and pray together informed by Laudato Si. You would be very welcome – each Tuesday at 5:30. If you have questions, jp.seecat@gmail.com.
You are held in prayer
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick:
Dermot Homan
Chris Madden
Liz Martin
Mary Love
Adam Cusack,
Rachel Witte
Mary Dias
Victor Julio Rodriguez
Iain Cusick
Elaine Hepburn
Cecilia Glancy
Annette Sibbald
Nancy Murray
Fiona Scott
Scott Fraser
Ferne
Irene
Javier Molina Vasquez
Roney Fernandes
Christopher Browne
Xaverina Rodrigues
Derek Morgan
Dermot Homan
Chris Madden
Liz Martin
Mary Love
Adam Cusack,
Rachel Witte
Mary Dias
Victor Julio Rodriguez
Iain Cusick
Elaine Hepburn
Cecilia Glancy
Annette Sibbald
Nancy Murray
Fiona Scott
Scott Fraser
Ferne
Irene
Javier Molina Vasquez
Roney Fernandes
Christopher Browne
Xaverina Rodrigues
Derek Morgan
Anne and Helen
Thomas Brock
I am the Resurrection and the Life
We remember in love:
Pat TanseyJackie Fraser
James Browne
Kathleen Boyle
Jane Hazelton
Jackie Scott
Sr Evelyn Gallagher
Billy Hill
Charlotte Farrell
Robert Donaldson
May Thomson
Mary McDaid
George Smith
Maureen Henderson
Alan Cuthill
Winifred Murray
Vincent Brady
Joyce Abrahams
Anniversaries
Danny Boyle
William Moir
Phil Boyle
Dick Perry
Tom Hanlon
May they rest in peace.
For those without internet access
Dial 0131 357 6463 to 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 prayer requests email clare.roller@icloud.com
Our Prayer Foundation invite us all to join in 30 min of silent prayer. For prayer requests email clare.roller@icloud.com
Faith in Action
Help for those struggling financiallyIf you are struggling on reduced wages or benefits at this time (or know someone who is), please contact us confidentially and we can forward that information to those who can help.
The relevant food bank for the cluster is:
47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353Email edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org
You can donate by online bank:
Name: Blythswood Care
Sort Code: 80-91-26
Account no: 10413664
Reference: S.E. Edinburgh Foodbank
Sort Code: 80-91-26
Account no: 10413664
Reference: S.E. Edinburgh Foodbank
Items needed this week
- Eggs, beans, rice, corned beef, fruit, jars of baby food.
- Tinned items: Potatoes, carrots, mince, fruit, custard.
- Chocolate, sweets, Mars/ Twix bars, crisps, snacks, biscuits, hot chocolate.
- Tin foil, cling film, shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel
The Alpha Course returns - online this time
Coming in the week beg. 21st September, Alpha returns. Since lockdown perhaps you have been appreciating the weekend liturgy - but then what?
Want to meet up with people who are looking for a spiritual way through this pandemic? We'll share lots in confidence: faith, family, fears - and fun!
Each session lasts just 40 minutes and don't be put off because you are not sure about the "online" stuff - we'll support you through all that in advance with no fuss. Let's stay safe, pray safe and stay connected - through Alpha
Email: Cluster.alpha@outlook.com
Mobile: 079 4766 0766
Twitter: @ClusterAlpha
Two wonderful recipes in for one more week.
Finance
To find out how you can donate to the cluster at this time contact Fred, one of our cluster accountants, who will be happy help you with this.
fredmcconnell@btinternet.com
Lauriston Jesuit Centre: Festival Flavours
Gustav Mahler: Spiritual Influences for an Orchestra Conductor
Dane Lam is the Principal Conductor of China’s Xi’an Symphony Orchestra and will be talking on Mon 31 August 12 noon from Australia about the spirituality of Gustav Mahler in his life and in his music. Click here for Zoom login details.
Scottish Laity Network
Season of Creation Retreat
Gospel Discipleship and Ecological Sustainability
Saturday 12th September, 10am-3pm.
Retreat facilitated by Diarmuid O’Murchu. Following Christ today has a very different meaning from just a few decades ago. We are moving beyond a mere personal understanding (us and God), to a participative understanding with creation itself in central place.
For Zoom details slaitynetwork@gmail.com.
An update on Rachel and Alfie.
Jacinta writes:
They’re both home and doing well so thank you for continuing prayer. There is a possibility Rachel will need to go back in for follow up surgery so we appreciate continuing prayer.