Live streamed Masses here
Dear parishioner,
This time of year, there are many voices vying for our attention. Buy this, buy that, accompanied with the promise that you will, feel good, look good.
Often the true meaning of what we are preparing for is lost amongst the chaos.
The true Christian message of preparing our hearts to welcome Christ into them at this time, if we hear it and respond to it, can bring about a transformation to make us look and feel good.
Fr. Alex
Prayer resources for adults:
Second Sunday of Advent B
Children's resources:
Second 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 rank their first and second choice and, following the close of bookings, will be informed of the one Mass at which they have been allocated a place. To book use this booking form link, which goes live on 9th December. 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)
Listen to Susanne tell us more about the additional Service for all ages at 4.00 pm on Christmas Eve. We will host the service on Zoom. You can register here from 9 Dec to 24 Dec 12 noon. You will then receive a confirmation email with the Zoom details. More information on joining by phone next weekend.
There will be carols, the Christmas story told by our children, a homily by Fr Alex and time for prayer, and more... 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! Click on the picture to hear from Susanne.
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.
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 either St John Vianney’s Parish House or St Catherine’s Parish House. Details of these can be found here.
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!”
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”.
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. 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
Thanking those who produce and deliver the paper newsletter.
We are conscious of the need to reach as many parishioners as possible and this has led to the production of a monthly paper newsletter to be distributed by a team of volunteer posties. People without internet access can feel a bit cut off and we hope this venture will be a means of keeping them connected with the news and events within the cluster.
Although they have not long started, we want to thank them most sincerely this week for this important work. They are a team of 15 and together they deliver approximately 60 newsletters. If you know of someone who would benefit from such as service, let us know:
southedclust@btinternet.com and put in the subject line “Newsletter”.
Hymns of the week:
Two for one offering this week - AGAIN!
Go here
The Annunciation by Henry Ossawa Tanner
Our Second Advent Session will take place on zoom this
Monday 7th December at 7pm.
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
prayer/poem;
a memorable
piece of art
(see above) 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 had more than 30 people last week, but there's room for more and we're all socially distanced... but huddled round the Holy Spirit!
Cauliflower and Chestnut Soup and...
A Mary Berry Zinger
Justice matters
This week’s readings are about preparing. Preparing the way for the Lord. Preparing ourselves for the Lord. We are waiting. We are told that is not a passive activity. There is much to do. In essence we are preparing ourselves, our world for the coming of the Lord. What will the Lord see when he arrives? The values we prioritise and the values the governments we elect prioritise give a clear indication of how we are preparing for the Lord and of what he will see.
See: We see the signs of distress in our society. The Edinburgh Poverty Commission Report 2020 tells us that “A boy born in New Town West can expect to live on average 21.4 years longer than one born in Greendykes/Niddrie Mains.” (Page 47). Abroad we see the plight of Palestine and the silence of nations unwilling to enforce international law. We also see our earth in distress, as Sir David Attenborough points out.
Reflect: Jesus is with us, in the poor, in the rich, in nature that is suffering and thriving. In everything. He is wanting us to live well and happily. He has given us a pattern to live by in his own life. Are we preparing ourselves to follow that pattern – love of God, love of self and love of neighbour?
Act: How we act shows how we are preparing for the Lord. There is much to do and many people are working hard – check out Operation Noah. There is also the Global Catholic Movement. More locally there is the eco–circle on a Tuesday at 5.30pm and on Tuesday and Friday at 6.30, for 20 minutes and there is an Israel/Palestine prayer and awareness raising circle.
Finally, as it is Christmas, Advent Calendars are everywhere and there are two which I could recommend - have some fun at the Fairtrade Foundation or there is the more sombrely named Injustice Advent Calendar.
You are held in prayer
Please remember in your prayers those who are sick:
Ronan Boyle
John Boyle
Binne Vries.
Hazel Martin
Paul Brennan
Maureen Phillips
Dermot Homan
Mary Boyle
Mary Dias
Catriona McAuley
Elaine Hepburn
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
Anniversaries
St Gregory ( None)
St Catherine
Ferrigle McGhee
Anne McGhee
Frederick McGhee
Margaret Greig
Madeline Laporte
St John Vianney
Mary Brown, Annie McLaughlin,
Michael Greaus, Jessie Hope Carmoodie,
John Monaghan, Rachel McMillan Browne,
Annie & Tommy Mann, Veronica Donoghue,
James Boyle, Donna Welsh,
Karen Findlay, Isa Cooper,
Davina Westgarth, Bridget McCarron,
Mary Devine, Nicole Finley.
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
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
).
- Selection boxes , 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 our P4 and P5 pupils who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharist. We are all very proud of you.
Another busy week here at St John Vianney, we have been learning about Advent and starting to prepare for Christmas. Our P5 class are organising our school to collect items for the Food Bank. Thank you to Maureen from St Gregory’s who is working with us on this.
Benefits Guides made easier
St Catherine's PS has compiled these very helpful and straightforward guides that they made up for our families. They show what families are entitled to and provide links on how to apply. They are in Polish and English.
The school is also running a Reverse Advent Calendar... Not sure what that is? Go here
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.
Mary at Christmas
Tue 8 Dec at 7.30 pm. On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, writer and broadcaster Tina Beattie speaks about the Holy Mother. Zoom details here
Advent Journey:
Forced to Leave - No Room in a Foreign Land
Thu 10 Dec at 7 pm with Danny Sweeney, Justice & Peace Scotland, Danny's work and life in Scotland has kept treading a path through Calais, and walking alongside refugees and asylum seekers, seeing the frontline of a humanitarian crisis unfolding in our society. To book slaitynetwork@gmail.com
And finally... Read Edinburgh Churches Together's Winter Newsletter but not before you have put the kettle on and found a delicous mincemeat pie to go with the experience!