Cluster News 6/7 June

Our buildings are closed.
Our church is open.

You are welcome.

Dear Parishioner,

We hope that this finds you and your families well. Welcome to this week's Cluster News. If you would like to share any news or comments, let us know. southedclust@btinternet.com

If you are aware of people who don't have internet access, please tell them about our new phone service. Keeping in touch with as many as possible in our cluster is so important at this time. Let us know if you did.

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 blessings,

Fr Mike and Fr Alex.

Prayer resources for adults

Children's resources

NEW: For parishioners without internet access
Phone service 0131 357 6463

Our dedicated phone number allows people to listen to our Prayer Resources each weekend. Please dial the complete number. After a short introductory welcome and a pause, you will hear everything that is on the Prayer Resources video. The charge is the equivalent of a local call.

Prayer Foundation

United in prayer: Tue 2.45pm & Wed 7pm

Our Prayer Foundation invite us all to be united in prayer on Tuesdays at 2.45pm and Wednesdays at 7pm.

A small group has committed to 30 minutes of silent prayer at these times.

Everyone in our cluster and beyond is invited to join in prayer during this time of separation and isolation.

For more information or prayers requests please contact Clare Roller clare.roller@icloud.com

Mount Vernon Cemetery notice

Bethany Trust volunteers

For parishioners who wish to help with the cost of food for the homeless please contribute through the Cluster Bank account.

The name of the account is
J.WATSON (BETHANY)
Sort code:- 80-46-47.
Account No. 12633665
Next shelter night for our cluster volunteers is Wed 10 June.

If any of our volunteers are able to join our team in June please contact Joe Murray on 07725 582599. Many thanks.

Faith in Action
Help for those struggling financially
We know that there must be people who are struggling on reduced wages or benefits at this time. Help is available if you are in this situation (or know someone who is). Please contact us confidentially and we can forward that information to those who can help.

On the other hand, if you want to contribute in some way to helping people, food banks are even busier than usual.
The relevant food bank for the cluster is:
47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353
Email edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org
Opening times:

Mon & Thu 11am-2.30pm

You can donate online by visiting their website: https://edinburghse.foodbank.org.uk/

The cluster contact name is Rosie.

Connect Groups

The small groups (no more than seven) will meet at a time suitable to the members. If you need help with the technology involved in joining a group, again let us know in the email. Each week, we will provide the relevant gospel reading and some suggested questions. We look forward to hearing from you

An Irish Blessing

This is an enthralling tour of Ireland geographically, digitally, musically and prayerfully. It's six minutes - far too short!

Rosie writes:

There is an ongoing need for our regular items

Tinned fruit, mince
Corned beef, beans
Shampoo, toothpaste, shower gel.

We also need washing-up liquid, washing power and SMA Baby milk number one for a very small baby whose mother has gone back into hospital.

Hymn of the Week click on the picture

Chosen this week by Vidya D'souza and she has so much to tell us that we've given her her own page here.

Views from the Pews

Sr Christine and Sr Jeannette write:

Thanks so much for all the resources etc online and the new style set up. Amazing…and well done.

Mike Mineter writes: The pace and flow and simplicity and presentation were so good. It’s beautiful: the variety of voices in the readings- for this Sunday especially; my all-time favourite psalm sung so well, Pat's powerful prayers, Sophie reading the missionary discipleship prayer beautifully (and doing so outside added a dimension to a missionary prayer), the gentle closing flute music...

I am used to being grateful for deeply thought-out homilies in this cluster - such a gift each week. Yes, this was another...I appreciated the reminder to work at the gifts of the Spirit. I'd like my thanks to be passed on to all involved in this video, working with their gifts, in cooperation with that Spirit.

Dorothy Gilhooley writes:

I would like to congratulate all who took part in producing the Pentecost service. I enjoyed every part of it. Thank you for enabling us to feel part of the Cluster.

Maureen Martin writes:
As ever a beautiful presentation. I loved Maureen Quinn's hymn. It was beautifully played & the illustrations were excellent. The readings & gospel were well read by the parishioners. It's nice to put a name to a face. It was nice to see & read Vincent's tribute to his beloved wife Ena. She was a good friend to me & I enjoyed her company. The photograph was so like the Ena I knew & loved. I will always remember her for her lovely smile & care for others. May she rest in peace now.
As ever an inspiring homily by our 2 priests read by Fr Alex. We need to see Fr Mike. Is he like me -camera shy? Many thanks to all who are making & contributing to the weekly news & resources. God bless you all.

Alisa Winters writes:
Just wanted to drop a wee note to say that I think the new format for the newsletter is beautiful. It feels very modern and much easier to read on a phone screen to view anywhere. I think the different images & sections make it easy to navigate and more pleasant to read than a lot of text.

Thank you for all the terrific work going on behind the scenes!

Kathleen Thomson writes:

I do like the look and format of the new Cluster News. It is so colourful, inviting to look at and appealing to read. I think, we need to say a massive thank you to everyone involved who had a hand in producing it, it is certainly greatly appreciated.Thinking of you both and all our parishioners.

God bless.

Finance
How you can donate to the cluster

Some of you have been asking about donations to the cluster since lockdown.

For more information contact Fred, one of our cluster accountants, who will be happy help you with this. fredmcconnell@btinternet.com

Further resources

Engaging Seekers, Reaching the Unchurched
Click here to watch a recording of "Engaging Seekers, Reaching the Lost" with James Mallon and Sherry Weddell: How do we explore innovative ways we can reach people right now?

Lockdown from Lauriston

"Refugees in a time of pandemic"
The Lauriston Jesuit Centre is running a series of talks via Zoom and Facebook. The next one is by Sarah Teather on Tue 9 June at 1 pm. Click here.

Journey of Discernment

A series of talks which is asking "What is the future of the Church after a time of pandemic?" The third of these is on Thursday 11th June by Austen Ivereigh. The meetings will be by Zoom and there will be a question and answer session included. For further details please contact: slaitynetwork@gmail.com

Archdiocesan information