These are available on the following days, being conducted on Zoom
Cluster News
8/9 May
Our Weekend Masses
For details of days, times and how to book please go to
our dedicated page.
Live streamed Masses here
Sisters and brothers,
At the heart of the Gospel message is love, and our readings today celebrate the Spirit of God’s Love in the Church and in the whole world.
Wishing you all a Happy Feast of the Ascension on Thursday, 13th May.
Fr. Alex
Lockdown Liturgy:
Sixth Sunday of Easter B
Children's Liturgy:
Sixth Sunday of Easter B
Ascension of the Lord
Children's Ascension
Training Sessions on Safeguarding
- Saturday 15 May 2021 at 1.30pm
- Sunday 16 May 2021 at 1.30pm
All volunteers are required to attend training every 2 years and this is up for renewal for most volunteers in SJV. Can you please let me know which of these training sessions you can attend and I will book you in.
Catherine McKeen (cmmckeen@btinternet.com)
SSVP in the Cluster
Families with children of school age who are in urgent need of items in the list below are invited to contact a mobile number on the SSVP page of the website. Their request will be managed in the strictest confidence.
Eligible items: Fridge, freezer, fridge-freezer, cooker, washing machine, tumble dryer, clothing, (inclusive of school uniform) grocery vouchers and beds/bedding.
Bereavement Services
The Cluster Bereavement group are pleased to announce a monthly service in St Gregory’s on the Saturday 15th May at 9.30am.
In keeping with the current guidelines, we will have to take contact details on the morning of the service. The service will have a slightly different look to it due to social distancing but there will still be the opportunity to light a candle in memory of those we have loved and lost.
Names of those who have died that month that we know about will be included in the prayers of intercession. If you would like a loved one's name mentioned for whatever reason (anniversary/ birthday) please say so when you arrive and these will also be included.
Thereafter it is hoped that the services will continue on the second Saturday of each month.
The dates of the next 2 services after are Saturday 12th June & Saturday 10th July 9.30am in St Gregory’s. You can watch our Easter Bereavement Service by clicking on the link.
Pulled Pork Tacos (Mexican Style)
and White Chocolate and Raspberry Financier
St. Andrew’s Children’s Society and Foster Care Fortnight, 10th -23rd May 2021
There are many children across Scotland who need stable, loving families to care for them because their birth families are not able to provide the nurturing or safe environment that would allow them to flourish and become confident and well balanced adults. Could you provide the stability and love these children deserve? Would you like to hear more about whether fostering a child could be an option for you?
Contact us on 0131 454 3370 or info@standrews-children.org.uk
We are holding a Virtual Fostering Information Evening on Wednesday, 19 May from 6.30pm to 8pm as part of Foster Care Fortnight™ 2021.
An important message from the Alpha Team
The Alpha course is part of our Cluster's mission to help us grow from a maintenance church to a missionary church. We have run a number of Alpha courses - and we managed to keep going during Lockdown by moving online.
We feel that it is time now to reflect on where we are with Alpha and to consult our Cluster community as part of our reflection. We are interested in your views about Alpha.
So, we invite everyone to complete the short questionnaire below. We need the views of those who have not done the Alpha course as well as those who have.
The questionnaire is designed to be simple to follow, quick to do and it will really help us plan for the future. Your responses will be anonymous – we are not asking for personal details.
Can you spare a couple of minutes to help us improve our delivery of Alpha? Click here
Many thanks, The Alpha Team
Let's keep looking on the bright side!
Pupils and staff have been working hard since the return from Easter Holidays. We can not believe we are into our final term already!
The summer term at school is always a busy but fun one. We are hoping for the return of the good weather so pupils can continue to get outside for some of their learning.
Our pupils who are preparing for their Sacraments in P3, P4 and P7 are continuing to work hard both in school and at home. If any parent/carer has any questions then please do get in touch with the school either by calling or emailing the Office at 0131 6641742 or admin@st-johnvianney.edin.sch.uk
For Health and Wellbeing this term, we are focusing on ‘Look on the Bright Side’ and transition and ‘Moving On’.
Below is a quote taken from one of the leaflets.
We hope everyone in the community is well and we are very much looking forward to the time when we can welcome you all back into school.
Aisling Christie, Depute headteacher
It's good to talk honestly
about how we feel
This week saw us finish a programme of work in our Building Resilience learning unit. This unit, called ‘Expect the Unexpected’ has been a lovely talking point for the kids.
One of the main themes we have covered is ‘It’s OK to be not OK’ and encouraging the kids to talk about how they are feeling and not to keep feelings in that may make them feel down.
This is really important for us all. How often do we not feel OK and keep it in? Nothing beats a good chat! There is no point in us encouraging our children to be open about how they are feeling if we don’t do it ourselves.
Remember, a problem shared is a problem halved. Take time, even just a few minutes, to listen to others and see what a difference it can make.
God Bless,
Paul Hunter, headteacher
Views from the pews
Another beautiful weekend online liturgy with a very fine homily from Fr Alex. Thank you so much.
Monica Thompson
Are you interested in web design?
It might be just to tidy up family photos and videos in a digital type of album. It might be just for fun. It might even be something to get you a job in a vastly expanding area. You won't be learning code - much less complicated - and it's free and on Zoom. Create pages such as this one.
Contact stuartholden@scotlandmail.com
Justice Matters: Remembering Nakba Day
Nakba Day is commemorated on May 15th. Nakba means “Catastrophe” in Arabic. In 1947-9 over 700,000 Palestinians were forced from their homes due to the actions of the armed forces of what became Israel, fleeing to Nazareth from Galilee; to Gaza; to Lebanon and Jordan. Many expected to come home later, and indeed the UN resolution that proposed the partition of Palestine to create Israel was followed by one establishing the right to return home of the Palestinian refugees, a resolution resolutely ignored.
See Nakba has continued ever since. The number of illegal Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories is fast approaching 800,000. Violence against Palestinians is increasing, including in East Jerusalem the expulsion of Palestinians from homes, then demolished or taken over by Israelis. The 14-year blockade of Gaza has led to widespread malnutrition among children. The photo (Regent Road Park below Carlton Hill) shows one of two memorials in Edinburgh of the village of Al Dawayima. They both commemorate how on October 29th, 1948 Israeli forces massacred villagers.
Reflect This week’s readings from Acts are about how the early Church moved from seeing itself as within Judaism to bringing Good News to all people. In which ways have some ideas of God denied rights for those outside an elite class, or outside any faith or ethnic community? Such ideas lead to Israel’s mistreatment of Palestinians. Another example is the appalling words in a hymn that seems to justify poverty and inequality: “the rich man in his castle, the poor man at his gate, God made them all and loves them all and orders their estate”.
Act You could see how many people you know are aware of what the Nakba is.
Read the Sabeel Wave of Prayer for news and prayerful responses, seeking justice for all. The latest also mourns the death of so many Jewish Israelis in the disaster last week.
You could try joining our “See-pray Palestine/Israel” for 20 min of reflection and prayer on Tue and Fri at 6:30. Come once or come often. You can register here.
You are held in prayer
Please remember in your prayers
those who are sick:
Catherine Hart, Karen Devlin,
Vo Van Tu, Scott Fraser,
Thea Maung, Maureen McEvoy,
Helen McCann, Anne Doig,
Sr May Lewis, Jessie and George Ritchie, John Skinner, John McGinley,
Fr Eugen, Evelyn Levine,
James Duffy, Ronan Boyle,
Hazel Martin, Maureen Phillips,
Mary Boyle, Mary Dias,
Catriona McAuley, Elaine Hepburn,
Lorraine, Marie,
Sophie, Roney Fernandes,
Christopher Browne, Xaverina Rodrigues, Anne and Helen,
Sacred Heart sisters in Avigliana, Italy, in Algorta, Spain and in Dalkeith
I am the Resurrection and the Life
We remember in love
Those who have died recently:
Josephine (Jo) Haddock,
Hugh Costello,
Brian Saddler,
Michael Donaghue.
Anniversaries
St Gregory's:
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Helen Stanton,
Alec Spence.
St John Vianney's:
John Kidd, James MacDonald,
Mary Coyle, John Wood,
Catherine Brennan, Angela Stewart,
James McQueenie, Thomas Harris,
Kennedy McCallum, James Malone,
David Cheape, Isabella Ritchie,
Anne Reilly, Kenneth Scott (1969),
Antonio De Marco, Margaret Ford,
Rob Cowe, Ann Hunter-Calder,
Sarah Taylor.
We have now set up a Remembrance Gallery page on our Cluster website in memory of the loved ones we have lost during this difficult time. If you have lost a loved one in the past year and wish them 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.
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).
United in prayer:
Tues 2.45 & Weds 7pm
Our Prayer Foundation invite us all to join in 30 min of silent prayer. For an example of an opening prayer see
here.
For prayer requests email clare.roller@icloud.com
South Edinburgh Foodbank
The relevant food bank for the cluster is: 47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS
Phone number 664 9353 Email:
edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org
- Drinking Chocolate,
- Sponge Puddings,
- Packets of super noodles,
- Tinned Custard,
- Tinned Carrots,
- Jars of Mayo,
- Fresh potatoes
- Shower gel for men
Thanks to the parishioner for the cash donation.
Entitlements Page
What help are you entitled to?
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.
Useful help resources
NHS 24 has a dedicated COVID mental health support service (Dial
111)
Breathing Space
0800 83 85 87,
Samaritans
116 123
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)
0344 800 0550
Citizens Advice Edinburgh Telephone Helpline
0131 510 5510 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
The Fund has been set up to help Fr Eugene in Romania. If anyone would like to give a gift, click on the
down arrow
above for details
Kirkgate Café reopens indoors
The Kirkgate Café has now reopened indoors in the Kirk Centre (with outdoor seating in the courtyard). Opening hours are again as normal Mon to Thu, 9am to 2pm. This is a Fairtrade café with a selection of Fairtrade products on offer.
Ecological conversion
Tue 11 May @ 7.30pm. A talk by Christina Leaño, Associate Director of the Global Catholic Climate Movement. With over 20 years of engagement in spirituality and social justice, Leaño currently serves on faculty for the Genesis School for Contemplative Living, USA.
Zoom details here
The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre
The new lectionary
Mon 17 May, 6–7pm. The Bishops’ Conferences of England & Wales and Scotland have chosen a new Bible translation for use at Mass that translates women out of Scripture.
Does this matter, and how do we respond?
Talk and Q&A by Liz Dodd, Home News Editor for The Tablet, on the issues surrounding the New Lectionary. To register go here
Scottish Laity Network
Pentecost Retreat: An Outpouring of Empowerment
Fri 21 May, 7-8.30pm and Sat 22 May, 10am-12.30pm. Facilitated by Sr Mary Rose Fitzsimmons, Sr Margaret Ann Minnards, Rosa Murray and Sr Anna O’Connor. To book
email Scottish Laity Network
© www.washingtonpost.com