Cluster News

20/21 August

Next deadline 24th August

Daily Masses and Communion Service

For up to date details

please go to our Home page.

Cluster contact:   0131 563 8391

Brothers and sisters,

Today's gospel gives a warning - it tells us that the first now, will be last and the last will be first. Who are the first? I believe we are being told that those who are first are those who put themselves first, who cannot go beyond the question "what is best for me?" They are those who have no sense of the common good and believe themselves to be "self-made". They cannot see the inter-connectedness of God's creation and therefore fail to recognise the essential message of Christ that we are called to love thy neighbour as thyself and love God. 
Fr Alex

Prayer Resources:

21st Sunday C

Children's Resources:

21st Sunday C

Update: Thanksgiving Mass for Sr Mary

Preparations for celebrating Sr Mary's life and ministry are in full swing, thanks to our fantastic team. We would like to display some photos of Sr Mary in the hall and ask that anyone who could loan us a photo would place it in and envelope with contact details so that it can be returned and hand it to one of the Welcomers at Mass. Thank you in anticipation.

The Memorial Mass takes place on Sunday 28 August at 11am at St Catherine’s. Fr Alex and Fr Mike will concelebrate, with Fr Mike giving the homily. All parishioners from the Cluster are welcome!

Booking the halls in our Cluster parishes

Each of our three parishes has a hall with kitchen facilities. It is available both for Parish/Cluster events and for use by the wider community. If you would like to enquire about booking our halls, please contact one of the following in the first instance:

They will be able to advise you regarding availability, cost and conditions of hire. 

Launching our Online Cluster Calendar

To add an event, contact one of the Calendar Administrators:

»     St John Vianney’s – Susanne (susannelackie@btinternet.com)

»     St Gregory’s – Jacinta (awaywiththeangels@yahoo.co.uk)

»     St Catherine’s – Catherine (eh16@hotmail.co.uk)

We recommend contacting the Calendar Administrator before confirming the day and time of any event you are planning.

We will not include private or commercial events (one-off or regular) being held in our parish halls (e.g. private parties, dance group, etc). Requests for hall bookings should continue to be made through the Hall Managers in each of our three parishes.

Online Cluster Calendar Team

Celebrating the Sacrament of Baptism

We have been reviewing how we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. Moving forward, we are returning to celebrating Baptism during our Saturday evening and Sunday morning Masses. Please note that dates for baptisms during 2023 have now been published on the website on the Baptism page.

Bethany Trust - Jobs and Volunteering

We are looking for passionate people who feel called to put their faith into action. Full training provided. The closing date is 26th August. More information can be found at: https://www.bethanychristiantrust.com/jobs-volunteering/

Free benefits and money advice sessions

hosted by St Catherine's Primary

 

Starting in August, every last Friday of the month, 9.30- 11.30am. Half hour appointments available to book through our school office on 664 4257 or by email.
 You can get help and advice on money matters as well as help with applying for benefits, housing costs, council tax reduction, free school meals, clothing grants, Scottish Welfare Fund and Scottish Child Payments.
Dates are Fridays 26 Aug, 30 Sept, 28 Oct, 25 Nov, 27 Jan, 24 Feb, 31 Mar, 28 Apr, 26 May.


Scottish Laity Network

Our Common Home ~ Privilege and Responsibility

Thu 1 Sept @ 7pm by Zoom. Nellie Mclaughlin, member of the Sisters of Mercy, is a co-founder and a director of The Green Sod Land Trust and current chairperson of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation – an ecumenical group in Clogher Diocese with parishes in both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
First talk in a series during the Season of Creation 2022 titled Listening and Responding to the Voice of the Earth and the Voice of the Poor. Register here. For the full programme go here

Christian Aid

Prophetic Activitist Scheme

Do you know (or are you) a young adult (18-30) who is passionate about climate justice and wants to put their faith into action?
This 6-month scheme (Sept – March) inspires, engages, and equips young adult Christians in campaigning and activism for climate justice. To find out what is involved and to apply go here.

Justice Matters: All are Welcome!

Today’s first reading begins “The Lord says this: I am going to gather the peoples of every nation” (Isaiah 66:20). Towards the end of today’s Gospel (Lk 13:29) we read, “Those from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast of the kingdom of God.”  

These verses affirm a recurring theme in these columns, merely echoing Pope Francis who echoes Christ: God’s love and the gifts of creation are for all.  We are called to empathy and concern for all. Please watch the accompanying video.

See     In the US, Liz Cheney has just lost her seat in Congress, the tenth of the 10 Republicans who spoke out against the Trump lies about the election, the tenth of the 10 who value truth, the tenth of the 10 who had maintained integrity but are now defeated by pro-Trump candidates. Is US democracy broken?

Why does objective truth not hold sway in politics today?  On 6 January an insurrection was attempted to seek to overturn an election. To hold the instigators to account is a defence of democracy, not its undermining as Trumpians assert. They still follow someone who’s failure to grasp truth and to respond cost many thousands of lives in the COVID epidemic, undermined science, and has destabilised the planet by working against the Paris agreement.

Reflect     In looking at America am I naming the splinter in its eye, and ignoring the plank in that of the UK - or myself? (Mt 7:5). Yet recently this column has also recognised our UK predilection for fantasists over realists in politics…. This was again seen this week in the notion that tax reductions can resolve immediate crises of costs of living, and in the defence of profits of energy companies as if they do not exemplify the flow of money from those in poverty to those with excess. 

Here are two uncomfortable reminders, certainly including to myself!

Firstly, we are called to seek to serve the common good, using our resources to serve others as well as ourselves.  Maybe those who get in the narrow gate (Lk 13:28) are those who help others, neither struggling against nor using others to sustain advantage.

Secondly, Micah 6:8 reminds us to walk humbly with our God… in part I suggest, because we have imperfect sight and understanding. We need to be humble because God is not what we imagine.  There is always a chance that we are in effect making our god in our image, creating an idol in the image of a political ambition, or desire for power, wealth or comfort.   

Act     How do our own prejudices influence us so we deny rights to others?

How can we grow in appreciation of truth and recognition of lies?  Can we get reliable information?

We pray in the Our Father, “thy kingdom come on Earth as in Heaven.” Can we be alert so in some small ways we can share the Kingdom this week, to help someone else to experience the Common Good?

Mike Mineter

You are held in prayer

Those who are unwell

and in need of our prayers:

Luis Alfonso Torres Llano,

Christopher McKinnon, Baby Fin, (Born on 29 July) Bridie Addison, Megan O’Hara, Tracey, Rebecca, Valerie Anderson, Maria Lucaci, (Fr Eugen’s mum), Maureen Tolmie,

Zoila Melgarejo, Kate, Agnes Mallon (Anna), Susie Hay (100 years young), Michael Martin, Anne McKain, Joe MacDonald, Rose Ross, Camilo Rodriguez, Edison Villa-bona,

Gloria Camargo, Anne-Marie Davie,

Joe McConnell, Carolyn Larter, Christine Knox, Patrick Phelan, Sheila Ross, Ellen Salvona, Nilsa de Rodriguez, Belén Rodriguez, Rudy Deras, Dawn Adams, Helen Haddow,

Bill and Marlene Bonnar, Stevie Donald,

Kathy Duffy, Mary,

Verdiana and DonaL Kweka (Tanzania),

Mary Thomson, Eammon McKelvey,

Nancy Barta, Alex McGinnity, Patricia Simmons, Elizabeth Napier, George Pringle,
Sr. Veronica, John, Jennifer, Maureen Lawson, Bailey Bruce McCann, Betty Dickinson, Annette, Catherine Hart, Karen Devlin, Scott Fraser,

Anne Doig, Jessie & George Ritchie,

John Skinner, Fr Eugen, James Duffy,

Ronan Boyle, Hazel Martin, Mary Boyle,

Mary Dias, Catriona McAuley, Marie,

Roney Fernandes, Christopher Browne,

Xaverina Rodrigues, Anne and Helen,

Sacred Heart sisters in Uganda

Our Remembrance Gallery  is in memory of the loved ones we have lost during the pandemic. If you wish a loved one 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.

Please join us in Contemplative prayer 

on Tuesday afternoons 2.40 to 3.45 at Liberton Northfield 280 Gilmerton Road EH16 5TT

Entrance through Red side door. Buses 3, 8, 29 stop right outside. The format is: 

  • short introduction followed by 
  • 30 minutes silent prayer
  • then 10 minutes of intercessory prayer.

If you prefer you can join us on Zoom or just pray with us while you are at home. Contact Clare Roller

Foodbank update

During the school holidays our figures have been similar to last year: We fed 184 adults and 127 children from 30 June to 12 Aug.
We are of course very aware of the rise in fuel costs and by October we are anticipating a rise in numbers coming to us. We have already had a family asking for help with electricity. We put £15 on to their card last week and referred them to one of our counsellors who comes in to the foodbank on Mondays.
It is a very worrying time for everyone and we are just very thankful for our friends in the Cluster for the ongoing friendship and invaluable support. Rosy and the team

Boxes for our local foodbank

Please bring items listed below to any of our church buildings or either of our Catholic Primary Schools for the foodbank - or take them to:

47 Southhouse Broadway EH17 8AS   

Phone number 664 9353     

Email: edinburghfoodbank@blythswood.org

Items requested for this week:

  • Tinned Mince,
  • Sponge Puddings,
  • Super Noodles,
  • Toothpaste.

New opening hours for the Food Bank are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 10am until 1.30pm


Are you struggling? We are here to help


If you, or anyone you know, is in need of financial support or a friendly telephone chat, call our SSVP in the Cluster:

St John Vianney's 07922 675196, 

St Gregory's 07455 306607

St Catherine's 07539 266411. 

If you would like to make a donation go here

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.

Cyrenians & Valley Park Community Centre

Community Pantry

Mondays 10-11am @ Valley Park Community Centre, 37 Southhouse Rd, Edinburgh EH17 8EU.

At the Cyrenians we’re determined to ensure no-one unnecessarily suffers from food insecurity. Our Community Pantries offer a unique, low-cost way to access a variety of foods, including chilled and fresh produce, and cupboard staples. Open to all the community. £1 joining fee, then prices starting at £2 per 10 items.

For more information email us or call 554 3900.

National Records of Scotland

Census Coverage Survey

The Census Coverage Survey (CCS), which began in June, is being conducted door-to-door by NRS staff carrying identification. The CCS is the second largest social research exercise in Scotland after the census itself, covering a sample (around 1.5%) of households nationwide.

Even if you have completed the census, you may still be asked to take part. The census data can be used to plan and deliver the services we all rely on from schools to healthcare, housing and roads. Go here to find out more.

Blessing in the Chaos


To all that is chaotic in you,

let there come silence.


Let there be a calming of the clamouring,

a stilling of the voices that

have laid their claim on you,

that have made their home in you,

Let what distracts you cease.

Let what divides you cease.

Let there come an end

to what diminishes and demeans,

and let depart all that keeps you in its cage.


Let there be an opening

into the quiet that lies beneath

the chaos, where you find the peace

you did not think possible

and see what shimmers within the storm.

Jan Richardson

(With thanks to Clare Roller)

Joe Heller  © https://www.hellertoon.com/