Life of the Cluster
Here are some impressions of the life of our Cluster - we do celebrate a lot!
Pentecost Celebrations - May 2026
On the Feast of Pentecost, we celebrate the birthday of the Church. The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (2:1-11) came to life thanks to some of the many languages and cultures which our Cluster is gifted with. Across our three weekend masses, 18 brave readers, including our Newly Received parishioners, represented their language communities: Hungarian, Tumbuka (Malawi), Malayalam (India), Polish, Irish Gaelic, Tagalog (Philippines), Spanish, Yoruba (Nigeria), Hindi (India), Italian and English.
You can watch a short video of each of the multi-lingual readings here:
Further on in the Mass, everyone was then invited to pray the words of Our Father, the universal Christian family prayer, in their own native language.
The celebration of our wonderfully rich and diverse cultures didn't stop there, though. Everyone was invited to bring a small plate of food of their native country to share after each Mass. And did they rise to the occasion! Each parish saw a magnificent spread of international as well as Scottish dishes (the collage is only a small sample), the halls abuzz with chatter, laughter and fellowship, new friendships being struck up and old ones strengthened.
Our Cluster faith communities are blessed and greatly enriched by people who have come from many nations to make their home here with us in the Southeast of Edinburgh. Hearing the Word of God proclaimed in so many different languages and sharing food from across the nations was a marvellous way to honour and celebrate that cultural diversity.
Sincere thanks to all who contributed so generously, from the readers to the tech teams to the chefs to the hospitality teams.
Welcome Meal for our Newly Received - May 2026
No proper celebration without food, certainly when your parish priest is Fr Alex. In welcome of our new parishioners who were received into the Church at Easter, Fr Alex pulled out all the stops and treated our brand-new Catholic Christians, their sponsors and the RCIA Team to a Middle Eastern feast, followed by mouth-watering desserts by Anthea and Pat.
In Fr Alex's words:
We hope you continue to feel fed and nourished within the Cluster community you will help build. Love from your Community!
Easter Vigil - April 2026
Congratulations and welcome!
Our Easter Vigil on 4 April saw the wonderful milestone of
Brannon, Brogan, Joseph, Kristof, Liam, Reuben and Susan
committing their lives to the Risen Christ and being received into the Church. We welcome you with great joy and look forward to you playing an active part in the life of the Cluster. Watch out, St Gregory's, St John Vianney's and St Catherine's - these guys mean business!
Grateful thanks to the RCIA Team, Sponsors and the prayers of the people of our three parishes.
Burns Night - January 2026
Thanks to all who came along to a wonderful evening. We were treated to no less than the full Scottish experience: piping in the haggis, address to the lassies and laddies, recital of poems and songs, Highland dancing from four lovely young ladies and, to conclude, some Friday night fever... Thanks to the organisers, speakers, piper, dancers, songsters and, above all, the team of ladies who worked so hard on the night to deliver the most delicious three-course meal. Just couldn't have been done without them!
Seniors Cluster Christmas party - 13 December 2025
Our Seniors of the Cluster came together for an afternoon of good company, singalong, dancing and lovely food. Thank you to everyone who came along. What a fun, fantastic afternoon. Thank you to all of Santa's helpers, who gave their time to put it altogether and of course, to Santa, who made a special stop to come and see us too. A very big thank you to one and all. Merry Christmas!
St John Vianney's Name Badge and Fair Trade Event - October 2025
Here are some pictures that give a good flavour of the October name badge weekend at St John Vianney's, where we also celebrated Fair Trade Fortnight. Thank you to everyone who came along and enjoyed some time together!
Seecat Pilgrimage - September 2025
On Saturday 27th September, some pilgrims from the Seecat family gathered for the Season of Creation pilgrimage. The theme of the Season is Peace with Creation. We began at the Balmwell, a healing well dedicated to St Catherine, thought to date from 11th century and from there, we walked alongside the various burns in the area, through the Edmonstone estate and down to Bridgend Farmhouse which has a Peace Garden. The weather was kind and we shared stories, laughs, food and songs along the way. At the garden we finished by reflecting on how God had spoken to us through His creation and we were led in prayer by Pat Thomas from the Eco-Circle. We thanked God for the diversity and beauty of His creation, asking that harmony and peace be restored to her and grateful for the bonds strengthened between us.
Name Badge Weekend - September 2025
At our name badge weekends, everyone is encouraged to introduce themselves to each other by name. People share their stories, getting to know each other with lots of chat and laughter. Here are some pictures from St Gregory's at our September name badge weekend. Our young Caritas volunteers were very enthusiastic to help. Thank you!
St John Vianney’s celebration for Fr Alex’s 60th birthday, the anniversary of his ordination and the Feast of St John Vianney - Summer 2025
St Gregory’s celebration of Fr Alex’s 60th birthday and 29th Anniversary of Ordination - Summer 2025
