Cluster Pastoral Council Updates

Making the Vision a reality – from reflection to action

The Cluster Pastoral Council was set up towards the end of 2024 to support Fr Alex and the parishes in implementing the “Vision” for the cluster parishes. 

During Fr Alex’s absence in the first half of last year Council members met several times to reflect on what we need to do to make our ambition to grow God’s kingdom in South East Edinburgh a reality. We see it like this:

 

If we are to make disciples, we have to invite people in to discover what Jesus offers. We have to show what that is, in the way we live our own lives and we act together as a church community. 

 

People need to see that what we have and do is worth being a part of. So we must be the best that we can be in everything we do, in our welcome, in our liturgy, in our service and care for others, in our teaching and learning, in our prayer.

 

We do lots of things very well in the cluster. But there is always room for improvement. It’s a continuing process. That’s what renewal is all about.

 

We came up with some ideas about the kind of actions needed. Following Fr Alex’s return to parish life, we discussed our thoughts with him and with the Parish Pastoral Councils. Fr Alex was enthusiastic and keen to get things moving. You’ll have seen how he’s been putting this into action himself, preaching powerfully with a renewed sense of mission. The parish Pastoral Councils are supportive, too.

We’ve listed below some of the priority areas we identified, some things that are already happening, and some things we’d like to see happen if we can find the people to help. 

Over the next few months we want to engage with ministries and parishioners more widely to get their ideas, commitment to, and participation in the wider action needed to make the ambition a reality. 

Don’t hesitate to approach any of us to find out more about the part you can play in making the vision a reality.

Priorities and actions

Welcome  in all its aspects is fundamental to everything we are trying to do. Fr Alex has spoken powerfully about this. We have instituted name badge weekends and explained why, and want to keep them as a regular feature. We now want to work on how we can accompany newcomers better, developing and strengthening our engagement with them and their needs, wherever they are on their faith journey.

One particular aspect of welcome is what we can offer to those seeking to find out more about the Christian life. We have 7 people participating in the RCIA programme this year, working towards becoming full members of the church at Easter, accompanied by the dedicated members of our adult enquirer team. Our Alpha Team is preparing to welcome new enquirers and offer an introduction to the Christian faith. Could you play a part in this vital and rewarding work?

Our weekend liturgies are a hugely important, and very visible, part of our witness. They are another aspect of welcome. How can we ensure that they are consistently attractive, inclusive, and generally the best they can be? We’ve started to look into improving our planning, but this is a big area and we’re keen to establish a liturgy group to work on this.

Service to others is another big part of our witness. There’s a huge range of opportunities to serve in our parishes, but do we all know what’s available? We’ve already produced a simple welcome leaflet (available in the church foyers) with some basic information, and are working on a more detailed list of ministries, leaders and contact points which will show you the wide range of groups and services you can access, as well as be a part of, and who to contact about it.

Prayer  is the “engine room” – without prayer our efforts won’t bear worthwhile fruit. Our Prayer Foundation has launched a new opportunity for silent prayer before Sunday Mass on the last Sunday of each month. A small team are also available to pray for and with anyone who so wishes. At the moment this is just at St Catherine’s. But we’d love to extend it to St Gregory's and St John Vianney's, if enough volunteers come forward. What other prayer opportunities would people appreciate?

Preparation for the sacraments is one of the best opportunities we have for evangelisation, to demonstrate not just to the children, but to their parents and their families, what faith and active participation in the life of the parish and the Church can offer. We can all contribute to this through our day to day witness, but if we are to make a real difference, we need more people to become more directly involved. Could you offer to share your own experience of this part of your own faith journey?

January 2026