Cluster News 19 April
Dear Parishioner of the South Edinburgh Cluster,
We hope that this finds you and your families well. Here is our latest update.
Gerry Mulvenna, a message from Fr Mike
Good morning
I hope you are well and all those you love are safe and well.
As many of you already know Gerry Mulvenna had emergency surgery and will likely be in hospital for several more days. The surgeons successfully removed a tumour for which they are awaiting results. The surgery was carried out on Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday evening Gerry felt well enough to join a Leadership Team conference-call for a short time.
Since news of his illness percolated through the Cluster Community there has been a tsunami-like wave of prayer surging heavenwards but not before making itself evident to him. He has said he can actually feel the prayer and is so grateful for everyone’s kindness.
If you know anything at all about our Cluster, you will be aware of how central a role Gerry plays in the management of so much that happens. Many people have commented on how helpful they found the Holy Week Resources posted on our website and the live Good Friday Service. Gerry was a key player in putting all that together.
He is not a one-man-band by any means but in addition to his ability to synthesise and simplify complex issues, his management and coordinating skills are unmatched. We are truly blest to have him. He will need a lengthy convalescence and we can all continue to support him in prayer.
We might also be inspired and encouraged to step up our own commitment to the work of the Cluster to help fill the gap he will leave for a while. In our prayers for Gerry we will also remember his dear wife Carol, his Mum Pat and his brother Damian. I hope you all have a great Sunday and a phenomenal week……..
Father Mike
(you can listen to this message on our website: https://youtu.be/Uy5QLlD17mI)
We hope that this finds you and your families well. Here is our latest update.
Gerry Mulvenna, a message from Fr Mike
Good morning
I hope you are well and all those you love are safe and well.
As many of you already know Gerry Mulvenna had emergency surgery and will likely be in hospital for several more days. The surgeons successfully removed a tumour for which they are awaiting results. The surgery was carried out on Tuesday afternoon and on Wednesday evening Gerry felt well enough to join a Leadership Team conference-call for a short time.
Since news of his illness percolated through the Cluster Community there has been a tsunami-like wave of prayer surging heavenwards but not before making itself evident to him. He has said he can actually feel the prayer and is so grateful for everyone’s kindness.
If you know anything at all about our Cluster, you will be aware of how central a role Gerry plays in the management of so much that happens. Many people have commented on how helpful they found the Holy Week Resources posted on our website and the live Good Friday Service. Gerry was a key player in putting all that together.
He is not a one-man-band by any means but in addition to his ability to synthesise and simplify complex issues, his management and coordinating skills are unmatched. We are truly blest to have him. He will need a lengthy convalescence and we can all continue to support him in prayer.
We might also be inspired and encouraged to step up our own commitment to the work of the Cluster to help fill the gap he will leave for a while. In our prayers for Gerry we will also remember his dear wife Carol, his Mum Pat and his brother Damian. I hope you all have a great Sunday and a phenomenal week……..
Father Mike
(you can listen to this message on our website: https://youtu.be/Uy5QLlD17mI)
Father Mike sums up perfectly our prayers and wishes for Gerry and his family.
Get well soon, dear friend!
Get well soon, dear friend!
Here is a link to the celebration of Masses
in various churches across Scotland:
Good Friday Assembly
You may have been part of the fifty or so “zoomers” who gathered online to have a quite unique gathering this year for our Good Friday service. Instead of meeting in Gracemount High School, we stayed at home but assembled ourselves around our digital host Gerry (can’t keep him out of the news!) Mulvenna.
There was footage of our Good Friday service of 2017 as well as readings, Special Intercessions including one about the Coronavirus and the Veneration of the Cross.
Our musicians did us proud with recorded pieces at various points of the service – and all of this happening through the magic of the internet. It was quite an achievement by so many parishioners but special mention must go to Gerry who kept all of it running so smoothly.
You may have been part of the fifty or so “zoomers” who gathered online to have a quite unique gathering this year for our Good Friday service. Instead of meeting in Gracemount High School, we stayed at home but assembled ourselves around our digital host Gerry (can’t keep him out of the news!) Mulvenna.
There was footage of our Good Friday service of 2017 as well as readings, Special Intercessions including one about the Coronavirus and the Veneration of the Cross.
Our musicians did us proud with recorded pieces at various points of the service – and all of this happening through the magic of the internet. It was quite an achievement by so many parishioners but special mention must go to Gerry who kept all of it running so smoothly.
The whole event was recorded and we hope to send you an edited version early next week.
Is this the first of other such gatherings? We would like to hear from you about that.
southedclust@btinternet.com
southedclust@btinternet.com
Prayer Resources of various kinds
As the weeks progress so the cluster is getting more and more organised. The Children’s Liturgy
teams in each of our three parishes have come together to produce materials for use by the children and their parents whilst they cannot attend their normal sessions during Mass. A lot of work and effort has gone into this over Holy Week and this is set to continue. Many thanks to them.
We hope to continue to produce Prayer Resources each week for adults too. There is no fixed format but the hope is to provide the readings for the relevant weekend, then a gospel reflection by Fr Mike and Fr Alex and then our Prayers of Intercession and our closing Cluster Prayer.
You can also watch and listen to the gospel reflection that Fr Alex and Fr Mike have prepared for us.
Keeping our community and faith life alive and active
We are now into our third hymn in our series “Hymn of the Week”.
This week it’s Jacinta who has chosen as her hymn a lovely one called
“Listen (Let your heart keep seeking)” sung by the Vard Sisters. You can view Jacinta speaking about the hymn and then go straight on to watch and listen to it.
Anyone can choose their favourite hymn and it would be good to hear from you the parishioners. If you would like to share your reflections about a hymn that means something to you, please contact Alisa (alisa.winters@hotmail.co.uk)
Our Prayer Foundation
would like to invite us all to be united (in spirit) in prayer on Tuesdays at 2.45pm and Wednesdays at 7pm. A small group has been meeting regularly for 30 minutes of silent prayer at these times. Some of the Prayer Foundation have been ‘doing’ this for the past couple of weeks and thought it would be good to invite everyone in our cluster and beyond (who wishes to do so) to be united in prayer during this time of separation and isolation. You should contact Clare if you want more information (clare.roller@icloud.com)
Our Alpha course
continues despite the restrictions posed by the virus.
Here is an update from the Alpha team.
Today was a red letter day for Alpha. When Coronavirus struck there were still three sessions of the programme outstanding. Along with everyone else the Alpha team have turned to technology as a means of facilitating the programme. Last week most of us managed to meet up with each other virtually using Zoom. We had a lovely reunion and a lot of positive feedback on our Holy Spirit Day on 7th March.
Today, we gathered again for a two stage meeting. Firstly, we all watched the next film in the series which was focused on how and why we should share our faith with others. This lasted for around half an hour after which we had a short break to allow people to grab a quick coffee or tea. We then met again for the second part of the meeting. This consisted of three small groups having a discussion on the film and sharing thoughts and feelings. Each small group had 3-4 guests and two team members. The discussion lasted around 40 minutes. Both sessions were very successful and we will be meeting again next Thursday to continue on with the cycle. The programme is now due to finish on Thursday 30th April.
Mary Morrison, on behalf of the Alpha team.
Our Holy Father continues to celebrate Mass each day in Casa Santa Marta
St Ninian’s in Restalrig have links to a wide variety of resources both local, national and international. Have a browse and learn about something you didn't know!
Please feel free to forward this email to any parishioners you are in contact with.
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 Easter blessings.
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 Easter blessings.
Get the latest information from the Archdiocese
Fr Mike & Fr Alex