2nd Sunday of Lent (b)

 

2nd Sunday of Lent. (b)

 

Times of Mass and Confession:

Sundays:                     

Vigil Mass (Saturday) 6.00 p.m. & 10.00 a.m.

Weekday:                  

9.00 a.m. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)

7.00 p.m. (Monday)

9.30 a.m. (Friday, with school children present)

10.00 a.m. (Saturday)

Confessions:

After Mass on Saturday morning.

 

Please remember the following parishioners, relatives and friends in your prayers:

Sick: John McPartland, Veronica Allan, Irene Callan, Elizabeth Brown, Patricia Allison, Bridget Ferry, Margaret Bowen, Biddy Bonner, Nora Wood, Eddie Mulligan.

Anniv: Mary McIntyre.

Died: Father Charlie Carr, retired parish priest at St. John’s Fauldhouse, Charlie Lowery, Brother Joseph Jeya Selvan S.D.B., Y.S. Velanganni.

 

Today there is a very important letter from Archbishop Cushley in which he indicates the current stage of the clustering process and outlines the way forward in terms of the clustering plans. Please make sure you receive a copy as you leave Mass. It is also printed below.

 

Today: The new readers’ rota is ready for collection. Please collect your copy from the sacristy after Mass today since it comes into effect next weekend.

Today: The new rotas for the Church Cleaning teams are ready for collection from the sacristy after Mass.

Today: If you did not collect your SCIAF materials last weekend there are still some left at the back of the Church.

Today: Launch of the Parish Project Bonus Ball. It will cost a£1.00 with the chance of winning £30.00. £29.00 will go to the Parish Project Fund. The bonus ball at the draw of 10th March will be the winning number this time. Pick your number, sign up and pay at the end of Mass.

Sunday: The Coffee morning takes place in the Hall after 10.00 a.m. Mass with the Ladies in charge. All welcome.

Sunday: Stations of the Cross & Benediction at 4.00 p.m. Any group of parishioners or any individual parishioners who would like to lead the reflection is welcome to do so. Just let me know which Sunday you would like to be involved in.

Monday: Join the Lauriston Jesuit Centre in Edinburgh for the second in a series of four Lenten talks addressing the question: “Who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:29). This talk will be given by Alastair Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Churches Housing Agency on the topic of “Our Homeless Neighbour”. Admission by donation. All very welcome.

Friday: The Annual World day of Prayer service for our area will take place in Gorgie/Dalry/Stenhouse Church of Scotland, Gorgie Road at 2.00 p.m. The theme is ‘All God’s creation is very good’ and has been prepared by the women of Suriname. All welcome.

Saturday: New Altar Servers’ training at 11.00 a.m. It is still not too late to start if you are interested. Only requirement is that you must have made your First Holy Communion.

 

Diary Dates:

23rd – 25th March: The Beginning Experience is holding a residential weekend for those who find themselves suffering through bereavement, divorce, separation or widowhood. More details can be obrtained from Ros on 0131.669.0003 or via email at rcm2524@yahoo.co.uk. Applications for a place must be returned by 9th March.

6th – 13th July: The annual Archdiocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes, led by Archbishop Cushley, will take place. 2018 marks the 160th anniversary of the apparitions. Booking is now open and I have some forms and information if you are interested. I have a limited supply in the sacristy. You can also find information at www.edinburgh-lourdes.com. You can also contact the travel agents direct at Tangney Tours, Pilgrim House, Station Court, Borough Green, Kent TN15 8AF (Tel. 0131.564.0644 or 0800.917.357) ) or email to info@tangney-tours.com).  Booking for the Saint-Frai Centre must be done through the Hospital Booking Secretary, 61 Hailes Gardens, Edinburgh EH13 0JN – Tel 0131.441.1939.

 

During Lent: Mass will be celebrated in the evening on one night during the week.  It will be on a different night each week.  Hopefully this will give an opportunity for those who cannot come to morning Mass to come along as part of their Lenten preparation. This week it is on Monday at 7.00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

With every best wish and Blessing

To you, your families

and those who are dear to you,

Monsignor Tony.

 

 

Full Text of Archbishop Cushley’s Letter

Edinburgh,

20 February 2018

My dear people,

As you know, I have spent much of the last two years looking into the question of our parish clusters, to see if there was a way to improve and renew the pastoral life of the diocese. Having listened to literally thousands of you at cluster meetings across the Diocese, having read the cluster reports that were sent to me, and having consulted our clergy in various forums, I now intend to draw this process of consultation to an end by proposing the merger of an important number of our parishes.

My proposals will be made public shortly, after I have consulted the Council of Priests in early March. I am well aware that this has not been an easy time for any of us. Guided, however, by a genuine desire to improve the Christian life and pastoral care of the Diocese with the human and priestly resources at our disposal, I hope to put before you a reasonable compromise of our needs and wishes in the near future.

In general terms, therefore, and to put some minds at ease, I write to you now to let you know that I am minded to merge a significant number of clusters, though by no means all, into single parishes, retaining however most of the church buildings already in use for as long as they are affordable, and indeed wished, by clergy and people alike. The time may well come in the future when not every church or chapel can expect Sunday Mass to be celebrated in it every week, but this is a separate question for us to answer in due course.

Let me also thank all of you again for sharing your thoughts, opinions and aspirations with me over these last years. It was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to meet with and get to know so many of you during this process. Having glimpsed something of your faith and of your commitment to the Church, I am very encouraged as we move forward towards a new stage in the life of this diocese. Please continue to keep me in your prayers, as I remember you in mine.

Sincerely in Christ,

+Leo Cushley

Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh

100 STRATHEARN ROAD, EDINBURGH EH9 1BB TEL 0131 623 8900 FAX 0131623 8899 THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ST ANDREWS & EDINBURGH, CHARITY NO. SC008540