5th Sunday of Lent (c)

5th Sunday of Lent.  (c)

Times of Mass and Confession:

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

Weekday:                           9.00 a.m. (Monday – Friday)

10.00 a.m. (Saturday)

Confessions:                        Saturdays – after 10.00 a.m. Mass

By arrangement at other times.

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

Sick: Catherine Wilson, John McPartland, Mary McPheely, Annie O’Donnell, Veronica Allan, Margaret Christie, Mary Pike.

Annniversaries: Eileen Kennedy, Monsignor Tony McNally, Catherine McCue, Charles Mulholland.

Sunday: The Tea/Coffee morning with bacon rolls etc takes place in the Hall after 10.00 a.m. Mass. This week it is in the hands of the Vocations group who have prepared some lovely extras to mark the 40th Ordination Anniversary.  All welcome

Sunday is the actual anniversary of Monsignor Tony’s ordination forty years ago in the Sacred Heart at Lauriston. Please remember him especially in your prayers and collect a prayer card marking the occasion as you leave Mass. Refreshments will be available in the Hall after Mass.

Sunday: Stations of the Cross and Benediction at 4.00 p.m.  If any group or individuals wish to lead these on subsequent Sundays please let me know.

Monday: Service in the Church at 6.30 p.m. for the children of P3 who will be celebrating their First Reconciliation.  All welcome to come along and support them at this key stage in their journey of faith.

Tuesday:  Part three of the series of talks by Father Jack Mahoney S.J. in the Jesuit Centre at Lauriston at 7.30 p.m.  The next four sessions will focus on the general theme of ‘Making Sense of Catholic Beliefs’ by looking at the basic Christian doctrines as proposed by the Catholic Church.  The theme for this session is ‘God as one of us.’

Wednesday: Lenten Station Mass in the Cathedral at 7.30 p.m.  During this Mass those who are journeying towards Baptism and full communion with the Church at Easter will receive their copy of the Creed.  All welcome.

Thursday: The tea/coffee morning in the house takes place after 9.00 a.m. Mass.  All welcome.

Thursday: Meeting with parents of P4 children who are preparing for Confirmation and First Holy Communion.  It is at 7.00 p.m. in the Hall.  The children need not be present.

Next Saturday/Sunday is Palm Sunday, the start of Holy Week. Palms will be blessed and distributed at the 10.00 a.m. Mass next Sunday.  Fuller details of all the Holy Week Masses and Liturgies will be in the bulletin next week.

Next Saturday/Sunday: The new packs of envelopes for those who gift aid their offertory collection will be available in the sacristy after Mass.  They come into effect on 7th April i.e. the Sunday after Easter Sunday, after which none of the old ones should be used.  Please collect your new set from the sacristy.

Do you pay income tax ?  Would you consider gift aiding your contribution if you do not already do so ?  Last year the parish benefitted by £8239.04 in the tax refunded from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.  You don’t need to give any more than you give already.  Why not think about it and then get the necessary form before the new tax year begins.

Envelopes will also be available for those who wish to use them but do not Gift Aid their contributions.  Please come to the sacristy after Mass if you want to collect a set.

Diary Dates:

25th March: Penitential Service in the Church at 7.00 p.m. during which six priests will be available for individual confession and absolution in preparation for Easter.

Volunteers needed:  Volunteers are needed to help with activities for  2 hours per week for the Residents in St Josephs House 43 Gilmore Place Edinburgh.  Anyone interested please contact  Mother  Frances  on  0131 229 5672   e-mail  lspedinburgh@aol.com

The St. Andrew’s Children’s Society which provides Adoption & Foster Care in our Archdiocese is looking for Catholic families who could offer short of long term foster care or adoptive homes to a wide range of children in our Archdiocese and beyond who cannot live with their birth families. For further information please contact us at: St. Andrew’s Children’s Society, 7 John’s Place, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7EL, Tel. 0131 454 3370, Email: info@standrews-children.org.uk . website: www.standrews-children.org.uk

Habemus Papam – the words which proclaimed on Wednesday night that we have a new Pope – Francis.  After the sadness and darkness of the past few weeks it is good that we can celebrate and see and be part of the Church moving forward into a new era under his papacy. Aware of the tremendous responsibilities he now has, we pray that God will grant him wisdom, courage and compassion and watch over him as he leads our Church.

Forty Years ago on 17th March 1973 I was ordained a priest in the Sacred Heart Lauriston. Much has changed in society and in the Church in those forty years. It has been a privilege to work with you and for you in these years here in St. Cuthbert’s, in Our Lady’s and in the other Parishes where I have served. It has been a privilege to share the happy times along with the sad times of you and your families.  It could not have happened without the love and support of so many people over these years.  Please pray with me and for me that I will be able to continue to do so in the years that lie ahead.

With every best wish and blessing

And sincere thanks to you, your families

and those who have enabled me to reach

the 40th Anniversary of my Ordination

Monsignor Tony.