The Liturgy group has seven members. We meet 4 to 5 times per year; our purpose is to try to discover exciting ways to encourage the Parish to partake in the life of the Church.

Up to this year, we have focused mainly on the special events of the Church’s year, Lent, Easter, Advent and Christmas. This year we are hoping to find ways to improve parish members’ understanding of the Sacraments, hopefully allowing us to lead a fuller spiritual life. We are also working to to help the parish celebrate the Year of the Eucharist.

Meetings are informal and new members are very welcome, as it would bring different views and ideas to what we try to accomplish— which is a good thing.

Back to top

This takes place during the 10 am. Mass on alternate Sundays during school term time.  It is aimed at children of around 5 years and upwards.  It is not a crèche but an act of worship. 

Generally, the focus is the Gospel of the day, taken of course at a younger child's level. Leaders work on a rota system, with two leaders present at each session. New volunteers are always welcome.

Back to top

Currently there is a rota of 35 parishioners, with an age range from teenager to senior citizen. There are also six volunteers who read at weekday Masses.

The rota covers a 4-monthly period with individuals normally reading three times, i.e. 1st reading, 2nd reading, bidding prayers, the latter prepared by the reader following guidelines provided. New readers are always welcome.

Back to top

The St Cuthbert’s Music Group is a collection of instrumentalists and singers, who aim to provide an alternative musical accompaniment to Sunday Mass and other church services. We usually play every second Sunday and on certain other important days such as Easter Sunday, Christmas Day and Confirmation/First Communion celebrations.

We are not in church to “perform”, with the congregation as an audience. Rather, we see that all in the church are participants in the music of the liturgy; we merely take responsibility for selecting and leading the musical components of our worship.

We very much enjoy playing and singing together, and are always delighted to welcome new singers and players of any instrument, and any ability into the Group. Please don’t be put off by thinking that if you join you’ll be committing yourself to having to be there every time we play as well as lots of practices. The only commitment we ask members to make is to come along when they can. We don’t draw up rotas or schedules, other than for those who volunteer to select hymns and music and have only occasional practices.

It’s that easy. So, if you would like to join us or would like more information about the Group, please contact any one of us any Sunday that we are playing.

Back to top

The passkeepers greet parishioners as they arrive at the Vigil and Sunday Masses, hand out hymnbooks, Mass sheets, collect the offerings, organise the Offertory procession, collect the books at the end of Mass, take the retiring collection and hand out any pastoral literature, when needed.

There is always a need for more passkeepers—who work on a rota basis—and we would welcome new helpers.

Back to top

There are currently 13 altar servers, boys and girls, ages from late primary school upwards. Training is given at the parish over several weeks and a rota system is in place. Normally there are two servers at each Vigil and Sunday Mass with four or more serving at Christmas Midnight Mass and at the Easter Masses. Altar servers may also be asked to serve at Weddings, Funerals, Confirmations and special Masses, e.g. the Lourdes Mass.

Back to top

During the year this group has a programme of talks, videos, special events, a Mass for the ‘Gift of Family’, Stations of the Cross during Lent, supporting the Pro-Life demonstration Chain held in Princes Street, and taking an annual collection for the “White Flower”.  The group also organises coffee and rolls once a month after Sunday Mass

Back to top

TheStall continues to provide cards for all occasions, books and items suitable for First Communion and Confirmation gifts. Books for daily reflection are also available and a wide variety of Easter and Christmas cards from the Poor Clare Sisters at Humbie and Traidcraft. It is open before and after both weekend Masses and is run by eight volunteers on a rota system.

Back to top

This runs from 7—8 pm. On a Thursday evening under the guidance of a qualified trainer and is open to all ages and degrees of fitness.  Exercises include aerobics and weights.  At Christmas and end of summer term the group has a meal together, thereby undoing any good achieved during the year!  New members are always welcome.

Back to top

For a monthly payment of £1 or annual payment of £12 you can join the 200 Club. The draw takes place on the third Sunday of the month with 3 prizes of £10. In June and December, there are two prizes, 1st of £200 and 2nd of £50. It is a good source of revenue for the parish, so make sure you have a number.

Back to top

ThisCommittee meets at the beginning of each year to discuss ideas/features/past events and to set up a “social calendar” for the year ahead. The events planned are varied and we try to suit all possible tastes, and arrange one event each month. The Committee is always open to new ideas and it has been found that “bring your own bottle/food/events” are popular with families and incur minimum costs. Barbecues, Parish Picnics, Discos, Quiz, Excursions, Walks, are a few of the popular events, which take place each year.

Click here to view the 'social calendar'

Back to top

This group comprises of a team of lay people with different professional skills who advise Monsignor Duffy in all matters financial and relating to the Fabric of the building.

The members try through this to ensure that the fabric of the Church, the Hall and the House are maintained in good order. To help in this, a full survey of the property was carried out and a 5-year plan was adopted. We are drawing towards the end of this in 2005. The main element still to be carried out is the redecoration of the Church Hall following on work carried out to rewire it and bring it into compliance with the new legislation required for disabled and handicapped people. All of the latter was carried out by two members of the group working in their own time and on a voluntary basis.

A new 5-year plan will be instituted at the beginning of 2005 and this will provide the basis for the ongoing work of the group.

An annual statement of account is presented each year to the Parish. This is prepared by Monsignor Duffy and then scrutinised by the members before it is presented to the Pastoral Council for its comments. The parishioners then each receive a copy as near to the end of January as is achievable. This includes the maintenance plan for the current year in the notes attached to it.

Back to top

The Church is cleaned weekly and the Hall 2-monthly by several teams working on a rota system. Both groups are always looking for new members who can spare about 1½-2 hours per session.

Back to top

Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults is for anyone who would like to find out more about Catholic faith, and for lapsed Catholics who would like to return to practising the faith.

Back to top

This group consists of a number of married couples who, with Monsignor Duffy, provide a workshop to engaged couples as part of their preparation for marriage. In 2004, 9 couples attended. In their time together, usually on a Sunday from around 12 noon—6 p.m., various issues involved in marriage are reflected upon. These include God, faith, sexuality, money, and communications skills, all of which affect a married relationship.

The subjects are discussed in a light and informal manner, led off by the married couples speaking from their own experience of married life. The couples then spend time together reflecting upon and discussing what they have heard. This is possibly the most important part of the day, the couples spending time together reflecting on their future marriage.

The day ends with a tour of the Church building, which gives an opportunity to highlight Catholic Church teaching and traditions for both those who are not Catholics and those who are. Despite an initial fear or reluctance to attend such an event, the general feedback from the couples is that they have found it both useful and informative.

Back to top

St. Cuthbert’s Bereavement Befriending Group meets on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Church house. The first hour of the meeting is open to all. It begins with a prayer session led by members of the group, and allows time for the bereaved to have a cup of tea and talk with others present. This is then followed by a short business meeting.

The group are there for anyone in need of support and comfort before, during and after the death of a loved one. They also visit the bereaved at home with a prayer card and a follow up visit if desired.

During the month of November, the group organises a Bereavement Mass to pray especially for the dead. In October, a Book of the Dead is placed at the back of the church for the names of family and friends to be remembered at this Mass.

New members are always welcome. Anyone wishing to join and do a short basic training course should speak to Monsignor Duffy or a member of the group.

Back to top

There are 7 Teams of Eucharistic ministers. The duties include:

- assisting the priest in the distribution of Holy Communion;
- taking Communion to the sick and housebound, and
- leading a service of Liturgy of the Word and distribution
- of Holy Communion in the absence of the priest

Back to top

This group consists of 5 enthusiastic amateurs who choose and arrange flowers for the main liturgical celebrations of the Church’s year, namely, Easter, Christmas, First Communions and Confirmations, as well as offering a service for weddings on a non-profit basis.  New members always welcome.

Back to top

Each Sunday morning (except during school holidays) coffee, tea, bacon and sausage rolls are available after Mass in the Hall. Four different groups each organise one Coffee Morning a month with the proceeds going to a charity of their choice.

Back to top