5th Sunday of Lent (b)
5th 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. (Monday – Friday)
10.00 a.m. (Saturday)
Confessions: After 10.00 a.m. Mass on Saturday and by arrangement
Please remember the following parishioners, relatives and friends in your prayers:
Sick: John McPartland, Annie O’Donnell, Veronica Allan, Margaret Christie, Irene Callan, Assunta Santangeli., Frances Brown.
Died: Joanne Pettie, Michael Taylor.
Anniv: Patrick Donnachie.
Today: There are lists at the back of the Church for Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Passkeepers, volunteers for the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday night and volunteers to help with the social events after the Easter Vigil Mass and Easter Sunday Mass. Please sign up today if you wish to be involved in any of these areas of the Holy Week and Easter ceremonies.
Today: The new rotas for Eucharistic Minsters are ready for collection from the Sacristy after Mass. Please collect your copy today and don’t leave it until the last minute.
Today: The new boxes of Gift Aid Envelopes are available in the sacristy after Mass. They come into effect on 12th April after which all existing envelopes should be destroyed. There are sets even for those who use standing orders to make their contribution. Please take your set today and don’t leave it until the last minute.
Non gift aid envelopes are now available in the sacristy for collection for those who use them. Please sign on the appropriate sheet.
Sunday: The Coffee Morning takes place after 10.00 a.m. in the Hall with teas, coffees, bacon rolls etc on sale. The Noisy Nutters Group will be in charge of it this weekend.
Sunday: Stations of the Cross & Benediction at 4.00 p.m. in the Church. If any individuals or groups would like to lead the reflections please let me know. Numbers have dropped off but it is still not too late to come along for the last two Sundays of Lent.
Sunday: The annual Romero lecture will take place in the Sacred Heart, Lauriston at 6.00 p.m. It will be followed by Mass at 8.00 p.m. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Archbishop’s death and following the recent announcement, his martyrdom has been confirmed. The speaker is Fr. Brian Pierce O.P. who lecture is entitled ‘He heard their voice: Archbishop Romero – Mystic and Prophet.’ All welcome Fuller details on the poster in the porch.
Next weekend marks the start of Holy Week with the Blessing and Distribution Palms at the 10.00 a.m. Mass on Sunday.
Diary Dates:
25th March: An illustrated talk on Mercy in World War 1 – Discover how the war was experienced by the Sisters of Mercy and their efforts on the home front, and the work of Catholic military chaplains at 7.30 p.m. in St Catharine’s Convent, 4 Lauriston Gardens. For more information see poster on notice board.
26th March: Penitential Service in Our Lady’s in Currie at 7.00 p.m. There will be three priests available for individual confession and absolution as part of our Lenten journey towards Easter.
27th March: The young people from Our Lady’s who are travelling to Lourdes have managed to book the Balerno Village Screen (bet some of you didn’t know there was one) for a showing of Jesus Christ Superstar (PG) at 7.30 p.m. Admission is free but there will be an opportunity to give generously to their fund raising efforts. Although it is free tickets must be pre booked at siobheannsaville@hotmail.com or http://goo.gl/5nyoZe or scan the bar code on the poster on the the notice board at the back of the Church.
28th March: The Justice & Peace Commission has organised a Lenten retreat in St. Catharine’s Convent from 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. on the theme ‘Discipleship.’ All welcome; fuller details are on the poster in the porch.
30th March: Penitential Service in St. Cuthbert’s at 7.00 p.m. There will be five or six priests available for individual confession and absolution as part of our Lenten journey towards Easter.
19th April: The 50’s and 60’s dance night is fast approaching, and there’s nothing worse than showing up to a shindig without the right moves. So shimmy on down to the church hall at 2.00 p.m. to learn how to Swing Dance like a professional. All ages and dance backgrounds welcome; blue suede shoes not required. For more information contact Victoria Stephens on 0131 443 9778.
25th April: Advance warning ! 50’s & 60s Dance Night in the Church Hall with live music. All proceeds will be going to the Parish Project Fund. It will be a BYOB and nibbles night and tickets (£6 for adults and £3.00 for children) will be on sale soon. Please put the date in your diary and come along.
With every best wish and
blessing to you, your families and
all those who are dear to you
Monsignor Tony.
Important Letter from Archbishop Cushley
to the clergy and people of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In the light of the decision taken by Pope Francis, as announced by the Dean of the College of Cardinals 20 March, I would like to give the following reaction:
I welcome the decision of Pope Francis to accept the resignation of Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien from the rights and duties of a Cardinal. Cardinal O’Brien’s decision followed a private discussion with Pope Francis which was preceded by a period of prayer and penance in order to reflect upon his misconduct.
Cardinal O’Brien has now removed himself from the key duties that pertain to the office of Cardinal: the election of any future Pope and assistance to the Holy Father in the governance of the Universal Church.
From today, Cardinal O’Brien will be reduced to a strictly private life, with no further participation in any public, religious or civil events. For now, he will continue to live where he is until such times as he may require full time residential accommodation for the sick or elderly, at which moment this arrangement will be reconsidered.
Today’s announcement follows the decision by Pope Francis to send a personal envoy, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, on a fact-finding mission to Scotland last year. Based upon that investigation – the content of which is fully known only to the Holy Father and Archbishop Scicluna – Pope Francis has reached his canonical conclusion.
As most people are aware, Pope Francis is a good and prayerful man whose character embodies justice and mercy. This I can attest to from first-hand experience. I am confident therefore that Pope Francis’ decision is fair, equitable and proportionate.
Cardinal O’Brien’s behaviour distressed many, it demoralised faithful Catholics and it made the Church less credible to those who are not Catholic. I therefore acknowledge and welcome his apology to those affected by his behaviour and also to the people of Scotland – especially the Catholic community.
For my own part, I would like to express sorrow and regret to those most distressed by the actions of my predecessor. I hope now that all of us affected by this sad and regrettable episode will embrace a spirit of forgiveness, the only spirit that can heal any bitterness and hurt that still remains. Forgiving the trespasses of others is surely the only way to regain our human and Christian serenity after such events.
With every blessing to you in this Holy Season.
+Leo Cushley