3rd Sunday in Lent (c)
3rd 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, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
9.30 a.m. (Tuesday, Funeral Mass)
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.
Died: Beatrice Nowosad, Hughie Boyle.
Annniversaries: James, Cunningham, Michael Mulraney, Nancy Atherton, Henry Livingston,
Today: If you ordered tickets for the Ceilidh to mark Monsignor Tony’s anniversary celebration these are now available for collection after Mass on payment of the appropriate amount. There are tickets available even if you did not put your name on the list. These too will be on sale after Mass.
Sunday: The Tea/Coffee morning with bacon rolls etc takes place in the Hall after 10.00 a.m. Mass. This week the Fair Trade Group is in charge. All welcome.
What is Fairtrade? Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
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.
Tuesday: Meeting for parents of children in P3 who are preparing for their First Reconciliation. It is at 7.00 p.m. in the Church hall. The children need not be present.
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 looks at ‘Making Sense of Creeds.’
Thursday: The tea/coffee morning in the house takes place after 9.00 a.m. Mass.
Next Sunday: Marriage Preparation session for those who are preparing for marriage either here in St. Cuthbert’s or elsewhere. Those who have indicated their intention to marry should have received an invitation direct. If you have not, please let me know as soon as possible. Also if you are planning to marry in the course of 2013 and have not notified me please get in touch. It is a requirement in Church law that a minimum period of six months notice be give.
Diary Dates:
14th March: As many volunteers as possible are needed to come along to the Hall at 7.00 p.m. to clean it and prepare it for the forthcoming Ceilidh. The more who can manage the less time it will take. You will be welcome.
17th March is the 40th Anniversary of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Monsignor Tony. The Parish Pastoral Council is organising a Ceilidh in the Hall on Friday 15th March with a buffet supper. if you wish to come please put your name, telephone number and the number of tickets requested on the sheet at the back of the Church. Tickets will be £3 each and £1 for children. who must be at least of P4 age and accompanied by a responsible adult. There is a box at the back of the Church for donations towards a gift for Monsignor Tony.
5th – 12th July: The Annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place. Booking is now open and forms for hotels can be obtained from the agents – Access Travel, The Hillock, Astley, Manchester M29 7GW – Telephone 01942.888844. I have a limited supply in the sacristy. Booking for the Saint Frai Centre must be done through the Hospital Booking Secretary, 61 Hailes Gardens, Edinburgh EH13 0JN – Tel 0131.441.1939.
The latest edition of Living Faith covering the period from April to June is now available at the stall, priced £1.30.
Pope Benedict XVI stepped down from the role of Pope on Thursday evening at 8.00 p.m. Rome time. Until such time as a new Pope is elected, the papacy is called ‘sede vacante’ i.e. empty see or seat and we have no Pope. The leadership of the church falls on the College of Cardinals until such time as the conclave takes place and they elect a successor.
One of his last acts was to appoint Archbishop Tartaglia as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until such time as there is a new Archbishop appointed. There is a letter from him available as you leave Mass. An Apostolic Administrator is a bit like a caretaker leader of the Archdiocese. There is no time frame for this. Please pray for all the Cardinals but especially those under 80 who will bear the heavy responsibility of electing a new Pope. May they be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and elect someone to lead us with wisdom, courage and insight into the next era of the Church’s history.
These last few days have been a whole mixture of emotions – sadness, disbelief, anger, hurt, confusion, all coming together to leave many numbed by the events that have developed since last weekend. No words of mine can answer these feelings or take them away. I share them with you and will offer Mass for you and all your intentions.
What we can do is pray even more especially for all those affected in any way and for the whole Archdiocese. We entrust these prayers to Our Lady, Mother of the Church, in the confident hope that she is watching over us and that her Son will not leave us. A Mass card has been sent to Cardinal O’Brien in the name of the Parishioners letting him know he is in our prayers and thoughts at this difficult and dark time for him.
With every best wish and blessing
to you, your families and those
who are dear to you.
Monsignor Tony.
O Christ Jesus,when all is darkness
And we feel our weakness and helplessness
Give us Your presence,
Your love and Your strength.
Help us to have perfect trust
In Your protecting love
And strengthening power
So that nothing may frighten or worry us
For, living close to You, we shall see Your hand,
Your purpose, Your will through all things.
Amen.
(St. Ignatius)
